Punjab Police has claimed a major counter-terrorism breakthrough after dismantling two alleged cross-border modules linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence. Nine people, including four juveniles, were apprehended during separate operations conducted by the Amritsar Commissionerate Police.
According to investigators, one of the modules had allegedly been instructed to carry out an attack at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar during recent student demonstrations. The suspects reportedly travelled to Delhi but abandoned the plan after finding tight security arrangements around the protest site.
Nine Apprehended and Weapons Recovered
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav announced that five adults and four juveniles had been apprehended in connection with the two suspected modules.
Police identified the adult accused as Sukhman Singh, Vansh Kumar, Anmol Singh alias Sahil, Harman Singh alias Hammu and Sukhdev Singh. The juveniles have not been identified because of legal protections concerning minors.
During the operations, officers recovered three illegal pistols, nine live cartridges and four petrol-bomb bottles. A stolen motorcycle allegedly used for criminal activities was also impounded.
DGP Yadav said the preliminary investigation indicated that foreign-based handlers were attempting to recruit young people in Punjab for terror-related activities. The alleged assignments included obtaining illegal weapons, surveying security installations and creating disturbances in public places.
Jantar Mantar Allegedly Selected as Target
Police alleged that a module led by 19-year-old Sukhman Singh had been given the task of carrying out an attack at Jantar Mantar during a recent protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party.
The CJP-led demonstrations had attracted students and competitive-examination candidates demanding accountability over alleged examination irregularities. The movement began as an online satirical campaign before developing into a broader student protest platform.
According to Punjab Police, Sukhman told investigators that he was communicating with a Pakistan-based ISI handler. He and his associates allegedly travelled to Delhi to execute the proposed attack but returned to Punjab after observing heavy police deployment and strict security around Jantar Mantar.
Investigators further claimed that an associate from Uttar Pradesh was supposed to provide weapons and explosives to the group in Delhi. However, the suspected supplier was reportedly unable to complete the delivery, and the alleged plan was abandoned.
Police also alleged that the module had been asked to conduct reconnaissance of police buildings and monitor security personnel in Punjab.
The police account reported so far does not accuse the Cockroach Janta Party, its leaders or the students participating in the protests of being connected with the suspected terror module. The allegation is that the suspects intended to use the crowded protest environment to create violence and disorder.
Suspicious Cameras Found Near Railway Tracks
The second alleged module came under investigation after suspicious surveillance cameras were discovered near railway tracks.
Police claimed that video footage recorded by the cameras was being transmitted to handlers operating outside India. Investigators are now examining why those particular railway locations were selected and whether the footage was intended to assist future sabotage or surveillance operations.
Vansh Kumar was reportedly intercepted with a juvenile associate. Officers claimed to have recovered a country-made .32-bore pistol and three live cartridges from them.
Information obtained during questioning allegedly led police to Anmol Singh, who is accused of supplying the weapon. Police later brought Sukhdev Singh and Harman Singh, who were already lodged in Amritsar Central Jail, into custody on production warrants.
Investigators alleged that payments connected with the installation of the railway-track cameras were made through Paytm by Sukhdev on Harman’s instructions. The accused and the recovered cameras were subsequently handed over to the Government Railway Police for further investigation.
Juveniles Allegedly Targeted for Recruitment
The involvement of four juveniles has become one of the most serious aspects of the case. Police believe foreign handlers were deliberately trying to recruit young and inexperienced individuals who could be influenced through social media, money or promises of support.
The juveniles will be dealt with under India’s juvenile justice system. Their identities cannot legally be published, and the circumstances in which they were allegedly recruited are expected to form an important part of the investigation.
Authorities are likely to examine the phones, online accounts, payment records and communication history of all the accused to determine how contact was established with the suspected foreign handlers.
Three FIRs Registered
Three separate First Information Reports have been registered at the Mohkampura, Airport and C-Division police stations.
The cases include provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Arms Act. Investigators are working to identify other members of the alleged network, trace its financial trail and establish possible connections with earlier weapons or terror-related cases.
Investigation Remains Underway
Punjab Police has described the operation as a significant success in preventing possible attacks and exposing attempts to recruit local youth for cross-border terror activities.
However, the investigation is still at a preliminary stage. The alleged ISI connections, confessional statements, planned attack and roles assigned to individual suspects remain police claims that will have to be supported with evidence and examined during judicial proceedings.
Further questioning, forensic examination of electronic devices and financial analysis may reveal whether the two modules were directly connected or were being managed separately by different handlers.
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