Amritsar's Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar was transferred out of his post on Friday, 7 August, days after a controversy erupted over his purported remarks linking Pakistan ISI-backed terror modules busted by the Punjab Police with protesters at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Bhullar, who was leading the probe that exposed the ISI-linked plot, has been directed to report to the Director General of Police's office in Chandigarh.

Deputy Inspector General, Border Range, Harmanbir Singh Gill has been given the additional charge of Amritsar Police Commissioner, as per the official transfer order.

The Terror Module Bust

Earlier this week, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police dismantled two ISI-backed cross-border terror modules, arresting nine individuals — including four juveniles. The operation led to the recovery of three illegal pistols, nine cartridges, and four petrol-bottle bombs.

An official statement dated 4 August, quoting Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, stated that preliminary investigation revealed the arrested accused were acting at the behest of foreign-based ISI handlers, who were attempting to recruit local youth to carry out terror-related activities, conduct surveillance of security installations, procure illegal weapons, and disturb public peace.

The Controversy Over the Press Briefing

Videos of Bhullar's press briefings from 4 August went viral on social media, triggering a political storm. A Punjab Police spokesperson clarified on Thursday that distorted excerpts from the press conference were being used to falsely suggest a link between the Jantar Mantar protesters and the ISI-backed modules.

The spokesperson said Bhullar had stated that some of the arrested individuals had conducted reconnaissance at Jantar Mantar and planned to target protesters there using petrol bombs — not that the protesters themselves were connected to the terror module. According to the spokesperson, 'altered background visuals, selective video editing, and accompanying captions or explanations are incorrect and create a misleading impression that the arrested individuals were linked to the Jantar Mantar protests.'

The spokesperson further noted that while 'the audio and factual content of the press conference itself were not altered or morphed, the selective editing and accompanying captions fail to accurately represent the press conference.' The Punjab Police has said appropriate legal action is being taken under the provisions of the Information Technology Act.

Political Reaction to the Transfer

The transfer drew an immediate political response. Former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu posted on X: 'The timing of Gurpreet Bhullar's transfer is bound to raise eyebrows. Did his accurate revelations about the alleged Jantar Mantar plot trouble (AAP chief Arvind) Kejriwal?'

This comes amid heightened political sensitivity around the Jantar Mantar protests and the Punjab government's handling of cross-border terror threats. The transfer of a senior officer mid-investigation is likely to keep the controversy alive in the days ahead.