Punjab Police on Friday busted an ISI-backed terror module jointly operated by Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh alias Landa and Pakistan-based gangster Harvinder Singh Rinda, reported by news agency PTI. Two operatives of the module have been arrested.
The operatives who have been arrested are Baljit Singh Malhi (25) of Jogewal village and Gurbaksh Singh alias Gora Sandhu of Buh Gujran village in Ferozepur, as reported by PTI.
Lakhbir Singh is considered to be a close aide of Harvinder Singh, who had joined hands with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The duo is said to have close links with the ISI, Punjab police said in a statement.
Lakhbir Singh was involved in plotting the rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack at Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali in May. He also played a key role in planting an IED under Sub Inspector Dilbag Singh's car in Amritsar.
In an operation led by Additional Inspector General (counter intelligence), Jalandhar, Navjot Singh Mahal, police arrested the duo and seized one AK-56 assault rifle along with two magazines, 90 cartridges and two bullet shells from Buh Gujran village, said Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that Malhi was in touch with Italy-based Harpreet Singh alias Happy Sanghera. Baljit Singh had picked a consignment of weapons from Makhu-Lohian road in Sudan village in July 2022 on the directions of Sanghera, PTI quoted the DGP as saying.
Later, the consignment was concealed in the fields owned by Gurbaksh Singh after conducting test firing.
It has also been learnt that Baljit Singh was in direct contact with the dreaded gangsters, including Canada-based Lakhbir Landa and Arsh Dalla. Further investigations are on and more recoveries of weapons are expected soon, DGP Yadav said.
Yadav said the war against gangsters waged by Punjab Police on directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would continue till Punjab becomes a gangster-free state.
Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered in Amritsar under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act at the State Special Operation Cell.
(With PTI Inputs)