BKI-backed foreign based operatives were directing the arrested individuals to commit terror activities in state : DGP
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh/Amritsar-
In an intelligence-led operation amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Pathankot, CI Ludhiana & State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) Amritsar jointly busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)-backed terror module and thwarted major disruptive activities in the state with the arrest of two operatives, said DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Sunday.
Those arrested have been identified as Sarwan Kumar, a resident of village Malhian in Gurdaspur and Balwinder Singh, a resident of Jakkriya in Gurdaspur. During search, police teams have recovered one Arges hand grenade and one .30 bore star mark pistol along with three live cartridges from their possession.
The development came in less than a week after CI Pathankot had averted a target killing by busting module of same network with the four members including two juveniles and recovered two .30 bore star mark pistols from their possession. DGP said that preliminary investigations have revealed that arrested accused persons were working on the directions of their foreign-based handlers, who are backed by Babbar Khalsa International. Arrested accused were introduced to these handlers by an intermediary, he said. The DGP said that a case under relevant sections of law has been registered. Efforts are being made to trace and apprehend the other members associated with this network, he said.
Sharing more details, AIG CI Pathankot Sukhminder Singh Mann said that arrested accused were tasked to conduct recce of various security establishments and to execute the assignment, they were provided with explosives and funds. Arrested accused persons were communicating with their handlers using encrypted apps and virtual phone numbers, he said.
The AIG said that further investigations are being conducted to unearth this BKI-backed entire network and investigate previous crimes committed by the arrested persons. In this regard, a case FIR No. 48 dated 30.08.2025 under section 25 of the Arms Act, section 61 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at Police Station SSOC Amritsar.