Amritsar: Two linked to cross-border terror module held with hand grenades from Khasa area

The Amritsar Rural Police, in a joint operation with central agencies, apprehended two individuals allegedly linked to cross-border handlers and recovered two hand grenades from their possession on Tuesday.

The accused were identified as Davinder Singh, a resident of Chungh village in Tarn Taran, and Rajwinder Singh, a resident of Sursingh in Tarn Taran. Besides recovering the hand grenades, the police also impounded the car in which they were travelling.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with foreign-based handlers and were acting on their directions. The recovery of the hand grenades points to a larger conspiracy aimed at disturbing peace and public order in the border state, he said. Further investigations are underway to establish forward and backward linkages and identify other associates involved in the network.

Sharing operational details, Senior Superintendent of Police (Amritsar Rural) Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal said the police received credible information that the suspects had retrieved a consignment of explosive material sent by handlers from across the border and were allegedly planning a terror activity to disrupt peace and harmony in the state.

Acting on the input, police teams under the supervision of DSP (Investigation) Gurinderpal Singh Nagra and DSP, Attari, Yadwinder Singh launched an intelligence-led operation and apprehended the duo from the Khasa area. During the search of their car, two hand grenades were recovered.

The SSP said preliminary investigations suggested that the accused were awaiting further instructions from their foreign-based handlers to execute the planned activity. Further investigations are in progress.

He added that the probe revealed that the accused had been introduced to a foreign-based handler by Harwant Singh, alias Harry, an inmate currently lodged in the Amritsar Central Jail. The accused had allegedly smuggled weapons and explosives to Harwant Singh’s associates on several occasions. The police also recovered a mobile phone from Harwant Singh inside the jail and a separate case has been registered in this connection.

A case under Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at the Gharinda police station in Amritsar Rural.