look news india
Just ahead of Independence Day, India’s security agencies have carried out the biggest and most decisive multi-state crackdown ever against the Pakistan-based and ISI-backed Shehzad Bhatti Network (SBN). Based on inputs from the Union Home Ministry and intelligence agencies, simultaneous raids were conducted in fourteen states, in which 253 suspects were detained and more than 200 criminals were arrested. With this major action, the nefarious designs of anti-national forces have been foiled. This is being considered a huge success under the Central Government’s zero tolerance policy against terrorism.
Joint operation of real-time intelligence and state police
To make this nationwide operation successful, Indian security forces used state-of-the-art real-time intelligence-sharing systems. On 12 August, coordinated raids were conducted simultaneously on multiple locations in collaboration with state police forces. During this period, police arrested suspects in a total of 14 states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan. The highest number of arrests and detentions were recorded from sensitive states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, where the network was trying to strengthen its sleeper cells at the local level.
More than 80 FIRs and strict legal action under UAPA
After this action taken by the security agencies, strict legal action has been taken against the entire network. More than 80 FIRs have been registered in different parts of the country. In these cases, cases have been registered under serious sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (UAPA), Indian Justice Code (BNS), Arms Act, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Explosive Substances Act. Giving this information on social media platforms, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made it clear that no person who plays with the security of the country will be spared.
Large cache of weapons and explosives belonging to Pakistan recovered
During this raid, a large quantity of dangerous weapons and explosives were seized by the security forces. Grenades with Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), pistols, live cartridges and high-tech CCTV cameras used for spying have been recovered. Investigation has revealed that this network was paying money to local youth to conduct recce of religious places, police bases and defense establishments of the country and was installing spy cameras there so that any major terrorist incident could be carried out.
Syndicate used to trap youth through social media
Investigations by intelligence agencies so far have revealed that social media influencer Shahzad Bhatti, based in Pakistan and operating his network from Brazil, used to lure the unemployed and economically weak youth of India using mediums like Instagram and Facebook. He used to lure them with money and connect them to his secret WhatsApp group and then used to carry out incidents like grenade attacks, petrol bomb throwing and targeted killings in the country. However, after this major action, the country’s internal security system is fully alert and the search for the remaining operatives is going on.