Punjab Police Bust Two Alleged ISI-Backed Cross-Border Terror Modules, Nine Held

Chandigarh: Punjab Police on Tuesday said they had dismantled two alleged ISI-backed cross-border terror modules operating in Amritsar and arrested nine suspects, including four juveniles, in a major counter-terrorism operation. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced the development in a post on X, stating that police also recovered three illegal pistols, four petrol bottle bombs and nine live cartridges during the operation. According to the DGP, preliminary investigations suggest that the accused were allegedly working under the direction of Pakistan-based handlers linked to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The handlers were reportedly attempting to recruit local youth to carry out terror-related activities, conduct surveillance of security installations, procure illegal weapons and disrupt public peace. Police further claimed that the investigation uncovered the installation of surveillance cameras near railway tracks, with the recorded footage allegedly being shared with foreign-based handlers. Cases have been registered at Mohkampura Police Station, Airport Police Station and C-Division Police Station in Amritsar under relevant provisions of the law. The DGP said further investigation is underway to identify other members of the alleged network, establish its forward and backward linkages, trace financial transactions and determine whether the accused were involved in any other terror-related activities. Punjab Police said the investigation is continuing and more arrests or recoveries may follow based on the findings.