The central government has taken a major decision against terrorism. The Home Ministry has directly declared the ‘Shahzad Bhatti Network’ a terrorist organization under the UAPA. The official notification was issued on September 16th. This gang was smuggling weapons, ammunition, and drugs into our country from across the border. Furthermore, it also lured youth and petty criminals into terrorism by luring them. Its links are located across the border, from where it posted inflammatory content on social media to spread hatred in India.
The Home Ministry has taken this action under Section 35(1)(a) of the UAPA Act. This provision empowers the central government to declare any dangerous gang a ‘terrorist organization.’ This law contains a fixed list of all banned terrorist organizations in the country (such as Lashkar and Jaish). The government has now updated this list and included the ‘Shahzad Bhatti Network’ as a terrorist organization at number 46.
In a notification issued by the Home Ministry, it has been stated that more than 80 cases have been registered against this network across the country. These cases are registered under the UAPA, the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Arms Act, the NDPS Act, and the Explosive Substances Act.
Recently, security agencies launched a major operation against the Shahzad Bhatti Network across the country. On August 12, simultaneous raids were conducted in 14 states across the country. More than 200 people associated with the network were arrested in this operation.
During the raids, IEDs, grenades with Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, sophisticated pistols, a large quantity of live ammunition, and CCTV cameras used for espionage were recovered from the network’s hideouts. This evidence clearly proves that this syndicate has direct links across the border. Now, after being declared a terrorist organization, the government will take even stricter action against their hideouts and properties.
The Uttar Pradesh Police, ATS, and Special Task Force (STF) have jointly taken major action against this entire gang. Twelve cases have been filed in this matter so far. 52 members of the gang have been arrested from various locations and sent to jail. Weapons and incriminating material have also been recovered from them.
Uttar Pradesh Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash stated, “Gangster Shahzad Bhatti, based in Pakistan, was instigating the youth of our country through the internet and social media. He was trying to push them into terrorism and crime by luring them with money and work. No criminal who threatens the peace and security of the country will be spared. Strictest legal action will continue against the rest of the gang involved in this network.”