In a major breakthrough in India’s counter-terrorism operations, the Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) has successfully foiled a cross-border terror plot linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and the Khalistani terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Acting on intelligence inputs, the AGTF conducted a search operation in the forest areas of Gurdaspur district and recovered a significant cache of weapons, believed to have been smuggled into India to incite violence and instability in Punjab.
Arms Recovered from Gurdaspur Forest
The operation, which was based on real-time intelligence, led to the recovery of two AK-47 assault rifles, 16 live cartridges, two magazines, and two P-86 hand grenades. The arms and ammunition were discovered in the jurisdiction of the old Shala police station area in Gurdaspur, carefully hidden in the dense forest region, likely meant to be picked up by local sleeper cells or operatives associated with banned Khalistani groups.
The consignment was reportedly sent by Pakistan-based fugitive and designated terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, who has long been acting as a key facilitator between ISI and various Khalistani terror outfits including BKI. Rinda, originally from Punjab, is known to operate from Pakistan under the ISI’s protection and has been actively involved in multiple terror conspiracies targeting Indian states, especially Punjab and Maharashtra.
Foiling a Major Terror Attempt
Police officials confirmed that had the weapons reached their intended recipients, they could have been used to execute a deadly terrorist attack in the state. By intercepting the delivery on time, the AGTF has averted a potential tragedy and has once again exposed the ongoing nefarious designs of Pakistan’s deep state to destabilize India through low-intensity proxy warfare.
The Punjab Police have registered a case under the Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act, and are currently investigating the broader terror network responsible for this cross-border smuggling operation.
AGTF’s Coordinated Action Against ISI-Linked Conspiracy
According to senior police officials, this recovery is part of a larger investigation into multiple drone drops and arms smuggling cases in Punjab. The AGTF, which has been specially constituted to tackle gangsters and their connections to terror networks, has recently intensified surveillance on ISI-sponsored modules operating via sleeper agents or local criminal gangs.
Investigators believe that the weapons were dropped using drones or trafficked through the border under cover of darkness. Forensic analysis and geo-location tracking are underway to establish the exact route and modus operandi used for transporting the arms into Indian territory.
Harvinder Singh Rinda and Pakistan’s Proxy War Strategy
Rinda has emerged as a key figure in ISI’s renewed push to revive Khalistani terror in India. Intelligence agencies have long warned about his role in coordinating terror modules and using gangsters-turned-terror operatives to execute attacks. He is also believed to be the main handler for several modules busted in Punjab and Delhi in recent years.
His connections with local gangs and cross-border terror outfits make him a dangerous player in the ISI’s hybrid war strategy. By using gangsters, drug peddlers, and sleeper cells, Pakistan aims to keep the internal security of Punjab and adjoining states under constant pressure.
Investigation Underway, More Arrests Likely
Top officials from AGTF confirmed that teams are tracking multiple suspects who were supposed to receive this consignment. Surveillance footage, digital forensics, and local intelligence inputs are being used to identify and apprehend those working with Rinda’s network in Punjab.
As per preliminary inputs, the consignment was part of a larger arms supply chain meant for sleeper cells aligned with BKI, which has been actively trying to regroup with support from Pakistan. The Punjab Police are working closely with central intelligence agencies to dismantle the entire network and prevent further attempts of infiltration.
Punjab on High Alert Ahead of Festival Season
In light of the recent recovery, Punjab has been put on high alert, especially in the border districts. Security has been beefed up, and the AGTF has increased patrolling in sensitive areas to deter any attempts by anti-national elements to disrupt peace in the region.
Authorities are also urging the public to report any suspicious activity near the border or in forested zones, where terror modules have previously used hidden drops to collect arms and explosives.
Conclusion: Timely Action Averts Major Threat
This successful operation by the Anti-Gangster Task Force once again underlines the serious threats posed by cross-border terror networks operating under the ISI’s patronage. The coordination between Khalistani outfits like BKI and gangsters like Harvinder Singh Rinda is part of a growing trend where terrorism and organized crime overlap.
Thanks to the swift and strategic action by Punjab Police, a major terrorist plot has been neutralized before it could cause harm to innocent civilians. The government and security agencies continue to remain vigilant, committed to dismantling such networks and ensuring peace and stability in the region.
