Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Nov 13: In a major counter-terrorism breakthrough, the Ludhiana Commissionerate Police have dismantled a Pakistan-based, ISI-backed grenade attack network, arresting 10 key operatives linked to foreign handlers, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav announced on Thursday.

The arrested include Kuldeep Singh, Shekhar Singh, and Ajay Singh from Muktsar Sahib, while Amrik Singh, Parminder, Vijay, Sukhjit Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Karanveer Singh, and Sajan Kumar were brought on production warrants from various jails for their roles as couriers and facilitators. Police also recovered an 86P Chinese hand grenade, a black kit, and gloves from the accused.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the group was in contact with Pakistan-based handlers via three operatives in Malaysia to coordinate the pickup and delivery of the grenade. The plot aimed to target a populated area in Punjab to create unrest, according to DGP Yadav.

Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma said the operation followed actionable intelligence, with an FIR filed against the primary suspects. Special investigative teams were deployed to ensure swift action, which also identified foreign masterminds Ajay Malaysia, Jass Behbal, and Pawandeep, residing together abroad and coordinating with local facilitators.

The probe exposed a local support network, including Amrik Singh, Parminder, Vijay, Sukhjit Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Karanveer Singh, and Sajan, who facilitated the grenade’s movement in Punjab. Notably, Vijay, brother of Ajay Malaysia, was already in jail for a commercial NDPS case and was produced on a warrant for his role in the plot.

Authorities continue to investigate the network to uncover further links and prevent any potential attacks.