Latest news with #Vishavjit
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- Indian Express
Another Bishnoi-BKI module busted as police unravel their ‘interdependent nexus'
Days after busting a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module and arresting five members of Lawrence Bishnoi gang in Rajasthan, who are allegedly in cahoots with the banned Khalistani group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), the Punjab Police Counter Intelligence (CI) teams in Jalandhar have arrested two more operatives of the same module and seized one 86P hand-grenade from their possession. Police identified the arrested accused as Vishavjit and Jackson, both residents of Shankar in Nakodar. According to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, the Punjab Police had arrested five operatives of the Bishnoi gang-BKI module, including Ritik Naroliya and Sonu Kumar, alias Kali, and three juveniles, for their involvement in the Nawanshahr grenade attack and seized one 86P hand grenade and one .30 bore pistol from their possession. The DGP had earlier said the relationship between the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a banned Khalistani terrorist outfit, 'is primarily characterised by a nexus of criminal and terrorist activities'. While the exact nature of their collaboration is complex and often involves overlapping interests, the Punjab Police investigations have brought to the fore 'how Lawrence Bishnoi gang has been assisting or aligning with the BKI'. The DGP said acting swiftly on forward and backwards linkages, the CI, Jalandhar, seized one 86P hand-grenade, following the arrest of two BKI operatives Ritik Naroliya and a juvenile in Rajasthan a few days ago. 'The disclosure made by the arrested accused led to the arrest of their aides Vishavjit in Kolkata (while he was trying to abscond to Malaysia) and his accomplice Jackson in Nakodar, which led to the recovery of the hand grenade,' the DGP said. The DGP said, 'All arrested accused persons were acting on the directions of Canada-based Bishnoi gang-BKI masterminds Zeeshan Akhtar and Ajay Gill.' Divulging further details, AIG (CI) Navjot Singh Mahal said, 'Preliminary investigations revealed that accused Vishavjit and Jackson had retrieved two hand grenades from Beas through their associates in the last week of July. One of the grenades exploded in a liquor shop in SBS Nagar by other members of this module 10 days ago.' The AIG stated that a case was registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) police station in Amritsar. 'Further investigations into the case are ongoing, and more arrests are likely in the coming days,' he added. Lawrence Bishnoi and Khalistani outfits' nexus The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, known for its extensive criminal operations, including extortion, murder, and arms smuggling, has been 'linked to the BKI through a terror-crime syndicate', and the nexus involves coordinating activities such as smuggling arms, ammunition and explosives across borders, particularly from Pakistan into Punjab, to support terrorist activities, according to police. The Punjab Police has identified individuals like Harwinder Singh (alias Rinda) and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu (alias Landa), key BKI operatives, as 'conspirators working with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to facilitate these operations'. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang is reportedly assisting the BKI by 'recruiting and radicalising youths in India, particularly in Punjab, to carry out terrorist acts'. This includes, according to police, providing logistical support and mobilising individuals for targeted killings and other violent activities. For instance, the Punjab Police noted that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, under the direction of Lawrence Bishnoi and his former associate Goldy Brar, who has now broken away, had been involved in raising funds and recruiting youths for BKI's terrorist conspiracies in Delhi and other parts of India. The Bishnoi gang's role in 'procuring and smuggling weapons has been instrumental in supporting BKI's operations'. The NIA raids in January 2024 across six states uncovered illegal arms, ammunition, and digital devices linked to both groups, indicating their collaboration in smuggling terrorist hardware. Yudhvir Singh (alias Sandhu), a key Lawrence Bishnoi gang member, was identified as 'the chief arms procurer for the syndicate, facilitating the supply of weapons from foreign sources'. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has been implicated in 'executing attacks that align with BKI's objectives'. For example, the grenade attack on BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia's house in Jalandhar in April 2025 was attributed to both the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the BKI, with gang members like Zeeshan Akhtar and Shahzad Bhatti named as conspirators. Similarly, the 2022 RPG attack on the Punjab Police State Intelligence headquarters in Mohali was allegedly orchestrated by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang 'on the BKI's directions'. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang's extensive extortion network, which operates across multiple states and internationally, is believed to 'channel funds to BKI associates for terrorist activities'. According to the Punjab Police Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF), 'Funds extorted by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang are sent through money transfer services to support BKI's operations, including in Canada and Thailand. This financial pipeline strengthens BKI's ability to sustain its activities.' Shared targets and ideological overlap While the Lawrence Bishnoi gang is primarily a criminal enterprise, its activities sometimes align with the BKI's pro-Khalistan agenda, particularly in targeting individuals perceived as threats to their interests. For example, the murder of Khalistani sympathiser Sukha Duneke in September 2023 was claimed by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, suggesting a convergence of interests in eliminating rival or opposing figures. According to senior police officers, 'The relationship is not necessarily ideological but rather a pragmatic alliance driven by mutual benefits in criminal enterprises and territorial control. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang's criminal infrastructure provides the BKI with the muscle and resources to execute its terrorist agenda, while BKI offers the Lawrence Bishnoi gang a broader network for arms and funds.'
