Punjab Police has busted an ISI-sponsored terror module linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and arrested a key operative, officials said on Monday. The operation also led to the recovery of an 86-P hand grenade, helping the police foil a planned attack in Punjab.

Punjab Police Director General Gaurav Yadav said that the operation was carried out by the Counter Intelligence unit in Jalandhar in coordination with the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (SBS Nagar) Police.

"In a major breakthrough against cross-border terror networks, Counter Intelligence #Jalandhar, in a joint operation with SBS Nagar Police, busts an #ISI-sponsored #BKI terror module operated by foreign-based handlers with the arrest of a key operative and recovers an 86-P hand grenade, foiling a planned attack," the DGP said in a post on X.

The police investigation has found that the accused allegedly collected the grenade from a Dead Letter Box (DLB) near Adampur in Jalandhar. He reportedly did so on the instructions of handlers based abroad. The use of a DLB allowed the handlers and the accused to exchange material without meeting directly.

"Preliminary investigation reveals that the arrested accused had allegedly procured the grenade from a #DLB near Adampur, Jalandhar, on the directions of foreign-based handlers," the DGP said in the post.

A Dead Letter Box is a covert method used to transfer instructions, money, weapons or other material without direct contact between the people involved. Terror groups, their handlers and organised crime networks can use such methods to maintain secrecy and reduce the risk of being identified by law enforcement agencies.

The recovery of the hand grenade has given investigators an important lead into the activities of the suspected terror module. Police are now working to identify other people linked to the network and determine the role played by foreign-based handlers in planning and supporting its activities.

An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Explosive Substances Act. The police have started further investigation into the case.

Authorities are also examining the wider network connected to the arrested accused. The investigation will focus on identifying the foreign handlers, local support networks and other individuals who may have helped the module operate. Police will also examine its forward and backward linkages to trace how instructions, weapons and other logistical support moved through the network.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said the investigation remains underway and will seek to expose the complete terror network. The operation comes as Punjab Police continues to target cross-border terror networks and their local links. The recovery of the grenade has also helped prevent the suspected module from carrying out the planned attack.