Punjab Police Foils Major Terror Threat: Two Arrested with Hand Grenades
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Chandigarh, March 18 (NationPress) In a significant development, the Counter Intelligence (CI) unit from Bathinda, Punjab, has successfully prevented a serious terror threat by apprehending two individuals and seizing two hand grenades from them, as confirmed by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Wednesday.
The suspects have been named as Buta Singh, also known as Gurpreet Singh or Gopu, from Gillwali in Ferozepur, and Harmander Singh, who goes by the alias Nikka, hailing from Mothawali in Moga.
According to DGP Yadav, initial investigations indicate that the seized grenades are linked to an illegal supply chain associated with cross-border factions, aimed at disturbing the peace and safety of the public in this border state.
Further investigations are ongoing to trace the connections and uncover additional associates involved in this operation.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Avneet Kaur Sidhu revealed that the police had acted on credible intelligence suggesting that these operatives had obtained hand grenades.
Swiftly responding, the police conducted an intelligence-driven operation, capturing both suspects on Moga-Ferozepur Road while retrieving the hand grenades from them, she explained.
The AIG emphasized that the prompt action taken by the CI teams prevented a potentially hazardous incident and neutralized a significant threat.
A case was registered on March 17 under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosives Act at the Police Station State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Fazilka.
Earlier, on March 14, the Amritsar Rural Police dismantled an ISI-sponsored terror and cross-border arms smuggling network, leading to the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, along with two magazines and 36 cartridges, among other sophisticated weapons.
DGP Yadav noted that preliminary inquiries suggested that the suspects were in contact with handlers abroad through social media, and this module was actively involved in radicalization efforts and disseminating anti-India and anti-police sentiments.