Indian security forces arrested more than 200 operatives of the alleged ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti terror network in coordinated raids [1].
The operation represents a major security effort to prevent planned attacks during the national Independence Day celebrations. The scale of the arrests across multiple regions suggests a widespread attempt to infiltrate several Indian states.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the results of the operation on Aug. 17, 2024 [3]. The raids spanned 14 states [2]. Security forces targeted the network to dismantle a plot allegedly supported by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) [2].
During the raids, officials seized a variety of weaponry and surveillance tools. Recovered items included improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and grenades that bore markings from the Pakistan Ordnance Factory [2]. Forces also recovered pistols, live cartridges, and CCTV cameras [2].
The government said the network was designed to execute terror plots coinciding with the August 15 Independence Day celebrations [1]. The coordinated nature of the raids indicates a high level of intelligence gathering across state borders to neutralize the threat before the holiday events occurred [1].
Officials said the dismantling of the Shahzad Bhatti network removes a significant immediate threat to public safety. The seizure of surveillance equipment suggests the group was conducting reconnaissance on potential targets [2].
“Security forces arrested more than 200 operatives of the alleged ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti terror network”
The scale of this operation—spanning 14 states—highlights the persistent challenge India faces regarding cross-border terrorism and the alleged role of the ISI in coordinating domestic cells. The recovery of munitions specifically marked by the Pakistan Ordnance Factory provides the Indian government with physical evidence to support its claims of state-sponsored terrorism, further straining diplomatic relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.
