Babbar Khalsa Terrorist Arrested in Indore: Key Accused in Rocket Launcher Attack on Punjab Police Station

Wanted in Punjab Police Station Attack

Akashdeep, a native of Chanachen village in Amritsar, was wanted for his alleged involvement in the rocket launcher attack on Qila Lal Singh police station in Batala, Gurdaspur district, in April 2025. The attack, which shocked Punjab, was claimed on social media by three Khalistani terrorists – Happy Pasia, Manu Agwan, and Gopi Navansharia – all associated with Babbar Khalsa International.

According to investigators, the motive behind the strike was to avenge the deaths of individuals linked to earlier grenade blasts in Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh) and Punjab. The assault was also intended to spread fear and challenge the authority of law enforcement agencies.

How the Terrorist Hid in Indore

After the Batala attack, Akashdeep fled Punjab, first taking refuge in Gujarat before moving to Indore, where he worked on an under-construction site in the Hiranagar police station area. The terrorist was using a forged identity and kept a low profile, blending in as a crane operator.

The Delhi Police Special Cell, led by Inspector Ashok Kumar Bhardana, tracked his movements for weeks. Acting on specific intelligence, the team reached Indore and arrested Akashdeep on Wednesday without incident. He also faces another case registered under the Arms Act in Delhi.

Foreign Links and Future Plans

Preliminary interrogation reveals that Akashdeep was in direct contact with a Babbar Khalsa handler based abroad, receiving instructions through encrypted social media platforms. Investigators believe he was planning additional attacks in India.

“This arrest is a significant step in dismantling Babbar Khalsa’s network operating inside the country,” said DCP Amit Kaushik of Delhi Police Special Cell, adding that the investigation will focus on foreign funding routes, recruitment strategies, and sleeper cells.

Babbar Khalsa International: A Background

• Founded: 1978 by Talwinder Singh Parmar and Sukhdev Singh Babbar
• Objective: Creation of an independent Sikh state, Khalistan
• Status: Banned in India, USA, Canada, UK, Germany
• Notable Attack: 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, killing 329 people – one of the deadliest aviation terror attacks
• Current Activities: Drone-based arms and drug smuggling, online radicalization, suspected backing from Pakistan’s ISI