Now Reading: India bans Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network under UAPA
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India bans Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network under UAPA
The Union home ministry on Wednesday declared the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Home Minister Amit Shah said the move follows Prime Minister…
The Union home ministry on Wednesday declared the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Home Minister Amit Shah said the move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. The gazette notification added SBN as the 46th entry to the UAPA's First Schedule.
The government alleges SBN is backed by Pakistan's ISI and is involved in cross-border smuggling of arms, explosives and narcotics, radicalising youth, and publishing hateful digital content. Sources cited by multiple outlets link Bhatti to the 2022 killing of singer Sidhu Moosewala, the 2024 murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, and a grenade attack at a YouTuber's home. A multi-state crackdown in August resulted in over 200 arrests across 14 states. Bhatti, a Lahore resident based in Dubai, remains wanted in India.
Indian Opinion Analysis
All five sources report the ban as a factual government action, with Livemint, ABP News, India Today and Times of India closely echoing the home ministry's allegations. Deccan Herald provides the most critical distance, noting that allegations against Bhatti have not been legally proven and cases remain under investigation. The uniform sourcing from government notifications and unnamed 'sources' leaves readers with an unverified official account. The key question is whether India will produce admissible evidence in court to back the claims linking Bhatti to specific attacks. The first judicial test of the UAPA listing will come when a designated court hears a bail or challenge petition.
Coverage: 5 sources, 5 neutral
Sources (5): livemint.com (neutral report), news.abplive.com (neutral report), deccanherald.com (neutral report), indiatoday.in (neutral report), timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report)
This brief was synthesised by AI from the 5 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry.
Updated: this story now draws on 5 sources.
