Archive · 17 Aug 2026
200 arrested as ISI-backed Bhatti network thwarted across 14 states
Some people in India were planning bad things to happen around Independence Day.
The police found out and arrested more than 200 people.
The people were working for a man named Shahzad Bhatti.
He is connected to a spy group in Pakistan called ISI.
Bhatti paid ordinary people small amounts of money to do dangerous jobs.
Some people were asked to put up cameras near important buildings.
Others were asked to throw grenades at police stations.
The police found bombs, guns, and cameras.
The people who were arrested did not know each other, so it was hard for police to catch them.
Now India is safer because the plan was stopped.
More than 200 people were arrested across 14 states in connection with 80 FIRs ahead of Independence Day.
The network, led by ISI-backed Shahzad Bhatti, recruited disposable, religion-agnostic individuals for as little as Rs 10,000–15,000.
Recruits installed CCTV cameras at security installations, threw grenades at police stations, and carried out targeted killings of policemen in Punjab.
Recoveries included IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges, and CCTV cameras.
The network operates on a 'need-to-know' basis with isolated modules, and is funded by proceeds from drone-dropped heroin and firearms sales.
- Who
- Shahzad Bhatti, an ISI-backed network leader, his recruits, Indian security agencies, and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- What
- A multi-state operation arrested more than 200 people and thwarted planned subversive attacks and espionage activities ahead of Independence Day.
- When
- The operation was carried out on 12 August; the government announced the results on Monday ahead of Independence Day.
- Where
- Across 14 states in India; CCTV installations were found in Kaurthala, Bikaner, Alwar, Ambala, Patiala, Jalandhar, Pathankot and Kathua.
- Why
- To prevent subversive attacks around Independence Day and disrupt an ISI-backed network involved in espionage, grenade attacks and targeted killings.
- Arrests
- More than 200 people
- States involved
- 14
- FIRs registered
- More than 80
- Operation date
- 12 August
- Recruit payments
- Rs 10,000–15,000 (disbursed in petty amounts of Rs 10,000–20,000)
- Recoveries
- IEDs, grenades with Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live cartridges, CCTV cameras
- Laws invoked
- UAPA, BNS, Arms Act, NDPS Act, Explosive Substances Act
- Network head
- Shahzad Bhatti (ISI-backed)