Punjab Police on Tuesday claimed to have foiled a major bid by Pakistan-backed terrorists to target socio-religious leaders and disturb the communal harmony of the State with the arrest of three members of the Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF).
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said that the terror module, busted on Sunday, was operating in various parts of Punjab at the behest of pro-Khalistani elements based in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the UK.
Gupta said that one .32 bore pistol, along with seven cartridges, has been recovered from the alleged terrorists, identified as Sukhchain Singh of Sehra village in Patiala district, Amritpal Singh of Achanak village in Mansa district, and Jaspreet Singh of Borewal Sohan, Police Station Majitha.
Another of their associates, Lovepreet Singh of Kaithal, has already been arrested recently by Delhi Police, along with other KLF members, he said. Giving details of the case, the DGP said that the three men had come into contact with one other through social media, and they further came in touch with Pakistan-based handlers who provoked them to target socio-religious leaders, and also disturb Punjab’s peace and law and order.
Amritpal Singh was instrumental in connecting and motivating Sukhchain and Lovepreet Singh in taking the dangerous agenda forward. Initial investigations show that their Pakistan-based handlers also invited these men to visit Pakistan for planning the future course of action.