The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against four accused in connection with the grenade attack on the residence of former Punjab Minister Manoranjan Kalia in Jalandhar earlier this year. The agency has alleged that the accused were part of a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)-linked module that aimed to spread terror in Punjab and raise funds through extortion.
The chargesheet names two arrested suspects — Saidul Ameen of Amroha in Uttar Pradesh and Abhijot Jangra of Kurukshetra in Haryana — and two absconding accused, identified as Kulbir Singh Sidhu of Yamunanagar and Manish alias Kaka Rana of Karnal, both from Haryana. All four have been booked under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Explosive Substances Act in case number RC-11/2025/NIA/DLI.
The grenade attack took place on the night of April 7, 2025, at the Jalandhar residence of Kalia, who is a former BJP minister in the Punjab government. The NIA took over the probe on April 12, days after the incident, to uncover the wider network behind the attack.
According to the NIA, Kulbir Singh, an operative of the proscribed terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), conspired with his associate Manish to form a terror gang that specifically targeted prominent political and social leaders in Punjab. Their objective was to create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity while raising funds for BKI through extortion.
The investigation revealed that Manish subsequently recruited Saidul Ameen to execute the grenade attack. Saidul allegedly hurled the grenade on the night of the incident, which had been supplied by Kulbir Singh. The NIA further stated that Abhijot provided the funds required for the attack.
Following the attack, Kulbir Singh reportedly circulated a poster claiming responsibility for the incident and boasting about hatching the conspiracy with Manish. The agency has also revealed that Kulbir carries a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, and a Red Corner Notice has been issued for his arrest. He is also a key accused in another NIA case — RC-06/2024/NIA/DLI — related to the targeted killing of VHP leader Vikas Prabhakar in April 2024.
The NIA said it has intensified its efforts to track down the absconding accused and identify other members of the BKI network operating in India. “The agency continues to work on dismantling the terror infrastructure and financing mechanisms being used by BKI and its associates to carry out attacks in the country,” an official statement said.
