Moose Wala killing to Ambala blast: The long terror trail of ISI proxy Shahzad Bhatti
Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti, declared a terrorist by the Indian government, is accused of being an ISI proxy involved in cross-border arms and narcotics smuggling, recruiting criminals, and orchestrating terror acts. His alleged 'terror trail' includes links to the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, the 2024 murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, and multiple bomb blasts.
Why it matters
This report exposes the intricate network of cross-border terrorism and organized crime, highlighting significant national security threats and the alleged involvement of state-sponsored proxies in destabilizing activities.
NEW DELHI: From a local criminal to an alleged ISI proxy involved in "hybrid terrorism", Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti is accused of building a cross-border network for arms and narcotics smuggling over the years.He has also been linked to the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala in 2022, according to sources, news agency PTI reported.The government on Wednesday declared the Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) a terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).The Union home ministry said the network was involved in cross-border smuggling of arms, explosives and narcotics and in recruiting youths and local criminals for terror-related activities, PTI reported.Bhatti, 45, a resident of Lahore and currently based in Dubai, is an absconding suspect in several Indian investigations.According to sources, Bhatti is affiliated with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and acts as a "proxy" for the agency, allegedly orchestrating cross-border terror modules and commanding a syndicate involved in…
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