In a significant triumph against the escalating threat of cross-border terrorism and organized crime, the Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence (CI) unit in Jalandhar has successfully dismantled a major target killing conspiracy orchestrated by the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, allegedly in collusion with Pakistan-based handlers. This intelligence-led operation marks a crucial victory in the ongoing battle against networks aiming to destabilize peace and security within the state. A key operative, identified as Himanshu Sood, a resident of Phagwara in Kapurthala district, was apprehended in Jalandhar, following meticulous surveillance and information gathering. From his possession, authorities recovered a cache of illicit weaponry, including two pistols, multiple magazines, and a quantity of live cartridges, signaling the module’s immediate readiness to execute its nefarious plans. Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, revealed that the intricate plot was being meticulously coordinated by Namit Sharma, a Dubai-based handler with deep ties to the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi syndicate. Sharma, known for his close association with Bishnoi, was leveraging this network to execute targeted killings not only within Punjab but also across state lines into Madhya Pradesh, underscoring the pan-Indian reach of these criminal elements.
Preliminary investigations have shed light on the recent activities of this module. Himanshu Sood and his accomplices had reportedly carried out a brazen firing incident in Haridwar just last month, targeting a hotelier, acting under explicit instructions from Namit Sharma. Following this audacious act, Himanshu was reportedly assigned a chilling new directive: to eliminate three more individuals. One target was located in Madhya Pradesh, while the other two were identified in Ludhiana and Kapurthala, within Punjab itself, highlighting the cold-blooded nature and widespread intent of the conspiracy. DGP Yadav, in a social media post, emphasized that this swift and decisive action by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab Police has undoubtedly averted potential bloodshed and saved lives, reiterating the state’s unwavering commitment to dismantling and eliminating such organized crime networks that pose a severe threat to public safety and national security. The recovery of two AK-47 rifles, 16 live cartridges, two magazines, and two P-86 hand grenades from a forest area in Gurdaspur further solidifies the scale of the foiled terror plot. The DGP clarified that the preliminary investigation strongly indicates that Harwinder Rinda, a Pakistan-based operative of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), with the alleged backing of Pakistan’s ISI, was instrumental in pushing this consignment into India. This was part of a premeditated plan to carry out attacks at multiple locations, suggesting a deeper, cross-border terror nexus. This incident underscores the continuous vigilance required along the border regions and the critical importance of inter-agency cooperation in countering sophisticated terror and criminal outfits that seek to exploit vulnerabilities and destabilize the region. The Punjab Police remains on high alert, working tirelessly to neutralize remaining sleeper cells and bring all perpetrators to justice, thereby reinforcing public trust and ensuring a safer environment for its citizens.
