Punjab grenade attack case suspect nabbed, handed to NIA: police

The Hindu

7 days ago

A 22-year-old member of the banned terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) has been arrested in connection with a grenade attack on a police station in Punjab earlier this year, the Delhi police said on Wednesday.
Akashdeep Singh alias Bazz, who was nabbed by Delhi Police's Special Cell from Madhya Pradesh's Indore on Tuesday, is among the key suspects in the April 7 grenade attack on the Qila Lal Singh police station in Batala. He has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency, the police said.
'The accused, a resident of Amritsar, is associated with the banned terrorist group BKI. He also confessed to his involvement in the grenade attack in Batala, which was later claimed by BKI-linked individuals on social media,' Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik said, adding that he has been in touch with foreign-based handlers operating for the outfit.
'During interrogation, Singh revealed that he was in contact with members of BKI. The two communicated via social media platforms and Singh was receiving instructions to carry out criminal and terror-related activities in Punjab and Delhi,' said the officer.
The officer also said that Singh was in charge of overseeing arms acquisition and movement, providing shelter to members of the group.
According to the police, Singh was working as a crane operator at a construction site in Indore when he was arrested following a tip-off about his movement. Police followed his movement across Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh before arresting him in Indore, the officer added.
After the grenade attack, which caused panic in the region, a threatening post was circulated on social media by some people, who identified as Happy Pachiya, Mannu Agwan, and Gopi Nawanshahria, all allegedly affiliated with BKI, claiming responsibility.