Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, March 11: A Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mohali, Punjab, has sentenced nine individuals to imprisonment ranging from life sentences to 10 years for their involvement in smuggling explosives and arms via drones at the behest of designated terrorists Gurmeet Singh alias Bagga and Ranjeet Singh alias Neeta.
The court found the accused guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Arms Act, and Explosive Substances Act. The case is linked to the proscribed terrorist organization Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF).
The convicted individuals—Akashdeep Singh, Balwant Singh, Balbir Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Maan Singh, Shubhdeep Singh, Sajanpreet Singh, Gurdev Singh, and Romandeep Singh—were found guilty of collecting, transporting, and smuggling large caches of weapons, explosives, and counterfeit currency.
While Akashdeep Singh, Balwant Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Balbir Singh, Maan Singh, and Gurdev Singh received life sentences and fines, Shubhdeep Singh, Sajanpreet Singh, and Romandeep Singh were sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment (RI) and fines.
According to NIA investigations, the Germany-based terrorist Bagga and Pakistan-based terrorist Neeta coordinated drone operations to drop arms and explosives in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, in August and September 2019. The operation aimed to spread terror, disrupt national security, and wage war against India. The NIA took over the case from Amritsar Police in October 2019.
Maoist Leader Jailed in Jharkhand Arms Case
In a separate case, a Special NIA Court in Ranchi, Jharkhand, sentenced an absconding accused, Mantu Sharma, to rigorous imprisonment in connection with a major CPI (Maoist) arms and ammunition seizure case.
The case dates back to August 2012, when Jharkhand Police raided the Silodar forest area and arrested Prafulla Kumar Malakar, a key member of the Arms & Ammunition Supply Unit of CPI (Maoist). The authorities recovered a US-made M-16 rifle, 14 live rounds, two mobile phones, and a bulletproof jacket from Malakar.
Further investigations led to the arrest of Anil Kumar Yadav, a Zonal Commander of CPI (Maoist), who was caught with a 9mm pistol, two live rounds, ?9 lakh in cash, and two mobile phones. Yadav was reportedly on his way to purchase weapons from Malakar when he was apprehended.
The NIA continues its crackdown on terrorist networks and extremist groups involved in smuggling arms, planning attacks, and disrupting national security across India.