Lucknow: In a major counter-terrorism success, security forces arrested an ‘active terrorist’ of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) with alleged links to Pakistan’s ISI in the early hours of Thursday in Uttar Pradesh.
The terrorist was caught after a joint operation conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Punjab Police in Kokhraj police station area of Kaushambi district of UP around 3:20 am.
The security forces recovered illegal arms and explosives, including three active hand grenades, two active detonators, 13 cartridges of foreign make and a foreign-made pistol (Noinco M-54 Tokarev, U.S.S.R, 7.62 mm) from the terrorist.
The suspect, identified as Lajar Masih, is a resident of Kurlian village in Punjab’s Amritsar district. He worked under the direct command of Swarn Singh alias Jeevan Fauji, the leader of the Germany-based BKI module, and maintained close contact with ISI operatives in Pakistan.
“This terrorist had escaped from judicial custody in Punjab on September 24, 2024,” revealed UP Police.
Police also found a white-coloured explosive powder, an Aadhaar card with a Ghaziabad address, and one mobile phone without a SIM card, Police added.
Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, highlighted the importance of this crackdown, stating on the social media platform X, “In a joint operation, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab Police arrested BKI-ISI operative Lajar Masih from Kaushambi, UP. He was working under Germany-based BKI handler Swaran Singh @ Jeevan Fauji and was in direct contact with Pakistan’s ISI. A cache of arms, including grenades and a foreign-made pistol, was recovered. Masih is wanted in multiple Punjab cases.”
He further added, “Further investigations are underway. This significant breakthrough underscores the unwavering commitment of @PunjabPoliceInd and @Uppolice to national security. We remain vigilant and dedicated to neutralizing terrorist networks and ensuring the safety and security of citizens.”
Masih’s arrest comes just days after Punjab Police dismantled another BKI-backed terror module involved in attacks in Batala City. On February 27, they arrested two operatives connected to attacks in Jaintipur and Raimal on January 15 and February 17, 2025, as per reports.
