Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Chandigarh Police's Operation Cell, in coordination with a central agency, has uncovered an alleged module linked to the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and arrested three suspected ground operatives.
The accused were allegedly planning to plant an improvised explosive device (IED) at a crowded location in Chandigarh on the instructions of foreign-based handlers. Police said the timely operation successfully thwarted the conspiracy and prevented potential loss of life and property.
According to officials, around six kilograms of gelatin sticks, detonators, power sources, a remote-operated triggering system, a pistol, one magazine and five live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.
Police said a secret input was received on August 22 indicating that two youths from Tarn Taran, identified as Lovepreet Singh and Jasanpreet Singh, were in contact with individuals involved in terrorist activities abroad and were carrying a large quantity of explosive material. The duo was reportedly moving around the Sector 42/43 area and preparing to plant an IED at a crowded spot.
Based on the information, an FIR was registered at Sector-36 Police Station under Sections 4(B) and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. Chandigarh Police then launched a coordinated operation involving human intelligence and technical surveillance to track the suspects.
During the investigation, police arrested Lovepreet Singh, Jasanpreet Singh alias Jasandeep and Prabhpreet Singh alias Prabh on August 23. The recovered explosives and weaponry were seized during the operation.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the three accused were allegedly working as ground-level operatives of a BKI module and were carrying out tasks assigned by handlers based overseas. Police said each suspect had been assigned a specific role in the planned terror strike in Chandigarh.
Further investigation is underway to identify the foreign handlers and uncover the wider network behind the alleged conspiracy.
