The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared the ‘Shahzad Bhatti Network’ a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
According to the MHA, Bhatti’s group smuggles weapons, explosives and drugs. It is also involved in radicalising youth and petty criminals.
Earlier, Indian security agencies had said in August that they had dismantled the network, which was linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI.
The agencies arrested more than 200 people linked to the network during operations across 14 states. According to an August 12 release, the MHA conducted joint operations with state police forces.
More than 80 FIRs registered
According to the MHA, more than 80 FIRs have been registered against the Shahzad Bhatti Network so far. The cases have been filed under the UAPA, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and Explosive Substances Act.
The ministry said recovered IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges and CCTV cameras used for surveillance confirm the network’s direct cross-border links.
NIA claims Bhatti is hiding in Brazil
Pakistani social media influencer Shahzad Bhatti is hiding in Brazil, according to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The agency’s investigation into terror attacks linked to Punjab revealed this in July.
The NIA claims that Bhatti recruits young people through various social media platforms from Brazil and then adds them to a WhatsApp group, through which he gets them to carry out attacks.
