Targeted killing foiled in Ludhiana; Two linked to Khalistan Commando Force held with one pistol

Chandigarh, January 7, 2026:  In a major intelligence-led operation amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) SAS Nagar, in coordination with Counter Intelligence Ludhiana, has apprehended two Ludhiana-based accused who were planning a targeted killing on the directions of foreign-based handlers and recovered one 9MM pistol along with five live cartridges from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Wednesday.

 Those arrested have been identified as Karanbir Singh, a resident of Haibowal Kalan, Ludhiana and Avtar Singh, a resident of New Shimlapuri, Millerganj, Ludhiana. The latter has a prior criminal background, with several cases under Arms Act and IPC Act registered against him.

 DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused were in contact with UK and Germany-based handlers associated with the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) and linked to hardline extremist ideology. On their directions, both arrested accused had conducted recce of government and prominent offices in Ludhiana as part of the conspiracy, he said.

 The DGP said that probe has also revealed that both the arrested accused were tasked with gathering inputs and conducting groundwork related to a few more identified individuals.

 Sharing operational details, AIG SSOC SAS Nagar D Sudarvizhi said that acting swiftly on the reliable inputs about these individuals hatching a conspiracy to execute targeted killing in the area, a joint team of SSOC SAS Nagar along with CI Ludhiana carried out a targeted operation and arrested both the accused from Ludhiana. During investigation, on the disclosure of Avtar Singh, one 9MM pistol along with live cartridges was recovered from his possession, she said.

 The AIG said that probe has also revealed that both the accused were radicalized and recruited by their foreign based handlers and tasked with sharing extremist content on social media. Further investigations are ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages in this case, she said.

 In this regard, a case FIR No. 1 dated 05.01.2026 under sections 113(5) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) has been registered at Police Station SSOC SAS Nagar.