Gujarat ATS arrests key suspect wanted in Punjab for grenade and arms smuggling linked to Pakistan-based handlers

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad has arrested a man wanted by Punjab Police for his alleged role in smuggling arms and grenades for a gang operated by Pakistan-based terror networks, officials said on Friday.

The accused, identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Billa, was detained in Halol town of Panchmahal district after a specific input was shared by Punjab Police. He will be handed over to the Punjab authorities for further investigation.

According to the ATS release, Punjab Police had recently registered a case in Gurdaspur against individuals involved in smuggling and detonating grenades and supporting cross-border terror modules. A preliminary probe revealed that the key accused, Manu Agwan and Maninder Billa, who are believed to be in Malaysia, were allegedly recruiting operatives in Punjab on the instructions of Pakistan’s ISI. Their aim was to execute grenade attacks in crowded areas of Punjab and other states.

The interrogation of two accused arrested earlier helped Punjab Police identify Singh’s role in smuggling two grenades and two pistols as part of the conspiracy.

Based on this intel, the Gujarat ATS traced Singh to Halol, where he had taken up work as a labourer in a factory. He was picked up from a hotel and brought in for questioning. Officials said he admitted to being involved in the grenade attack conspiracy.

The ATS said further legal action will follow once Singh is handed over to Punjab Police.

(with inputs from agencies)