Tarn Taran attack: Punjab police detains 15; 400 mobile numbers under scanner
In the latest update on the Tarn Taran terror attack, Republic has accessed the FIR copy in connection with the rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack on the Sarhali police station in Punjab. The police have registered an FIR against unknown persons under section 307 (Attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code, section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and section 3 of the Explosives Act.
Notably, Section 307 of IPC was invoked in this case for attempt to kill nine police officers including SHO who was in the police station at the time of the attack. Section 18 of UAPA is charged with conspiracy against India, while Section 3 of the Explosive Substances Act is charged with endangering life with explosives.
As per the FIR complaint, soon after the attack at the Sarhali police station in Tarn Taran, the entire area inside the station was under a thick layer of smoke. The cops found the launcher of the RPG shell on the national highway near the police station, according to the FIR.
As of now, 15 people have been detained by the Tarn Taran Police and Counter Intelligence Wing in the RPG attack case. Notably, both the Tarn Taran Police and Counter Intelligence Wing are conducting parallel investigations in this case.
400 mobile numbers under scanner
According to the latest information, around 400 mobile phone numbers are under the police’s scanner. From the data generated from the mobile towers in a 3-km area near Sarhali PS, the police got the details of 400 mobile numbers that were active one hour before and after the attack. These mobile phones were active near the police station. As of now, the police are tracking the timing and movements of these numbers while investigating the mobile data.
In addition to this, according to sources, three vehicles – two bicycles and a car were recovered by the police in connection with the RPG attack. These vehicles are suspected to be used in the attack and now the police are investigating more details. Sources further informed that police will grill gangsters in Punjab jail who are said to be in touch with Gangster Satpreet Satta, an associate of Khalistani terrorist Harvinder Rinda.
Sikhs For Justice issues another warning
After claiming responsibility for the terror attack on the police station, the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) issued a warning to the Punjab Police. In his threatening message, SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun warned that raising the walls of police stations will not stop RPG attacks and the only solution is a “Khalistani referendum”.
Notably, on Saturday, the Khalistani outfit claimed responsibility for the attack and warned that it would carry out several such attacks in the coming days.
It is pertinent to mention that the police are investigating from all angles and have also informed central agencies – National Investigation Agency (NIA), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) about the terror attack.
