Two ISI-backed terror modules busted, 13 held: Punjab Police
These modules were being allegedly controlled by BKI from abroad through France-based Satnam Singh alias Satta and Greece-based Jaswinder alias Mannu Agwan
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Arms seized from the accused (Express)The Punjab Police, in a major breakthrough, busted two terror modules, allegedly operated by the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) with the backing of Pakistan’s ISI, and recovered a major cache of arms and ammunition, including a grenade launcher, RDX, and IEDs, a senior officer Saturday said.
These modules were being allegedly controlled by BKI from abroad through France-based Satnam Singh alias Satta and Greece-based Jaswinder alias Mannu Agwan, said DGP Gaurav Yadav, adding that a 17-year-old was among the 13 arrested.
SGP Yadav said the suspects were involved in anti-national activities and had plotted attacks on senior police officials and police stations across Punjab.
He said the police seized two RPGs, a grenade launcher, two IEDs each weighing 2.5 kg, two hand grenades with detonator, 2 kg of RDX, five pistols (Beretta and Glock), six magazines, 44 cartridges, a wireless communication set, three vehicles, and a remote control device.
DGP Yadav said all the arrested would be produced in court soon and taken on police remand for further interrogation.
With the busting of these modules, Punjab Police has foiled a conspiracy masterminded by ISI to disturb harmony in the border state, the DGP said. This is a major blow to transnational terror networks targeting peace and stability in Punjab, Yadav said, adding more arrests are likely in the coming days. Counter Intelligence (CI), Jalandhar, and District Police, Batala, dismantled the modules in two separate operations, a senior police officer said.
France-based BKI link
Sharing operation details, Assistant Inspector General, CI Jalandhar, Navjot Singh Mahal said in an intel-based operation, police teams arrested Jagroop Singh of Basti Amritsarian in Hoshiarpur, Jatinder Singh alias Honey of Daburji in Kapurthala, Harpreet Singh of Hoshiarpur and Jagjeet Singh of Kapurthala, and recovered arms and explosives from their possession.
“Preliminary investigations revealed these accused were working on the instructions of Satnam Singh, alias Satta Naushera, a resident of Hoshiarpur. currently based in France,” said Yadav.
Satta was remotely coordinating terror activities in India using his network of local operatives. Further probe is being conducted to unearth this entire network and previous crimes, Yadav said, adding Satnam’s name had cropped up in 2010 in an IED and RDX recovery case.
Greece, Pakistan BKI nexus
About the second module, SSP, Batala, Suhail Qasim Mir said in a week-long intelligence-led operation, police teams apprehended nine people including a 17-year-old. The other eight arrested have been identified as Pawanpreet Singh, Balbir Kumar alias Varun, Gomji alias Gotta, Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, Ajaypal Singh, Rahul alias Bhaia and Johanson, all residents of Batala, and Jatinder, a resident of Kapurthala.
The module was reportedly being operated from Greece and Pakistan, specifically Jaswinder alias Mannu Agwan (originally from Gurdaspur and currently hiding in Greece), and Pakistan-based Harvinder Rinda. The SSP said that an inquiry is on and more arrests are expected soon.
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