The DGP said the suspects had confessed to being in touch with ISYF (Rode) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode and his aides Sukhmeetpal Singh alias Sukh Bhikhariwal and Sukhpreet alias Sukh. “The entire cache of seized hand grenades, arms and ammunition were pushed in from across the international border by Rode. The arrested accused were tasked with attacking identified targets, mainly police and defence establishments, besides religious,” Bhawra said.

The police also claimed to have confirmed Rode’s role in the killing of Shaurya Chakra awardee Comrade Balwinder Singh at Bhikhiwind on October 16, 2020, and hoarding IEDs, RDX, arms and ammunition at his relative Gurmukh Singh Rode's Jalandhar premises. The explosives and arms were confiscated in August last year.

His aide Bhikhariwal, who is presently lodged in Tihar jail, was involved in the murderous attack on Shiv Sena youth leader Honey Mahajan at Dhariwal on February 10, 2020. He was deported from Dubai in December that year.

Nawanshahr SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said the police registered an FIR on January 7 under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Explosive Substances Act and the Arms Act in connection with the Pathankot attacks.

(With inputs from agencies)