BKI associate arrested by Delhi Police in Indore over grenade attack on Batala police station

A 22-year-old wanted terrorist, Akashdeep alias Akash Singh of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), was arrested in Madhya Pradesh in connection with a grenade attack on the Qila Lal Singh police station in Punjab’s Batala this year, the Delhi Police said on Wednesday.

Following an intel, Singh, who is originally from Punjab’s Batala, was arrested in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Amit Kaushik, Deputy Commissioner of Police, said, addressing a press conference.

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“Singh was the major suspect behind the grenade attack that happened on April 7 in Batala. After the incident, BKI had issued a threatening message on social media that included references to Delhi,” the officer said.

“Delhi Police’s Special Cell has been working proactively against terrorism and gangster networks, and they initiated a targeted operation to trace and apprehend those behind the attack,” Kaushik said.

Singh had been changing his locations frequently to evade arrest. However, the team gathered intel regarding his whereabouts. Later, he was traced to Gujarat.

“It was challenging to track him down as he was living under the radar to avoid detection and maintaining a low profile,” the officer added in his statement during the briefing.

“Eventually, we zeroed down his location in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore, where he was working as a crane driver at a construction site,” Kaushik said, adding that the accused avoided contacting known associates and relatives.

However, while being questioned, Singh fessed up to allegedly being in direct contact with BKI handlers, who were based abroad and played a vital role in facilitating the logistics of the grenade attack.

“He was a key facilitator in all BKI-led attacks. We are still verifying the extent of his role. While he is not named in any previous criminal cases and appears to be a first-time offender, his links to terror operatives are being thoroughly probed,” the DCP added.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is investigating the BKI module operating in North India, was also informed about the arrest of Akashdeep.

A dedicated operational cell has been set up by the Delhi Police within the Special Cell to keep an eye on Khalistani and terror-related threats.

“The post-attack threats that were issued on social media by BKI operatives had specifically named Delhi as a target. Since then, our teams have been on alert. This arrest is a part of our broader counter-terror operations to prevent any untoward incident in the capital,” a senior officer from the Special Cell, requesting anonymity, said.

“Akashdeep is currently being questioned further by our officer about his links to other operatives and any possible plans that target Delhi or other states. Further revelations will depend on the ongoing investigation,” the DCP added.

Police are currently conducting an inquiry into whether Akashdeep has any links with other terror suspects arrested in Punjab earlier this month, including those who have been allegedly associated with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed networks.

“BKI and ISI are coordinating with each other and are carrying out subversive activities, especially in Punjab and surrounding states. We are closely examining any common linkages between the arrested individuals,” the officer said.

Kaushik added that Akashdeep’s financial transactions as well as his digital footprints are being scrutinised to gather details.

Earlier, after the explosion that occurred near the Qila Lal Singh police station on April 7 this year, the banned militant outfit BKI allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack through a social media post.

They, in their post, allegedly stated that a rocket launcher was used in the assault, which targeted the vicinity of the police station. Gangsters identified as Happy Pachiya, Mannu Agwan, and Gopi Nawanshahria have claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was carried out in retaliation for the deaths of Sikh individuals in past encounters in Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) and Batala.