Pakistan-Based Shahzad Bhatti Network Declared Terrorist Organisation In India Under UAPA

The Centre on Wednesday formally added the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) to India's list of designated terrorist organisations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, citing alleged involvement in cross-border trafficking of weapons and narcotics, recruitment of young people and activities linked to threats to internal security.

The designation was notified through the government gazette after the Centre invoked provisions of the UAPA to amend the Act's First Schedule. The government has alleged that the network combines criminal activity, recruitment and online mobilisation as part of its operations.

The government's notification outlined the alleged objectives and activities of the organisation, including the recruitment of young people and local criminals for cross-border smuggling and terrorist activities. The gazette 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." Ministry of Home Affairs declares the Shahzad Bhatti Network as a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The group is involved in smuggling arms, explosives and narcotics across borders, apart from inciting youths and petty criminals into… pic.twitter.com/j69KubZCLV The Centre also referred to criminal cases registered in different jurisdictions against individuals allegedly associated with the network.

According to the notification, the cases involve allegations of unlawful and terrorist activities, with authorities invoking provisions of multiple laws. The government further alleged that the organisation attempted to expand its network by targeting young people and petty criminals.

The notification accused SBN of using inducements to attract young people and subsequently encouraging them to participate in activities described by the government as anti-national. It stated, "The 'Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN)' is involved in radicalising gullible youth by offering various allurements, motivating them for anti-national activities, and mobilising resources for anti-national acts in collusion with other banned organisations and designated entities." The Centre's allegations therefore extend beyond conventional criminal activity, with the government describing the network as an organisation involved in recruitment, radicalisation and mobilisation of resources in coordination with other banned groups and designated entities.

The government has also cited the alleged use of digital platforms by the network. According to the notification, SBN has used online communication channels to disseminate provocative material while allegedly promoting violent activities capable of disturbing public order.

The Centre said the network's digital activity poses a challenge to India's integrity and alleged that the online material forms part of its broader efforts to promote terrorism. The notification stated, "The Central Government believes that 'Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN)' is involved in terrorism and has participated in various acts of terrorism in India." The government's designation is based on these findings and its assessment of the activities attributed to the network.

The formal designation was made under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of Section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Using the provision, the Centre amended the First Schedule of the legislation to include SBN among India's designated terrorist organisations.

The notification inserted the organisation as the 46th entry in the schedule.