Police in the northern Indian state of Punjab have arrested a Canadian permanent resident after allegedly seizing two hand grenades near a stadium in Faridkot.

The suspect, identified as Navjot Singh, also known as Nav, was taken into custody by the Punjab Police Counter Intelligence Wing’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) just five days after returning to India from Canada.

Investigators allege Singh has links to Pakistan-based terrorist modules and retrieved an explosives consignment delivered across the border via drone to disrupt peace in the region.

Police have charged Singh under the Explosive Substances Act and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) at the SSOC police station in Fazilka.

However, the suspect's father, Suba Singh, disputed the police narrative regarding the arrest. He claimed his son arrived in India on Sept. 12 and that the two were together on Thursday evening to pick up a courier delivery at Sadiq Chowk when officers detained them both. He said police released him later that night while keeping his son in custody.

Police said questioning remains ongoing to map out the network and identify potential targets ahead of an upcoming religious event.