On March 6, the security forces arrested a top Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative with deep connections to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The suspect, Lajar Masih, was taken into custody in a high-stakes operation conducted jointly by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Punjab Police in the early hours of March 6.
Masih, a native of Kurlian village in the Ramdas area of Amritsar, Punjab, was apprehended in the Kokhraj police station area of Kaushambi at approximately 3:20 am. The operation marks a crucial victory against terrorist elements attempting to disrupt India’s security and peace.
Authorities have revealed that Masih had planned a devastating terrorist attack during the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, a gathering attended by millions of devotees from across the globe. “However, due to intensive security checks at the religious gathering, he failed to execute his plan,” said Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar.
The arrest has exposed a larger conspiracy to create mass panic and destruction during one of the most sacred religious events in the country. The foiled attack underscores the persistent threats posed by foreign-sponsored terrorist networks targeting India’s cultural and religious heritage.
Lajar Masih’s ISI and Babbar Khalsa links
Masih is allegedly a key operative of BKI and worked under the direct command of Swarn Singh alias Jeevan Fauji, the head of the Germany-based module of the terror group. “As per available information, the arrested terrorist works for Swarn Singh and is in direct touch with Pakistan-based ISI operatives,” stated Additional Director General of Police (UP STF, Law and Order) Amitabh Yash. Masih had managed to escape judicial custody in Punjab on September 24, 2024, and had since been on the run, actively plotting attacks with foreign handlers.
The arrest of Masih led to the recovery of a significant cache of weapons and explosives, indicating the scale of the planned attack. Seized items include:
- Three active hand grenades
- Two active detonators
- One foreign-made pistol
- 13 cartridges of foreign origin
- A white-colored explosive powder suspected to be a high-grade explosive
- An Aadhaar card with a Ghaziabad address, possibly forged
- One mobile phone without a SIM card, likely used for covert communication
The nature and sophistication of these weapons suggest a well-organized terror plot with support from international terror networks.
Punjab Police busts Babbar Khalsa module
The arrest of Masih follows a major crackdown on BKI in Punjab. A separate operation led by Punjab Police recently dismantled an ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa terror module, leading to the arrest of two operatives: Mohit from Buddhe di Khui and Vishal from Basarpura in Batala. Another key accused, who was involved in hurling explosives in Amritsar’s Jaintipur and Batala’s Raimal, was neutralized in a police encounter in Batala last week.
The terror outfit had already executed attacks earlier this year, including:
- January 15, 2025 – Attack on the residence of a late ex-chairman of Amritsar Zila Parishad in Jaintipur.
- February 17, 2025 – Attack near the residence of a policeman’s relative in Batala.
These incidents were claimed by a terrorist named Happy Passia via social media, further confirming the digital reach of BKI operatives.
“Zero tolerance for crime,” UP DGP praises successful op that led to arrest of BKI terrorist
Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar on Thursday stated that the UP Police is implementing a zero-tolerance policy against crime under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directives and the arrest of Babbar Khalsa terrorist Laja Masih was a result of that.
He revealed that intelligence agencies had been warned of potential disruptions by terrorist organisations ahead of the Maha Kumbh, leading to heightened security measures.
“Under the leadership of CM, there is zero tolerance for crime…a successful joint operation was carried out by UP Police’s STF and Punjab Police. On 6th March, an active terrorist of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and ISI module, Lajar Masih was arrested from Punjab…Illegal arms and explosives including 3 active hand grenades, 2 active detonators, 13 cartridges and 1 foreign-made pistol, were recovered,” the DGP said.
The DGP further stated that the Police had been alerted after a recent joint operation with Punjab Police that had led to the encounter of 3 terrorists.
“Recently, in a joint operation between Pilibhit Police and Punjab Police, 3 terrorists who used to attack Police Chowkis with hand grenades were killed in an encounter in Pilibhit. As a result, Pannu, a Khalistani terrorist who lives in the US, had threatened to carry out a terror attack at the Kumbh Mela after which all agencies were alerted,” the DGP said.
“For this particular operation, we and the Punjab Police team received information about the presence of terrorist Lajar. It was also found that he had made a fake Aadhaar card using which he had applied for a passport. Several items of ammunition were found with him with which he could have carried out a major incident at the Kumbh Mela,” he added.
Kumar also said, “This terrorist was in touch with the ISI module and used to bring ammunition through Pakistan.”
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