3 youths arrested for petrol bomb attack in Moga; foreign-based handlers named

A day after residents of Mari Mustafa village staged a protest over “growing extortion threats,” the Moga police arrested three youths allegedly involved in a petrol bomb attack on a local shop.

Investigations revealed that the attack was allegedly carried out at the behest of two foreign-based handlers, who have now been named in the case.

The arrests come amid mounting pressure on the district police following a spate of criminal activities in Moga’s semi-urban belt, where local business owners and affluent families have increasingly been targeted by extortionists.

In Mari Mustafa, multiple ransom calls and threats were reportedly received in recent weeks, prompting shopkeepers to shut down their shops two days ago in protest.

The petrol bomb attack occurred on October 25, when three unidentified persons on a motorcycle hurled an explosive bottle at a shop in the village, apparently intending to set it ablaze. Following the protest, a joint team of the CIA staff and the Baghapurana police station launched an investigation.

Using CCTV footage and technical surveillance, the police traced and apprehended the suspects. The arrested accused — all residents of Jion Wala village in Faridkot district — have been identified as Baljinder Singh, alias Gora (22), Vanspreet Singh (19) and Arshdeep Singh, alias Gora (22).

Sources confirmed that all three had no previous criminal record, suggesting they were allegedly recruited and manipulated by a larger crime syndicate.

During interrogation, the police identified two foreign-based individuals — Sandeep Singh, alias Sunny, a native of Mari Mustafa, and Dharmpreet Singh, alias Dharma, a resident of Jion Wala, Faridkot — as the key handlers who had directed the youths to carry out the attack.

Both are reportedly operating from abroad and have an extensive criminal history, including multiple FIRs registered under sections of extortion and the Arms Act.

Moga SSP Ajay Gandhi said efforts were underway to trace the financial and communication links between the arrested youths and their foreign handlers.