New Delhi hosted the ninth edition of the National Security Strategy Conference, which commenced with the participation of over 850 senior officials from various security forces, central intelligence agencies, and state police forces. The conference, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, spans two days and aims to tackle pressing internal security challenges facing the country. Key topics for discussion include terrorism, cybercrime, financial fraud, drug trafficking, illegal infiltration, and security threats associated with encrypted applications.
Security concerns have also intensified following the arrest of three suspected terrorists in Chandigarh. Police have accused the trio of being linked to the banned terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International. The suspects have been identified as Prabhpreet Singh, a resident of Amritsar, and Lovepreet Singh and Jashanpreet Singh, both residents of Tarn Taran. Police recovered around six kilograms of gelatin sticks, a detonator, a power source and a remotely operated triggering system, which they allegedly intended to use to prepare an IED. A pistol, a magazine and five live cartridges were also recovered. Police claim the three men were working as ground-level operatives for a Babbar Khalsa International module and were acting on the instructions of handlers based abroad. Police suspect that the accused were planning to plant an IED at a crowded location. The three suspects were produced before a court and sent into custody. Security agencies have also stepped up action against the Bhatti gang and related networks.
The explosives were allegedly found near Chandigarh’s busy Sector 43 bus stand. Two of them are 19 years old, while the third is 21. 44 associates of the Bhatti gang have been arrested from Punjab as part of operations being conducted across the country, according to the programme.
Lovepreet Singh was in contact with Babbar Khalsa terrorist Satnam Singh alias Satta Naushera, who is alleged to have direct links with Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI, according to sources cited in the programme.
His family reportedly had no indication that the daily-wage labourer could be involved in terrorist activities. Prabhpreet Singh, the 19-year-old suspect arrested in Chandigarh, was described as one such case.
