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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Indian Express
ISI creating ‘inter-changeable network' of gangsters, drug smugglers, terrorists: Punjab Police
In a series of crackdowns on the Lawrence Bishoi-led gang in Punjab and Rajasthan, Punjab Police have unearthed proof that an 'inter-operational and inter-changeable' network of organised criminals, terrorists based abroad, and big drug smugglers is operating together under the tutelage of Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI). On the eve of Independence Day, August 14, Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) arrested two most-wanted operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang from Patiala-Ambala Highway near village Shambhu and recovered an Austria-made 9mm Glock pistol along with six live cartridges from their possession. Arzoo Bishnoi is the same US-based gangster who is wanted in the murder of a well known businessman in Abohar in Punjab on July 7. In this instance too, three members of Lawrence Bishnoi gang were arrested by Punjab Police from Rajasthan. DGP Yadav said that preliminary investigation revealed that they fled to Nepal after committing the murder and returned on directions of their foreign-based handlers to commit a sensational crime in Punjab. Just days before this breakthrough, Punjab Police and Rajasthan Police conducted a joint operation and busted an ISI-sponsored terror network operated by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Lawrence Bishnoi gang through foreign-based handlers Mannu Agwan, Gopi Nawashahria and Zeeshan Akhtar on the directions of Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Harwinder Rinda. According to Rajasthan's Additional Director General of Police (Crime Branch) Dinesh MN, the suspects have been identified as Jitendra Chaudhary from Tonk, Sanjay from Hanumangarh, and Sonu alias Kali from Kapurthala, Punjab. Three minors from Uttar Pradesh, Niwai, and Punjab were also apprehended. They were apprehended last week in Jaipur and Tonk districts and subsequently transferred to the Special Operation Cell of Punjab Police in Amritsar. The accused were wanted in connection with a July 7 blast in Nawanshahr, Punjab. ADG Dinesh said the gang had lobbed a grenade at a liquor shop in Nawanshahr and then fled to Rajasthan. Following this, the Punjab Police lodged a case under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) sections 49 (abetment outside India for offence in India), 55 (abetment of offence punishable with death or imprisonment for life), 61 (2) (Criminal conspiracy) as well as sections of the Arms Act. 'Upon interrogation, it was found that they were associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and that their handler goes by the name of one Zeeshan Akhtar, who lives in Canada and had claimed responsibility for the murder of NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique in Mumbai,' he said, adding that Akhtar, Pakistani gangster Shahzad Bhatti, BKI terrorist Mannu Agwan and Gopi Nawanshahria were all allegedly connected with each other. 'They carry out criminal activities in different parts of the country and contact local youth by luring them with money to commit crime. The accused in the present case were connected with Akhtar via Instagram and other online apps. Akhtar had also provided grenades to the accused for the Nawanshahr blast. He used to give instructions through online platforms and had told them to carry out blasts in Delhi and Gwalior on Independence Day,' the ADG said. In June, the Mumbai Police had said that Akhtar had been detained in Canada. However, there has been little clarity on the case or Akhtar's whereabouts since then. Punjab Police officers, meanwhile, say that ISI has doubled its efforts to create unrest in Punjab after Operation Sindoor in May. They say that ISI has been trying hard to find new recruits in Punjab and goading their existing contacts to 'do something big' Speaking to The Indian Express, DGP Yadav said there is a continuous effort by ISI to create unrest in India using the existing terrorist nodes based in Pakistan. 'One thing which we have noticed is that names of outfits have become meaningless. The labels of outfits are interchangeable and so are the people involved in criminal activities,' said Yadav. Punjab Police investigations found that the attack on former BJP Minister Manoranjan Kalia in April was orchestrated by Germany based gangster Kulbir Sidhu but credit was claimed by BKI. In another instance credit for an attack was taken in the name of one Ranjodh Singh of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), but the police found that the man does not exist and the incident was put in effect by gangsters. 'Organised criminals, terrorists and big drug smugglers are operating together under ISI's direction. The attack on a police post in Punjab was done by US-based gangster Gurjant Bholu's network on behalf of Pakistan-based terrorists. Gangsters, terror nodes and drug smugglers are being used in an interchangeable way as if they have an alliance,' said Yadav. These same alliances are also indulging in extortion and terror activities in Punjab, say senior police officials. 'Pak based terrorist Harvinder Rinda sent voice notes on threat to land pooling authorities in Jalandhar recently when land pooling policy had been announced,' said a senior police official.
