Did Punjab Police Seize Two IEDs from a Terror Operative?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab Police successfully seized two IEDs weighing 2.5 kg each.
- Operative Manpreet Singh has previous criminal records.
- High-grade RDX was used in the devices.
- Investigation revealed links to handlers in Armenia, Britain, and Germany.
- Operation underscores ongoing terror threats in India.
Chandigarh, Oct 25 (NationPress) The Special Operation Cell of Punjab Police in Amritsar has successfully detained an operative linked to a terror network, recovering two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), each weighing approximately 2.5 kg, filled with high-grade RDX and fitted with timers for detonation, announced Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Saturday.
The suspect has been named as Manpreet Singh, also known as Tiddi, from Kotla Tarkhana village in Amritsar. He has a documented criminal background, having previously been implicated in two cases at the police stations in Batala and Kalanaur. After spending about one and a half years in jails in Gurdaspur and Amritsar, he was released in February 2025, only to return to criminal activities.
DGP Yadav indicated that initial investigations suggest the accused was operating under the guidance of handlers based in Armenia, Britain, and Germany, who are in turn receiving orders from a mastermind in Pakistan associated with a banned terrorist organization.
Sharing more details, Assistant Inspector General (Amritsar) Sukhminder Singh Mann mentioned that acting promptly on specific intelligence, the police apprehended Manpreet Singh and seized a .30 bore pistol along with ammunition from him. Following his information, two IEDs, enclosed in metal containers and containing high-grade RDX with timers, were also recovered from the vicinity of Kotla Tarkhana village.
The AIG further reported that about two weeks ago, a handler based in Pakistan facilitated the drone delivery of the seized materials in the Ajnala sector, which were subsequently retrieved and concealed by the arrested individual near a canal close to his village.
His handlers had directed him to remain prepared and await further instructions to transfer the IEDs to another associate for intended deployment, he added.