NIA Cracks Down On Khalistan-Linked Terror Operatives, Arrests Key Associate In Amritsar Temple Grenade Attack

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday arrested an important associate of two Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF)-linked terror operatives involved in a grenade attack on a temple in Punjab's Amritsar district earlier this year. Absconder Bhagwant Singh was nabbed on Wednesday from Akalgarh village in Amritsar, taking the total arrests in the case to four.

“The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an important associate of the two Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) linked terror operatives who had carried out a grenade attack on a temple in the Amritsar district of Punjab in March this year. Absconder Bhagwant Singh alias Manna Bhatti was nabbed yesterday from Akalgarh village in Amritsar, taking the total arrests in the case to four,” said NIA.

According to NIA probe, the attack was carried out by Gursidak Singh and Vishal, who had hurled a hand grenade at Thakur Dwara Sanatan Mandir in Amritsar. The attack was claimed by the proscribed terror organisation, KLF.

While Gursidak Singh was killed in a shootout with police following the temple attack, Vishal was arrested. Two other men, identified as Diwan Singh and Sahib Singh, were also arrested in the case.

According to the NIA investigation, Bhagwant, who had been absconding since the incident, had knowingly provided shelter to Gursidak and Vishal. The duo had stayed with Bhagwant during the planning of the terror attack and also thereafter. As per further investigations in the case RC-08/2025/NIA/DLI, Bhagwant Singh had even received terror funds in his bank account.

The probe body is continuing its probe in the case as part of its crackdown against KLF associates in India and the terror outfit’s foreign-based nodes.

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