Three Terror Suspects Killed. Members of a Pakistan-backed terror group were gunned down in a confrontation with police in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, early on Monday, December 23, 2024. The suspects were reportedly involved in a grenade attack earlier this month at a police checkpoint in Gurdaspur, Punjab. This successful operation marks a significant step in curbing the activities of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) in the region, according to authorities.
The men who were killed have been identified as Gurvinder Singh, aged 25, Virender Singh (alias Ravi), aged 23, and Jaspreet Singh (alias Pratap Singh), aged 18, all from the Gurdaspur district of Punjab. The encounter occurred in the Puranpur area of Pilibhit, a district in Uttar Pradesh, following a joint operation conducted by police forces from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.
Amitabh Yash, the Additional Director General (Law and Order) of the Uttar Pradesh Police, confirmed that the trio had been directly linked to the grenade attack on a police post in Gurdaspur, which occurred earlier this month. He stated that the three men sustained severe injuries during the encounter and were immediately transferred to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Puranpur for medical attention. However, despite efforts to save them, the suspects later died from their wounds.
The police operation also resulted in the recovery of significant arms and ammunition. Authorities seized two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and a substantial quantity of ammunition from the suspects, who were believed to be part of a larger terror network operating in the region.
The Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, praised the operation, calling it a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against the KZF, a group that has been linked to multiple attacks in the border areas of Punjab. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Yadav remarked that the encounter was a direct hit against a Pakistan-sponsored terror module responsible for violent activities in the region.
“This joint operation between the Uttar Pradesh and Punjab police has resulted in the neutralization of three members of the Khalistan Zindabad Force who had opened fire at a police team,” said Yadav. He emphasized that the terror module, which the suspects were part of, was known for orchestrating grenade attacks at police posts and other establishments near the Punjab border.
The Punjab police chief further detailed that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the terror module and its operatives. Authorities are working to understand the group’s broader network and its connections to other individuals who may be planning further attacks in the region. The terror module is suspected of having received logistical and financial support from across the border in Pakistan, a source of growing concern for Indian security agencies.
In response to the operation, the Punjab police have reiterated their commitment to combating terror activities linked to Khalistani groups. They have also highlighted the collaborative efforts between state and central agencies to ensure peace and security, particularly in Punjab’s vulnerable border areas.
The incident follows a series of grenade attacks and violent incidents in Punjab in recent months, which authorities have attributed to Khalistani separatist elements attempting to destabilize the region. Police forces in both Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have heightened their vigilance, especially in areas with a known history of terrorist activity.
The Gurdaspur grenade attack, which occurred earlier this month, had targeted a police checkpoint, injuring several officers. The incident, which was claimed by the KZF, marked a sharp escalation in attacks by the group, which has long been linked to calls for an independent Sikh state and is believed to be supported by elements in Pakistan.
In the wake of the encounter, law enforcement agencies are on high alert, as they continue their efforts to dismantle terrorist cells operating along India’s border areas. The success of the joint operation in Pilibhit has been hailed as a critical step toward ensuring the safety and stability of the region, while authorities remain focused on preventing further escalation of violence by separatist groups.
As investigations into the terror module continue, the authorities have vowed to maintain their crackdown on KZF and similar groups, ensuring that the perpetrators of violence are swiftly brought to justice.
