KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
Three accomplices of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) operative Arshdeep Singh, alias Arsh Dala, an aide of KTF’s Canada-based chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, were arrested with two hand-grenades and two pistols from Chogawan village in Moga district on Friday.
They had planned to attack a church in Moga to disturb the law and order situation, police said.
The accused have been identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, of Shadiwala village, Varinder Singh, alias Vinda, of Makhu and Baljeet Singh of Fatehgarh Panjtoor village in Moga district.
A senior police official said, “The accused had done a recce of a church and planned a grenade attack on it. However, we caught them and averted the attack.”
Moga
senior superintendent of police Charanjeet Singh Sohal said, “First the accused
tried to run over the police team with their vehicle when they were intercepted
and then they tried to throw grenades at them. They also pointed pistols at the
police personnel. However, the police managed to catch them.”
A
.9mm pistol, a magazine and six cartridges were recovered from Gurpreet Singh,
while a .9mm pistol, two magazines and 12 cartridges were found with Varinder
Singh and two hand-grenades were recovered from Baljeet Singh.
“During interrogation, they said that they were in regular touch with Arsh Dala, who provided them the grenades to throw at a religious place. He had also given them money for this task,” the SSP said.
According to the police, Dala along with KTF’s Canada-based chief Nijjar is a co-conspirator behind the targeted killings in Punjab, including the murder of a dera follower and firing on a priest in Nijjar’s village. Besides, he was the prime accused in the murder of gangster Sukha Lamme and a trader in Moga. At present, he is hiding in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
Days
before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Firozpur in Punjab to lay the foundation
stone of multiple development projects worth Rs 42,750 crore, Pro- Khalistan outfit
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) had called upon the people to protest his visit, top
sources in the intelligence establishment informed UNI.
In
a video released by the outfit's Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who calls himself
'General Counsel to SFJ', he was seen aggressively calling upon the people of
Punjab to hold, what it called "Show da Shoe" protest on January 5.
Source: http://www.uniindia.com/pm-security-breach-pro-khalistan-outfit-sfj-calls-for-protests-prior-to-pm-s-visit/india/news/2612628.html
Mere days into 2022, it is learnt that Pakistan has sought to infiltrate India through the Kartarpur Corridor route. According to intelligence sources, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had given the responsibility for the same to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
It has also been learnt that the terror organisation is preparing to carry out the operation with five individuals who will be dressed in Sikh attire. As per sources, this infiltration attempt is likely to be made in the near future. The ISI - Pakistan's premier intelligence agency - is expected to provide all documents and facilities to enable the same.
The
group has been given two weeks of commando training under ISI supervision in a
terror camp in Sakargarh and are associated with the LeT Tanzeem outfit. The
source also named two people from the group as Mohd Gulzar Maghre and Mohd
Sahjada Bande. They have been instructed to go to Gurdaspur and Pathankot in
Punjab.
Inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2019, the visa-free 4.7-kilometre stretch connects India to Pakistan. The Kartarur Corridor links the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib (the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev) to the Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Gurdaspur district of Punjab. The corridor had been reopened on November 17 last year after remaining shut amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Border Security Force (BSF), Punjab Frontier had successfully killed 6 Pakistani smugglers and intruders in the past year. The force also captured one Pakistan drone and seized over 484 kg of heroin from the 553 km stretch of Indo Pak international border in Punjab during 2021.
Giving details to Zee News on Monday, a spokesperson of the BSF, Punjab Frontier, informed that though the Indo Pak international border in Punjab was challenging and tough yet they had been able to thwart the cross border smuggling, intrusion etc. attempts.
“During the year 2021, BSF troops of Punjab Frontier have maintained a high level of alertness and vigil which resulted in successfully detected and captured 1 Pak drone and seizing of 484.505 kgs heroin, 58 different calibre weapons, 3322 rounds,” said the spokesperson adding that the troops had also been successful in killing 6 Pak smugglers and intruder.
Giving further details, the spokesperson informed that they had also apprehended 16 Pak nationals and 1 Bangladeshi national in different incidents across the 553 km stretch of Indo Pak international border.
