Three BKI operatives held with arms, ammunition

The Mohali unit of the Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) arrested three more operatives of Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Harvinder Singh, alias Rinda, backed by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Those arrested were identified as Jagjit Singh, alias Jaggi, Shubham Khelbude, both residents of Nanded in Maharashtra, and Gurdeep Singh, alias Deepa, a resident of Raipur in Ropar. The police recovered a pump-action gun with 15 cartridges and a pistol with eight cartridges.

The development follows the arrest of Jagdish Singh, alias Jagga, Shubhdeep Singh, alias Shubh, and Sachindeep Singh, alias Sachin, in connection with the February 10 Nanded murder case. Six suspects have been arrested in this case now.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said Jagjit played a role in facilitating logistics and safe houses for the shooters in the murder case, which was masterminded by Rinda from across the border. Jailed gangster Dilpreet, alias Baba, an old associate of Rinda, arranged safe shelters for the accused in Punjab.

Jagjit was wanted in cases of murder, attempt to murder, threat and intimidating for extortion, while Shubham faces threat and extortion-related cases in Nanded. They were actively involved in coordinating various illegal activities, including procurement of weapons, collection of extortion money, providing logistics support and shelter to their other operatives in Nanded, on Rinda’s directions, the DGP said.

Gurdeep was arrested for providing shelter and logistical support to fugitives Jagjit and Shubam. He also played a crucial role in their escape, he added.

In an Intelligence-led operation, the police arrested Shubham along with Gurdeep from Anandpur Sahib where he was taking shelter at a sand crusher owned by the latter. Further, swift action on the leads obtained from their interrogation led to the arrest of Jagjit from Tarn Tarn district.