The Centre on Wednesday designated the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, citing its alleged involvement in terrorism, cross-border smuggling and efforts to recruit youths and local criminals for unlawful activities in India.
Added to UAPA list
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), through a notification issued on September 16, amended the First Schedule of the UAPA to include the Shahzad Bhatti Network. The organisation has been inserted as the 46th entry on the list of terrorist organisations under the Act. The notification was issued by the Centre in exercise of powers under Section 35(1)(a) of the UAPA. The government said it had concluded that the SBN was involved in terrorism and had participated in various acts of terrorism in India.
According to the MHA, the network allegedly sought to draw vulnerable youths and local criminals into smuggling arms, explosives and narcotics from across the border. The government said its activities posed a serious threat to the country’s internal security, democratic system and communal harmony.
Recruitment under scanner
The ministry said several criminal cases had been registered against alleged cadres of the network across different jurisdictions under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, UAPA, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, Explosives Act, Information Technology Act and other laws. The Centre also accused the SBN of attempting to radicalise youths by offering inducements and encouraging them to participate in anti-national activities. It alleged that the network mobilised resources in coordination with other banned organisations and designated entities.
The network has also allegedly used digital communication platforms to circulate provocative material and promote terrorism through violent activities aimed at disturbing public order.
Multi-state crackdown
The designation comes about a month after security agencies carried out a coordinated multi-state operation against people allegedly associated with the network. On August 12, 253 people were detained across 14 states as part of the crackdown, while authorities said more than 200 arrests had been recorded in over 80 FIRs linked to the network.
The operation covered Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Karnataka, Gujarat, Bihar, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala.
Authorities had said that recoveries during operations against the network included improvised explosive devices, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges and surveillance equipment.
Cross-border links
Security agencies have described SBN as an ISI-backed cross-border network allegedly linked to grenade, IED and petrol bomb attacks, targeted killings and reconnaissance of sensitive locations, including police, defence and religious sites.
With its inclusion in the First Schedule of the UAPA, the Shahzad Bhatti Network is now formally classified as a terrorist organisation under Indian law, strengthening the legal framework for action against its alleged members, associates, financing and support structures.