Punjab Newsline | Amritsar

Ahead of Dussehra, Amritsar Police have arrested three alleged operatives suspected of plotting attacks on police establishments and personnel at the behest of handlers linked to Pakistan's intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The police have recovered a hand grenade, a Glock pistol and five cartridges from their possession.

The three accused have been identified as Navdeep Singh, a resident of Fatehgarh Korotala in Dharamkot, Moga district; Samuel Masih alias Samu, a resident of Mohalla Mehne Wala in Khankot East, Moga; and Sandeep Singh alias Tiddi. A fourth suspect, Harman, a resident of Daulatpur, is yet to be arrested.

According to the police, they had received information that the accused were travelling on an unregistered motorcycle after collecting a consignment of weapons from the Attari sector. Acting on the tip-off, a police team led by Sub-Inspector Rajbir Singh intercepted and apprehended the suspects.

During a search, the police recovered a bag containing a hand grenade, a Glock pistol and five cartridges. The Gharinda police station has registered a case against the three arrested accused.

During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted that they planned to throw a hand grenade at a police building and shoot a police personnel dead. However, they had not yet identified a specific target for the proposed attack, according to the preliminary investigation.

Deleted Data Found on Mobile Phones

The police also recovered four mobile phones from the accused. Investigators found that a substantial amount of data on the devices had been deleted, raising suspicions about their communications and possible links to other individuals involved in the alleged conspiracy.

The preliminary investigation suggests that the recovered weapons may have been dropped inside Indian territory using a Pakistani drone. Police suspect that the accused were in direct contact with handlers linked to Pakistan's ISI.

The investigation is ongoing, and the police are examining the recovered electronic devices and other evidence to establish the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and identify any additional suspects.

Senior police officials have refrained from sharing further details, describing the case as serious and stating that the investigation is continuing.