Unmasking the Conspiracy: NIA Chargesheets Key Accused in Chandigarh Grenade Attack

In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the 2023 grenade attack on the Chandigarh Sector 42 police intelligence wing headquarters, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially filed a chargesheet against Gagandeep Singh alias Gagana. Identified as a pivotal figure in the meticulously planned assault, Gagandeep's alleged deep-rooted connections with the proscribed terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) have come under the spotlight, shedding further light on a broader cross-border conspiracy aimed at destabilizing peace and order.

The chargesheet, submitted under Sections 120B, 121, 121A, 122 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sections 18, 20, 23, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act, lays bare the intricate web of deceit and terror.

It meticulously details Gagandeep's integral role in a criminal conspiracy orchestrated by foreign-based BKI handlers. Among these handlers, the names of Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa and Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda stand out as key architects of the nefarious plot, pulling strings from beyond India's borders.

According to the NIA's findings, Gagandeep Singh was not merely a peripheral figure.

His involvement was crucial, particularly in the logistical aspects of the attack. He is accused of actively participating in the process of picking up the deadly grenade consignment, a critical step in enabling the execution of the assault. Furthermore, he provided essential logistical support to other members of the BKI network, ensuring the smooth flow of operations leading up to the attack.

The NIA’s investigation has painted a stark picture of the motive behind this audacious act.

The attack on the police intelligence wing was not an isolated incident but a calculated move by the BKI. Its primary objective was to instill terror, create widespread panic, and severely destabilize the existing law and order situation within the region. This act was part of a larger, insidious agenda to promote terrorist activities and revive the chilling specter of militancy within Punjab, a state that has bravely fought against such forces in the past.

This latest chargesheet against Gagandeep Singh is a continuation of the rigorous investigative efforts undertaken by the NIA.

Earlier in the probe, the agency had successfully apprehended eight other individuals suspected of being involved in the conspiracy. A chargesheet against these eight accused had already been filed, underscoring the NIA's relentless pursuit of justice and its commitment to dismantling terrorist networks piece by piece.

The roots of this complex case trace back to a First Information Report (FIR) initially registered by the Punjab Police.

The FIR outlined a vast criminal conspiracy orchestrated by the BKI, operating both within India and from foreign territories. This expansive conspiracy was aimed at committing various terrorist acts across the nation, thereby posing a grave threat to national security and public safety. The NIA took over the investigation, leveraging its specialized expertise to unravel the layers of this dangerous plot, bringing clarity and accountability to those who seek to sow discord and violence.