Punjab Police Arrests Two BKI Operatives in Connection with Nalagarh Police Station Blast
In a significant breakthrough, the Punjab Police has arrested two operatives linked to the Pakistan-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror network for their alleged involvement in the Nalagarh police station blast in Himachal Pradesh. The arrests were made on Thursday, with police also recovering an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from the suspects.
Details of the Arrested Operatives
The arrested individuals have been identified as Shamsher Singh, also known as Sheru or Kamal, and Pardeep Singh, alias Deepu. Both are residents of Rahon in SBS Nagar, Punjab. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, the operation was conducted in close coordination with the Himachal Pradesh Police and central intelligence agencies.
Investigation Reveals Narco-Terror Link
Preliminary investigations indicate that the arrested operatives were acting on the directions of Shushant Chopra, a close associate of Gurpreet (alias Gopi Nawanshahria) and BKI mastermind Harwinder Singh Rinda. The probe has uncovered that on December 31, 2025, the accused, along with two accomplices, transported an IED from Punjab to Himachal Pradesh. This device was later used in the Nalagarh police station blast on January 1, 2026, as part of a larger conspiracy targeting police establishments.
DGP Yadav emphasized that this case highlights a narco-terror module, with further investigation ongoing to establish backward and forward linkages. The blast, which occurred in the morning of January 1, left a two-feet-deep crater and shattered window panes of nearby structures, causing significant damage but no reported casualties.
Operational Details and Recovery
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nawanshahr Tushar Gupta shared that during the investigation of an FIR registered under the NDPS Act at Rahon police station, the role of the arrested accused came to light. Based on their disclosures and follow-up actions, one IED was recovered from a spot pinpointed by the accused, corroborating their involvement in the terror conspiracy.
Police teams have also identified the two accomplices of the arrested individuals, and raids are being conducted to apprehend them. In this regard, a separate FIR has been registered under various sections, including the Arms Act, Explosives Substances Act, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Background of the Blast and Claims
Earlier, the banned terror outfit BKI and the Punjab Sovereignty Alliance (PSA) had claimed responsibility for the blast, terming it a wake-up call to the Himachal Pradesh administration for allegedly failing to act against those manufacturing synthetic drugs in the hill state, which they claim are being pushed into Punjab. In a statement, they warned, "Our youth are dying after consuming synthetic drugs. If the administration still does not wake up or no action is taken, then next time IEDs will be planted in the vehicles and headquarters of the police administration."
The initial case was registered at Nalagarh police station under BNS Sections 324(4) (mischief) and 125 (act so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life), along with the Explosive Substances Act. The recent developments underscore the ongoing efforts to combat terrorism and narco-terror networks in the region.
