Two people, including a 21-year-old woman, have been arrested in Punjab in connection with the blast on a railway track in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district. Police said the case has links to Pakistan, with the woman allegedly in contact with 2 handlers based across the border who persuaded her to carry out the explosion.
The accused have been identified as Mahakdeep Kaur, 21, and Davinder Singh, 22. They were apprehended in a joint operation involving the Rajasthan Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), Sri Ganganagar Police and Punjab Police.
Pakistan-based handlers allegedly lured woman
According to the police, Mahakdeep was in touch with 2 handlers known as 'Chacha' and 'Shah'. They allegedly drew her in through romantic conversations and financial assistance. Investigators suspect the woman was paid to execute the blast on the railway track.
Police said the method resembled an earlier case involving Babita, a woman from Ganganagar, who was allegedly targeted in a similar manner by the ISI. Mahakdeep was living separately from her husband, who is currently in jail in connection with drug trafficking charges.
Investigators said Pakistan's intelligence agency has allegedly been targeting vulnerable women, particularly those living alone, by building personal relationships and offering money.
Weapons and ammunition recovered
During the operation, police recovered 2 weapons, 46 cartridges and Rs 30,000 from the woman. Three other people have also been taken into custody for allegedly helping the accused. They are suspected of arranging accommodation, a motorcycle and transport to the site of the explosion.
The operation was coordinated by Additional Director General of Rajasthan Police Dinesh MN, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ganganagar Nitin Chaudhary, ASP ATS Manish Sharma and Surendra Singh, along with Gurdaspur Superintendent of Police Aditya.
Blast damaged railway track near Ramsinghpur
The explosion took place at around 9.45 pm on November 3 on a railway track near Ramsinghpur in Sri Ganganagar district. The blast shattered 2 railway sleepers, damaged the track and left a crater around 2.5 feet deep.
An Anupgarh-Suratgarh passenger train had travelled along the same track around 75 minutes before the explosion. Police are continuing their investigation into the case and the alleged involvement of the arrested individuals and their associates.