Punjab Police Counter-Intelligence wing busts 8 terror modules in 2026, arrests 117

In the first five and a half months of 2026, the Punjab Police’s Counter-Intelligence (CI) Wing acted against several terrorist groups in the State. Official data shows that between 1 January and 19 June 2026, the Wing dismantled eight terrorist modules, arrested 117 suspects, and solved nine terror-related cases. These results show the Wing is becoming more effective, with faster responses and important recoveries of weapons, explosives, and drugs.

Punjab is still a main target for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Khalistani extremist groups such as Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Handlers based in Pakistan, Europe, or the Gulf continue to send weapons and explosives and spread radical ideas. By working with State Special Operations Cells (SSOCs), district police, central agencies, and other states, the CI Wing has stopped several plots before they could become major attacks.

Several major operations in early 2026 highlight this trend. In April, the CI Wing and Gujarat’s Anti-Terrorism Squad broke up a terror group backed by the ISI. They arrested three people from Amritsar and Tarn Taran and seized hand grenades and a modern pistol. The group was connected to handlers in Pakistan and planned to disrupt peace in Punjab.

Shortly after, SSOC Amritsar, SSOC Mohali, and the CI Wing worked together to break up another ISI-backed group. They arrested one person who had four hand grenades and two foreign pistols. Early investigations connected this person to a recent grenade attack in Chandigarh. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the accused was acting on orders from foreign handlers.

Quickly solving attacks has been another important achievement. In early June, Gurdaspur Police and the CI Wing solved a grenade attack in Kalanaur in only six hours. They arrested the main suspect using both technical tools and information from people. The investigation pointed to a handler based abroad. In another case in May, three suspects were arrested in a different Gurdaspur grenade case, and another grenade was found at a suspect’s home. Both cases involved UAPA and Explosive Substances Act charges and were linked to foreign handlers. has also handled overlapping threats.

In May, CI Amritsar broke up a group linked to BKI, arrested two associates of foreign handlers, and seized two hand grenades intended for attacks on Government offices. Other operations led to the recovery of five Glock pistols in Ferozepur, several pistols and heroin in Amritsar and Tarn Taran, and weapons connected to terror-gangster networks with handlers in Germany and Dubai.

The CI Wing responded quickly to a new ISI tactic involving SIM-enabled, solar-powered spy cameras placed near sensitive military and police locations to monitor movements and send footage. The Wing noticed early signs of this threat in late March and early April 2026, before similar detections were made elsewhere.

The Punjab Police stopped recruits before they could use the cameras. State-wide checks and warnings to other agencies prevented several attempts. This proactive approach also helped wider efforts, as information from Punjab led to the identification and arrest of Pakistan-linked suspects in 17 states and union territories since mid-2025.

Drug and arms smuggling groups, often linked to terror funding, have also faced major crackdowns. CI units in Amritsar, Ferozepur, and other areas seized large amounts of heroin, foreign pistols, and cash, all connected to handlers across the border. In total, eight modules were busted, 117 people were arrested, and nine incidents were solved, resulting in improved security. Several planned grenade attacks on police and infrastructure were stopped. Investigations have often traced these networks to foreign handlers and built connections to support more arrests.

The CI Wing’s work shows strong teamwork with other agencies and effective use of technology, including CCTV, call records, digital evidence, and human sources in border areas. DGP, Punjab Police, Gaurav Yadav, has often emphasised “a zero-tolerance approach to terror, organised crime, and narco-terror links”. “Operations usually result in quick FIRs at SSOC police stations and thorough investigations. Because of this, the CI Wing has been able to resolve cases in hours or days rather than weeks, which has increased deterrence and public trust”, the DGP told The Pioneer.

ISI still targets radicalised youth and diaspora groups and uses hawala channels. Foreign handlers keep changing tactics, moving from direct attacks to hybrid threats like spying, fake currency, and using gangsters. Even so, Punjab Police’s CI Wing has shown it can keep up with these changes through speed, accuracy, and determination. In a border state with a complex history, these results in just five and a half months are impressive. They show that proactive intelligence, strong action, and teamwork are the most effective ways to fight terrorism.