HOSHIARPUR (Punjab): In a significant counter-terrorism breakthrough ahead of Republic Day 2026, the Hoshiarpur police, in a joint operation with Counter-Intelligence, Jalandhar, have busted a terror module of the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and arrested four of its operatives from the Garhshankar area of the district on Friday.
The Police recovered a large cache of arms and explosives from the accused, including 2.5 kg of RDX in the form of an improvised explosive device (IED), two pistols and live cartridges. Preliminary investigations suggest that the recovered IED was meant for a targeted terror attack in view of the upcoming January 26 celebrations.
The arrested accused have been identified as Diljot Singh Saini, Harman alias Harry, Ajay alias Mehra, and Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Kandola, all apprehended within the jurisdiction of Garhshankar police station.
According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by DGP Punjab Police, the terror module was being operated by handlers based in the United States and had alleged links to Pakistanโs ISI-backed networks.
๐๐ง ๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ค๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ญ #๐๐๐ค๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐งโ๐ฌ #๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐ค๐๐ ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ซ ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค, ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐๐ซ๐ฉ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐ง๐๐, ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ซโฆ pic.twitter.com/A3c444Z7uf
โ DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) January 23, 2026
Following the arrests, an FIR has been registered at Garhshankar police station under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosive Substances Act. Further investigations are underway to trace the wider network, funding channels, and possible local collaborators.
In the wake of the development, security has been significantly tightened across Hoshiarpur district. Heavy police deployment has been observed, with teams conducting intensive checks at hotels, lodges, and other public places. Hotel rooms are being inspected, and guest records are being thoroughly verified as part of enhanced security measures.
Deputy SP City Hoshiarpur, Dev Dutt, while speaking to the media, said that continuous checking and round-the-clock patrolling are being carried out in view of Republic Day. He added that hotel owners have been strictly warned against providing rooms without proper identification, failing which legal action, including registration of FIRs, would be initiated.
โWe conducted surprise checks at hotels as part of the security arrangements for January 26th. They have been warned that an FIR will be registered against them if they provide rooms without proper identification, and therefore, we are checking their records. We are conducting continuous checks and round-the-clock patrolling,โ DSP said.
Punjab Police reiterated that they remain steadfast in their resolve to dismantle transnational terror modules and organised crime networks and to ensure peace, security, and harmony across the state. (ANI)
