India says it thwarted attacks by Pakistan-backed militants, arrested over 200 operatives
A multi-state operation was conducted across 14 states three days before India’s Independence Day
Indian security agencies arrested more than 200 "terror operatives" linked to Pakistan, thwarting potential "subversive attacks" around the country's Independence Day last week, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday (17 August), in one of the largest such crackdowns in years.
A multi-state operation targeting what Shah described as a Pakistan-backed terror group was carried out across 14 Indian states on 12 August, three days before India celebrated its 80th year of independence from British colonial rule.
A spokesperson for Pakistan's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. Pakistan has previously denied allegations that it supports militant groups blamed for attacks in India.
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"Modi government destroyed the ISI-backed terror group Shahzad Bhatti Network ahead of Independence Day and thwarted its plans for subversive attacks by arresting more than 200 operatives," Shah said in a post on X.
Shah said security agencies recovered pistols, live cartridges, grenades bearing Pakistan Ordnance Factory markings and crude bombs during the operation.
India and Pakistan have long accused each other of supporting militant activity in their respective countries.
The nuclear-armed neighbours were involved in a four-day military conflict last year after India blamed Pakistani attackers for the killing of 26 men at a tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir.
