Chandigarh Police have arrested three people near the Sector 43 inter-state bus terminus for allegedly planning to carry out a terror attack in the city. The police recovered a suspected improvised explosive device (IED), explosive materials and a firearm from the accused on Sunday. The three men are believed to have links with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a Khalistani separatist terrorist organisation.

The accused have been identified as 19-year-old Lovepreet Singh from Sarhali village in Tarn Taran, 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh from Deobath village in Tarn Taran, and 19-year-old Prabhpreet Singh alias Prabh from Tarsikka village in Amritsar. Police said they were carrying the suspected explosive materials near the bus stand when they were apprehended.

According to police, the material was concealed inside a tiffin box bag. The bag also contained a firearm. The recovery included 5 kg of gelatin stick explosives, a detonator, a power source and a remotely operated system. Police said these materials can be used in preparing explosive devices. A pistol, one magazine and five live cartridges were also recovered from the accused.

Following the recovery, police registered an FIR at the Sector 36 police station. The case has been filed under relevant provisions of the Explosives Act and Arms Act. “The police recovered suspicious items from behind the Sector-43 bus stand in Chandigarh. Chandigarh Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the case,” said the UT police in a statement.

The police suspect that the three men were working under the instructions of a foreign-based handler linked to BKI. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused had allegedly come in contact with Satnam alias Satta Naushera. He is believed to be associated with BKI and operating from abroad.

Investigators said the accused were allegedly acting on Satta Naushera’s directions. They are suspected of planning to plant an IED in Chandigarh to launch an attack. The recovery of explosive materials, a detonator and a remotely operated system has led investigators to examine the exact nature of the alleged plan.

Police are now questioning the three accused to establish how they obtained the explosives and other materials. Investigators are also trying to determine where the material was being taken and whether the accused had planned to target a specific location in Chandigarh.

The probe will also focus on the possible involvement of other people in the suspected terror plot. Police are working to identify any additional members who may have helped the accused obtain, transport or conceal the explosive materials and firearm.

The arrest and recovery have raised concerns over the alleged activities of BKI-linked operatives in the region. The investigation is continuing as police seek more information about the network, the source of the explosives and the instructions allegedly given to the three accused.