New Delhi/Gurdaspur, July 28 — A 22-year-old man allegedly linked to the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) has been arrested in connection with the April grenade attack on Quila Lal Singh police station in Punjab’s Batala district, the Delhi Police said on Sunday.
The accused, Karanbir alias Karan, a resident of Chananke village in Amritsar, was arrested on July 26 from Gurdaspur under provisions of the Arms Act. He is considered a key suspect in the April 7 grenade blast at the police station.
“The case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA),” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Amit Kaushik. “His arrest follows the interrogation of another accused, Akashdeep alias Bazz, who was nabbed from Indore on July 22. Akashdeep admitted to his role in the grenade attack and identified others tied to BKI, leading to Karanbir’s arrest.”
A post claiming responsibility for the Batala police station attack had earlier surfaced on social media, allegedly shared by BKI operatives Happy Passia, Mannu Agwan, and Gopi Nawanshahria, police said.
During interrogation, Karanbir reportedly told police that he had been in contact with a BKI handler based abroad and was receiving instructions via social media to execute terror strikes. Investigators also revealed that Karanbir had traveled to a West Asian country last year, where he allegedly received funding for the April operation.
“He confessed to sheltering two individuals at his home before the grenade was hurled at the police station,” Kaushik added. “His brother, Gursewak, also believed to be part of the conspiracy, is already under investigation.”
Further inquiries are underway to trace the full extent of the terror network.
