Punjab Police Foil ISI-Linked Terror Plots with Arrest of Nine Accused

Punjab Police have successfully dismantled two cross-border terror modules allegedly directed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence. The operation in Amritsar resulted in the arrest of nine individuals, including four juveniles, and the recovery of weapons and explosive materials. Officials stated that one of the modules had planned an attack at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar during recent student protests. Members of the group had travelled to the site with logistical support and materials intended for making petrol bombs, though the plan was never carried out.

Police said some members of the module had travelled to Delhi's Jantar Mantar with logistical support and materials to make petrol bombs, but the plan was not carried out. (Photo: PTI) | India Today

Details of the Operation and Recoveries

The breakthrough was announced on August 4, 2026, by Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, who described it as a significant achievement. Amritsar Commissionerate Police teams recovered three illegal pistols, nine live cartridges, four petrol bottle bombs and a stolen motorcycle used by the accused. Those arrested include residents of Tarn Taran and Amritsar areas, along with four juveniles whose identities have been withheld in accordance with legal provisions.

Amritsar Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the operation was based on specific intelligence inputs. Preliminary investigation established that the accused were acting on instructions from foreign-based ISI handlers. These handlers sought to recruit local youth, arrange illegal weapons, conduct surveillance of security installations and create public disturbance.

Planned Attack at Jantar Mantar

One of the modules had been specifically directed to target the prolonged student protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi related to the NEET examination issue. According to Bhullar, an ISI-backed handler arranged logistical support and materials for petrol bombs. Some members of the module travelled to the protest site during the agitation. They were unable to execute the plan and were later apprehended when the modules were dismantled. The disclosure came against the backdrop of the 36-day protest, which was eventually called off.

Surveillance Activities and Recruitment Concerns

Investigation further revealed that members of one module had been tasked with conducting reconnaissance of security establishments and uniformed personnel. They were instructed to film videos of these locations and share the footage with their handlers. Police also uncovered the installation of surveillance cameras near railway tracks, with the intention of transmitting live feeds across the border.

Officials expressed particular concern over the involvement of juveniles in these activities. Handlers were allegedly attempting to lure local youths, including minors, into anti-national work through promises of money. Funds for the modules were being routed through hawala channels and other informal methods.

Ongoing Probe and Broader Implications

Police teams continue to investigate the full extent of the network. Efforts are under way to identify remaining members, establish linkages, trace the financial trail and determine whether the accused were involved in any other terror-related activities. The case has highlighted the persistent efforts of cross-border handlers to exploit local vulnerabilities, recruit young people and gather intelligence on sensitive security infrastructure.

The MGMM Outlook 

The arrest of nine accused linked to alleged ISI-backed terror modules highlights the continued vigilance of India's security agencies in countering cross-border threats. The swift action by Punjab Police not only prevented a possible attack at a sensitive public gathering but also exposed the methods used by foreign handlers to exploit local youth, recruit juveniles and gather intelligence on security installations. The recovery of illegal weapons, petrol bombs and surveillance equipment underscores the seriousness of the threat and the importance of intelligence-led policing.

The case also serves as a reminder that national security challenges are evolving beyond conventional infiltration, with hostile elements increasingly relying on local recruitment, digital communication and covert funding channels. Strengthening public awareness, monitoring suspicious activities and ensuring that vulnerable youth are protected from radicalisation will remain essential alongside robust law enforcement efforts. The ongoing investigation is expected to further expose the network and reinforce India's broader efforts to safeguard its internal security.

(Sources: India Today, Hindustan Times, NDTV)