In a significant breakthrough, three members of the Pakistan-sponsored Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) were killed in an encounter with a joint team of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh police in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday. The accused—Gurvinder Singh (25), Virender Singh alias Ravi (23), and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh (18)—were allegedly involved in a grenade attack on a police checkpoint in Gurdaspur, Punjab. The encounter occurred in the Puranpur area, and two AK-47 rifles, two Glock pistols, and a large cache of ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

According to Amitabh Yash, Additional Director General (Law and Order) of Uttar Pradesh Police, the trio sustained serious injuries during the operation and was rushed to CHC Puranpur for treatment but succumbed shortly after. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav praised the operation, calling it a significant step in dismantling the terror module linked to recent grenade attacks in Punjab’s border areas. The suspects had opened fire at the police during the encounter, which was part of an investigation into a larger KZF network operating with suspected support from Pakistan.

The joint operation highlights increasing coordination between state police forces to combat cross-border terrorism. The DGP confirmed ongoing investigations to uncover additional members of the module and its wider operations. He assured the public that the authorities remain committed to securing peace in Punjab and neighboring states, emphasizing the importance of inter-state collaboration in counter-terrorism efforts.