While talking bout displaying the humanitarian approach of the force, the spokespersons informed that their troops had handed over 14 Pak nationals to Pakistan Rangers who had inadvertently entered India after crossing the Indo Pak international border.
“Despite many challenges including inclement weather conditions and smuggling, valiant BSF jawans are guarding the borders round the clock with utmost dedication and unflinching spirit” said the spokesperson.
In the true spirit of “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’, the spokesperson informed that to assist the border farmers and for speedy disposal of their problems, meetings with the farmers were held by respective Company Commanders, Commandants and DIGs during which their problems were solved on the spot.
“It is ensured that adequate publicity of these meetings is done so that maximum farmers are able to take part in these meetings,” said the BSF Punjab Frontier spokesperson.
Being a border guarding force, the BSF also looks after the populace residing in bordering areas and for their well-being, the force conducts various civic action programs.
“We have been holding free medical camps, sports tournaments, cultural activities and also efforts are made to help the needy people of bordering area’s in Punjab,” said the spokesperson adding that in addition, a campaign about awareness and preventive measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus and sanitization drives were also organized.
Stating that BSF had also celebrated the functions including ‘Aazadi Ka Amrit Mohtsav’, ‘International Yoga Day’, ‘Children’s Day, ‘Police Commemoration Day’, ‘Run for Unity and campaign of ‘Fit India Run’ and ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan (Clean India Mission)’, the spokespersons informed Zee News that many initiatives were taken to improve basic infrastructure at the grass-root level to provide maximum facilities to jawans in Punjab Frontier.
In the wake of intelligence inputs that Khalistani elements may carry out a terror attack in Mumbai on the eve of New Year, the city police have beefed up security at prominent railway stations and other public places, and also cancelled the weekly offs and holidays of its personnel so that its entire strength remains available for duty, officials said on Thursday.
"Police had received an input that Khalistani elements may carry out a terror attack in Mumbai on the eve of New Year," a police official said.
Hence, in order to maintain the law and order situation, police are on alert and will be keeping a strict vigil across the city on December 31. Considering the possibility of people gathering at prominent places like the Gateway of India and Marine Drive to ring in the New Year, a large number of personnel, will be deployed in the city, he said.
"We have canceled the weekly offs as well as holidays of the police personnel for 'bandobast' duty on Friday," he added.
In the wake of the emergence of the new Omicron variant of COVID-19 , the Mumbai Police have prohibited New Year celebrations and gatherings in any closed or open space, including hotels and restaurants. The orders were issued on Wednesday under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) Section 144 by Deputy Commissioner of Police (operations) S Chaitanya.
"Mumbai
police have prohibited all the new year gatherings and parties in closed and
open places, there is a possibility that people may gather in small groups of
not more than four persons," the official said.
In addition to the city police, the Government Railway Police (GRP) have also stepped up security at prominent railway stations considering the threat and anti-sabotage measures have been taken, another official said.
In a tweet, Quaiser Khalid, Commissioner GRP Mumbai said, "In view of the covid 19 situation we advise people to adhere to government directions on the issue."
"We @grpmumbai have deployed large manpower for checking, frisking & anti-sabotage measures at important Rly Stn. We will enforce laws firmly. We request people's cooperation," he added.
The National Investigation Agency has registered a case against banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) radical Jaswinder Singh Multani for his involvement in the December 23 Ludhiana court blast, and others for hatching a conspiracy to target Indian cities, people familiar with the developments said.
Multani, as reported by HT on December 28, was picked up by Federal Police from Erfurt in central Germany after the Narendra Modi-led government requested German authorities to arrest the pro-Khalistan radical who has links to Pakistan, and has been involved in smuggling of arms and ammunition from across the border into Punjab.
According
to the central agency’s first information report (FIR) filed on Thursday, the
45-year-old has been booked under sections related to criminal conspiracy and
waging war against India, among others, of the Unlawful Activities Prevention
Act, the people cited above said on condition of anonymity.
