Chandigarh: Punjab police on Saturday claimed to have arrested three more operatives of Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda-backed by Pakistan’s ISI.
Elaborating on the arrests, Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said those arrested have been identified as Jagjit Singh and Shubham Khelbude, both residents of Nanded in Maharashtra and Gurdeep Singh, a resident of Ropar. Police teams have also recovered two weapons including one 12 bore pump-action gun with 15 cartridges and one .32 bore pistol with eight cartridges.
The development follows the earlier arrests of Jagdish Singh, Shubhdeep Singh and Sachindeep Singh in connection with the Nanded murder case.
DGP Yadav said preliminary investigation has revealed that arrested accused Jagjit played a critical role in facilitating logistics, safe houses, and coordination for the shooters involved in the Nanded murder case, masterminded by Rinda from across the border.
Investigations have also uncovered the role of jailed gangster Dilpreet, an old associate of Rinda, who arranged safe shelters in Punjab for the accused, he said.
He said that the Jagjeet is wanted in cases related to murder, attempt to murder, threat and intimidating for extortion, while Shubham is wanted in threat and extortion related cases in Nanded, Maharashtra and came to Punjab evading their arrest. The DGP said that the third accused Gurdeep was arrested for providing shelter and logistical support to the fugitives Jaggi and Shubam.
It may be recalled that the Nanded incident, which occurred outside a Sikh colony on February 10, this year, targeted Gurmeet Singh, a local resident out on parole. He was accused in the 2016 murder of Rinda’s brother, sustained injuries but survived. However, his accomplice, Ravindra Rathod, succumbed to critical injuries after the attack.
