Police claim ISI contract used romance, money to recruit woman
NEW DELHI — A woman and a man from Punjab, both Hindus in their early 20s, have been arrested in connection with an explosion on a railway track in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district on November 3. Investigators now say the blast was allegedly masterminded by a Pakistan-based handler, with a suspected link to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
In a major update on Sunday, Rajasthan Police held a press conference disclosing the alleged conspiracy, payments, and three attempts to carry out the blast.
The accused have been identified as Mahakdeep Kaur, 21, and Devendra Singh, 22. Both are residents of Chauda Kalan village, Gurdaspur district in Punjab.
Police at the press conference said two foreign-made pistols, 46 live cartridges and Rs 30,000 in cash were recovered. Some early reports listed 40 cartridges, and one report listed Rs 46,000.
They were arrested in Gurdaspur in a joint operation by the Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), Sri Ganganagar Police, and Punjab Counter Intelligence/Punjab Police.
The operation was conducted under the leadership of ATS Additional Director General (ADG) Dinesh MN, with field roles played by IPS officer Nitin Chaudhary, who is leading the investigation, and ATS Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Manish Sharma. Bikaner Range IG Om Prakash Meghwal and Sri Ganganagar SP Harishankar also disclosed details at the press conference.
Both accused have been brought to Rajasthan and will be produced before a court and taken on remand for further interrogation to identify other members of the network and establish links with Pakistan-based handlers.
The ‘Chacha’ and ‘Shah’ Link
Investigators suspect the two were acting on instructions from Pakistan-based handlers identified as “Chacha” and “Shah”.
According to the probe, the conspiracy was allegedly masterminded by a Pakistan-based ISI handler identified as Shah. The handler allegedly used a romantic relationship to recruit Mahakdeep Kaur. He allegedly provided the target location, funding and instructions for executing the attack.
The primary objective, police said, was to spread terror/panic across Rajasthan, particularly in Sri Ganganagar.
Police said this pattern — romantic conversations plus money — has become frequent with the ISI. Investigators cited a similar alleged method used to entrap a woman named Babita, a resident of Ganganagar.
According to ADGP Dinesh M N, Mahakdeep Kaur had married around two years ago, but her marriage ended in December 2024. In February 2025, her husband, Karanveer Singh, was jailed in an NDPS (drugs) case. Subsequently, Karanveer allegedly re-established contact with her and asked her to communicate with a Pakistan-based person named Lovely, who would provide money to be delivered to him in jail.
Lovely later introduced her to another person identified as Shah. Gradually, conversations between Mahakdeep and Shah developed into a romantic relationship, and she became emotionally attached to him.
The Pakistani handler allegedly exploited this relationship to recruit her for the railway blast and assign her targets.
An NDTV report said Kaur was living separately from her husband, who is currently in jail on charges related to drug trafficking.
Money Allegedly Paid
Police said the accused were allegedly paid Rs 2.23 lakh for executing the operation. The payout included Rs 1 lakh in cash, and the remaining amount was transferred to their bank accounts.
Investigators are examining suspected financial transfers from Pakistan. It is also reported that Shah allegedly transferred funds directly into Kaur’s bank account to finance the plot.
Three Attempts
Investigators say Kaur and Singh travelled from Punjab to Sri Ganganagar thrice. They visited the Ramsinghpur area on October 6, but their first attempt failed because explosives were not available. They returned with explosives and a timer on October 12 or 13, but a technical malfunction prevented the blast. Then on November 3, following further instructions from Pakistan, they allegedly succeeded in triggering the explosion near 50 GB village.
Investigators are also examining whether the accused had surveyed the railway stretch before the explosion and whether a train was the intended target.
Police have also detained three other suspects and are investigating whether they provided logistical support. The owner of a hotel where the accused reportedly stayed is also suspected of being involved. Police said the three are suspected of helping by providing accommodation, a motorcycle and transport to the crime scene.
Recovery of Weapons, Cash
Two firearms/pistols, 46 cartridges and Rs 30,000 were reportedly recovered during the operation, according to Sunday’s press conference. Investigators are examining the possible use of an improvised explosive device (IED).
The blast took place around 9.45 pm on November 3 on the Anupgarh-Suratgarh railway line near 50 GB village in Sri Ganganagar district, in the Ramsinghpur area.
The explosion damaged two cement and steel sleepers beneath the tracks and the rails. It created a crater approximately two-and-a-half feet deep — some reports put it at 2 to 3 feet — between the rails
No Casualties
Villagers in nearby settlements heard the explosion and alerted the police and railway authorities. Train movement on the section was suspended as a precaution, resulting in the cancellation of several services.
A passenger train travelling on the route — the Anupgarh-Suratgarh passenger train — had reportedly passed through the stretch around 75 minutes before the explosion. Investigators are examining whether the track was deliberately targeted to cause a major train accident.
Train services resumed on November 5 after repair work and safety inspections, North Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Amit Sudarshan confirmed.
Technical Probe Led Police to Punjab
Following a complaint by the Railways against unidentified persons, Ramsinghpur police registered a case and launched an investigation.
Bikaner Range Inspector General of Police Om Prakash Meghwal said investigators analysed mobile phone numbers active near the blast site around the time of the explosion. Police also examined CCTV footage from Ramsinghpur and nearby villages, tracking the movements of suspected individuals and vehicles before and after the incident.
The latest update adds scale to that probe: Investigators analysed nearly five lakh (500,000) call records and
questioned more than 400 people. They also examined suspected Pakistan-linked smugglers and their local contacts
Based on technical evidence and other leads, the investigation led police to Gurdaspur.
Dinesh M N said inputs from central agencies received three days ago led ATS teams to Punjab. On Saturday, IG Om Prakash had said investigators had identified a possible local connection, acknowledged inputs from the Central Intelligence Bureau and other agencies, and expected to solve the case soon.
Sri Ganganagar SP Harishankar clarified that investigators have so far found no link between this railway blast and the 7.5 kg of RDX recently seized in the border region.
Police say further revelations regarding cross-border funding and the handler network are expected as ATS interrogation progresses. The accused are being questioned to establish the circumstances surrounding the explosion, identify their alleged handlers, and ascertain the involvement of others in the suspected network.
