Chandigarh, June 12: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out coordinated searches at 15 locations across Punjab and Haryana as part of its ongoing probe into the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror network and its involvement in the January 2025 grenade attack at a police post in Amritsar.
Raids were conducted in Punjab’s Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Kapurthala, and Rupnagar districts, as well as Sirsa in Haryana. The agency seized a range of incriminating materials, including digital devices and documents, which are currently being examined for further leads on the BKI’s terror syndicate.
The grenade attack had targeted Police Chowki Gumtala under the jurisdiction of Cantonment Police Station in Amritsar. It was among a string of attacks believed to have been orchestrated by BKI operatives across northern India. The assault was claimed by Happy Passian, a foreign-based operative of the proscribed group.
Investigations revealed that the grenade and funds used in the attack were supplied by Sarwan Singh, alias Bhola, to two local operatives—Bagga Singh, alias Rinku, and Mandeep Singh, alias Magga. While Bagga was arrested by Punjab Police in February this year, Mandeep remains absconding.
The NIA, which assumed control of the investigation in April 2025, has since expanded its probe to include individuals linked to both Mandeep and Bhola. Searches were also conducted at premises associated with Bhola’s brother, Mandeep Singh, alias Makka. Both Bhola and Makka are based in the United States and are brothers of Ranjit Singh, alias Cheeta—a known drug smuggler who has previously been arrested in two NIA-led narco-terrorism cases.
According to the agency, BKI operatives have been actively recruiting and training individuals in India, while coordinating funding and arms supply through a network of associates overseas, including those based in Pakistan.
“The BKI is engaged in a criminal conspiracy to carry out large-scale terror activities on Indian soil. The outfit’s transnational support structure plays a crucial role in its operations,” an NIA official said.
Thursday’s crackdown marks a significant escalation in efforts to dismantle the BKI’s presence in India and disrupt its pipeline of terror resources and recruitment. Further arrests and forensic analysis of seized materials are expected as the investigation progresses.
