Two-day police remand for terror operative

A local court remanded Manpreet Singh, terror operative allegedly linked to the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), to two-day police custody on Sunday. He was arrested in connection with the seizure of two powerful improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Officials of other security and agencies also reached the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) here to interrogate him.

Source said the SSOC had seized some critical data from his mobile phone, indicating that that Manpreet was in direct contact with Pakistan-based BKI handler Harvinder Singh alias Rinda. The seized explosives were allegedly supplied to him in the Ajnala border belt via drones with the help of handlers backed by Pakistan’s ISI.

They said Manpreet had admitted to maintaining ties with associates in the US, Australia and Germany, namely Mannu Agwan, Nishan Jodian, Raja Haruwal and Sajan Masih. These groups are believed to be involved in extortion and terror-financing activities across the state.

Manpreet already faces two cases under the Arms Act in Gurdaspur district. He had earlier spent around 18 months in jail, where he came in contact with associates of Rinda, who later introduced him to other gangsters.

Further investigations are underway to trace his local accomplices and the suspected recipients of the IEDs.