Terrorist With ISI Links Planned To Attack Maha Kumbh Mela, Arrested In UP

The arrest was made during a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh STF and Punjab Police in Kaushambi. Masih is a resident of Amritsar, who had been on the run since 2024.

The arrest operation was carried out in Kokhraj police station area of district Kaushambi.

Source : X@UPSTF

The Babbar Khalsa International terrorist arrested in Uttar Pradesh wanted to create trouble during the Maha Kumbh Mela, the police said on Thursday.

"However, due to intensive security checks at the religious gathering, he failed to execute his plan," Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar said. The Maha Kumbh was held at Prayagraj from January 13 to February 26.

Kumar added that the arrest of the terrorist, Lajar Masih, verifies smuggling of arms and drugs from Pakistan into India. 

The arrest was made during a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh STF and Punjab Police in Kaushambi. Masih is a resident of Amritsar, who had been on the run since 2024. He had alleged links to Pakistan's ISI.

The operation was carried out in the Kokhraj police station area of Kaushambi, Additional Director General of Police (UP Special Task Force, Law and Order) Amitabh Yash said earlier in the day.

"As per available information, the arrested terrorist works for Swarn Singh alias Jeevan Fauji, the head of the Germany-based module of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and is in direct touch with Pakistan-based ISI operatives," Yash said.

Explosives, Illegal Arms Recovered

He added that the UP STF succeeded in recovering some explosives material and illegal arms from the terrorist.

Among the seizures made are three active hand grenades, two active detonators, one foreign-made pistol and 13 cartridges of foreign make, the officer said.

Besides, a white coloured explosive powder, an Aadhaar card with a Ghaziabad address, one mobile phone without SIM card was also seized from his possession, he said.

"This terrorist had escaped judicial custody in Punjab on September 24, 2024," the ADG added.