Police remand for 2 accused in rocket-propelled grenade case

A local court has remanded Mahkdeep Singh, alias Mahak, of Guru Ki Wadali, and Aditya, alias Adhi, of Bagga Chheena village, in three-day police custody over with the seizure of a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) and launcher, allegedly smuggled from Pakistan.

The accused have reportedly admitted that they were promised Rs 20,000 for concealing and delivering the RPG. The payment, they said, was to be arranged by jailed gangster Harpreet Singh, alias Vicky, who had ordered the weapon. However, the duo claimed they had no knowledge of who was to deliver the amount or when.

A police official said Harpreet, currently lodged in a Ferozepur jail, is likely to be brought to the special cell of the Amritsar (Rural) police on Thursday for further investigations.

Police officials said the mobile phone that Vicky had been using inside the jail was seized earlier and sent for forensic examination. “The preliminary analysis of the phone revealed his contacts in Pakistan, suggesting that Vicky was in direct touch with ISI operatives. The revelations have prompted security agencies to intensify probe,” said the official.

Sources said Mahkdeep and Aditya did not possess passports. They were nabbed by the special cell on Tuesday morning with the rocket-propelled grenade (RPG-22) Netto Anti-Tank rocket launcher. They were going to deliver it when the police team intercepted them. According to DGP Gaurav Yadav, the RPG was meant for carrying out a targeted terror attack. Following the seizure, the police are also probing the possible cross-border links and terror funding routes.