In a joint operation by Uttar Pradesh and Punjab police, three suspected Khalistani terrorists were killed in an encounter in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday. The three men, identified as Varinder Singh alias Ravi, Vi Gurvinder Singh, and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh, were reportedly involved in various terrorist activities, including a grenade attack on the Bakshiwala police post in Gurdaspur.
According to Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the terrorists were supported by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and were members of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). The three men were allegedly part of a larger operation being run by Ranjit Singh Nita, the Pakistan-based head of KZF, who coordinated the operation through Jaswinder Singh Manu, a person currently based in Greece.
The investigation further revealed that the mastermind behind the Bakshiwala attack was Jagjit Singh, a UK-based individual who reportedly works for the British Army. Jagjit Singh, who operated under the alias Fateh Singh Bagi, claimed responsibility for the KZF’s attack. Authorities suspect that Singh played a key role in orchestrating the terror plot from abroad.
Authorities are continuing to probe the network’s connections and its international reach. The successful operation was hailed as a significant breakthrough in Punjab police’s ongoing battle against ISI-backed terrorism in the region.
During the encounter, the suspects were severely injured and succumbed to their wounds after being taken for medical treatment. Two AK-47 rifles and two Glock pistols were recovered from the operatives, indicating their intent to carry out further attacks.
The DGP of Uttar Pradesh, Prashant Kumar, praised the cooperation between state agencies, noting that this successful operation is a result of strong interstate coordination. While the primary suspects have been neutralized, investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the terrorist network, and officials have hinted that further arrests could follow.
This operation underscores the growing threat of ISI-sponsored terrorism in India, with foreign connections playing a significant role in these attacks. Security agencies are now focused on dismantling the larger network behind these activities, both within India and abroad.
Sources By Agencies
