Punjab Police foil Pakistan backed terror plot, seize IED in Amritsar, one arrested

In a significant counter-terrorism breakthrough, the Punjab Police have foiled a suspected Pakistan-backed terror plot , recovering an RDX-based improvised explosive device (IED) and arresting a man in Amritsar before the explosive could be delivered to its intended target.

Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav identified the accused as Rahul Kumar alias Gaju , a resident of Chamrang Road in Amritsar who worked as an assistant at a local salon. Preliminary investigation indicates that Rahul was allegedly in contact with a foreign-based handler acting under instructions from Pakistan-based operatives , believed to be linked to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Police said Rahul collected the IED from a designated spot on the outskirts of the city following instructions. The device, packed with RDX and concealed inside a PVC pipe casing to evade detection , was recovered from his possession during a swift intelligence-based operation.

Assistant Inspector General Sukhminder Singh Mann said the accused first came into contact with his handler during the latter’s visit to Punjab in 2022. They stayed connected through encrypted mobile applications , and the handler allegedly cultivated Rahul with small financial assistance before assigning him the task of transporting the explosive. A case has been registered at the State Special Operations Cell, Amritsar , under provisions of the Explosive Substances Act, the Arms Act, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigators are now probing the intended destination of the device and possible links to a wider network.

The development comes at a time when security agencies remain on high alert following the November 10, 2025 car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort , which left at least 15 people dead and over 20 injured. The government classified the incident as a terror attack , and the probe was handed over to the National Investigation Agency. Investigators later confirmed through DNA analysis that the blast was carried out by Dr. Umar Un Nabi , and subsequent arrests pointed to a broader module providing logistical and technical support to the attacker

With both cases highlighting cross-border links and local recruitment tactics, officials say vigilance has been stepped up across sensitive installations and border districts. The timely seizure in Amritsar, police believe, may have averted another major threat and underlined the continuing push to dismantle terror networks operating in the region.