Tarn Taran, Aug 8— The Punjab Police on Thursday foiled a major terror attempt after recovering and safely neutralising an improvised explosive device (IED) in Naushera Pannuan village of Tarn Taran district, said DGP Gaurav Yadav.
The explosive was linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operatives Harwinder Singh Rinda and Lakhbir Singh Landa, both based in Pakistan. According to police, the IED was part of a consignment pushed from across the border and was intended to be delivered to local associates for potential use in subversive acts.
Acting on specific human intelligence, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) and Tarn Taran Police launched a joint combing operation and located the IED before it could be deployed. “The explosive device was immediately secured and transported to a designated site, where it was neutralised through a controlled detonation by the EOD team,” said DGP Yadav.
The timely response, he added, averted a possible large-scale tragedy and safeguarded public safety.
ADGP AGTF Promod Ban said preliminary findings indicate the IED was sent by Pakistan-backed terrorist modules with the intent to create chaos and target civilians in Punjab. DIG Gurmeet Singh Chauhan of AGTF said an FIR has been registered under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, along with Section 111 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, at Sirhali police station.
Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the local network aiding Rinda and Landa.
