Chandigarh Police arrested three Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operatives near the Sector 43 inter-state bus stand on Sunday.
The arrested individuals were identified as Lovepreet Singh, Jashanpreet Singh, and Prabhpreet Singh.
Security forces recovered five kilograms of gelatin sticks, a detonator, a remote system, and a pistol from the suspects.
Chandigarh Police arrested three suspects linked to the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) near the Sector 43 inter-state bus terminus on Sunday, August 23, 2026. Police recovered 5 kg of gelatin stick explosives, a detonator, a power source and a remotely operated system hidden inside a tiffin box bag.
Police officers also seized a pistol, a magazine and five live cartridges from the men. The operation thwarted a potential strike within the city limits.
"The police recovered suspicious items from behind the Sector-43 bus stand in Chandigarh. Chandigarh Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the case" the UT police stated.
Operatives and Foreign Handler
Police identified the arrested men as Lovepreet Singh, 19, of Tarn Taran's Sarhali village, Jashanpreet Singh, 21, of Tarn Taran's Deobath village and Prabhpreet Singh, alias Prabh, 19, of Amritsar's Tarsikka village. Police registered a First Information Report at the Sector 36 police station under relevant provisions of the Explosives Act and Arms Act. Investigators are questioning the accused to establish how the explosives were procured, where they were being taken and whether more people were involved.
A preliminary probe indicated that foreign-based BKI handler Satnam, alias Satta Naushera, directed the operatives, Hindustan Times reported, citing the police. The trio planned to plant an improvised explosive device in Chandigarh to create terror, the police stated.
Naushera remains an active overseas operative orchestrating activities for the banned outfit from abroad, including Canada.
Rising BKI Terror Footprint
Authorities have disrupted multiple BKI plots across Punjab over the past six months. A joint operation busted an ISI-sponsored BKI module in Gurdaspur on April 9, 2026, with the arrest of two operatives. Police officers recovered five hand grenades, two special detonators and 1 kg of high explosives packed with nails during the raid.
Police arrested BKI operative Satbir Singh in Jalandhar on July 26, 2026, seizing an improvised explosive device packed with 1.3 kg of explosives, shrapnel and ball bearings.
On August 10, 2026, counter-intelligence units busted another BKI module in SBS Nagar, arresting a key operative. Teams located an 86-P hand grenade hidden in a covert dead letter box near Jalandhar.
