ISI-Linked Shahzad Bhatti Module Busted: Temple, Army Camp on Target; Was May 7 the D-Day?
Delhi Police has uncovered an alleged ISI-linked Shahzad Bhatti module targeting a Delhi temple, Murthal dhaba, Hisar camp and police personnel in UP.
By Srajan Agarwal | 2026-05-08T10:42:12.686575+05:30
In a major security breakthrough, the Delhi Police Special Cell and central agencies have uncovered an alleged terror conspiracy linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and the Shahzad Bhatti module. According to sources, the module had identified multiple high-footfall and sensitive targets, including a historic temple in Delhi, a popular dhaba on the Delhi-Sonipat highway, and a military camp in Hisar.
The revelations came after the arrest of nine alleged operatives linked to the Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti network during a wider crackdown on organised crime and terror-linked modules. Delhi Police said the recent 48-hour operation, “Gang Bust 2.0”, covered Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Also Read: 1 Year of Operation Sindoor: How New Bharat Responded to the Pahalgam Attack
What Actually Happened?
- Historic temple in Delhi was allegedly on their hit list
Sources said one of the arrested accused had conducted reconnaissance of a historic temple in Delhi and shared photographs with handlers believed to be operating from Pakistan. The alleged plan was to first target police and paramilitary personnel deployed at the site and then attack the religious place. - Popular Murthal dhaba also on the hit list
Investigators have also found that NCR's most famous dhaba on the Delhi-Sonipat highway was allegedly on the module’s target list. Murthal, located in Haryana’s Sonipat district on NH-44, is known for its busy dhabas that attract thousands of visitors daily. Sources claimed the attackers were planning to use hand grenades to trigger panic and cause mass casualties. - Hisar military camp allegedly surveyed
A military camp in Hisar was also reportedly under surveillance. According to investigators, videos related to the reconnaissance of the camp were allegedly shared with Pakistan-based handlers. - Nine operatives linked to Shahzad Bhatti network arrested
Delhi Police said nine alleged members of the Shahzad Bhatti network were arrested during the operation. The accused were identified as Shoyab Khan, Ravi Kashyap, Anmol Rai, Imtiyaz Khan, Rizwan Khan, Jasbir Singh, Jaskaran Singh, Satara Singh and Manoj. Police claimed some of them were tasked with firing at security personnel in North India and Delhi-NCR, while others were allegedly involved in arms trafficking. - Massive crackdown across five states
The wider “Gang Bust 2.0” operation was carried out from May 5 to May 7. Police said raids were conducted at 1,014 locations across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. The crackdown led to 482 arrests, along with seizures of 141 pistols, 212 cartridges, 79 knives, 24 vehicles, Rs 19 lakh in cash, 31 mobile phones, narcotic substances and liquor. - Social media used for recruitment, say investigators
According to police, the Shahzad Bhatti network was allegedly recruiting foot soldiers through social media platforms for anti-national activities. Investigators are now examining electronic devices and communication trails to identify more handlers, recruiters and local contacts.
1 Year of Operation Sindoor; Was 7th May the D-Date?
The timing of the alleged conspiracy has also drawn attention as it surfaced around the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor.
The Operation marked a decisive shift in India’s counter-terror approach, with Indian forces targeting terror infrastructure linked to groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. On the first anniversary of the operation, India’s security and diplomatic establishment reiterated its zero-tolerance stand against cross-border terrorism.
While officials have not publicly confirmed whether the Shahzad Bhatti module was planning to carry out attacks exactly on May 7, security agencies are examining whether the timing had any symbolic significance. Investigators suspect that Pakistan-backed handlers may have been looking to exploit the anniversary period to create fear, provoke communal tension and send a message in response to India’s Operation Sindoor posture.
Who is Shahzad Bhatti?
Shahzad Bhatti is a Pakistan-based gangster and alleged ISI proxy. His network has been under the scanner for allegedly using social media, encrypted communication platforms and financial inducements to lure young people in India.
Earlier, Delhi Police had arrested two operatives, Rajveer and Vivek Banjara, from Madhya Pradesh for their alleged links with the Bhatti network. Police then claimed the duo was involved in a conspiracy to carry out targeted killings and grenade attacks in Delhi-NCR. During that operation, police recovered a pistol, live cartridges and mobile phones containing incriminating videos and voice messages.
UP ATS has also recently claimed that two men were in contact with Bhatti and his aides and were allegedly planning attacks on important institutions, police stations and outposts in Uttar Pradesh and other Indian cities.
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Why This Case Matters?
- The investigation suggests a growing overlap between organised crime, cross-border terror handlers and online radicalisation.
- High-footfall civilian locations, religious sites, police personnel and defence-linked establishments were allegedly being considered as targets.
- Agencies are now focusing on the digital trail, including social media accounts, encrypted chats, financial links and possible local support networks.
- The recent arrests indicate that terror-linked modules are increasingly relying on young recruits, online handlers and small arms networks rather than traditional large terror cells.