Terror plot foiled, juvenile among 3 BKI operatives arrested in Punjab

The Punjab Police have claimed to have busted a Pak-ISI backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module with the arrest of three persons, including a juvenile. The module was being operated by UK-based Nishan Singh on the directions of terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.

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Those arrested were: Sehajpal Singh and Vikramjit Singh, both residents of Ramdas in Amritsar, and a 17-years-old juvenile. The Intelligence-led operation was carried out by the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Mohali.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said two hand grenades, one sophisticated 9 mm Glock pistol and three cartridges were seized from their possession. The group was conspiring to carry out attacks on police establishments, besides undertaking targeted killings in Amritsar, he said. A major terror plot had been foiled, saving innocent lives, he claimed. Further investigations were on to establish forward and backward linkages in the case. More arrests and seizures were likely in the coming days, he added.

SAS Nagar SSOC AIG Ravjot Grewal said Sehajpal Singh had revealed that he was working on the directions of Ferozepur jail inmate Lovepreet Singh, alias Love, of Pairewal village in Amritsar.

Lovepreet has been brought to the SSOC, SAS Nagar, on production warrant, she said. He had instructed Sehajpal Singh, who further roped in his associate Vikramjit Singh for the retrieval and transportation of the seized arms and explosives, she added.

Lovepreet, a known criminal with multiple cases registered against him under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act, and attempt-to-murder cases, played a key role in mobilising and directing ground-level operatives.

The AIG said the seized hand grenades were meant to be used in a targeted explosion, with the specific location and timing to be conveyed later by the handlers abroad. The seized Glock pistol was intended to be used in the targeted killing of rival gang members.