Punjab Police Thwart ISI-Linked BKI Terror Plot: Five Grenades and IEDs Seized
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Chandigarh, April 9 (NationPress) In a significant development, the Punjab Police's Amritsar Rural and Gurdaspur units, alongside the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of the Counter Intelligence Wing, successfully dismantled an ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module. This operation, conducted in collaboration with central agencies, resulted in the arrest of two individuals, as confirmed by Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav on Thursday.
The apprehended suspects have been named as Akash Masih and Jablaun, both hailing from Dulla Nangal in Gurdaspur, and both have prior criminal records.
DGP Yadav stated that the capture of these operatives led to the recovery of a substantial cache, which includes five hand grenades, two specialized detonators, a Push-to-Talk (PTT) timer with coder and decoder, a 9V battery, and materials for an improvised explosive device (IED), containing one kilogram of high explosives embedded with nails, along with a Baofeng walkie-talkie equipped with a cable and trigger mechanism.
This recovery suggests that the module was on the verge of executing high-impact terror operations aimed at destabilizing public order in the region, according to the DGP.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Border Range, Sandeep Goel, indicated that early investigations have pointed to the involvement of foreign handlers in operating this ISI-affiliated terror module.
Ongoing investigations aim to uncover further connections and local support networks related to this conspiracy, he added.
In operational specifics, Senior Superintendent of Police, Gurdaspur, Aditya noted that during a targeted police check at T-Point Jogowal Bedia, two young men were observed approaching on a motorcycle from the direction of Jogowal Bedia village.
Upon noticing the police presence, the suspects attempted to evade capture by making a U-turn, but police units successfully intercepted them.
The SSP mentioned that the pillion rider was carrying two bags—one blue and one yellow—covered with cloth. A search of these bags revealed explosive materials and devices, prompting immediate notification of forensic and bomb disposal teams, who successfully defused the grenades and explosives.
A first information report was filed on April 8 under Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act at the Kalanaur police station in Gurdaspur.