CHANDIGARH, May 23:
In a breakthrough, the Punjab Police claimed to have foiled a major terror conspiracy in the state after arresting two alleged operatives linked to the Lakha gang and recovering two live military-grade hand grenades from their possession in Ludhiana.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
The arrests were made during a joint operation conducted by the Ludhiana Commissionerate Police and Counter-Intelligence units against an alleged international criminal syndicate and terror-gangster nexus operating with foreign handlers.
Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma said the network first came under the scanner on May 17, when police intercepted a targeted killing conspiracy near Hardy’s World in the Ladoval police station area. During that operation, two alleged shooters, Anuraj alias Gaurav Masih and Ankush, both residents of Phillaur, were arrested with three pistols and 11 live cartridges.
Police had registered FIR No. 91 under provisions of the Arms Act and Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During interrogation, the accused allegedly revealed that they were acting under instructions from foreign-based handlers. Police identified the key overseas operatives as Jorawar Singh, based in Germany, Sahil Sondhi alias Chunj, based in Dubai, and Lakha, also believed to be operating from Germany.
Officials said further questioning during police remand, along with an intensive probe by the CIA staff and Counter Intelligence teams, helped investigators trace the explosives supply chain linked to the module.
Subsequently, police arrested two more alleged associates from the Majha region. The accused were identified as Karandeep Singh alias Karan, a resident of Khairuddin Ke in Tarn Taran district, and Baljit Singh alias Sanju, a resident of the Purani Basti area in Amritsar district.
According to police, Karandeep is a habitual offender and has previously faced cases related to attempted murder and drug trafficking under the NDPS Act.
Investigators further revealed that the two accused were allegedly recruited into the module by Malaysia-based handler Akashdeep alias Golden.
Following the recovery of the grenades, police added stringent sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, along with Section 317(2) of the BNS, to the already registered FIR.
Police said the operation had effectively dismantled both the shooting module and the weapons supply network linked to the foreign-based syndicate. Multiple teams are now conducting raids to identify backward and forward linkages, including local supporters and facilitators connected to the module.(UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
