Two BKI operatives arrested in Mohali

The police on Sunday arrested two operatives of the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), including a key shooter involved in a murder in Nanded (Maharashtra) around two weeks ago. Two .32 bore pistols and five cartridges were seized from their possession.

Those arrested were identified as Tarn Taran residents Jagdish Singh, alias Jagga, of Harike Pattan, and his accomplice Shubhdeep Singh, alias Shubh. The arrests were made by the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Mohali, based on intelligence inputs.

The Nanded incident, which occurred outside a Sikh colony on February 10, targeted Gurmeet Singh who was out on parole. Gurmeet, previously accused in the 2016 murder of Rinda’s brother, sustained injuries, but had survived. His accomplice Ravindra Rathod, however, succumbed to his injuries suffered during the attack.

After carrying out the attack, Jagga returned to Punjab, where Shubhdeep facilitated his stay and provided financial support to him. Both of them were directly linked to Pakistan-based BKI terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda and USA-based Happy Passia.

Jagga confessed to committing a murder and severely injuring another in Nanded on Harwinder Rinda’s directions. Both suspects were also instructed by their foreign-based handlers to carry out targeted killings in the state as part of a larger terror operation, he added.

The police arrested Shubhdeep Singh on Friday from Sunny Enclave, Kharar, and seized one pistol and two cartridges from his possession.

During the interrogation, Shubhdeep revealed his role in providing hideouts and logistical support to Jagdish Singh before, during and after the Nanded incident. Acting on those leads, the SSOC team arrested Jagdish Singh from Phase 1 in Mohali. One pistol and three cartridges were seized from his possession. A case has been registered.