Chandigarh: A Pakistan-based militant, hand picked by the ISI to head terror outfit 'Bhinderanwale Tiger Force of Khalistan', has been arrested on the outskirts of Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, a senior police officer said in Chandigarh on Thursday.
Rattandeep Singh was arrested on Wednesday, police said, adding that he was conspiring to carry out attacks during the upcoming festival season.
Punjab Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Manmohan Singh, said that the arrested militant was produced in a court in Amritsar on Thursday.
According to the officer, a 19-member Punjab police team from Amritsar was dispatched to Gorakhpur on September 14 and with the help of UP police they carried out the operation.
"Initially, Singh was a top operative of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF). Later he joined hands with the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and became the operational head of the outfit," he said.
The ISI had picked up Rattandeep to head the BTFK, he said.
The intended target is already having personal protection provided by the Punjab police, he said without divulging his name.
"He was the kingpin of a group of militants who had planted explosives in a vehicle in Amritsar near Circuit House in May 2010. He had smuggled in the consignment of explosives from across the border," the AIGP said.
Rattandeep belongs to Rohar village of Jind district in Haryana, the AIGP said.
He underwent arms training twice in August 1993 and in June 1994 in a camp in hilly terrain about 45 kms from Islamabad, the AIGP said.
Earlier, Rattandeep was arrested by the police on May 9, 1996 while sneaking into India through the Samba Sector.
But he escaped in 1999 and masterminded the bomb blast at Sector 34 in Chandigarh on June 30, 1999.
Rattandeep Singh was arrested on Wednesday, police said, adding that he was conspiring to carry out attacks during the upcoming festival season.
Punjab Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Manmohan Singh, said that the arrested militant was produced in a court in Amritsar on Thursday.
According to the officer, a 19-member Punjab police team from Amritsar was dispatched to Gorakhpur on September 14 and with the help of UP police they carried out the operation.
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"Initially, Singh was a top operative of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF). Later he joined hands with the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and became the operational head of the outfit," he said.
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The ISI had picked up Rattandeep to head the BTFK, he said.
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The intended target is already having personal protection provided by the Punjab police, he said without divulging his name.
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"He was the kingpin of a group of militants who had planted explosives in a vehicle in Amritsar near Circuit House in May 2010. He had smuggled in the consignment of explosives from across the border," the AIGP said.
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Rattandeep belongs to Rohar village of Jind district in Haryana, the AIGP said.
He underwent arms training twice in August 1993 and in June 1994 in a camp in hilly terrain about 45 kms from Islamabad, the AIGP said.
Earlier, Rattandeep was arrested by the police on May 9, 1996 while sneaking into India through the Samba Sector.
But he escaped in 1999 and masterminded the bomb blast at Sector 34 in Chandigarh on June 30, 1999.
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