Chandigarh Police arrest 3 suspected BKI operatives, seize explosives

Chandigarh Police arrested three suspected BKI operatives and seized explosives, a detonator, a remote trigger and a pistol. Investigators suspect the men were acting on a foreign-based handler's instructions and are probing a wider network.Arrests were made on August 22 following specific intelligence about the movement of suspected BKI operatives in Chandigarh. (Representational Image)Chandigarh Police have arrested three suspected operatives allegedly linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and recovered around 5 kg of gelatin stick explosives, a detonator, a remote triggering system, a pistol, a magazine and five live cartridges, officials said.The arrests were made on August 22 following specific intelligence about the movement of suspected BKI operatives in Chandigarh. Police registered an FIR under Sections 4(b) and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act at Police Station 36.The accused have been identified as 19-year-old Lovepreet Singh of Sarhali village in Tarn Taran district, 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh alias Jashandeep of Deobath village in Tarn Taran, and 19-year-old Prabhpreet Singh alias Prabh of Tarsikka village in Amritsar district.According to the preliminary investigation, the three allegedly came in contact with Satnam Singh alias Satta Naushera, a foreign-based handler associated with BKI. Police suspect they were acting on his instructions and had allegedly planned to plant an improvised explosive device in Chandigarh with the intention of creating terror. The explosives, triggering components and firearm recovered during the operation have been seized as per law. Investigators are now probing the source of the explosive material, the wider network allegedly linked to the accused and the possible involvement of other associates.Chandigarh Police said further investigation is underway and reiterated its commitment to preventing attempts to disturb peace and public order. - EndsPublished By: Zafar ZaidiPublished On: Aug 24, 2026 01:48 IST