NIA seizes cash, car as 'proceeds of terrorism' in Haryana arms recovery case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has seized more than ₹7.80 lakh in cash and a vehicle as “proceeds of terrorism” in a case related to the recovery of arms and explosives, smuggled from Pakistan

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has seized more than ₹7.80 lakh in cash and a vehicle as "proceeds of terrorism" in a case related to the recovery of arms and explosives, smuggled from Pakistan by the proscribed Babbar Khalsa International, in Haryana last year, an official said on March 31.

The cash and the Innova vehicle were seized on Thursday under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, a spokesperson of the federal agency said.

On May 5 last year, police had intercepted the vehicle at Bastara Toll Plaza in Haryana and recovered three improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a pistol with two magazines, 31 rounds of ammunition, and ₹1.30 lakh in cash, which had been concealed in a specially designed cavity.

Four terror operatives— Gurpreet Singh alias “Gopi”, Amandeep Singh alias “Deepa”, Parminder Singh alias “Pinder” and Bhupinder Singh— who were on their way to Adilabad in Telangana were arrested, the agency said.

The spokesperson said the NIA investigations have revealed that multiple consignments of arms, explosives and drugs had been sent from Pakistan by designated terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda through drones, to pre-decided locations near the India-Pakistan border.

"Gopi, Deepa, Akash, Sukhbeer Singh alias ‘Jashan’ and Jarmalpreet Singh received the weapon and drug consignments. Gopi and others were tasked to collect the contraband and deliver part-consignments to...different places in the country to carry out attacks in the name of banned BKI (Babbar Khalsa International),” the NIA said.

It said the Innova car was used by the accused persons for transporting such consignments.