PUNJAB POLICE CRACKDOWN: BKI TERROR MODULES BUSTED WITH ISI LINKS

CHANDIGARH, April 19 (WISHAVWARTA):- Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has foiled a major conspiracy to create disturbance in the state by successfully busting two separate ISI-backed terror modules being operated by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) from abroad and recovered huge amount of arms and explosives including two rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) including one launcher, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

Pertinently, in two separate intelligence led operations, Counter Intelligence (CI) Jalandhar and District Police Batala have dismantled both the modules effectively arresting 13 accused persons including one minor.

“The terror modules, sponsored by the Pak-based ISI, were being controlled by BKI, with two key operational nodes—France-based Satnam Singh alias Satta and Greece-based Jaswinder Singh alias Mannu Agwan,” said the DGP, while adding that their role was earlier also figured in various operations, with accused Satnam’s role came into notice in 2010 in IED and RDX recovery case.

He said that apart from recovering two RPGs including one launcher, police teams have also recovered two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) each weighing 2.5 kg, two hand grenades with detonator, 2 kg of RDX along with remote control device, five pistols— including Beretta and Glock— along with six magazines and 44 cartridges and one wireless communication set, besides impounding their three vehicles.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that with busting of these modules, Punjab Police has foiled the Pak-ISI masterminded conspiracy to disturb peace and harmony in the border state.

Sharing operation details of the first module, AIG CI Jalandhar Navjot Singh Mahal said that in an intel-based operation, police teams have arrested Jagroop Singh of Basti Amritsarian in Hoshiarpur, Jatinder Singh alias Honey of Daburji in Kapurthala, Harpreet Singh of Dharamkot Hoshiarpur and Jagjeet Singh of Kapurthala, and recovered arms and explosives from their possession.

He said that preliminary investigations revealed that these accused were working on the instructions of France-based Satnam Satta. Further investigations are being conducted to unearth this entire network and efforts are being made to discover the previous crimes committed by the accused, he added.

Sharing operation details of second module, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Batala Suhail Qasim Mir said that in a week-long intelligence led operation, police teams have arrested nine persons including a 17-years-old juvenile. The other eight arrested persons have been identified as Pawanpreet Singh, Balbir Kumar alias Varun, Gomji alias Gotta, Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, Ajaypal Singh, Rahul alias Bhaia and Johanson, all residents of Batala and Jatinder, a resident of Kapurthala.

The SSP said that inquiry is ongoing on various leads and more arrests are expected in coming days.

In this regard, two separate FIRs have been registered under the relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act at Police Stations SSOC Amritsar and Batala, respectively.