Punjab police bust ISI-backed BKI terror network, five held

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The North News

Chandigarh, August 12

Punjab police have arrested five people in Rajasthan in what they describe as a major blow to an ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror network. The state’s Counter Intelligence unit in Jalandhar and SBS Nagar police carried out the joint operation, acting on intelligence linked to Pakistan-based BKI operative Harwinder Singh Rinda, DGP Gaurav Yadav said on Tuesday.

The network was allegedly run by foreign-based handlers Mannu Agwan, Gopi Nawashehria and Zeeshan Akhtar, who were directing the operatives to carry out attacks in Punjab, including one planned for Independence Day. Police say the group had recently plotted to target a liquor store in SBS Nagar.

One suspect was injured in an exchange of fire during a weapons recovery operation and is being treated at SBS Nagar Civil Hospital. Officers recovered an 86P hand grenade, a .30 bore pistol with two live cartridges, and two empty shells. A case has been registered under India’s new penal code and the Explosive Substances Act.