Gurdaspur: In a significant counter-terrorism operation, Gurdaspur Police have arrested two individuals allegedly working under the direction of foreign-based handlers associated with the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) group.
The accused, identified as Lovedeep Singh, also known as “Love,” and Tek Chand alias “Tinku,” were reportedly taking instructions from overseas operatives Gurdev Jassal and Gurlal alias “Gullu,” both of whom are linked to the radicalised BKI network.
According to police officials, the arrests mark a crucial breakthrough in ongoing efforts to curb the growing nexus between gangsters and terror outfits operating from abroad. Preliminary investigations suggest that the duo had been tasked with carrying out targeted killings of rival gang members in Punjab as part of a larger conspiracy aimed at destabilising law and order in the state.
During the operation, police recovered three .32 calibre pistols along with several live cartridges. The seized weapons are believed to have been intended for use in the planned attacks.
Senior police officers confirmed that the suspects were under surveillance for several weeks following intelligence inputs about their movements and foreign connections. “This is a major success in our continuous drive against the gangster–terror syndicate. We are determined to identify every link in this chain, both within and outside the country,” a senior Gurdaspur Police official said.
Investigators are now working to map the duo’s communication trail to identify their local collaborators and financial backers. Efforts are also underway to establish the full extent of their connection with the BKI handlers overseas.
Punjab Police, in a statement, reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peace and public safety. “The state police remains steadfast in its resolve to dismantle the gangster-terror ecosystem that seeks to disrupt harmony in Punjab,” the statement read.
Authorities have tightened security in sensitive districts across the state as part of an intensified crackdown on cross-border terror funding and radicalisation networks. Further details are expected once the interrogation and forensic examination of digital evidence are complete.