Punjab Police have arrested a third person in connection with the August 1 grenade attack on the Urban Estate police post in Batala. The suspect, identified as Karanjit Singh alias Bacha, is a resident of Murgi Mohalla in the city. He was apprehended during a joint intelligence-led operation conducted by Counter Intelligence Jalandhar and Batala Police, officials said on Saturday.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav described the arrest as a significant development in the investigation. Two other suspects, Rajan alias Gullu and a juvenile, had previously been taken into custody for their alleged involvement in the attack. Authorities have not disclosed whether anyone was injured in the explosion or provided details about the extent of damage caused to the police post.

According to the DGP, preliminary findings indicate that Karanjit was allegedly associated with an Inter-Services Intelligence-backed terror module operated by a Portugal-based mastermind linked to the banned organisation Babbar Khalsa International. The police claim that the overseas handler directed the activities of the module, although further details about the suspect’s alleged role and communications with foreign operatives have not yet been released.

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Investigators said Karanjit went into hiding following the grenade attack. He was also allegedly planning similar attacks on police establishments elsewhere in Punjab, according to the police. Teams used a combination of technical surveillance and human intelligence to trace and arrest him. Police have not disclosed where the arrest was made or whether any weapons, explosives, electronic devices or other material were recovered from his possession.

The DGP said the investigation is continuing to uncover the full network behind the attack. Officers are working to identify alleged foreign handlers, local facilitators and other people who may have provided logistical or financial assistance. Investigators are also examining the wider conspiracy and attempting to establish the connections between those arrested and every stage of the planning and execution of the attack.

A case was registered on August 1 at the Civil Lines police station in Batala under Sections 109 and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act. Police said further questioning and evidence analysis would determine whether additional suspects were involved. The allegations against the arrested individuals remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.

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