National News: A major terror attack has been averted in Punjab, thanks to timely intelligence and swift police action. The Purana Shala Police in Gurdaspur district recovered a consignment of deadly weapons, allegedly smuggled from Pakistan, hidden along a canal bank near Tibri bridge. The cache, according to police sources, was intended for use in a significant terrorist strike within the state.
Rinda Resurfaces in Punjab Terror Conspiracy
Investigators have linked the arms consignment to Harvinder Singh Rinda, a most-wanted terrorist believed to be operating from Pakistan. Rinda, originally from Shri Hazur Sahib Nanded, Maharashtra, has long been associated with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a proscribed Khalistani terror outfit. Intelligence inputs indicate that he was plotting a major attack in Punjab and had arranged for this weapons delivery as part of that plan.
Weapons Cache Found in Bushes Near Canal
Acting on a tip-off, Purana Shala police conducted a search operation near Tibri bridge, along the canal road toward Gazikot. Hidden in the undergrowth, officers discovered:
- Two AK-47 assault rifles
- Sixteen live cartridges
- Two magazines
- Two hand grenades
Officials believe unidentified operatives were meant to retrieve the cache and use it to execute a high-impact terrorist strike. The alertness of the police likely prevented a mass-casualty event.
Case Registered; Investigation Widens
Following the recovery, a formal FIR has been lodged against Harvinder Singh Rinda and unidentified accomplices. According to security agencies, this operation may be part of a broader coordination between Rinda's Pakistan-based handlers and sleeper cells active within Punjab.
Police are also exploring the possibility that the weapons were air-dropped via drone or smuggled through traditional cross-border trafficking routes. Forensic teams have been deployed to examine the weapons and trace their origin.
Heightened Security, IB and NIA Join Investigation
Security has been intensified across the Gurdaspur region and beyond. Officers from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have reached the site and are now conducting a deeper probe into the suspected terror network. With a notable rise in terror-linked activities in Punjab in recent months, the recovery has set alarm bells ringing in national security circles.
A Crisis Averted, But Threat Looms
The quick response from Punjab Police has not only foiled a potentially devastating terrorist plot but also shed light on the continued cross-border efforts to destabilize the region.
As investigators dig deeper into this incident, serious questions remain:
- Is Rinda’s terror network regaining strength on Indian soil?
- Are Pakistan-based terror groups expanding their reach using drones and local handlers?
With the fragile peace in Punjab at stake, vigilance remains the first line of defense. The coming days may offer a clearer picture of the scale of this conspiracy and the actors behind it.
