India Declares Shahzad Bhatti Network a Terrorist Organisation Under Anti-Terror Law

India's home ministry has declared the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, saying the group recruits young people and local criminals to smuggle arms, explosives and narcotics from across the border.

The designation was made in a notification dated 16 September 2026 and published in the Gazette of India. It adds the group as entry 46 in the First Schedule of the Act. Under the Act, a "terrorist organisation" is any organisation listed in that schedule, or one operating under the same name as a listed organisation.

Representational Image source: @AmitShah on X

Amit Shah, India's home minister and minister of cooperation, announced the decision in a post on X through the handle of the Home Minister's office. "Pursuing PM Shri Narendra Modi Ji's vision of zero tolerance against terror, the MHA declares the Shahzad Bhatti Network as a terrorist organisation under the UAPA," he wrote.

"The group is involved in smuggling of arms, explosives and narcotics across borders, apart from inciting youths and petty criminals into terrorism. Targeting India's democratic structure and the fabric of communal harmony, the syndicate also published hateful digital content," Shah's office added.

According to the notification, the group's objective is to involve "gullible youth and local criminals" in smuggling and, through terrorist activities, to "pose a serious threat to the democratic system, communal harmony, and internal security of the country".

The ministry said the group radicalises young people by "offering various allurements", motivates them towards "anti-national activities", and mobilises resources in collusion with other banned organisations and designated entities. The notification does not name those organisations or entities.

It also says the group promotes terrorism through violent activities that disrupt public order, and uses digital communication platforms to spread provocative messages.

Pursuing PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision of zero tolerance against terror, the MHA declares the Shahzad Bhatti Network as a terrorist organisation under the UAPA.

The group is involved in smuggling of arms, explosives and narcotics across borders, apart from inciting youths…

— गृहमंत्री कार्यालय, HMO India (@HMOIndia) September 16, 2026

The notification states that several criminal cases have been registered against members of the group across multiple jurisdictions. The cases involve provisions of at least nine laws, including the Arms Act, 1959, the UAPA itself and among others the Explosive Substances Act and the Immigration and Foreigners Act of 2025.

It does not say how many cases have been registered, where they were filed, or what stage they have reached.

"The Central Government believes that 'Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN)' is involved in terrorism and has participated in various acts of terrorism in India," the notification says.

The order was issued under section 35(1)(a) of the Act and signed by Rakesh Rathi, a joint secretary in the ministry. According to the notification, the First Schedule was last amended on 10 October 2024.