The Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist who was arrested on Thursday maintained active links with the Pakistan-based ISI operatives and BKI's Germany-based module. Police said Lajar Masih, a resident of Amritsar, was planning terror attacks in India.
Masih was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh STF and Punjab Police on early hours of Thursday. The suspected terrorist had escaped from prison last September and had been at large since.
Kaushambi, Additional Director General of Police (UP Special Task Force, Law and Order) Amitabh Yash told reporters that the operation was carried out in the Kokhraj police station area. "As per available information, the arrested terrorist works for Swarn Singh alias Jeevan Fauji, the head of the Germany-based module of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and is in direct touch with Pakistan-based ISI operatives," Yash said.
When detained, Masih was carrying explosives material and illegal arms, including three active hand grenades, two active detonators, one foreign-made pistol and 13 cartridges of foreign make. The officials also recovered a white-coloured explosive powder, an Aadhaar card with a Ghaziabad address and a mobile phone without a SIM card from him.
Babbar Khalsa is a separatist organisation that calls for the establishment of a Khalistani state. The group which is active in North America and Europe was deemed a terrorist organisation by many countries, including India.