Centre designates Shahzad Bhatti Network as terrorist organisation under UAPA

The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday declared the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, inserting it into the First Schedule of the law.

The notification, issued under Section 35 of the UAPA, allows agencies to treat the outfit and its members as a designated terror entity and to pursue enhanced charges relating to terror financing, membership and conspiracy.

Announcing the move on X, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the step followed the Prime Minister's vision of zero tolerance against terror. He said the group is involved in smuggling arms, explosives and narcotics across borders, in drawing youths and petty criminals into terrorism, and in publishing hateful digital content aimed at India's democratic structure and communal harmony.

The notification states that SBN's objective is to lure gullible youth and local criminals into smuggling arms, explosives and narcotics from across the border, and that its activities pose a serious threat to the democratic system, communal harmony and internal security. It accuses the network of radicalising young people through inducements, mobilising resources for anti-national acts in collusion with other banned organisations, and using digital platforms to spread provocative messages. Several criminal cases have been registered against its cadres in multiple jurisdictions.

The designation follows a nationwide crackdown launched last month, days before Independence Day, against an alleged Bhatti-linked network. Security agencies detained 253 people across 14 states and recovered explosives, firearms and surveillance equipment. The seizures are said to have included IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges and CCTV cameras allegedly used for espionage.

SBN is described as a Pakistan-based, ISI-backed syndicate linked to grenade, IED and petrol bomb attacks, targeted killings and surveillance of police, defence and religious sites. Officials said the network allegedly paid local conduits to conduct reconnaissance and install cameras for espionage.

Its purported leader, Shahzad Bhatti, is believed to move between Dubai and Pakistan and faces allegations related to bomb-making and the supply of illegal arms and ammunition to India, Dubai, the United States and Canada. Officials also link him to a Balochistan-based gangster, Farooq Khokhar.

Bhatti has been accused of using social media to lure youngsters and has been linked to a March 2025 grenade attack at the residence of YouTuber Rozer Sandhu in Jalandhar, Punjab. He has also been named in connection with a threat issued to actor Mithun Chakraborty in November 2024 over the actor's purported remarks against Muslims.