Three terrorists accused of launching a grenade attack on a police post in Punjab’s Gurdaspur were killed in a police encounter in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, according to sources. The gunfight occurred late at night when a joint team of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh police attempted to apprehend the suspects. The terrorists—identified as Gurwinder Singh, Virendra Singh, and Jasanpreet Singh—opened fire on the officers and were fatally injured in the ensuing exchange. Authorities recovered two AK-series rifles and two Glock pistols from the scene.

The Punjab Police confirmed that the three suspects were part of a Pakistan-backed Khalistan Zindabad Force terror module. “This module has been involved in grenade attacks on police establishments in Punjab’s border areas,” said Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). He also revealed that the encounter occurred in Pilibhit’s Puranpur jurisdiction and that investigations are ongoing to uncover the entire network.

Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar commended the operation, calling it a “daring effort” and a testament to strong coordination between Punjab and Uttar Pradesh police forces.

Punjab has witnessed a string of attacks on police establishments in recent days, raising concerns about Khalistani terrorism. Last week, a grenade was lobbed at the Bangar police post in Gurdaspur, while two blasts were reported at the Islamabad police station in Amritsar and outside the Bakshiwal police post in Gurdaspur. Although no injuries were reported, the incidents have heightened tensions.

An unverified social media post claimed that the Khalistan Zindabad Force was behind the attacks, though authorities are still verifying the claim.

Sources indicated that the terrorists had traveled to Pilibhit, approximately 750 kilometers from Gurdaspur, in search of a hideout within the region’s significant Sikh community. However, Uttar Pradesh police highlighted the locals’ full cooperation, which played a crucial role in tracking and neutralizing the suspects.