Punjab Police Crack Down on JeM-Linked Module
The Punjab Police have arrested three Jammu and Kashmir-based men linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in connection with the abduction and murder of a Mohali cab driver. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the breakthrough exposes an active terror module operating across state borders.
The accused have been identified as Sahil Bashir (19) of Handwara Langate in Kupwara, Munish Singh alias Ansh (22) of Kotli in Doda, and Aijaz Ahmed Khan alias Wasim (22) of Manjpura in Kalamabad. All three men were tracked down and arrested in Punjab after a swift and coordinated police operation.
Police also recovered the snatched Maruti Swift Dzire (PB01-D-6299) belonging to the victim, along with a .32 bore country-made pistol used in the crime.
The Case: From Abduction to Murder
The victim, Anil Kumar, a taxi driver from Nayagaon in Mohali, left home on Friday morning for a ride from Kharar to Chandigarh Railway Station. His wife, Sudha Devi, later filed a missing complaint when repeated calls to his mobile phones went unanswered.
Initial investigations revealed that three unidentified men had hired Kumar’s cab before forcibly taking control of the vehicle. A case was registered promptly given the grave nature of the incident.
DGP Yadav stated that the suspects fatally shot Kumar after an altercation and disposed of his body in Mohali before fleeing with the car and other belongings.
Police Operation and Arrests
Acting on the complaint, multiple police teams were formed under the supervision of senior officers, including DIG Ropar Range Harcharan Singh Bhullar, SP City Sirivenella, SP Investigation Saurav Jindal, and DSP City-1 Prithvi Singh Chahal.
Special units led by CIA Incharge Harminder Singh and SHO Naya Gaon Satnam Singh tracked the suspects using technical surveillance and human intelligence. The arrests were made from Batala and Gurdaspur bus stands after an intensive chase.
During interrogation, the accused admitted to shooting Anil Kumar in Kandala village near Mohali after diverting his route under the pretext of traveling to the airport. They later confessed to their links with the banned outfit JeM.
Terror Links Exposed
Police investigations have revealed that Sahil Bashir was already wanted in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act registered at Police Station Qalamabad in Handwara, J&K.
His brother, Aijaz Ahmed, had earlier been arrested with a cache of weapons and materials linked to JeM. Both brothers were identified as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of the terror group.
“This operation has not only solved a brutal murder case but also unearthed a wider terror link. We are committed to keeping Punjab safe from cross-border terror threats,” DGP Yadav said.
Gangster Nexus Also Targeted
In a separate incident, Punjab Police also arrested two associates of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. While details are still emerging, police sources say the crackdown is part of a broader drive to neutralize both terror outfits and organized crime networks active in the state.
Community in Shock
The murder of Anil Kumar has sent shockwaves across Mohali and Chandigarh, where local cab drivers staged small protests demanding stronger security measures. Residents of Nayagaon have expressed grief over the loss of a “hardworking family man.”
Police have assured Kumar’s family of justice and compensation, while security across vulnerable districts has been tightened.
Outlook
The Punjab Police crackdown highlights the state’s continued battle against terror modules operating with sleeper cells and local support networks. With the arrests, authorities believe a major threat has been averted. However, investigations are ongoing to track the broader links of the JeM network in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.