Plot to Terrorise Punjab Foiled

April 12, 2026

Abhishek Vij

For a considerable time, terrorists have been attempting to terrorize public life, workplaces, and ordinary citizens in Punjab through threats of bomb blasts. On Thursday, continuing this ongoing series of threats, specific warnings were issued regarding plans to blow up schools in Patiala and Moga. These threats are typically conveyed via email. In Patiala, threats were directed at 12 large and renowned schools.

Since the lives of innocent children cannot be trifled with under the shadow of fear, schools were once again ordered to close. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were seen conducting search operations.

In Moga, three major private schools received similar threats—some of which even specified the exact time of the intended blasts. The schools were evacuated by 1:10 PM, and large crowds of anxious parents gathered at the school entrances. The subsequent search operations yielded nothing; the threats were merely a ploy to spread panic. Beyond these specific threats, terrorist elements continue to engage in various other subversive activities in their bid to destabilize Punjab. The Counter-Intelligence State Special Operations Cell recently busted a module of the Babbar Khalsa International in Gurdaspur, leading to the arrest of two terrorists.

DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that the raid resulted in the recovery of a massive quantity of explosives—sufficient to carry out a major attack. Both arrested terrorists hail from the jurisdiction of the Ghuman Kalan police station in Gurdaspur and possess criminal records. Both individuals were in contact with foreign handlers. DGP Gaurav Yadav further added that the items recovered from their possession included five hand grenades, two detonators, a “push-to-talk” timer, a 9-volt battery, and one kilogram of IED material.

The nature of these recoveries provides a clear indication of the terrorists’ level of preparation. Currently, this anti-terror operation is being jointly conducted by the Amritsar Rural Police, the Gurdaspur Police, and the Counter-Intelligence State Special Operations Cell. The seized materials suggest that the aforementioned terrorist module was actively plotting to execute a major terrorist attack.

The police have thwarted numerous conspiracies in the past and have apprehended terrorists. On April 6, the State Special Operations Cell busted an ISI-backed terror module, recovering two hand grenades and a pistol. Prior to this, on April 1, an attack took place at the Punjab BJP headquarters located in Chandigarh. In connection with this case, seven individuals—including two prime accused—were arrested. On March 18, the Bathinda Police arrested two individuals, seizing two hand grenades from their possession.

On February 28, a terror module was exposed in Mohali; at that time, the police recovered 2.5 kilograms of RDX, a walkie-talkie, and a pistol. In our view, Counter-Intelligence agencies should intensify their investigative operations in every city across Punjab, as terrorists appear poised to carry out their nefarious activities in every urban center. DIG (Border Range) Sandeep Goel stated that evidence indicating links between the accused and their foreign handlers has been found in every instance. SSP Gurdaspur, Aditya Kumar, also reported that two suspicious individuals riding a motorcycle were apprehended following a police cordon at the Jogowal Bedia T-point. They were found to be carrying explosive materials concealed in two bags. The police are currently searching for their accomplices.

Given the prevailing atmosphere, it is evident that the problem is not confined merely to local criminal elements or petty offenders; rather, it appears to involve preparations for major attacks orchestrated under the direction of terror modules. It is solely due to the vigilance of the police that no major attack has been successfully executed thus far. Given the frequency with which weapons are being intercepted, the police and security forces must exercise extreme caution, as terrorist elements could attempt to execute their sinister designs at any moment.