Centre designates Pak-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network as terror group

A gazette notification issued by the ministry invoked Section 35(1)(a) of the UAPA and added SBN to the First Schedule of the Act.

The Union home ministry on Wednesday declared the Pakistan-backed Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing its involvement in cross-border smuggling of arms, explosives and narcotics and recruitment of Indian youth for terrorist activities.

A gazette notification issued by the ministry invoked Section 35(1)(a) of the UAPA and added SBN to the First Schedule of the Act, which lists organisations designated as terrorist outfits. It is the 46th organisation on the list.

“The group is involved in smuggling of arms, explosives and narcotics across borders, apart from inciting youths and petty criminals into terrorism. Targeting India’s democratic structure and the fabric of communal harmony, the syndicate also published hateful digital content,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Serious threat to the democratic system”

The notification said: “‘Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN)’ is an organisation whose objective is to involve gullible youth and local criminals to smuggle arms, explosives, and narcotics from across the border, and through terrorist activities, pose a serious threat to the democratic system, communal harmony, and internal security of the country.”

The ministry cited criminal cases against alleged SBN members across several jurisdictions under laws including the UAPA, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Arms Act, Explosives Act and Information Technology Act.

The network is allegedly run by gangster-turned-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti, 45, a resident of Lahore who is currently believed to be in Dubai. Intelligence officials said he is backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), operates from different locations and runs a cross-border network involved in arms and narcotics smuggling.