Six Members of ISI-Linked BKI Terror Module Arrested in Batala, Punjab DGP Confirms
Six individuals allegedly associated with the Pakistan-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror outfit have been arrested in Batala, Punjab, according to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.
The arrests mark a breakthrough in the state’s ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks supported by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
The arrested individuals were reportedly operating under the direction of foreign-based handlers Maninder Billa (based in Portugal) and Mannu Agwan, who has recently taken over operational control of BKI following the arrest of key operative Happy Passia in the United States.
The terror module was allegedly executing plans under the broader leadership of designated terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda.
Police said the group was involved in a recent grenade attack attempt outside a liquor shop in Batala’s Focal Point area on May 17. However, the grenade failed to detonate due to faulty assembly, averting potential casualties or damage.
All six accused are residents of Batala and have been identified as Jatin Kumar alias Rohan, Barinder Singh alias Sajan, Abraham alias Rohit, and Sunil Kumar from Shukarpura; Rahul Masih from Harnam Nagar; and Sohit from Qila Des Raj.
Law enforcement officials also recovered a .30 bore pistol during the arrests.
A case was initially registered under Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act at Police Station Civil Lines in Batala. Authorities have now added Sections 111 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 18-B, and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
DGP Yadav stated that preliminary investigations revealed the module had been instructed to target any liquor vendor with a grenade to create an atmosphere of fear among local contractors and facilitate future extortion attempts.
Batala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Suhail Qasim Mir noted that multiple investigative teams were deployed to track the suspects using technical surveillance and human intelligence.
The efforts led to the identification and arrest of individuals responsible for planning and executing the attack and those involved in logistics and financing.
During the operation, the primary accused, Jatin Kumar alias Rohan, sustained bullet injuries in an encounter while being taken for a weapons recovery.
According to police, Jatin attempted to escape and opened fire on the officers, prompting retaliatory action. He has since been hospitalized and is undergoing treatment.
The SSP also revealed that the grenade used in the attempted attack was assembled by the accused based on video instructions from Billa and another unidentified individual, despite their lack of technical expertise.
Further investigations are ongoing to trace the module’s broader network and to identify any additional operatives involved.
