Delhi Police Investigation Exposes BKI-ISI Espionage-Terror Module
Security agencies have uncovered a sophisticated espionage-terror module, with Delhi Police identifying Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operatives Manu Agwan and Maninder Billa as the chief handlers, according to sources. This revelation marks a significant breakthrough in counter-terrorism efforts, shedding light on the intricate networks operating across international borders.
International Handlers and Their Operations
Manu Agwan, currently moving between Greece, Portugal, and Germany, assumed operational control of multiple BKI modules following the arrest of Happy Passia in the United States last year. Agwan fled to Thailand in 2022 before relocating to a BKI base in Portugal. He now orchestrates attacks primarily in Punjab, with an expanding focus on Delhi, collaborating with a group led by Harwinder Singh, alias Rinda Sandhu, based in Pakistan.
Maninder Billa, last seen in Malaysia, coordinates with factions of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), indicating a broader alliance among militant groups. This international coordination underscores the global reach of these terror networks, posing a persistent threat to national security.
Shift in ISI Recruitment Tactics
The investigation has exposed a strategic shift in recruitment by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Unlike earlier modules that targeted marginalized or uneducated individuals, the ISI is now actively co-opting bright, young minds into the BKI-ISI fold. This calculated move aims to leverage the skills of educated professionals for more efficient and covert operations.
At the core of this module was Atul Rathee, a resident of Rohini in northwest Delhi, whose profile defies traditional insurgent stereotypes. Rathee, an MBA graduate from New Zealand, returned to India and led a double life, masterminding the network's activities. He was assisted by Rohit, another Rohini resident and MBA graduate, who accompanied Rathee on high-risk missions to Punjab to receive caches of foreign-made weaponry.
Corporate Layer and Technical Support
This corporate layer of the cell was bolstered by Manpreet Singh, a BCA graduate who served as the digital backbone. Utilizing his technical expertise, Manpreet acted as the primary liaison for overseas handlers, managing ammunition distribution and procuring SIM cards under fraudulent identities. The network's hierarchy included diverse roles, such as:
- Ajay, a graduate, and Salwinder Singh, a DJ operator, providing operational support.
- Anmol and Sahil, wallpaper pasters, who installed CCTV cameras at nine strategic locations for remote monitoring.
Narco-Terrorism and Military Espionage Unit
A second unit focused on narco-terrorism and military espionage, according to police officials. Gurjeet Singh, a farmer, and Boota Singh, a seasoned smuggler, used familial cross-border ties to conduct reconnaissance of Indian Army cantonments. They worked alongside Rimpledeep Singh, a driver, and Harpreet Singh, alias Happy, who managed tasks ranging from laundering drug proceeds to planning the installation of solar-powered surveillance equipment to track BSF and paramilitary forces in real-time.
Financial and Digital Sophistication
The network demonstrated advanced financial and digital capabilities, funding terror activities through a hybrid of illegal arms proceeds and standard UPI accounts to maintain a veneer of legitimacy. However, their reliance on technology ultimately led to their downfall.
Operatives used encrypted chat platforms to communicate with handlers, but persistent digital forensics by intelligence agencies allowed investigators to penetrate the encryption. By tracing these virtual footprints, authorities neutralized a multi-layered apparatus that sought to weaponize India's youth against the state, highlighting the critical role of cyber intelligence in modern counter-terrorism.
