Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement of a nationwide crackdown on the alleged Shahzad Bhatti Network, described by the Centre as an ISI-backed terror network, calling it a “BIG breakthrough” in the fight against terrorism.
Shah said coordinated operations across 14 states had dismantled the alleged network ahead of Independence Day and led to the arrest of more than 200 operatives. Security forces also recovered IEDs, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings, pistols, live ammunition and CCTV cameras allegedly used for espionage, he said.
Reacting to Shah’s statement, Sarma said security forces had dealt the network “a body blow” and prevented an impending threat. He added that Assam had recently arrested two operatives allegedly linked to the wider network.
Sarma credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah for what he described as decisive and uncompromising action against terrorism, saying the operations had thwarted alleged attempts to carry out subversive activities.
