Punjab Police Trace IED Blast Links to International Extremist Network

The investigation into the recent IED blast on a railway track at Shambhu in Patiala district has led Punjab Police to a familiar name—US-based fugitive Surinder Singh Thikriwala, also known as ‘Baba’. Authorities have identified him as a key link in an international extremist network involving handlers based in Malaysia and operatives allegedly backed from Pakistan. Police officials have classified Thikriwala as a “Category-A” criminal and are working towards securing a Red Corner Notice to facilitate his extradition. According to investigators, he is believed to have played a crucial role in providing strategic guidance and financial support for a series of recent incidents, including the Shambhu railway blast. Following the April 27 explosion, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) and Patiala Police uncovered a pro-Khalistan module. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the module’s primary handler, identified as Malaysia-based operative Jujhar Singh, was in direct contact with Thikriwala in the United States. The probe also suggests that Thikriwala may have been involved in earlier incidents, including the Sirhind railway blast in January 2026 and a grenade attack on a CIA staff building in Moga in November 2025. In the Shambhu case, the main आरोपी, Jagroop Singh, reportedly died while planting the IED. Further suspicion has arisen after a major cache of weapons and explosives—including RPGs, RDX, sticky bombs, and Glock pistols—was recovered during a police raid in Tarn Taran. Officials believe Thikriwala may have facilitated logistical support behind these recoveries. Thikriwala’s history with law enforcement agencies in Punjab dates back over a decade. In 2013, he was identified as a key figure in efforts to revive militancy near Barnala. He was arrested in 2015 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly inciting targeted killings through social media but was later released on bail. By 2022, with over 15 criminal cases registered against him, he is believed to have fled the country. Investigators suspect he escaped via the “donkey route” and eventually entered the United States. Since then, he has allegedly been coordinating extremist modules in Punjab from abroad, including directing lone-wolf attacks and acts of sabotage. According to police sources, Thikriwala is also believed to be linked to SFJ (Sikhs for Justice) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and Pakistan-based extremist Ranjit Singh Neeta through an established network.