India Foils Major Terror Plot With 253 Arrests Across 14 States

Indian security forces have dismantled a major terror network backed by Pakistan's ISI, foiling a significant plot intended to strike ahead of Independence Day celebrations. In a massive, coordinated crackdown, authorities detained at least 253 operatives across 14 different states. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the network, identified as the Shahzad Bhatti group, was planning multiple disruptions to national peace. The scale of the arrests highlights the extensive reach the group had established within India, utilizing sleeper cells to manage logistics and planning for potential attacks.

The operations were the result of months of intelligence gathering and real-time surveillance by national agencies. Security forces launched simultaneous raids at various locations, ensuring that key figures in the network could not escape or destroy evidence. This synchronized effort spanned states from the northern border regions to southern industrial hubs. Officials stated that the group was being heavily funded and directed by external handlers to execute coordinated strikes. The recovery of communication devices and digital evidence during these raids has provided fresh leads into how such networks exploit local grievances to recruit operatives.

The successful foiling of this plot has led to an immediate intensification of security measures across major Indian cities and sensitive installations. Home Minister Amit Shah praised the security forces for "ripping apart" the network and ensuring that the nation's Independence Day celebrations remain secure. While the immediate threat has been neutralized, the government has directed state police departments to remain on high alert. The arrests also serve as a diplomatic signal regarding India's zero-tolerance policy toward state-sponsored terrorism, with the detailed evidence gathered expected to be shared at international forums to highlight the persistent threat from across the border.