NDTV
19 hours ago
- NDTV
Punjab Police Arrest 2 More Operatives Of Babbar Khalsa Terror Module
Chandigarh: Days after busting Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module, Counter Intelligence Jalandhar has arrested two more operatives of the same module and recovered one 86P hand-grenade from their possession, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav has said. Those arrested have been identified as Vishavjit and Jackson, both residents of Shankar in Nakodar, an official release said. As per the information, Punjab Police had arrested five operatives, including Ritik Naroliya and Sonu Kumar alias Kali, and three juveniles, of the BKI module for their involvement in the Nawanshahr Grenade Attack and recovered one 86P hand-grenade and one .30 bore pistol from their possession. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that acting swiftly on forward and backwards linkages, CI Jalandhar recovered one 86P Hand Grenade following the arrest of two BKI operatives, Ritik Naroliya and a juvenile from Rajasthan, a few days back. The accused's disclosures led to the arrest of their aides, Vishavjit from Kolkata-- while he was trying to abscond to Malaysia-- and his accomplice Jackson was arrested from Nakodar, which led to the recovery of the said hand grenade, he said. The DGP stated that all the arrested accused persons were acting under the direction of Canada-based BKI masterminds Zeeshan Akhtar and Ajay Gill. Sharing more details, AIG CI Navjot Singh Mahal said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused Vishavjit and Jackson had retrieved two hand grenades from Beas through their associates in the last week of July this year. Of which, one grenade was exploded in a liquor shop in SBS Nagar 10 days back by other members of this module, he said. The AIG stated that further investigations are ongoing in this case, and more arrests are likely in the coming days. A case FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, he added. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
2 more BKI operatives held, hand grenade recovered
1 2 Jalandhar: Days after Punjab Police officials announced busting of a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module, counter intelligence (CI) Jalandhar arrested two alleged operatives from the same module and recovered a hand grenade. The individuals apprehended have been identified as Vishavjit and Jackson, both residents of Shankar in Nakodar. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said CI Jalandhar recovered the 86P hand grenade following the arrest of two BKI operatives, Ritik Naroliya and a juvenile from Rajasthan, a few days earlier. He added, "The arrested accused's disclosures led to the arrest of Vishavjit from Kolkata — while he was trying to abscond to Malaysia. Jackson has been arrested from Nakodar, which led to the recovery of the said hand grenade." Punjab Police earlier arrested five operatives, including Ritik Naroliya and Sonu Kumar alias Kali, along with three juveniles, from the BKI module for their alleged involvement in the Nawanshahr grenade attack. DGP Yadav said that all the arrested accused persons were acting on the directions of Canada-based BKI masterminds Zeeshan Akhtar and Ajay Gill. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Counter intelligence assistant inspector general (AIG) Navjot Singh Mahal said preliminary investigations revealed that Vishavjit and Jackson had retrieved two hand grenades from Beas through their associates in the last week of July this year. Of these, one grenade exploded in a liquor shop in Nawanshahr 10 days ago by other members of the module. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
2 Babbar Khalsa Terror Operatives Arrested, Punjab Police Recover Grenade
