Punjab Police bust alleged terror module; 17 held in Moga grenade attack case, IED meant for Jammu-bound train recovered
Bust Alleged Terror Module; 17 Held in Moga Grenade Attack Case, IED Meant for Jammu-Bound Train Recovered
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh/Moga, July 21, 2026: Punjab Police on Tuesday claimed to have foiled a possible terror conspiracy with the arrest of 17 accused, including the three alleged executors of the July 8 grenade attack on Police Station Sadar Moga, and recovered an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), a 9 mm Glock pistol, explosive material and an electronic detonator.
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were acting on the directions of UK-based alleged mastermind Iqbal Singh alias Ravi Dhaliwal, who is suspected of orchestrating the conspiracy.
According to the police, the recovered IED was allegedly intended to be planted on a train running from Ferozepur to Jammu, indicating plans for a larger terror strike.
The three alleged main executors have been identified as Gagan alias Kali of Dheru, Rajesh alias Khanna of Lal Kurti Cantonment, and Shubham alias Bhinder of Kotwal, all in Ferozepur district.
The remaining 14 accused were allegedly involved in providing logistical support, expanding the network, arranging hideouts and harbouring the operatives. Police said the module included local facilitators from Ferozepur and Moga districts.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said the accused had carried out the low-intensity grenade attack at Police Station Sadar Moga in the early hours of July 8, when unidentified assailants hurled a grenade at the police station building around 3.15 am.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Faridkot Range, Nilambari Jagdale said multiple police teams were formed immediately after the attack. Technical surveillance and human intelligence led investigators to the three alleged attackers, whose interrogation subsequently resulted in the arrest of the remaining members of the network.
She said accused Lajjar alias Aman and his wife Parveen Kaur were allegedly in direct contact with the UK-based handler and were tasked with recruiting foot soldiers to execute terror activities in Punjab.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Moga Sartaj Singh Chahal said sustained interrogation of the accused led to the arrest of 12 more individuals accused of providing logistical support and shelter to the module. He added that further arrests and recoveries are likely as the investigation progresses.
Police have also impounded the Splendor motorcycle (PB-03-AH-3088) allegedly used in the grenade attack.
Initially, an FIR was registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Explosive Substances Act, and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act at Police Station Sadar Moga. Subsequently, additional offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and other provisions of the BNS and Explosive Substances Act have also been invoked as the investigation expanded.