Security agencies in India carried out large-scale coordinated operations on August 12, 2026, leading to the detention of 253 individuals connected to the alleged Shahzad Bhatti Network, which is reportedly backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The crackdown spanned 14 states and exposed plans for subversive attacks ahead of Independence Day.
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## What the Shahzad Bhatti Network Allegedly Did
Officials accuse the Shahzad Bhatti Network of carrying out grenade attacks, improvised explosive device (IED) blasts, petrol bomb incidents, and targeted killings across India. Local operatives were allegedly tasked with reconnaissance of police stations, defense installations, and religious sites.
Authorities also allege the network installed surveillance equipment near sensitive locations, gathered intelligence against specific targets, and was financially compensated for facilitating the plots.
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## Details of the Operation
The multi-state operation employed real-time intelligence-sharing between central agencies and state police forces. That collaboration enabled simultaneous raids across 14 states.
Recovery efforts during the raids included:
– IEDs
– Grenades marked with insignia from the Pakistan Ordnance Factory
– Pistols and live ammunition
– Surveillance cameras possibly used for spying
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## Detentions by State
The most detentions occurred in:
– Uttar Pradesh: 62
– Haryana: 52
– Delhi: 51
– Punjab: 44
Other states with detentions include:
– Rajasthan: 15
– Maharashtra: 8
– Uttarakhand: 5
– Karnataka, Gujarat, Bihar: 3 each
– Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala: 2 each
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## Legal Actions and Ongoing Investigations
More than 80 FIRs (First Information Reports) have been filed and over 200 individuals have already been arrested under multiple laws:
– Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)
– Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
– Arms Act
– Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act
– Explosive Substances Act
In addition to arrests, law enforcement is examining financial transactions, communication logs, and local support networks to further trace the network’s operations. Authorities expect further arrests as investigations continue.
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## Government Reaction
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called the crackdown a “major success against cross-border terrorism,” stating that the government has dismantled the ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network. According to him, more than 200 operatives were arrested before they could carry out operations on or around Independence Day.
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), he confirmed recoveries included grenades with Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, IEDs, pistols, live ammunition, and espionage tools like surveillance cameras.
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## Broader Implications
The scale of this crackdown reflects increased resolve by central and state agencies to pool resources and intelligence. The operation signals zero tolerance for networks with alleged foreign backing and marks a push toward enhanced internal security coordination.
Agencies believe the seizures—especially weapons and surveillance gear—could serve as crucial evidence of cross-border links. By targeting local operatives and handlers, the investigation might reveal structural tentacles supporting broader terror infrastructure within India.
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