Ludhiana Police on Thursday evening foiled an alleged terror plot after an encounter near the Ladowal toll plaza left two suspected terrorists injured, one of them critically. The exchange of fire took place on the Delhi–Amritsar National Highway after police teams moved in on inputs suggesting the presence of men linked to a Pakistan-backed module.
The operation followed the arrest of two individuals from Haryana and Bihar a day earlier, from whom hand grenades were recovered. Their interrogation reportedly revealed the movement of their associates towards Ludhiana, prompting the police to lay an ambush near the toll point.
When the suspects were intercepted, they allegedly opened fire. Police retaliated, injuring both. One of the men was first taken to a private hospital and later shifted to the civil hospital due to his critical condition.
From the encounter site, officers recovered two hand grenades, four pistols, and more than 50 cartridges, indicating that the group was heavily armed and preparing for a major strike.
Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma reached the spot soon after the encounter and said the group appeared to be linked to an ISI-backed module. He added that while preliminary information points to a larger conspiracy, further details cannot be shared at this stage as the investigation continues.