Terror plot foiled, 2 held with RDX-based IED in Mohali

Mohali: Police on Thursday said they had foiled a major terror attack by arresting two aides of a foreign-based terror operative and defusing a 2.5kg RDX-based IED.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said the IED was “fully assembled and ready for use”. The police operation prevented an attack on critical public infrastructure in Mohali and averted a potentially catastrophic threat to public safety and security, the DGP said.

The suspects are Amritsar residents Mani Singh, 32, and his brother-in-law Abhishek Kumar, 28, said police. Preliminary investigation revealed that they had travelled from Amritsar to Mohali by bus, carrying the explosive device with them.

“Swift and timely action by police has foiled a nefarious plot aimed at targeting vital installations,” Yadav said, adding that investigation is underway to uncover the terror network and identify the handlers.

Sharing operational details, IGP-counter-intelligence Ashish Choudhary said teams from State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Mohali, acted on credible intelligence inputs and apprehended the two suspects near a park opposite YPS Chowk in Mohali. The bomb disposal squad neutralised the explosive device.

Police probe has revealed that Mani Singh recently met a foreign-based handler on a social media platform and then introduced Abhishek to him. The foreign-based operative offered money in exchange for terror-related activities. Both suspects were facing financial difficulties, and took up the offer, say police. While Mani is from Gujjarpura in Amritsar, Abhishek lives in Gillwali Gate.

A case has been registered at Mohali SSOC police station under BNS sections 113(3) (terrorist act) and 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) along with sections of Explosive Substances Act.