21-year-old woman, associate arrested in Rajasthan train blast; Pak link suspected

A 21-year-old woman and her associate have been arrested in connection with the Sri Ganganagar railway track blast. Investigators suspect ISI operatives recruited her through a romantic relationship and are probing Pakistan-based links and funding.

In Short

• Mahakdeep Kaur and Devendra Singh were arrested in a joint operation
• Police recovered two weapons, 46 cartridges and Rs 30,000 from Mahakdeep
• Investigators identified Pakistan-based contacts using the code names Shah and Chacha

A 21-year-old woman has emerged as the main accused in the November 3 blast on a railway track in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district, with investigators suspecting that she was recruited by Pakistan-based handlers through a romantic relationship.

The latest findings have also brought attention to what security agencies describe as a possible new modus operandi being used by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to recruit women.

The woman, identified as Mahakdeep Kaur, was arrested along with 23-year-old Devendra Singh from Punjab's Gurdaspur district in a joint operation involving the Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Sri Ganganagar Police and Punjab Police.

According to investigators, Devendra accompanied Mahakdeep and assisted her in carrying out the operation.

WOMAN RECRUITED THROUGH ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP

Sources said Mahakdeep told investigators during questioning that she was in contact with two Pakistan-based individuals identified by the code names Shah and Chacha.

Rajasthan Police have said these names are code words used for ISI operatives. Investigators are examining the nature of the communication and the instructions allegedly given to the accused.

According to sources, Mahakdeep was drawn into the network after an ISI operative established a romantic relationship with her. She is separated from her husband, who is currently lodged in jail in a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Security agencies believe Pakistan-based handlers may be increasingly targeting women who are socially isolated or emotionally vulnerable. The suspected recruitment method involves establishing romantic relationships and offering money to persuade them to carry out activities for the handlers.

BABITA ARREST IN GANGAPUR CITY CASE

Investigators are examining whether the Sri Ganganagar case is part of a wider network operating through this method. A similar case had earlier come to light in Rajasthan's Gangapur City, where the ATS arrested a woman named Babita.

According to the information shared by investigators, she too had been drawn into contact with Pakistan-based operatives through a romantic relationship. Agencies are looking into whether the two cases point to a common recruitment pattern.

Rs 30,000, WEAPONS RECOVERED FROM ACCUSED

Police recovered two weapons and 46 cartridges from Mahakdeep's possession. Investigators also recovered Rs 30,000, which they suspect was given to her for carrying out the operation.

The Rajasthan Police and security agencies are now investigating the alleged Pakistan connection, the source of the funding and the network that facilitated the blast. They are also trying to establish the respective roles of the two arrested accused and identify other people who may have been involved in the conspiracy.

RAJASTHAN POLICE RELEASES STATEMENT

According to a Rajasthan ATS press note dated November 15, two people, identified as Mahakdeep Kaur and Devendra Singh, have been arrested in connection with the November 3 railway track blast in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district.

Investigators said Mahakdeep allegedly contacted Pakistan-based handlers after her husband was arrested in a drug trafficking case.

The ATS claimed the accused made multiple attempts to plant explosives on the railway track, with the blast finally occurring on November 3 at around 9.45 pm.

Police recovered two foreign-made pistols and 46 live cartridges from them. The investigation into their alleged links and funding is continuing.

ANUPGARH-BATHINDA TRAIN SUSPECTED TO BE TARGET

The explosion took place on November 3 near village 50 GB on the Anupgarh-Suratgarh railway line in Sri Ganganagar district. Investigators suspect that the intended target was the Anupgarh-Bathinda passenger train, which was scheduled to leave Anupgarh at around 6 am.

The blast occurred after a train travelling from Anupgarh towards Suratgarh had passed through the section. The explosion damaged two to three concrete sleepers beneath the railway track.

The force of the blast also exposed the iron reinforcement inside the sleepers and dislodged clips holding the railway tracks in place.

- Ends