How Did Punjab Police Prevent a Major Terror Plot by ISI-Backed Terrorist Rinda?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab Police successfully thwarted a significant terror plot.
- Two operatives from a known terror module were arrested.
- Weapons seized included grenades and a pistol.
- Investigations revealed connections to handlers abroad.
- The operation underscores the need for vigilance ahead of Independence Day.
Chandigarh, Aug 14 (NationPress) The Punjab Police have successfully thwarted a significant terror plot orchestrated by Pakistan's ISI-affiliated terrorist Harwinder Rinda. This was confirmed by Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav on Thursday, following the apprehension of two operatives linked to the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Harpreet Singh, also known as Preet, hailing from Bhullar village in Tarn Taran, and Gulshan Singh, known as Nandu, from Rampura village in Amritsar.
Authorities have seized two 86P hand grenades and one 9MM pistol along with five cartridges from their possession.
This operation comes just days before Independence Day and follows the earlier disruption of a BKI terror cell where five operatives, including three juveniles, were arrested in Tonk and Jaipur districts of Rajasthan. In that incident, police recovered an 86P hand grenade and a .30 bore pistol.
DGP Yadav indicated that initial investigations show the suspects were acting on instructions from handlers based in the UK, US, and Europe.
Further inquiries have uncovered that the arrested individuals were plotting to target government structures and police facilities with grenades, aiming to disrupt the peace in the border state.
Ongoing investigations are expected to establish deeper connections in this case. Assistant Inspector General Gursewak Singh Brar stated that based on intelligence, Counter Intelligence teams conducted operations that led to the arrests of Harpreet Singh and Gulshan Singh in Talwandi Bhai of Ferozepur.
Police have secured remand for the suspects, and further questioning is anticipated to uncover additional details about their networks both domestically and internationally, along with their intended targets.
A case has been registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act and Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act at the Fazilka police station.