ISI-Backed Terror Plot Foiled: 200 Arrested in Multi-State Crackdown

Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Monday that Indian security forces have successfully dismantled a massive terror network backed by Pakistan's ISI. Coordinated operations across 14 states led to the arrest of over 200 operatives belonging to the notorious Shahzad Bhatti group. This multi-agency crackdown was executed just days before Independence Day celebrations on August 15, preventing a series of planned attacks in major metropolitan areas. The Home Minister hailed the operation as a significant victory for India's internal security apparatus and a blow to cross-border terror modules.

The arrests were the culmination of weeks of intensive surveillance by central and state intelligence agencies. The Shahzad Bhatti network had reportedly established deep-rooted cells in several states, including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Maharashtra. Security forces recovered incriminating materials, communication devices, and planning documents that indicated a high level of coordination for synchronized strikes. The network focused on recruiting local youths through social media and encrypted platforms, providing them with training and financial support for logistical tasks and reconnaissance of high-profile targets.

The scale of the arrests across nearly half of India's states highlights the ongoing challenge of sleeper cells and radicalization efforts by foreign agencies. Amit Shah emphasized that the "zero-tolerance" policy toward terrorism remains a cornerstone of the national security strategy. The government intends to use the intelligence gathered from these arrests to further map out the funding channels and international linkages of the Bhatti network. Vigilance remains at an all-time high across the country as agencies continue to conduct follow-up raids to ensure no remnants of the module remain active during national festivities.