The North News
Chandigarh/Amritsar, December 15
Punjab Police have arrested two gangster-turned-terror suspects linked to the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) after intercepting them on arrival in Mumbai. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the arrests were made in coordination with central agencies as part of an ongoing drive against terrorism and organised crime. The suspects have been identified as Sajan Masih from Gurdaspur district and Sukhdev Kumar, also known as Munish Bedi, from Amritsar.
The Police said both men have multiple criminal cases registered against them, including murder, attempted murder, offences under the Arms Act and provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), across police stations in Batala and Amritsar. The DGP said that the two were key links in a network connected to Pakistan-based Harvinder Singh, also known as Rinda, and US-based BKI operative Harpreet Singh, also known as Happy Passia. According to police, the suspects had been operating from overseas locations, including Dubai and Armenia, while attempting to coordinate criminal and terror-related activities in Punjab.
The Punjab Police said the arrests followed the issuance of look out circulars and red corner notices against several wanted individuals believed to be abroad, which helped track the suspects’ movements. Preliminary investigations suggest the pair were part of a BKI-linked network allegedly involved in grenade attacks on police stations in Amritsar and Batala, as well as the killings of two civilians in Gurdaspur district. Police also said Sajan Masih was in contact with another alleged associate currently based in Armenia.
Assistant Inspector General Sukhminder Singh Mann of the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, said a joint team from SSOC Amritsar and Counter Intelligence, Pathankot, acted on specific intelligence inputs to detain the suspects immediately after they landed in Mumbai. He alleged the two provided logistical support, funding channels and direction to operatives active in Punjab.
Both men have been arrested in connection with a case registered at SSOC Amritsar under provisions of the Arms Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigations are continuing.
