Punjab Police Bust Pakistan-Linked Terror Module in Amritsar
Amritsar Rural Police arrested a 28-year-old man with an AK-47 and grenades, uncovering a terror module linked to ISI handlers.
In a major breakthrough against cross-border terrorism, the Amritsar Rural Police have dismantled a terror module with alleged links to Pakistan. During a high-stakes operation, authorities arrested a 28-year-old man and seized a lethal arsenal, including an AK-47 rifle and hand grenades, preventing what could have been a significant criminal or terror incident.
High-Value Weapons Recovered
The operation, conducted under the Punjab government’s strict zero-tolerance policy toward organized crime and terrorism, resulted in the recovery of heavy weaponry. According to Inspector General of Police (Border Range) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, the seized items include:
- An AK-47 rifle
- Two hand grenades
- Nine live cartridges and a magazine
- A mobile phone and a motorcycle
The police believe these weapons and explosives were smuggled into Indian territory via drones, a growing concern along the border regions.
The Accused and the ISI Connection
The arrested individual has been identified as 28-year-old Navjot Singh, also known as Cheema, a resident of Sarai Manthan Khan. Investigations reveal that Singh, a truck driver by profession, had a prior history of involvement in drug-related activities. However, this recent arrest shifts the focus toward high-level terror activities.
Police officials have uncovered a sophisticated network behind the operation. The investigation has established links between the accused and two handlers:
- A handler based in Pakistan associated with the ISI.
- A second handler operating from the Middle East.
A Failed Mission to Deliver Arms
The accused was reportedly part of a coordinated plan to transport these weapons to a specific location in a neighboring district. The mission involved a "cut-out" arrangement, where the accused was meant to meet another individual to pass the materials. Further instructions regarding the exact location and subsequent steps were expected to be delivered later.
Financial motives were also part of the plot. Singh was allegedly promised a payment of up to Rs 50,000 for completing the task, though police confirmed that no money had been transferred to him prior to his apprehension.
Preventive Success for Law Enforcement
Inspector General Bhullar described the operation as a "major preventive success," noting that the seizure of the AK-47 and grenades likely stopped a serious crime from being executed. While the police are currently withholding details regarding the intended target or the specific location of the planned meeting to protect the ongoing investigation, they have lauded the intelligence work that led to the bust.
The operation was spearheaded by Amritsar Rural SSP Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal and a specialized team, including SP (Investigation) Ramandeep Singh, CIA Inspector Manmeet Singh, and DSP Attari Yadvinder Singh. The department has indicated that rewards will be sought for the team's successful execution of this intelligence-led operation.