Pramesh S Jain
The National Investigation Agency NIA on Friday filed a chargesheet against two accused in a cross-border terror conspiracy involving the alleged smuggling of an Improvised Explosive Device IED,firearm and heroin across the India-Pakistan border for use in planned attacks in India.
The chargesheet,filed before the NIA Special Court in Mohali,names Shubham Kumar,who has been arrested, and Jasvir Chaudhary,who remains absconding.
The accused have been charged under relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita,Explosive Substances Act, Arms Act,Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and the Railways Act.
The case was initially registered in February 2026 by the State Special Operations Cell SSOC,Amritsar,following the arrest of Kumar.
He was found in possession of a live IED packed in a metallic case,a remote-control device, a foreign-made .30 bore pistol with magazine,20 live cartridges,a mobile phone and heroin.
The NIA took over the investigation in March 2026 and later exposed the existence of a conspiracy involving a Pakistan-based handler and his associates in India to procure arms,explosives and narcotics through cross-border channels.
Investigators have further revealed that Kumar was assigned the task of planting a timer-activated IED on a passenger train with the intent of causing casualties.
The broader conspiracy, according to the agency, envisaged attacks at multiple locations,including Punjab and Delhi,aimed at causing loss of life and property and disturbing public peace and threatening national security.
The agency stated that the investigation has led to the collection of substantial oral,documentary and digital evidence supporting the alleged conspiracy and the roles of the accused.The chargesheet has been filed within the statutory time period.
The NIA further stated that the investigation is continuing to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged cross-border terror network,including Pakistan-based handlers and their associates.
It is also examining the channels used for the movement of explosives,weapons and narcotics across the international border.
