Chandigarh: Patiala Police have arrested four members of a pro-Khalistan extremist module and recovered a cache of arms, officials said on Tuesday, linking the group to a recent attempt to trigger a blast near the Shambhu railway track.
Addressing a press conference, Kuldeep Chahal, DIG Patiala Range, and SSP Varun Sharma confirmed that the arrests led to the busting of the module allegedly behind the late-night explosion attempt near Shambhu.
The arrested accused have been identified as Pradeep Singh Khalsa (Mansa), Kulwinder Singh (Bappiana village, Mansa), Satnam Singh (Tarn Taran), and Gurpreet Singh (Goindwal Bypass, Tarn Taran). Police said multiple criminal cases are already registered against them.
According to DIG Chahal, Pradeep Singh Khalsa was the key handler of the module. He was allegedly in close contact with pro-Khalistan extremists based in Malaysia as well as arms suppliers operating from Pakistan. He is also accused of sending youths abroad for extremist training and assigning them roles in terror-related activities.
During the operation, security forces recovered one hand grenade, two .30 bore pistols with ammunition, communication devices, and a laptop allegedly used to stay in touch with foreign-based handlers.
SSP Sharma added that the group was planning further attacks targeting public infrastructure and property. Investigations are ongoing to trace wider links of the network.
