What Led to the Busting of an ISI-Backed Terror Module in Punjab?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab Police successfully dismantled a terror module.
- Six individuals arrested were linked to an attempted grenade attack.
- Foreign operatives were directing the activities of the module.
- The grenade failed to detonate due to poor assembly.
- Police used advanced intelligence techniques for rapid arrests.
Chandigarh, May 20 (NationPress) In a significant achievement, Punjab Police have dismantled a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module, which has ties to Pakistan's ISI. This operation was coordinated by foreign operatives Maninder Billa and Mannu Agwan, under the direction of terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda. The police arrested six individuals who were implicated in an attempted grenade attack outside a liquor store in Batala town, as stated by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday.
On May 17, a group of young men on motorcycles threw a hand grenade outside a liquor vend in the Focal Point area of Batala. Fortunately, the device failed to detonate due to a defect in its assembly, averting potential disaster.
The suspects have been identified as Jatin Kumar (alias Rohan), Barinder Singh (alias Sajan), Abraham (alias Rohit), Sunil Kumar, Rahul Masih, and Sohit, all residents of Batala. Additionally, police recovered a .30 bore pistol from them.
DGP Yadav revealed that the arrested individuals were receiving direct commands from Maninder Billa in Portugal and Mannu Agwan, the BKI mastermind who recently took control after the apprehension of Happy Passian in the US.
Initial investigations indicate that the module was instructed by its foreign handlers to target liquor vends with grenades, aiming to instill fear among contractors and create a favorable climate for extortion.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Batala) Suhail Qasim Mir reported that following the grenade attack, numerous police teams were assigned to investigate using both technical and human intelligence.
In a remarkably brief time, law enforcement traced and detained six suspects involved in the attack's execution, logistics, and financial backing.
During the operation, Jatin Kumar, the primary perpetrator, suffered gunshot wounds during a confrontation with police as they attempted to recover the weapon.
In an effort to flee, he opened fire on the police, who subsequently took him to the local Civil Hospital for treatment.
The investigation has discovered that the grenade was poorly assembled by the accused based on instructions received through a video call from Maninder Billa and an unidentified individual, lacking any technical expertise.
Consequently, the faulty assembly led to the grenade failing to explode.