Ludhiana: Commissionerate Police and Counter Intelligence teams have busted an alleged international terror-gangster module and arrested two more operatives linked to the network, recovering two live military-grade hand grenades during a joint operation.
Police claimed the crackdown helped avert a major terror attack in Punjab. The accused are said to be linked to the Lakha gang and were allegedly working under instructions from foreign-based handlers.
Swaran Sharma said the first breakthrough in the case came on May 17, when police foiled a targeted killing conspiracy near Hardy’s World in the Ladoval police station area.
During that operation, police arrested two alleged shooters — Anuraj alias Gaurav Masih and Ankush, both residents of Phillaur. Police recovered three pistols and 11 live cartridges from their possession.
An FIR numbered 91 was registered against them under the Arms Act and Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During interrogation and subsequent investigation by CIA staff and Counter Intelligence teams, police traced the “explosive wing” of the network and later arrested two more key operatives from the Majha region.
The arrested accused have been identified as:
Karandeep Singh alias Karan, a resident of Khairuddin Ke village in Tarn Taran district. Police described him as a habitual offender with previous cases under attempt to murder and NDPS laws.
Baljit Singh alias Sanju, a resident of Purani Basti in Amritsar district.
According to investigators, the duo was recruited into the module by Malaysia-based handler Akashdeep alias Golden.
Police also revealed that the network was allegedly being operated under instructions from foreign-based gang handlers, including:
Zorawar Singh
Sahil Sondhi alias Chunj
Lakha
Following the recovery of the hand grenades, police added stringent provisions of the Explosive Substances Act, including Sections 3, 4 and 5, along with Section 317(2) of the BNS, to the existing FIR.
Police officials said the operation has dismantled both the shooting module and the weapons supply chain linked to the foreign-based syndicate. Multiple police teams are now conducting raids to identify local associates and other forward and backward links connected to the network.
