On November 29, 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary charge sheet against two accused in the Jalalabad bomb explosion case, in Fazilka, Punjab. The explosion took place on September 15, 2021.
The two accused namely, Surat Singh Surti and Gurucharan Singh Channa have been chargesheeted under Sections 3, 4, 5 & 6 of the Explosive Substances Act 1908, Section 16 (Terrorist Act), 17 (Raising funds for the terrorist act), 18 (Conspiracy), 18B (Recruiting persons for the terrorist act), 20 (member of the terrorist gang), 38 (offences relating to membership of terrorist organization) and 39 (Supporting terrorist organization) of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, Section 21B, 27A, 29 (Punishment for abetment and criminal conspiracy) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 (NDPS) and Section 120B of Indian Penal Code.
As per the investigations, the accused were members of a terrorist organization/gang and were involved in the smuggling of drugs from Pakistan, the channelization of drug-generated funds after drug sales, and the use of these drug-related funds and proceeds for terror financing.
“The two accused also provided financial assistance to associated who were involved in the bomb explosion”, the federal agency’s press release read.
The case was initially registered at the City Jalalabad police station, Punjab, and later re-registered by NIA on October 1, 2021, the NIA press release read.
Earlier, in March, the NIA filed a charge sheet against six Khalistani terrorists, including two Pakistanis, for their alleged involvement in the case.
