The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said 253 people were detained across 14 states during coordinated operations.

More than 80 FIRs have been registered and over 200 arrests have been made against alleged SBN operatives as part of the government’s “zero tolerance” policy towards cross-border terrorism.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in a post on X, said the “Modi government destroyed the ISI-backed terror group Shahzad Bhatti Network ahead of Independence Day” and thwarted its alleged plans for subversive attacks by arresting more than 200 operatives.

“Indian security forces ripped apart the network by launching coordinated operations across different locations in 14 states, upholding a brilliant example of India’s zero-tolerance towards terrorism,” Shah said.

He added that security forces made substantial recoveries, including IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges and CCTV cameras allegedly used for espionage.

According to the MHA, the Shahzad Bhatti Network is a Pakistan-based, ISI-backed terror syndicate allegedly linked to grenade, IED and petrol bomb attacks as well as targeted killings in different parts of India.

The network allegedly paid local conduits to conduct reconnaissance of police, defence and religious sites and install CCTV cameras for espionage purposes.

To counter alleged SBN-linked plans to disrupt security around Independence Day, a coordinated multi-state operation was conducted on August 12 using a real-time intelligence-sharing mechanism involving state police forces.

The operation resulted in 253 detentions across 14 states: Uttar Pradesh (62), Haryana (52), Delhi (51), Punjab (44), Rajasthan (15), Maharashtra (8), Uttarakhand (5), Karnataka (3), Gujarat (3), Bihar (3), Telangana (2), Himachal Pradesh (2), Jammu and Kashmir (2) and Kerala (2).

Fresh FIRs were also registered in Delhi and Karnataka, according to the MHA.

Cumulatively, more than 80 FIRs have been registered and over 200 arrests have been made in cases linked to the SBN under various provisions, including the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Arms Act, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Explosive Substances Act.

The recoveries included IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges and CCTV cameras allegedly used for espionage, which the MHA said pointed to the network’s cross-border links.