India, May 28 -- A suspected operative of the banned terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) was killed in a powerful explosion while attempting to retrieve a buried explosive near Naushehra village along the Amritsar-Majitha road on Tuesday morning.

The deceased was identified as Nitin Kumar (35) and a resident of Vikas Nagar in Amritsar's Chheharta area, said Amritsar rural senior superintendent of police (SSP) Maninder Singh.

According to officials, Nitin had allegedly buried the explosive at a vacant area, located just outside an orchard near the busy road, and returned around 9.30am to retrieve it. However, the device detonated while he was handling it, severely injuring him.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing a deafening blast,...