India.com
13-08-2025
- India.com
Punjab Police Foil Major Terror Plot By ISI; Bust Pakistan-Backed 5 Babbar Khalsa Operatives
Ahead of Independence Day, the Punjab Police have foiled a major terror plot. The Counter-Intelligence unit of Punjab Police, in coordination with the Rajasthan Police, busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror network, operated by foreign-based handlers Mannu Agwan, Gopi Nawashehria and Zeeshan Akhtar on the directions of Pakistan-based BKI operative Harwinder Rinda. This network was backed by Pakistan's (Inter-Services Intelligence) ISI-backed terror network. In a major breakthrough against #Pakistan's ISI-backed terror network, Counter Intelligence, #Jalandhar, in a joint operation with @SBSNagarPolice busts a #BKI terror network operated by foreign-based handlers Mannu Agwan, Gopi Nawashehria and Zeeshan Akhtar on the directions of… — DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) August 12, 2025 According to the DGP, Punjab Police, five operatives apprehended from Tonk & Jaipur districts of Rajasthan and successfully averted further planned attacks. 'The module had planned an attack inside a liquor store in SBS Nagar recently and was further tasked to attempt such attacks on the Independence Day occasion,' said the Punjab Police. The Punjab Police said that one person was injured in an exchange of fire. "He opened fire on police and sustained injuries in retaliatory action, and is admitted to Civil Hospital, SBS Nagar. An FIR has been registered at PS City Nawashehar, SBS Nagar under relevant sections of the BNS and the Explosive Substances Act. During the operation, One 86P hand grenade, one .30 bore pistol, along with two live cartridges and two empty shells of .30 bore were recovered," said the police. The DGP office further said that Punjab Police remains committed to neutralising terror networks and ensuring peace and public safety in the state.
Time of India
12-08-2025
- Time of India
5 'Babbar Khalsa operatives' held; terror plot foiled, claims Punjab DGP
JALANDHAR: Punjab Police Tuesday claimed to have busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module by arresting two alleged operatives and detaining three juvenile suspects from Rajasthan's Tonk and Jaipur districts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said the module was operated by foreign-based handlers Mannu Agwan, Gopi Nawanshehria and Zeeshan Akhtar, under the directions of Pak-based BKI operative Harwinder Singh alias Rinda. This module was responsible for a grenade attack at a liquor store in Nawanshahr, Punjab, on Aug 7 and the operatives were tasked with executing attacks in the run-up to Independence Day, the DGP said. "They were receiving instructions from Zeeshan and BKI mastermind Mannu Agwan, who is working in coordination with Rinda," said DGP Yadav, adding: "We succeeded in averting further attacks by this terror module." The arrested adults were identified as Ritik Naroliya of Jaipur's Didawata village and Sonu Kumar alias Kali of Kala Sanghian village in Punjab's Kapurthala. It was a joint operation by Jalandhar counter-intelligence (CI) and Nawanshahr police, said officers. A hand grenade, a .30 calibre pistol (a prohibited bore) and ammunition were seized from the suspects. CI-Jalandhar AIG Navjot Mahal said Sonu tried to fire at police party. "Police retaliated in self-defence, and he was injured," Mahal said. An FIR on charges of attempted murder and criminal conspiracy, along with Explosive Substances Act, was filed against him.
