Chandigarh police arrested three suspected Babbar Khalsa International operatives on Sunday after seizing explosives and a firearm near the Sector 43 bus stand [1, 2].
The arrests highlight ongoing security concerns regarding foreign-directed militant cells operating within India. The recovery of improvised explosive device components suggests a potential plot to target public infrastructure or high-traffic areas.
The suspects were identified as Lovepreet Singh, 19, Jashanpreet Singh, 21, and Prabhpreet Singh, 19 [1]. Authorities apprehended the men behind the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in Sector 43 [1, 2].
During the operation, police recovered approximately five kg of gelatin-stick explosives [1]. The seizure also included a detonator, a power source, and a remote trigger system [1, 2].
In addition to the explosives, officers found one pistol, one magazine, and five live cartridges [1]. The equipment indicates a level of preparation for both explosive attacks and armed combat.
Police said the operation followed intelligence suggesting the three men were acting under the direction of a foreign-based BKI handler named Satnam [1, 2]. The investigation now focuses on the handler's location and the intended target of the seized materials.
Authorities have not yet released the specific nature of the intended target, though the proximity to the ISBT suggests a focus on transit hubs [1, 2].
“Police seized approximately five kg of gelatin-stick explosives.”
The arrest of three young men linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) underscores the persistence of transnational networks targeting Indian cities. By utilizing foreign handlers to direct local operatives, these organizations attempt to bypass domestic surveillance. The recovery of remote-trigger explosives near a major transportation hub indicates a tactical shift toward high-casualty targets in urban centers.
