Punjab Police Bust Pakistan-Backed ISI Module Planning Grenade Attacks; 10 Arrested in Ludhiana
Operatives linked to Malaysia-based handlers were plotting strikes in crowded areas, including a Chhath Puja venue; recovery of a Chinese grenade triggered the investigation.
In a significant counter-terror operation, Punjab Police have dismantled a Pakistan-backed module operating under the direction of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Ten individuals have been arrested in Ludhiana for allegedly conspiring to carry out grenade attacks in densely populated areas of the state.
According to officials, preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested operatives were in contact with ISI handlers in Pakistan through three key associates based in Malaysia. The module was tasked with smuggling hand grenades into India and executing targeted attacks to create unrest in Punjab.
Before the plan could be executed, the police arrested the suspects, which included the brother of one of the main Malaysian-based handlers, identified as Ajay, a native of Rajasthan. Police are now interrogating the suspects under remand to trace their local contacts and funding channels.
Among those detained are Sukhjit Singh alias Sukh Barar, Sukhwinder Singh (both from Faridkot), Sajan Kumar alias Sanju and Kuldeep Singh (from Sri Muktsar Sahib), Shekhar Singh, and Ajay Singh alias Ajay. Others include Karanveer Singh alias Vicky from Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar.
Ajay is operating from Malaysia, while the local associates included Amrik Singh and Parminder alias Chiri, both of whom have also been arrested. Ajay’s brother Vijay has been brought to Punjab from a Rajasthan jail on a production warrant for questioning, bringing the total number of arrests to ten.
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav shared details of the crackdown on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the state police’s commitment to eliminating terrorism and dismantling cross-border networks to ensure peace and stability in the region. Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma is expected to brief the media further on the case.
The investigation gained momentum after the police recovered a Chinese-made hand grenade from two youths during a routine check in Ludhiana last week. The device was allegedly supplied by Ajay, the Malaysia-based mastermind, whose identity remained unknown until now. Police suspect that Ajay was plotting to trigger an explosion at a crowded Chhath Puja venue attended by thousands.
Sources revealed that Ajay, had established close links with Punjab-based criminals and drug traffickers while operating from Malaysia. He allegedly used these connections to plan the attack and coordinate the movement of explosives across the border.
With the arrests, the Punjab Police claim to have successfully foiled a major terror conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the state ahead of the festive season. Security agencies continue to probe the wider network and its possible connections to other sleeper cells active across North India.