NIA attaches properties of Ludhiana blast accused

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 8

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached properties of four accused in the 2021 Ludhiana Courts Complex blast case.

An improvised explosive device (IED) handler was killed while six others injured in the blast on December 23, 2021. The deceased was later identified as Gagandeep Singh, a dismissed cop.

The action came following an order by an NIA Special Court, the Central agency said in a statement.

It said the properties belong to Surmukh Singh, alias Sammu of village Kotli Khera; Dilbagh Singh, alias Baggo of Chak Allah Baksh village; Hapreet Singh, alias Happy Malaysia (a foreign-based alleged terrorist); and Rajanpreet Singh of Kolowali village in Lopoke.

According to the NIA, the explosion was carried out at the behest of Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation chief Lakhbir Singh Rode.

The IED used in the blast was smuggled from Pakistan through the India-Pakistan International Border with the help of a drone.

₹5L reward for providing info on Happy Passia

Meanwhile, the NIA announced a cash reward of ₹5 lakh for sharing credible information about the whereabouts of designated terrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia.

He was wanted by the Punjab Police in various terror-related cases, including hand grenade attacks on various police stations in the recent past and one at a residence in Chandigarh in September last year. He was allegedly part of the Babbar Khalsa International and also linked to Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh, alias Rinda.

NIA has issued an advertisement in newspapers and released a telephone number and e-mail ID where the people can share the information.