SHAHZAD BHATTI NETWORK TARGETED IN NATIONWIDE CRACKDOWN; 350 ARRESTED ACROSS 15 STATES

September 29, 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on September 28 that security agencies have dismantled more than 40 modules linked to the Shahzad Bhatti network, with over 350 people arrested across 15 States.

Speaking at the national conference on the PRAHAAR counter-terrorism policy and strategy in New Delhi, Shah said more than 100 FIRs had been registered in connection with the operations. He stated that the network was involved in the alleged cross-border smuggling of weapons, explosives and narcotics.

The Home Minister also said the government had declared the Shahzad Bhatti network a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Ministry of Home Affairs had announced the designation earlier in September, alleging that the network was involved in arms, explosives and narcotics smuggling and activities intended to promote terrorism.

Shah said the crackdown demonstrated the importance of coordination among central and State agencies. He also called for a stronger counter-terrorism mechanism extending to the police-station level and advocated an automated response system under the PRAHAAR framework.

The conference also saw the launch of a new Extradition Portal intended to improve coordination in efforts to bring fugitives back to India. Shah said that between 2019 and 2026, Indian authorities had brought back 288 fugitive criminals from 36 countries.