The Centre has officially designated the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, citing allegations of cross-border smuggling, recruitment of young people and efforts to promote terrorist activities in India.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced the decision on Wednesday, saying the network was involved in the movement of arms, explosives and narcotics across borders.
The government also alleged that the network attempted to draw young people and petty criminals into terrorism and used digital platforms to spread hateful content and target India’s democratic and social structure.
How Did the Shahzad Bhatti Network Allegedly Target Young People?
According to officials, one of the methods allegedly used by the network was to approach young people through social media platforms, including Instagram.
Investigators in Maharashtra had earlier identified around 30 young men in Mumbai, all below the age of 20, who had allegedly come in contact with Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti.
Officials said the network used what they described as a “gaming mission” model. Young people were allegedly given small tasks that appeared harmless at first. The purpose, according to investigators, was to identify people willing to follow instructions before gradually giving them more sensitive assignments.
The initial tasks allegedly included taking photographs or recording short videos of public places, government buildings and police stations.
Most Mumbai Youths Did Not Complete the Tasks
Officials said most of the young people identified during the investigation did not carry out the instructions they received.
In one case, a young man was allegedly asked to photograph a police station in Haryana. Investigators said he did not visit the location or complete the task.
According to officials, no further instructions were sent to him after he failed to carry out the assignment.
Investigators have described the alleged process as an attempt to slowly test and recruit young people rather than immediately asking them to participate in serious criminal activities.
Two Men Arrested in Uttar Pradesh
Investigators have also linked the network to the case of 20-year-old Krishna Mishra and Daniyal Ashraf, who were arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad.
Officials allege that Mishra received instructions from handlers linked to Bhatti’s network to collect information about sensitive locations.
Investigators said Mishra photographed Narpoli Police Station in Bhiwandi and recorded an 18-second video of a nearby bridge. The material was allegedly sent to handlers in Pakistan.
Digital material recovered from the accused’s phones reportedly included encrypted conversations, video calls, reconnaissance footage and financial transaction records.
The allegations are part of an ongoing investigation.
Major Crackdown Against the Network
The designation comes after a multi-state crackdown against the Shahzad Bhatti Network in August.
The government said security agencies detained 253 people across 14 states during operations carried out before Independence Day. More than 80 FIRs and over 200 arrests have been recorded in cases linked to the network, according to the government.
Authorities said investigations resulted in the recovery of weapons and other material, including IEDs, grenades, pistols, ammunition and equipment allegedly used for surveillance.
What the Government Says About the Network
The Home Ministry said the network’s activities went beyond organised crime and included attempts to involve young people in terrorism.
It also alleged that the group used digital content to spread hatred and undermine India’s democratic structure and communal harmony.
By formally designating the Shahzad Bhatti Network under UAPA, the Centre has placed it under India’s legal framework for dealing with organisations classified as terrorist organisations.
The development follows months of investigations and multi-state action against people allegedly connected to the network.
