In a significant development, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court has granted production warrants for two individuals accused of involvement in a grenade attack in Chandigarh’s Sector 10. The decision enables the NIA to take custody of the accused, who are currently housed in Model Jail, Sector 51.
The court, presided over by special NIA judge Alka Malik, responded to the NIA’s request to secure custody of Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih. They are scheduled to be presented before the court on February 25, where the duration of NIA custody will be determined.
The incident, which occurred on September 11, 2024, involved a hand grenade being thrown at a residential property in Sector 10-D. Initially handled by the Chandigarh and Punjab Police, the investigation was later transferred to the NIA to probe potential cross-border criminal connections.
Authorities have linked the attack to Harpreet Singh, also known as Happy Passia, a gangster-turned-terrorist now residing in the US, and Harwinder Singh Rinda, a Khalistani terrorist based in Pakistan. According to police reports, the attack targeted retired SP Jaskirat Singh Chahal, noted for his involvement in a controversial police action in 1986 at Nakodar that resulted in the deaths of four Sikh protesters.
Rohan and Vishal, both 19 years old and from economically challenged backgrounds, allegedly executed the attack after being recruited by Passia. Described as drug addicts and school dropouts, they were reportedly promised over ₹5 lakh and a pathway to Canada via Dubai upon successful completion of the operation.
To date, five individuals have been arrested in relation to this case, including Rohan, Vishal, Amarjit Singh, Akashdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Singh, the auto driver implicated in transporting the attackers.
