Three Khalistani ultras behind Gurdaspur attack gunned down in Pilibhit encounter

The Punjab Police, in a joint operation with their Uttar Pradesh counterparts in Pilibhit, today gunned down three suspected terrorists of the Pakistan ISI-sponsored Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), who had carried out the grenade attack at the Bakhshiwala police post in Kalanaur, Gurdaspur, on December 18.

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The Bakhshiwala attack was one of the eight blasts that have rocked Punjab since November 23. The police had earlier arrested six members of two modules of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) for their involvement in five of the eight blasts. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said the encounter took place in the jurisdiction of the Puranpur police station in Pilibhit, after the three module members opened fire on a joint team of the Pilibhit and the Punjab Police.

British Army man main handler: DGP

• Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said British army man Jagjeet Singh, alias Fateh Singh Baagi, was handling the three ultras — Varinder Singh, alias Ravi, Gurwinder Singh & Jashanpreet Singh, alias Partap Singh, all hailing from Kalanaur, Gurdaspur
• The encounter took place in UP’s Pilibhit after a joint team of the UP and Punjab police came under fire; two AK-47 rifles and two 9 mm Glock pistols were seized

He said the three terrorists, who succumbed to bullet injuries in a hospital, had been identified as Varinder Singh, alias Ravi, of Agwan in Kalanaur, Gurwinder Singh of Bhaini Bania Mohalla in Kalanaur and Jashanpreet Singh, alias Partap Singh, of Shur Khurd, also in Kalanaur. The police recovered two AK-47 rifles and two 9 mm Glock pistols from their possession, he said.

He said preliminary investigation revealed that the terror module was controlled by Pakistan-based Ranjeet Singh Nita, chief of the KZF, and operated by Greece-based Jaswinder Singh Mannu, alias Mannu Baagi, a native of Agwan village in Kalanaur.

He said accused Varinder, alias Ravi, who was leading the module, also belonged to Agwan village. He was being further controlled and masterminded by UK-based Jagjeet Singh, reported to be working in the British army and using the assumed identity of Fateh Singh Baagi.

He had also claimed the responsibility for the grenade attack, he said.

Terming the operation a classic example of inter-state cooperation in which the UP and the Punjab Police worked together, the DGP said information received by the Punjab was immediately shared with the UP Police and a joint operation launched against the terrorists.

DIG, Border Range, Punjab, Satinder Singh said a joint team of the police successfully traced the accused. When confronted, the accused opened fire at the police, prompting them to retaliate, he said. During the exchange of fire, the trio sustained bullet injuries and was immediately taken to the CHC, Puranpur, for treatment. Gurdaspur SSP Harish Dayama said investigations were on and more arrests and recoveries were likely in the coming days.