Chandigarh/Amritsar: In a significant breakthrough, the Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of Punjab Police has busted an alleged ISI-backed terror module operated by Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs), arresting three individuals and recovering two hand grenades and a foreign-made Glock pistol, officials said on Monday.
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the recovered grenades bore markings of the Pakistan Ordnance Factory, indicating cross-border linkages. The arrests come amid an ongoing drive by the state government to enhance security across Punjab.
The accused have been identified as Sarabjit Singh of village Ammishah in Tarn Taran, Bikramjit Singh of village Nangal Pannuwan in Amritsar, and Amandeep Singh of Indra Colony in Amritsar.
According to the police, preliminary investigations suggest that the module was involved in planning targeted attacks on police establishments across multiple states. These plans have been successfully thwarted, the DGP said, adding that efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the network.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG), State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, Sukhminder Singh Mann said the arrests of Sarabjit Singh and Amandeep Singh were made during an intelligence-led operation, with the recovery of grenades and the pistol from their possession.
He added that Bikramjit Singh, identified as the key operative and primary contact of the PIOs, was operating from Deesa in Gujarat. Acting on shared intelligence, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) cooperated with Punjab Police, leading to his arrest by an SSOC Amritsar team.
Investigations have revealed that the accused were in contact with PIOs through social media platforms. Acting on directions from ISI handlers, the group was allegedly planning grenade attacks on police establishments in Punjab and other states, Mann said.
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Explosive Substances (Amendment) Act, the Arms Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at SSOC Amritsar police station. Further investigations are ongoing, police said.