UAE Moments
12-08-2025
- UAE Moments
Police Capture Terror Suspects Linked to Foreign Operatives
Police Capture Terror Suspects Linked to Foreign Operatives in Rajasthan In a significant development, authorities have apprehended five individuals suspected of being part of a terror module operating under foreign directives. The arrests were made during a meticulously planned intelligence-led operation in Rajasthan's Tonk and Jaipur districts. Links to Foreign-Based Operatives Exposed Senior officials shared critical details about the suspects' connections to international terror networks. An official revealed, 'The arrested accused were receiving direct instructions from foreign-based Zeeshan Akhtar and BKI mastermind Mannu Agwan, who is working closely with Pakistan-based operative Harwinder Rinda. We have successfully averted further planned attacks by this terror module.' Authorities emphasized that investigations are ongoing to uncover the module's forward and backward linkages, aiming to dismantle the network completely. Confrontation During Follow-Up Operation The operation took a tense turn during a follow-up recovery attempt involving one of the accused, Sonu alias Kali. According to AIG Counter Intelligence, Jalandhar, Navjot Mahal, the suspect tried to open fire on the police party. In response, the officers retaliated in self-defense, resulting in a bullet injury to Sonu. 'The injured accused was immediately shifted to the Civil Hospital in SBS Nagar, where he is currently undergoing treatment,' reported Mahal. The quick medical intervention ensured that Sonu received adequate care following the incident. Charges Filed Under Multiple Legal Provisions The police have registered an FIR against the accused under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including: Section 109 Section 324(5) Section 61(2) Additionally, sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act have also been invoked, marking the severity of the case. The FIR highlights the grave charges against the suspects and the nature of their alleged activities. Collaborative Efforts to Curb Terror Threats The success of this operation underscores the importance of well-coordinated intelligence and swift police action in combating terror threats. With ties to international operatives such as Zeeshan Akhtar, Mannu Agwan, and Harwinder Rinda, the captured terror module poses serious security concerns. The investigation continues, aiming to strengthen national security and prevent future threats from similar terror networks. This case serves as a reminder of the critical need for proactive measures in countering extremist activities.
The Print
12-08-2025
- The Print
Terror module busted, was planning attacks in run up to Independence Day: Punjab Police
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said Counter Intelligence (CI) Jalandhar, in a joint operation with SBS Nagar Police, apprehended the five operatives of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module, including three juveniles, from Tonk and Jaipur districts of Rajasthan. One of the arrested was injured in an exchange of fire with police during a follow-up operation, the police said, adding the operatives were tasked by their handlers to carry out grenade attacks in the run-up to Independence Day. Chandigarh, Aug 12 (PTI) Punjab Police on Tuesday claimed to have busted a terror module of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed Babbar Khalsa International after it nabbed five operatives, including three juveniles, from Rajasthan. The module was being operated by foreign-based handlers Mannu Agwan, Gopi Nawanshehria and Zeeshan Akhtar on the directions of Pakistan-based BKI operative Harwinder Singh alias Rinda. Those apprehended have been identified as Ritik Naroliya, a resident of village Didawata in Jaipur, Rajasthan; Sonu Kumar alias Kali, a resident of village Kala Sanghian in Kapurthala and three juveniles. Police teams also recovered a hand grenade and a .30 bore pistol along with two live cartridges and two empty shells. This module carried out a grenade attack at a liquor store in SBS Nagar on August 7. The DGP said that the operatives were further tasked to attempt such attacks during the period leading up to Independence Day. The arrested accused were receiving direct instructions from Zeeshan Akhtar and Mannu Agwan, who is working in close coordination with Rinda, he said. 'We have successfully averted further planned attacks by this terror module,' said DGP Gaurav Yadav, while adding that a probe is on to establish forward and backward linkages in this case. Sharing more details, Assistant Inspector General, CI Jalandhar, Navjot Mahal said during a follow-up recovery operation, accused Sonu alias Kali attempted to open fire at the police team. In self-defence, police retaliated, resulting in a bullet injury to accused Sonu, who was immediately shifted to Civil Hospital in SBS Nagar, where he is undergoing treatment, the officer said. A case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Explosive Substances Act has been registered at police station City Nawanshahr. PTI CHS RT RT This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
