Now Reading: Centre declares Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network terrorist outfit
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Centre declares Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network terrorist outfit
The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday declared the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The notification added SBN to the First Schedule of…
The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday declared the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The notification added SBN to the First Schedule of the Act, making it the 46th group on the list. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the decision follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.
The ministry said SBN is involved in smuggling arms, explosives and narcotics across borders, radicalising youth and publishing hateful digital content. The network is run by gangster-turned-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti, who is backed by Pakistan's ISI and operates from a third country. Last month, security agencies arrested over 200 suspects linked to the network across 14 states.
Indian Opinion Analysis
All four outlets reported the declaration as a factual government action, with no critical or opposing views. The Hindu and Times of India led with Amit Shah's statement, while NDTV and Hindustan Times led with the gazette notification. Every source reproduced the ministry's description of SBN's activities verbatim, giving no space to alternative framings. The uniform coverage means the government's narrative stands uncontested in the public record. The next step to watch is the prosecution of the 200-plus arrested suspects under the UAPA.
Coverage: 4 sources, 4 neutral
Sources (4): ndtv.com (neutral report), hindustantimes.com (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report), thehindu.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 4 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry.
Updated: this story now draws on 4 sources.
