Chandigarh/Amritsar: In a major counter-terror operation, Punjab Police has dismantled two alleged cross-border terror modules linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), arresting nine individuals, including four juveniles, and recovering four petrol bottle bombs, three illegal pistols and nine live cartridges.
According to Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, the suspects were allegedly acting on instructions from foreign-based ISI handlers to recruit local youth, procure illegal weapons, conduct surveillance of security installations and disrupt public order. Police also recovered a stolen motorcycle allegedly used in criminal activities.
Investigators said the probe uncovered the installation of surveillance cameras near railway tracks, with footage allegedly being shared with foreign handlers. Authorities are now working to identify other members of the network, trace financial transactions and establish both domestic and cross-border links.
Amritsar Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the first breakthrough came after intelligence-led teams intercepted two suspects and recovered a country-made .32 bore pistol and live ammunition. Follow-up investigations led to the arrest of additional accused, including two inmates lodged in Central Jail, Amritsar, who were allegedly involved in financing the installation of surveillance cameras through digital payments.
Police said the accused have also been linked to an earlier Arms Act case in which four Glock pistols were recovered.
In a separate intelligence-based operation, police apprehended four more suspects, including juveniles, and seized another illegal pistol, four petrol bottle bombs and a lighter. During interrogation, investigators said the accused admitted to making multiple attempts to execute the alleged conspiracy.
Three separate FIRs have been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act, while further investigation is underway to uncover the full extent of the alleged terror network and its cross-border connections.
