# Centre bans ISI-linked Shahzad Bhatti Network under UAPA

2026-09-16T17:17:26+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

The Union home ministry on Wednesday declared the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The Pakistan-based group, backed by the ISI, has been accused of recruiting Indian youths and criminals for cross-border arms, explosives and narcotics trafficking, as well as terrorist activities. Hindustan Times reports that the ban came after Uttar Pradesh police formally recommended action in July, following investigations that produced 12 cases and 52 arrests. A coordinated operation on August 12 saw 253 people detained across 14 states, with over 80 FIRs and more than 200 arrests recorded against SBN members. The notification places SBN at serial number 46 in the UAPA's First Schedule of terror outfits. The government has alleged the network used social media to radicalise youth, conducted reconnaissance of police and military establishments, and carried out grenade and petrol bomb attacks.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The ban on the Shahzad Bhatti Network is a straightforward security story, but the sources frame it with different weight. Hindustan Times leads with Uttar Pradesh police's months-long push, crediting the state's role and detailing the investigation's scale. Awaaz The Voice and Republic World focus on the government's notification text and legal provisions, while India TV quotes a social media post. All sources report essentially the same facts without critical angles, producing near-identical coverage. The uniformity across outlets suggests the government's narrative has been fully adopted, with no source questioning the evidence or examining the network's actual capacity. The legal implications of the UAPA listing will matter most to civil liberties observers.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com (pro government) <https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/upled-push-for-terrorist-tag-culminates-in-centre-s-ban-on-shahzad-bhatti-network-101789564749030.html>
  Leads with UP Police's months-long push and investigation detail, crediting state initiative
- indiatvnews.com (neutral report) <https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/home-ministry-declares-shahzad-bhatti-network-a-terrorist-organisation-under-uapa-2026-09-16-1054395>
  Straight notification report quoting Home Ministry X post, no investigation detail or critical angle
- awazthevoice.in (neutral report) <https://www.awazthevoice.in/india-news/centre-lists-shahzad-bhatti-network-as-terrorist-organisation-under-uapa-67762.html>
  Newswire-style copy of notification and operation numbers, no independent framing or scepticism
- republicworld.com (neutral report) <https://www.republicworld.com/india/shahzad-bhatti-network-listed-as-terrorist-organisation-2026-09-16-137102>
  Full reproduction of government notification text and legal sections, no investigative background

Tags: ISI, Ministry of Home Affairs, Shahzad Bhatti Network, UAPA, Uttar Pradesh Police
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