Chandigarh: The three youngsters — two still in their teens — arrested with a suspected IED and a pistol from a forested area behind ISBT Sector 43 on Sunday night were operatives of a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) module, working under the directions of foreign-based handlers, Chandigarh Police said on Monday.The suspects — Lovepreet Singh, 19, and Jashanpreet Singh, 21, from Tarn Taran, and Amritsar’s Prabhpreet Singh 19, — had specific roles to carry out a terror attack in Chandigarh, say police.On Monday, investigators said that the operatives were told to stay in touch with handlers abroad, receive and transport explosive material, arrange the IED components, identify a suitable target and execute a blast.The arrest was carried out by Chandigarh Police in coordination with a central agency. Police said 6 kg of gelatin-stick explosives, a detonator, a power source, a remotely operated triggering system, a pistol and five rounds of ammunition were seized from them, averting what they described as a major terror threat. The recruits include two painters and a gas agency worker.The suspected IED, which was in a tiffin box, and firearm were smuggled through Pakistan-linked channels, say sources. The consignment changed several hands before reaching the accused, making it difficult to trace its source. It appears even the arrested youths had no idea about who had supplied the material, said police sources.The youngsters were promised money for the terror attack, say police. “We have learnt that part of the payment was already given to them, and the rest was to be paid after the attack. We are questioning them about the money they were promised and their weapon supply source. We have taken them on five days’ remand to interrogate them,” a police officer said.The ‘recruits’: Two painters, 1 gas agency workerLovepreet Singh (19) | resident of Sarhali village, Tarn Taran districtA painter by professionEducational qualification | IlliterateKey link: Lovepreet established contact with the BKI handler Ashu and Satta, operating from abroad, through social media/communication platforms. He acted as the primary ground-level link between the handler and the other associates, received instructions regarding the planned attack and coordinated the movement and handling of the explosive material. He transported and placed illegal substances, such as weapons and drugs, several times on the instruction of his handlersPrevious history- NDPS case registered at SarhaliJashanpreet Singh alias Jashandeep (21) | A resident of Deobath village, Tarn TaranHe also worked as a painterEducational qualification | MatriculationNetwork link: Jashanpreet Singh came into contact with the BKI handlers through co-accused Lovepreet Singh, who introduced and connected him with the handlers. Thereafter, he remained in communication with the handlers and received instructions regarding the movement, handling and execution of the assigned terror-related task.Prabhpreet Singh alias Prabh (19) | A resident of Tarsikka, AmritsarHe worked as a helper at a gas agency in TarsikkaEducational qualification | Class 11 passKey support: Prabhpreet Singh remained in contact with BKI handler Gurlal and was involved in receiving and acting upon instructions relating to the planned attack. He provided operational support to the other accused
