India Arrests 253 Suspects in Multistate Crackdown on Pakistan-Based Network

Indian security agencies arrested over 200 operatives of the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network in a coordinated operation across 14 states on August 12, thwarting plans for subversive attacks ahead of Independence Day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced. The operation, which officials described as one of the largest crackdowns in years, culminated in the seizure of explosives, firearms, and surveillance equipment alleged to have direct cross-border links.

According to a Ministry of Home Affairs statement, the multistate raids were conducted on August 12 using a real-time intelligence-sharing system between central agencies and state police. A total of 253 individuals were detained during the operation. Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of arrests at 62, followed by Haryana with 52, Delhi with 51, and Punjab with 44. Rajasthan saw 15 arrests, Maharashtra eight, and Uttarakhand five. Three suspects each were detained in Karnataka, Gujarat, and Bihar, while two each were held in Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Kerala. Fresh First Information Reports were registered in Delhi and Karnataka.

Security agencies reported recovering improvised...