Punjab Police on Saturday announced the busting of a narco-terror module linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), with the arrest of three key operatives from Bihar while they were attempting to flee to Nepal. Authorities suspect that the case is connected to the recent grenade attack at Thakurdwara Temple in Amritsar.
Amritsar Commissioner GPS Bhullar stated, “We had arrested three people with a commercial quantity of heroin from Bihar. During their interrogation and investigation, it came to light that this whole network was being run by a person named Karandeep Yadav… We have arrested him (Karandeep Yadav) along with two other people, Sajan Singh and Mukesh Kumar Yadav. These people have links with Babbar Khalsa. And I hope that there are many things which will come to light after their arrest, forensic science will give its report on this…”
He also pointed out the growing pressure on Pakistan-based smugglers and ISI, stating that there is a war against drugs in Punjab. “Earlier also they tried, but Punjab Police did not allow them to succeed. We assume that there is a linkage with the grenade attack at Thakurdwara Temple because the accused belongs to the area where the incident took place,” he said.
The three accused were arrested on Friday afternoon, just hours before a grenade attack targeted Thakurdwara Temple in Khandwala, Amritsar.
In a post on X, DGP Punjab Police confirmed the breakthrough, stating: “In a major breakthrough, Commissionerate Police Amritsar has busted a narco-terror module linked to BKI, by arresting three key operatives from Bihar while they attempted to flee to Nepal. In an intelligence-based operation, three accused persons have been apprehended from Police Station Kumarkhand, Madhepura, Bihar.”
“These individuals had earlier delivered grenades and arms recovered in a recent operation. Arrested persons resided in Amritsar’s Khandwala and Chehartta areas, and are being brought back for further interrogation. Punjab Police is working tirelessly to maintain peace and harmony in the state,” he added.
Meanwhile, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab.
“Ever since Aam Aadmi Party’s government came to power, the law and order situation has become terrible… All these grenade attacks have happened in a chained way, with some happening on police stations as well… Whereas, the police is busy with the protection of Arvind Kejriwal,” Poonawalla told media.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, however, refuted claims of lawlessness, stating that there were constant attempts to destabilize Punjab.
“There are always many attempts to disturb the peace in Punjab. Drugs, gangsters, and extortion are part of it, and there are attempts to show that Punjab has become a disturbed state… During the festival of Holi, in other states, the police had to use a lathi charge during processions. But such things do not happen in Punjab… The law and order situation in Punjab is good,” Mann asserted.
The grenade attack at Thakurdwara Temple occurred late Friday night when two bike-borne men lobbed an object, suspected to be an explosive, at the temple. No injuries were reported, but police are actively investigating the incident.
Amritsar Commissioner GPS Bhullar also suspected the involvement of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI in the blast.
“We got information at 2 a.m. We reached the spot right away. The forensic team was called… We checked the CCTV and spoke to the nearby people. The thing is that Pakistan’s ISI lures our youth into creating disturbances in Punjab. We will trace this case within days and take appropriate action. I warn the youth not to ruin their lives… We will catch the culprits soon,” he said.