Chandigarh Police arrested three men and seized an improvised explosive device (IED), approximately 5 kg of gelatin sticks, detonators, remote-operated electronic equipment and a firearm from an area behind the Sector 43 Inter-State Bus Terminus, officials said on Sunday.
Arrests, charges and immediate action
The accused — identified as Lovepreet Singh, 19, of Sarhali in Tarn Taran district; Jashanpreet Singh alias Jashandeep, 21, of Tarn Taran; and Prabhpreet Singh alias Prabh, 19, of Amritsar — will be produced in court on Monday, police said. Authorities are expected to seek custody for questioning to establish who supplied the explosives, whether others were involved and if a specific attack in Chandigarh was planned.
Police described the recovered IED as not active at the time of discovery. Additional material recovered from the site included a power source, connecting wires, a remote-operated system reportedly capable of triggering the device, a pistol and five live cartridges, according to investigators.
Investigation focuses on alleged external handlers
Preliminary inquiries indicate possible links between the three detainees and the banned organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Investigators are also probing alleged ties to a Pakistan-based Khalistani operative identified as Satnam Satta alias Nau Shera, police said.
“The probe will examine whether instructions were received from an external handler, the role of the accused within any suspected network and the intended target in Chandigarh,” a senior officer involved in the investigation said, according to police statements.
Security, location and precedent
The recovery site is close to the district courts and residential neighbourhoods, a factor that prompted immediate augmentation of security in the vicinity. Chandigarh Police said there was no reason for panic while preventive measures were being stepped up to reassure the public.
Authorities noted the case follows earlier recoveries of suspected explosive devices in the Union Territory. In April 2022, police recovered an IED resembling a tiffin box along with detonators. Investigators are treating that historical context as part of the enquiry to determine any patterns or linkages.
Evidence seized
- IED (not active at discovery)
- ~5 kg gelatin sticks
- Detonator(s) and power source
- Wiring and remote-operated electronic equipment
- One pistol and five live cartridges
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Explosive material | About 5 kg gelatin sticks |
| IED | Recovered behind Sector 43 bus stand; described as inactive |
| Firearm | Pistol with five cartridges |
| Electronic components | Power source, wires and remote-operated system |
What police are seeking to establish
Investigators have listed several lines of enquiry to be pursued during custodial interrogation and forensic analysis:
- Whether the accused received directions from the alleged Pakistan-based handler, and the nature of those instructions.
- The provenance of the explosives and the firearm, and if these were supplied by the same network.
- Whether the arrested men were assigned a specific target in Chandigarh or were part of a wider cell.
Forensic teams will test the explosives and electronic components to ascertain the condition and construction of the device, and ballistics experts will examine the pistol and cartridges to trace their origin. Police said further details will be made available as the investigation proceeds and legal processes allow.
The case has been registered at Sector 36 police station under provisions of the Explosives Act and the Arms Act, police confirmed. Magistrates will hear custody applications when the accused are produced in court on Monday.
“Security has been strengthened in the area following the recovery,” police said, urging the public to cooperate and avoid speculation while the probe continues.
Authorities have appealed to citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local police control rooms. The investigation remains ongoing and officials have not yet disclosed if further arrests are anticipated.
