KLF terror module busted in Patiala, three arrested

PATIALA: The Punjab Police foiled a bid by Pakistan-backed terrorists to target social and religious leaders in the state and disturb communal harmony with the arrest of three Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF) members.
Punjab Police chief DGP Dinkar Gupta said the terror module, busted on Sunday, was operating in various parts of Punjab at the behest of pro-Khalistani elements based in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UK.
DGP Gupta said one .32 bore pistol and seven cartridges were seized from the alleged terrorists. They were identified as Sukhchain Singh from Sehra village of Patiala; Amritpal Singh from Achanak village in Mansa; and Jaspreet Singh from Borewal Sohan in Amritsar. Another of their associates, Lovepreet Singh from Kaithal in Haryana was recently arrested by Delhi Police, along with other KLF members.
Giving details of the case, the DGP said the three men had come into contact with one other through social media. They were in touch with Pakistan-based handlers who instigated them to target socio-religious leaders and disturb Punjab's peace. Amritpal was instrumental in connecting and motivating Sukhchain and Lovepreet in taking the dangerous agenda forward, the police chief said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that their Pakistan-based handlers also invited these men to visit the neighbouring country to chalk out the future course of action. One of the foreign handlers, based in Saudi Arabia, promised to provide them shelter once they executed their actions on ground, the DGP said.
An FIR has been registered at Samana Sadar police station in Patiala under sections 13, 16, 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 and 25/54/59 of the Arms Act, and further investigations are in progress.
With this, Gupta said Punjab Police has busted a total of nine terror modules in the first six months of the year.