Pro-Khalistan terror module behind Patiala rail track blast, 4 arrested: Police

Police on Tuesday unearthed a pro-Khalistan terror module backed by Pakistan’s ISI and arrested four men—Pardeep Singh Khalsa, Kulwinder Singh, Satnam Singh (younger brother of Jagroop), and Gurpreet Singh of Tarn Taran. The suspects confessed to the Shambhu detonation and face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Explosive Substances Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Investigators recovered a SIM card, a mobile phone and wires from the blast site, prompting further raids that led to the seizure of a hand grenade, two .30-bore pistols, ammunition and sophisticated communication equipment used to coordinate with foreign handlers. The module is linked to a radical outfit named Chalda Vaheer Chakarwarti, Attariye, which allegedly conducted terror training for radicalised youth in Malaysia. Khalsa was identified as the kingpin with links to handlers in Malaysia and Pakistan, and the case was referred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for further investigation.

Around 10pm on Monday, an improvised explosive device using RDX detonated prematurely during an attempt to target the freight track near Bathonia village on the Rajpura-Shambhu line, killing the suspected bomber Jagroop Singh. The explosion caused minor damage to the freight rail corridor and briefly disrupted train movement before services were restored. Police noted that there was likely another accomplice present when the device was planted, who has not yet been identified.

On January 23, 2026, a blast on a dedicated freight corridor railway track at Sirhind in Fatehgarh Sahib district damaged the engine of a train and left its pilot injured.