Jalandhar (Punjab): Counter Intelligence (CI), Jalandhar, arrested two individuals linked to the banned terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and recovered a Chinese Type 86P hand grenade, Punjab police said on Tuesday. The arrested individuals were identified as Ritik Naroliya and a juvenile from Rajasthan. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, in an X post, said, "Acting swiftly on forward and backwards linkages, Counter Intelligence #Jalandhar, recovers one 86P Hand Grenade following the arrest of two #BKI operatives Ritik Naroliya and a juvenile from #Rajasthan, a few days back." Acting swiftly on forward and backward linkages, Counter Intelligence #Jalandhar, recovers one 86P Hand Grenade following the arrest of two #BKI operatives Ritik Naroliya and a juvenile from #Rajasthan, a few days back. The arrested accused's disclosures led to the arrest of… — DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) August 19, 2025 Police said the disclosures made by the arrested accused led to the arrest of Vishavjit from Kolkata and Jackson from Nakodar. "The arrested accused's disclosures led to the arrest of their aides Vishavjit from #Kolkata (while he was trying to abscond to #Malaysia) and Jackson from Nakodar, which led to the recovery of the said hand grenade," the post added. According to Punjab police, the accused were acting under the instructions of Canada-based BKI masterminds Zeeshan Akhtar and Ajay Gill. "Accused Vishavjit and Jackson retrieved 2 hand grenades from Beas through their associates in the last week of July this year, from which one grenade was exploded in a liquor shop in SBS Nagar 10 days back by other members of this module. FIR has been registered at PS State Special Operation Cell (#SSOC), Amritsar," the DGP added. Additionally, Punjab Police wrote, "@PunjabPoliceInd remains committed to neutralising terror networks, eliminating organised crime and ensuring peace and public safety across the state." Earlier, in a similar operation, CI Ferozepur foiled a major terror plot allegedly being orchestrated by Pak-ISI-backed terrorist Harwinder Rinda with the arrest of two operatives of the banned BKI module, DGP Gaurav Yadav had said. Those arrested were identified as Harpreet Singh, alias Preet, a resident of Bhullar village in Tarn Taran, and Gulshan Singh, alias Nandu, a resident of Rampura village in Amritsar. Police recovered two 86P hand grenades, one 9mm pistol and five live cartridges from them. The development came on the eve of Independence Day, two days after Punjab Police busted another BKI module with the arrest of five operatives, including three juveniles, from the Tonk and Jaipur districts of Rajasthan. In that operation, police recovered one 86P hand grenade and one .30 bore pistol.
Hans India
a day ago
- Hans India
Punjab Police recover hand grenade from arrested BKI operatives
Chandigarh: Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence of Jalandhar recovered one hand grenade following the arrest of two operatives of the pro-Khalistan militant organisation Babbar Khalsa International from Rajasthan a few days back, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Tuesday. One of the two operatives was identified as Ritik Naroliya, and the other was a juvenile The accused's disclosures led to the arrest of their aides, Vishavjit from Kolkata, while he was trying to abscond to Malaysia and Jackson from the state's Nakodar town, which led to the recovery of the hand 86P grenade. All accused were acting on the directions of Canada-based BKI masterminds Zeeshan Akhtar and Ajay Gill, said the DGP. Accused Vishavjit and Jackson retrieved two hand grenades from Beas through their associates in the last week of July, from which one grenade was exploded in a liquor shop in SBS Nagar 10 days back by other members of this module. A first information report (FIR) has been registered in Amritsar. On the eve of Independence Day, Counter Intelligence of Ferozepur foiled a major terror plot being orchestrated by Pakistan's ISI-backed terrorist Harwinder Rinda with the arrest of two operatives of BKI. Those arrested have been identified as Harpreet Singh, alias Preet, a resident of Tarn Taran, and Gulshan Singh, a resident of Amritsar. Police teams had also recovered two 86P hand grenades and one 9MM pistol along with five live cartridges from their possession. The development came two days after Punjab Police busted a BKI terror module with the arrest of five operatives, including three juveniles, from Tonk and Jaipur districts of Rajasthan and recovered one 86P hand-grenade and one .30 bore pistol from their possession. DGP Yadav had said preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested accused persons were working under the directions of their foreign-based handlers sitting in Britain, the US and Europe. Probe has also revealed that the arrested accused were actively conspiring to target government buildings and police establishments using grenades to disturb the peace and harmony of the border state.
