In a major breakthrough in Punjab’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and drug smuggling, the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar has busted a Pakistan-ISI backed narco-terror module, leading to the arrest of two operatives involved in the January 9 grenade attack on Gumtala Police Post in Amritsar, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav announced on Tuesday.
Key Arrests & Seizures
The arrested suspects have been identified as:
Bagga Singh from Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar in Sirsa, Haryana
Pushkaran Singh alias Sagar from Amarkot, Amritsar
Police recovered one hand grenade, two sophisticated pistols, and ammunition from their possession.
Nexus Between Drug Cartels and Terror Networks
According to the Punjab Police investigation, the attack on Gumtala Police Post was carried out on the instructions of USA-based operatives Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passian and notorious drug smuggler Sarwan Bhola. Soon after the attack, the banned terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) claimed responsibility through social media.
DGP Yadav further revealed that Bagga Singh is related to Sarwan Bhola, who is the brother of jailed drug kingpin Ranjit Singh alias Cheeta— currently serving time in Bathinda jail for his role in a 532 kg heroin smuggling case. Notably, Sarwan Singh is wanted in the same drug case and carries a ₹2 lakh bounty by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Terror Plans Unveiled
Investigations indicate that Sarwan Bhola, operating from the USA, had handed over Bagga Singh and Pushkaran Singh to Happy Passian and Harvinder Rinda to carry out terror activities in Punjab.
DGP Yadav assured that the investigation is progressing scientifically to trace further links and unearth the full extent of the terror module.
Covert Operation Leads to Breakthrough
Sharing details of the operation, AIG SSOC Amritsar Sukhminder Singh Mann stated that after the Gumtala Police Post attack, an intensive intelligence-based crackdown led to the arrest of Bagga Singh from Sirsa and Pushkaran Singh from Amritsar.
Efforts are now underway to trace previous crimes linked to the accused and nab the remaining members of this terror network.