Cops probing if grenade delivered through drone from Pak

After the arrest of five youths of Tarn Taran along with a live hand grenade and an illegal weapon from the Sidhwan Bet area by the Ludhaina rural police after exchange of fire, the police found international connection of the nabbed suspects. Besides probing various angles, the police were also investigating if the grenade was delivered through drone in the border area from the Pakistan side.

Notably on August 23, five persons identified as Arjun Singh, alias Taj (18), a resident of Mugal Chak Gill village; Amjid Masih, alias Benny (22), Sajan (18), both residents of Kakka Kandiala village, Tarn Taran; Balraj Singh (22), a resident of Pandori Gola village, Tarn Taran; and Manpreet Singh of Mugal Chak Gill village, Tarn Taran, (20), were arrested. One hand grenade, an illegal pistol and a Scorpio N SUV was recovered from them. They were on the way to attack a bakery owner in Nakodar but their timely arrest averted the grenade attack.

A senior police official privy to the investigation said: “It is being suspected that the hand grenade might be delivered from the Pakistan side through a drone. Earlier also, cases in which Pakistan suppliers delivered arms and ammunition through drone to smugglers and criminal elements were reported here. In this case, a Tarn Taran’s village Mughal Chak-based person is suspected to have received a grenade from the border area and then delivered to these five youths for further using the same in attacking a bakery owner in Nakodar. The police had been conducting raids to nab the Tarn Taran man and his arrest would only confirm if he received delivery through drone from Pakistan”.

DSP (Investigation), Ludhaina rural, Inderjit Singh said the police were exploring various angles and the angle of delivery of grenade through drone from the neighbouring country was also being verified. “Exploiting youths who are between 18 to 22 years of age for grenade attack is a serious matter and the police will dig deep to unearth every connection whether national or international. It is also quite possible that there might be other youths who had already been working for these anti-national elements” the DSP said.

Huge amount demanded from bakery owner

Police sources said Kapania Bakery owner in Nakodar had received an extortion call from some foreign number demanding lakhs of rupees, and when he did not pay the money, the suspect sent his men with grenade to kill the owner. Fortunately, the attack was averted.