Thailand    27-Oct-2014

Thailand Government issued a lookout notice for Jagtar Singh Tara, a top BKI militant, on India’s request. This is part of the Centre’s urgent crackdown on what is being termed as re-configuration and likely impetus to Punjab militancy with help from across the border. However, there is a bit of confusion on whether Tara is in Malaysia or Thailand, with sources pointing out that the border between the two countries is porous. A Thailand military Internal Security Operations Command Region (ISOC) official said border control units have been instructed to screen visitors and Tara’s photos were also posted on local police’s wanted list. The main town on the Thai-Malaysian border Su-ngai Kolok had been specifically alerted. For India, Tara will be an important catch as he is increasingly seen as being projected as the top leader of BKI by his Pakistan ISI handlers, replacing Wadhwa Singh with whom he has had a rift over the years. According to Indian security agencies, the ISI had always used Thailand as a terror hub, especially to channel FICN. In July, three Pakistani nationals were arrested near the Pakistan embassy in Bangkok with FICN worth INR 150000.

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