In a major breakthrough following the recent explosion on a train track in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district, the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has apprehended two suspects from Punjab. The joint operation, carried out by the Rajasthan ATS and the Punjab Police, resulted in the arrest of a woman named Mehakdeep Kaur and her associate Davinder Singh from Gurdaspur. Investigators revealed that the sabotage attempt was orchestrated by a Pakistan-based intelligence agent aiming to damage critical railway infrastructure in India. Authorities are currently questioning the duo to uncover the broader cross-border terror network and identify any additional accomplices involved in the plot.
Direct Contact with Pakistan-Based Agent 'Shah'
According to preliminary findings, main accused Mehakdeep Kaur was in direct communication with a Pakistani agent identified as Shah. The operative instructed her to carry out the blast on the designated railway line in Sri Ganganagar. Security forces seized two illegal firearms, 46 live cartridges, and cash associated with the terror funding from the suspects during the raid in Gurdaspur. Investigators believe the primary motive behind the attack was to create panic in the border region and disrupt train operations across the network.
Multiple Reconnaissance Trips Prior to the Incident
Pry into the suspects' movements revealed a calculated strategy involving multiple visits to the target area before executing the explosion. The accused first traveled to Sri Ganganagar on October 6 to survey the railway track near Ramsinghpur and assess local security measures, though they were unable to plant explosives during that initial visit. They returned for a second attempt between October 12 and October 13, but their plan was thwarted once again due to unforeseen circumstances. Finally, the pair reached Sri Ganganagar for the third time on November 3 and successfully detonated an explosive device at around 9:45 PM near the 50 GB area.
Delivery of IED Packets at Designated Drop Points
To avoid suspicion and minimize detection risks during travel, the Pakistani handler initially directed the duo to arrive in Sri Ganganagar without any weapons or contraband. Subsequently, packets containing Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were delivered to them through clandestine channels at predetermined points. The suspects then utilized these explosives to damage the track. Police reported that Mehakdeep Kaur received Rs 46,000 from her cross-border handler for executing the task, and law enforcement officers recovered Rs 30,000 in cash from her possession at the time of her arrest.
Security Agencies Mobilized After Track Damage
The night blast on November 3 was severe enough to shatter two concrete sleepers supporting the railway line near the 50 GB section in Ramsinghpur. Prompt detection by railway personnel prevented any major train derailment or casualty. Given the sensitivity of the incident, the investigation was immediately transferred to the Rajasthan ATS. Surveillance data and intelligence inputs pointed toward links in Punjab and across the border, leading ATS officers to coordinate with Gurdaspur police for the swift apprehension of the suspects.
Joint Operation Led by Senior ATS Officials
The successful operation was spearheaded by senior police officers, including ATS Additional Director General (ADG) Dinesh MN, Sri Ganganagar Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nitin Chowdhary, ATS ASP Manish Sharma, and ASP Surendra Singh. ADG Dinesh MN is scheduled to address a formal press briefing to outline the details of the investigation, the precise roles played by the accused, and the extent of the Pakistani network. Security agencies are continuing probes to determine if other individuals in Rajasthan or Punjab have been recruited into this cross-border cell.
