Who are the two individuals arrested in Punjab's gangster-terror module?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Two individuals linked to a gangster-terror module were arrested.
- A sophisticated weapon was recovered during the operation.
- Investigations are ongoing to uncover a larger network.
- The suspects were acting under a handler based in the UK.
- Charges include violations of the Arms and Explosives Acts.
Chandigarh, Nov 11 (NationPress) In a significant breakthrough, the Punjab Police’s Special Operation Cell in Amritsar, in collaboration with the Counter Intelligence (CI) unit of Pathankot, apprehended two additional suspects linked to a gangster-terror module active across various districts, as announced by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday.
The authorities seized a sophisticated 9MM Glock pistol along with three magazines and five cartridges from the suspects.
The individuals taken into custody have been identified as Harpreet Singh, hailing from Baupur Afgana in Gurdaspur, and Navpreet Singh, a resident of Machhiwal village in Amritsar.
DGP Yadav indicated that initial investigations suggest the accused were operating under the direction of a handler based in the UK, who facilitated the acquisition of the weapon and instructed them to scout specific targets in the regions of Gurdaspur, Batala, and Amritsar.
These arrests were part of a larger scheme involving planned targeted killings aimed at instigating panic and communal unrest within the state, he mentioned.
The DGP also noted that prior to this, two other members of the same module had been apprehended, with a hand grenade and a pistol recovered from them. The recent arrests stemmed from the ongoing investigation into the same case.
Sharing insights on the operation, Assistant Inspector General Sukhminder Singh Mann stated that following leads from the previous operation, the Special Operation Cell and CI conducted a thorough investigation that uncovered more connections within the network, resulting in the identification and arrest of these two suspects.
The Assistant Inspector General further explained that the investigation is ongoing, with efforts focused on exposing and dismantling the entirety of the network, including its backward and forward linkages.
Additional arrests and recoveries are anticipated in the forthcoming days. In connection with this, a case has been registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act, Section 61 (2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosives Act in Amritsar.