CHANDIGARH | May 20, 2025 —Punjab Police have dismantled a terror module of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), supported by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and arrested six operatives after an encounter linked to a grenade attack attempt on a liquor vend in Batala.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Tuesday that the arrested suspects were working under the command of BKI’s foreign-based handlers and were planning further attacks. “The module was receiving direct instructions from Maninder Billa, operating from Portugal, and Mannu Agwan, who recently assumed operational control of BKI after the arrest of Happy Passian in the US,” he posted on X.
The six arrested individuals were identified as Jatin Kumar alias Rohan, Barinder Singh alias Sajan, Rahul Masih, Abraham alias Rohit, Sohit, and Sunil Kumar. All were found to be in direct contact with Billa and Agwan, acting under the broader network led by BKI mastermind Harwinder Singh Rinda, who is currently based in Pakistan.
One of the accused, Jatin Kumar, sustained bullet injuries during an encounter with police. According to officials, the incident occurred while he was being escorted for a recovery operation. He allegedly opened fire on the escorting police team and was injured in retaliatory firing. Kumar has been admitted to the Civil Hospital in Batala.
Police recovered a 30-bore pistol from the arrested suspects. A case has been registered at Civil Lines police station in Batala under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The breakthrough comes just days after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted coordinated searches across 15 locations in Punjab, connected to a grenade attack on a police station in Gurdaspur district in December 2024. The agency searched premises in Gurdaspur, Batala, Amritsar, and Kapurthala, recovering digital devices, mobile phones, and documents with alleged links to BKI operatives.
The NIA’s investigation has spotlighted the transnational nature of the BKI’s terror operations. According to officials, BKI agents across various countries are actively engaged in recruiting and training Indian operatives, funding them, and supplying weapons and explosives. Their coordinated efforts include recent grenade attacks on multiple police stations and outposts in Punjab.
A key figure under scrutiny is US-based Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passian, along with his known associate Shamsher Singh Shera alias Honey. The duo is believed to have orchestrated the Gurdaspur attack, working in tandem with Rinda and other Pakistan-based operatives.
“NIA findings reveal a clear pattern of cross-border conspiracy aimed at destabilizing Punjab through well-orchestrated attacks,” an official familiar with the probe said.
Authorities say that investigations are ongoing, and further arrests may follow as surveillance continues on suspected international operatives.
