Punjab Newsline, Punjab :
Four BKI Operatives Arrested with 2.5 kg RDX-Based IED and Two Pistols
Ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, Punjab Police achieved a major success by busting an active terror module of the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in Hoshiarpur. In a joint operation conducted by Hoshiarpur Police and Counter Intelligence (CI) Jalandhar, four operatives of the Pakistan ISI-backed terrorist organisation were arrested and a potentially devastating terror attack was averted. During the operation, police recovered an RDX-based improvised explosive device (IED) weighing nearly 2.5 kilograms along with two pistols from the accused.
Disclosing the development, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested individuals were working on the directions of USA-based BKI handlers. The recovered IED was intended to be used for a targeted terror attack in view of the upcoming Republic Day, indicating a serious threat to public safety. He added that timely intelligence and swift police action helped neutralise the module before it could execute its plans. Further investigation is underway to establish both forward and backward linkages of the terror network.
The arrested operatives have been identified as Diljot Singh, Harman Singh alias Harry alias Harri, Ajay alias Mehra, and Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Kandola. All four are residents of Rahon in SBS Nagar district. Apart from the high-grade explosive device, police teams also recovered two pistols, highlighting the module’s preparedness to carry out violent activities.
Sharing operational details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hoshiarpur Sandeep Malik stated that the arrests were made during an intelligence-based operation carried out jointly by Hoshiarpur Police and CI Jalandhar. Acting on specific inputs, the teams apprehended the suspects and seized the RDX-based IED and weapons from their possession.
The SSP further revealed that investigations have shown that foreign-based BKI handlers had established this module to receive arms and manage logistics after the weapons were smuggled into India through border areas of Ferozepur and Amritsar Rural. The accused were tasked with handling weapons, arranging logistics, and supporting terror activities within the state. Police are now probing the wider network, including funding channels and additional operatives, to completely dismantle the terror infrastructure.