5 'Babbar Khalsa operatives' held; terror plot foiled, claims Punjab DGP

JALANDHAR: Punjab Police Tuesday claimed to have busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module by arresting two alleged operatives and detaining three juvenile suspects from Rajasthan's Tonk and Jaipur districts. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said the module was operated by foreign-based handlers Mannu Agwan, Gopi Nawanshehria and Zeeshan Akhtar, under the directions of Pak-based BKI operative Harwinder Singh alias Rinda.

This module was responsible for a grenade attack at a liquor store in Nawanshahr, Punjab, on Aug 7 and the operatives were tasked with executing attacks in the run-up to Independence Day, the DGP said. "They were receiving instructions from Zeeshan and BKI mastermind Mannu Agwan, who is working in coordination with Rinda," said DGP Yadav, adding: "We succeeded in averting further attacks by this terror module."

The arrested adults were identified as Ritik Naroliya of Jaipur's Didawata village and Sonu Kumar alias Kali of Kala Sanghian village in Punjab's Kapurthala. It was a joint operation by Jalandhar counter-intelligence (CI) and Nawanshahr police, said officers. A hand grenade, a .30 calibre pistol (a prohibited bore) and ammunition were seized from the suspects.

CI-Jalandhar AIG Navjot Mahal said Sonu tried to fire at police party. "Police retaliated in self-defence, and he was injured," Mahal said. An FIR on charges of attempted murder and criminal conspiracy, along with Explosive Substances Act, was filed against him.