In a high-stakes confrontation, a notorious member of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) Simranjit Singh, alias Bablu, was injured while attempting a daring escape just hours after his arrest. The dramatic incident unfolded on the outskirts of Jalandhar, where Bablu, implicated in the recent murder of former terrorist Rattandeep Singh, made a desperate bid for freedom, only to be stopped by police gunfire.
Bablu, a figure with deep connections to international terror networks, was apprehended by the Counter Intelligence (CI) unit of Jalandhar. His capture was a significant victory in Punjab’s ongoing crackdown on organized crime, said the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, recounting the tense moments of the escape attempt.
DGP Yadav, detailing the dramatic events, said: “Simranjit Singh, alias Bablu, attempted to escape custody, resulting in his injury by police fire on the outskirts of Jalandhar city.” Bablu was apprehended by CI Jalandhar following revelations during an interrogation, leading to an operation near Wadala on the Jalandhar-Nakodar road where Bablu had hidden the pistol allegedly used in Rattandeep's murder.
Going into background of the matter, the former militant Rattandeep Singh was assassinated on April 3, 2024, in SBS Nagar by two assailants on a motorcycle. The high-profile murder had raised concerns about the resurgence of organized militant activities in Punjab. The swift arrest of Bablu marks a critical step in resolving the case and preventing further violence.
During the operation, police recovered two sophisticated firearms — a .32 Webley revolver and a .32 pistol, along with a magazine and 19 live cartridges. “The recovery of these weapons is a testament to our resolve in disarming criminal elements and ensuring public safety,” said DGP Yadav.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Bablu was acting under the instructions of Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Rinda and USA-based Gopi Nawanshehria. The duo had orchestrated the target killing of Rattandeep Singh to instill fear and chaos within the community. Notably, Bablu's accomplice, Jaspreet Singh, alias Jassi Kulam, managed to escape abroad post-assassination, highlighting the international dimensions of this criminal nexus.
The police have invoked sections of the Arms Act and criminal conspiracy in this case. “We are actively investigating to uncover further links and collaborators involved in this conspiracy,” said the DGP, adding that the police’s aim is to dismantle the network and prevent future crimes orchestrated by these terror modules.
