3 BKI men behind grenade attacks held

Acting on intelligence inputs, the Counter Intelligence (CI), Patiala, and the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Mohali, have apprehended three operatives of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) involved in grenade attacks on police posts at Badshahpur, Patiala, on April 1 and Ajimgarh (Haryana) on April 6.

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DGP Gaurav Yadav said a preliminary investigation indicated that the accused executed both attacks under instructions from foreign-based BKI operatives Manu Agwan (based in Greece) and Maninder Billa (based in Malaysia). They were also acting under the directions of Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda and the ISI. Two hand grenades and two pistols were also seized.

The module received logistical and financial support from its handlers and was actively planning more attacks on police establishments in Punjab. An FIR has been registered at the SSOC, Mohali. More arrests are likely in the case.

Those arrested have been identified as Sandeep Singh, alias Deepu, of Badshahpur in Patiala, Harpreet Singh, alias Jagga, of Harchandpura in Patiala, Harmanpreet Singh, alias Preet, of Gurdialpura in Patiala.

BKI operatives Happy Passia, Manu Agwan and Gopi Nawasherian had claimed the responsibility for the April 1 and 6 terror attacks.

Patiala CI AIG Dr Simrat Kaur said the arrested persons had confessed that they attacked the police establishments. The attacks were masterminded by their associate Gurpreet Singh, alias Babbu, lodged in a Patiala jail.