Punjab Police have successfully busted a Pakistan ISI-backed terror module, arresting three individuals and preventing planned attacks on police establishments, highlighting ongoing cross-border terrorism concerns.
The Counter Intelligence Wing of the Punjab Police busted a Pakistan's ISI-backed terror module, arresting three persons and recovering two hand grenades along with a Glock pistol from them, said a senior police officer on Monday.
The grenades bear markings of POF (Pakistan Ordnance Factory), indicating cross-border linkages, said Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.
Those arrested have been identified as Sarabjit Singh, a resident of Ammishah village in Tarn Taran, Bikramjit Singh, a resident of Nangal Pannuwan village in Amritsar and Amandeep Singh, a resident of Indra Colony in Amritsar.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the Inter Services Intelligence - backed module was involved in systematic targeting of police establishments across multiple states, which has now been successfully averted.
Efforts are ongoing to identify, track, and apprehend other members of the module, he added.
Sharing operational details, Assistant Inspector General, State Special Operations Cell, Amritsar, Sukhminder Singh Mann said in an intelligence-led operation, police teams from SSOC arrested Sarabjit Singh and Amandeep Singh, and recovered hand grenades and a pistol from their possession.
The AIG said investigations revealed that the key operative and primary contact of Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs) in the group, Bikramjit Singh, was operating from Deesa in Gujarat.
The information was immediately shared with ATS Gujarat, and with their active cooperation, SSOC arrested Bikramjit Singh, he said.
AIG Mann said that during the investigation, it was revealed that all the accused were in touch with PIOs via social media platforms.
Probe also revealed that, acting on directions from ISI handlers, the group was also planning to carry out grenade attacks on various police establishments in Punjab and other states, he added.
An FIR has been registered under the Explosive Substances (Amendment) Act, the Arms Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) in Amritsar.