Punjab Police Bust ISI-backed Terror Module Plotting Attacks at Jantar Mantar, 9 Arrested
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Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Punjab Police has dismantled a major cross-border terror module operating at the behest of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Authorities arrested nine individuals, including four minors, across two interconnected operational cells in Amritsar.
According to Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, the group possessed an arsenal of improvised weapons, firearms, and surveillance equipment intended to target key infrastructure and high-profile public demonstrations.
Plotting Disruptions at Delhi's Jantar Mantar
Investigators revealed that members of one arrested gang traveled to New Delhi during an active protest at Jantar Mantar. The cell was tasked with providing logistical support and introducing petrol-bottle bombs into the crowd to trigger mass panic. Vigilance by security agencies thwarted the attempt, forcing the operatives to retreat to Punjab without executing the strike.
Cross-Border Espionage on Railway Tracks
A parallel cell operated by the group focused on critical transport infrastructure. Operatives installed concealed CCTV cameras along high-security railway tracks, notably near the Joda Phatak area in Amritsar. Live video streams were routed directly to handlers based in Pakistan. Police arrested Vansh Kumar, a resident of Mokhampura, alongside a minor, recovering sensitive footage and concealed firearms.
Seized Item / Intelligence Target | Details & Strategic Significance |
Improvised Explosives | Petrol-filled bottle bombs designed for public arson |
Firearms & Ammunition | Multiple handguns and live cartridges intended for targeted strikes |
Surveillance Equipment | Wireless CCTV units deployed at Joda Phatak track to log train movements |
Target Locations | Jantar Mantar (Delhi) and strategic railway corridors in Amritsar |
Exploitation of Vulnerable Minors
Police Chief Gurpreet Singh Bhullar highlighted a concerning trend in the module's recruitment strategy. The handlers systematically targeted teenagers from low-income families, drawing them into anti-national activities using minor financial incentives and promises of quick cash.
Multi-Agency Probe into Foreign Funding
Special teams are conducting detailed interrogations to map out the entire operational footprint. The investigation is tracing the digital trail of cross-border communications, identifying money transfer channels used by foreign handlers, and tracking down local accomplices responsible for supplying weapons and improvised explosive materials.
