India Shuts Down Pakistan-Backed Terror Network Ahead of Independence Day

India Shuts Down Pakistan-Backed Terror Network Ahead of Independence Day

India's security forces have dealt a devastating blow to the Pakistan-backed terror group, Shahzad Bhatti Network. The network, which was involved in several terrorist activities, including grenade, IED, and petrol bomb attacks, as well as targeted killings across India, has been dismantled ahead of Independence Day. The operation, which was conducted across 14 states, resulted in the arrest of over 200 operatives of the network.

According to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the network was funded by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was involved in several terrorist activities. The network was found to be paying local conduits to recce police, defence, and religious sites, and to install CCTV cameras for espionage. The NIA is probing multiple cases against Bhatti, including an alleged link to the March 2025 grenade attack at the residence of social media influencer Roger Sandhu in Jalandhar, Punjab.

The anti-terror agency has further found that Bhatti had also masterminded the November 2025 explosion at the Women Police Station, Sirsa, Haryana and the January 2026 blast at Baldev Nagar police station in Ambala, Haryana. The Baldev Nagar police station case relates to a car bomb explosion, in which one arrested accused was found to have been in touch with Bhatti.

The operation was conducted using a real-time intelligence-sharing system with State Police forces, and over 200 arrests were made during the operation in 14 states. The recoveries made from the network, including IEDs and grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, confirm the network's direct cross-border links.

India's Zero Tolerance Policy Towards Terrorism

The dismantling of the Shahzad Bhatti Network is a significant milestone in India's efforts to counter cross-border terror. The government's zero tolerance policy towards terrorism has been reinforced by the coordinated operations conducted across 14 states. The security agencies will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle the network's networks nationwide.

Key Takeaways

• Over 200 operatives of the Shahzad Bhatti Network were arrested ahead of Independence Day.
• The network was funded by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and was involved in several terrorist activities.
• The NIA is probing multiple cases against Bhatti, including an alleged link to the March 2025 grenade attack at the residence of social media influencer Roger Sandhu in Jalandhar, Punjab.
• The anti-terror agency has further found that Bhatti had also masterminded the November 2025 explosion at the Women Police Station, Sirsa, Haryana and the January 2026 blast at Baldev Nagar police station in Ambala, Haryana.