The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Gujarat has now arrested a suspect named Gurpreet Singh, who is also known as Gopi Billa, who was wanted in the Punjab for his involvement in the grenade smuggling and even in the act of illegal arms trafficking.
The arrest was made in Halol, Gujarat, where Gurpreet Singh was reportedly working as a labourer to hide his identity from the authorities.
His name recently surfaced following an FIR filed in Batala on November 9 regarding a major terror conspiracy which was involving grenades and firearms.
According to the recent officials, Gurpreet was also part of a network that was handled by Pakistan-based ISI operatives, who were also using individuals in India in the process to smuggle grenades and even arms into Punjab and potentially other states.
The plan was to carry out grenade attacks and also they targeted shootings in crowded public places.
Key plotters in the network, who were being identified as Manu Agwan and Maninder Billa, are also suspected to be operating from Malaysia under the ISI direction, thus recruiting and handling operatives for all kinds of destabilising activities.
During interrogation, Gurpreet was also reportedly admitted to smuggling two grenades and even two pistols for these planned attacks.
His movement was also being tracked through coordinated efforts by both Gujarat and Punjab security agencies.
The ATS operation also highlights concerns over the cross-border terror financing and even various kinds of recruitment attempts.
Following his arrest, Gurpreet Singh is set to be handed over to the Punjab Police for further questioning and for any further legal action.
Officials also tend to believe this arrest will provide crucial insights into the larger network of terror financing and the planning and plotting, and more arrests are likely in the near future.
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