Ludhiana: The Ludhiana police claimed to have foiled a major terror plot and prevented a grenade attack following swift action based on intelligence inputs, officials said on Thursday.
Ten accused have been arrested in the case, while efforts are underway to trace their foreign-based handlers who are suspected to have links with Pakistan. Police said a case has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Red Corner Notices have been issued against the masterminds operating from abroad.
Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma told reporters that on the basis of specific intelligence, a case was registered against Kuldeep Singh, Shekhar Singh and Ajay Singh — all residents of Muktsar Sahib — at Jodhewal police station under the Explosives Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Given the gravity of the case, special investigation teams were constituted under the supervision of senior officers from the DCP (Investigation) and DCP (Urban) wings. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were instructed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through their handlers abroad to execute a grenade attack in a densely populated area of Ludhiana to spread panic.
Police have also identified several foreign-based masterminds, including Ajay alias Ajay Malaysia, a permanent resident of Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan; Jass Behbal, currently in Malaysia; and Pawandeep, also based in Malaysia and originally from Sri Ganganagar.
Further investigations are underway to trace other associates and uncover the full extent of the conspiracy.
