Ambala bomb blast: NIA names Pak handler, 7 Indians

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against Pakistani terrorist Shehzad Bhatti and seven Indian nationals in connection with the car bomb blast at Ambala’s Baldev Nagar police station. The agency presented the chargesheet to the Special NIA Court in Panchkula. Bhatti, who is a wanted gangster-turned-terrorist based in Pakistan, has been identified as the main conspirator.

The seven Indian accused are Karamjit Singh, also known as Tony; Akash; Soureb, also known as Sobi or Sourab; Raman Kumar; Satyam; Sukhdev Singh, also known as Sukha; and Amarjeet Singh, also known as Ambi. All eight have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Explosive Substances Act, and the Telecommunication Act. According to the chargesheet, the conspiracy was meant to attack a police station and create fear among the public.

NIA investigators say Bhatti directed the operation from Pakistan. He is accused of setting up groups inside India and giving local operatives the job of carrying out the attack. Akash has been named Bhatti’s main coordinator in India, handling logistics, communication, and execution. The investigation found that the Baldev Nagar police station was chosen as the target after checking several possible locations.

The chargesheet says some of the accused parked a vehicle filled with explosives and gas cylinders inside the police station and allegedly recorded the scene to share it later. The NIA says Bhatti used social media and encrypted messaging to recruit and radicalise the accused. Evidence from digital, electronic, documentary, and forensic sources shows the accused stayed in regular contact with their handler in Pakistan during the planning and execution.

The agency claims the conspiracy involved a chain of command from Bhatti to the local module. Akash allegedly acted as the key link, coordinating with other accused on Bhatti’s instructions. The chargesheet highlights financing, the procurement of explosives, and operational coordination under Bhatti’s direction.

Haryana Police first handled the case, but it was later given to the NIA due to suspected cross-border terror links. The agency built its case against the eight accused through searches, forensic analysis, and checking digital records.

The filing of the chargesheet marks a major step in the investigation. All the accused will now go on trial in the special NIA court in Panchkula. NIA officials say the investigation is still ongoing to find more conspirators or wider network links connected to the case.