In a major intelligence-led operation amid the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar, in coordination with Counter Intelligence (CI) Ludhiana, has apprehended two Ludhiana-based accused who were planning a targeted killing on the directions of foreign-based handlers.
The police also recovered one 9 mm pistol along with five live cartridges from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday. Those arrested have been identified as Karanbir Singh, a resident of Haibowal Kalan, Ludhiana, and Avtar Singh, a resident of New Shimlapuri, Millerganj, Ludhiana. The latter has a prior criminal background, with several cases registered against him under the Arms Act and the IPC.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said the preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused were in contact with handlers based in the UK and Germany, who are associated with the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) and linked to hardline extremist ideology.
Acting on their directions, the accused had conducted reconnaissance of government and prominent offices in Ludhiana as part of the conspiracy, he said.
The DGP further stated that the probe has revealed that both the accused were also tasked to gather inputs and carry out groundwork related to a few other identified individuals.
Sharing operational details, AIG SSOC SAS Nagar D Sudarvizhi said acting swiftly on reliable inputs about the accused hatching a conspiracy to execute a targeted killing in the area, a joint team of SSOC SAS Nagar and CI Ludhiana carried out a focused operation and arrested both accused from Ludhiana.
During investigation, based on the disclosure made by Avtar Singh, one 9 mm pistol along with live cartridges was recovered from his possession, she said.
The AIG added that the investigation has also revealed that both the accused were radicalised and recruited by their foreign-based handlers and were tasked with sharing extremist content on social media. Further investigations are ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages in the case, she said.
In this regard, a case FIR No. 1 dated 05.01.2026 has been registered under Sections 113(5) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station SSOC, SAS Nagar.