National Times Bureau :- Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) in Amritsar has unearthed a Pakistan-backed terror module and arrested one suspect, police officials said on Tuesday. The operation is being described as a major breakthrough that potentially averted a serious security threat.
According to the police, a remote-controlled Improvised Explosive Device (IED), a foreign-made pistol and a substantial quantity of ammunition were recovered during the operation. Preliminary investigation indicates that the arrested accused was in direct contact with a Pakistan-based handler and was using encrypted digital platforms to coordinate activities while attempting to evade security surveillance.
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav shared details of the operation on his official social media account. He stated that the seized consignment of arms and explosives had been sent from across the border and was recovered from a pre-identified location in the Ajnala/Amritsar rural belt (as per initial findings). Security agencies believe the recovered remote-controlled IED was intended to be used in a major terror strike.
Officials said the timely action by the SSOC has foiled a potentially large-scale attack and neutralised a significant threat to public safety in the state.
Police are currently conducting sustained interrogation of the arrested suspect to trace backward and forward linkages of the terror network. Investigators are also working to identify other associates involved in the module and to determine potential targets.
Punjab Police reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and law and order in the state, asserting that any attempt by Pakistan-backed terror networks to disrupt harmony would be dealt with firmly and decisively.