On December 23, one person was killed and six others were injured after a bomb went off in the district court’s complex in Ludhiana, triggering a high alert in the state. Police said the deceased was the alleged bomber and dismissed head constable Gagandeep Singh.
Preliminary probe revealed that 1.5 kg of explosives were assembled in a plastic container to carry out the blast in the court premises.
Previously a resident of Hoshiarpur in Punjab, Multani is a close associate of SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, and is involved in separatist activities, an official had said earlier.
He recently showed up on security agencies’ radar for arranging and sending weapons consignments comprising explosives, hand grenades and pistols from across the border with the help of Pakistan-based operatives. He was planning to carry out terrorist activities in Punjab by using the smuggled consignments, the official cited above added.
Probe agencies are also analysing the call detail records from Singh’s phones.
Multani is already under investigation for terror-related incidents in Punjab this year. Two cases were registered against him by Punjab Police this year – one in SAS Nagar and the other in Amritsar. One of the cases pertain to an alleged plot to kill Bharatiya Kisan Union president Balbir Singh Rajewal and spread unrest.
Likewise, Pannun, US-based leader of SFJ, is also under investigation in connection with multiple cases pertaining to radicalisation of Sikh youth. He has already been declared as an “individual terrorist” under the fourth schedule of UAPA and his properties in Punjab have been attached.
A chargesheet filed by the NIA in December last year against Pannun, UK-based Paramjit Singh Pamma and Canada-based Hardeep Singh Nijjar said the banned SFJ outfit, floated in the garb of ‘Human Rights advocacy group’ with its offices in various foreign countries like the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia, is a frontal organisation of Khalistan terrorist outfits operating from foreign soils, including Pakistan.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Saturday spoke about the presence of pro-Khalistan elements in the state. He said that during polls, such elements remain active. CM Channi said that the person involved in the Ludhiana blast was identified, stating that there are indications towards big fish involved in drugs.
Addressing a press conference, CM Channi said, "Every time during elections, such elements remain active. In the Ludhiana blast case, the person was identified. Indications towards Big fishes of drugs. SFJ (Sikh For Justice) remain speaking several times but in Punjab no such impact. We are maintaining a law and order situation in Punjab."
Recently, a prominent member of the designated terrorist group Sikh For Justice (SFJ) Jaswinder Singh Multani, who is allegedly linked to the explosion at the Ludhiana Court complex, was held in Germany. According to police, the names of two suspects residing in Pakistan and Germany had emerged.
A bomb blast had occurred at the Ludhiana district court complex on December 23, killing one and injuring two others. The deceased was identified as dismissed Punjab Police personnel Gagandeep Singh, the accused in the case.
CM
Channi attacks BJP for pressurising Governor
During his address, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly putting pressure on Punjab governor Banwarilal Purohit for not clearing job files of 36,000 contractual employees for regular jobs. "We will again try to meet the governor to clear the regular jobs file. If required we will stage a protest against the governor," Channi said.
Punjab CM Channi also stated that his government solved the Kapurthala case within 48 hours. "In Golden temple case, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SPGC) is investigating the first. We will investigate later," he said.
In the 2015 sacrilege incident, the CM said that the state government is trying to interrogate Gurmeet Ram Rahim.
"We are trying to take custodial interrogation of Gurmeet Ram Rahim. Sukhbir Badal’s role in sacrilege is visible but we are trying to make it evident," he said.
The Moga police today arrested notorious gangster Hardeep Singh, alias Suraj Raunta, an accomplice of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) operative Arshdeep Singh, alias Arsh Dala.
The police recovered a Toyota Fortuner, three weapons, including a.315 bore pistol, a .32 bore pistol and a .32 bore revolver, along with live cartridges from his possession.
SSP Harmanbir Singh Gill said following inputs from three persons arrested by the Samalsar police, the cops arrested Raunta.
Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/ktf-operatives-aide-held-in-moga-271716
Over a month after the BSF recovered arms and ammunition dropped by a Pakistani drone in Jammu, another Pakistani drone was noticed in Dera Baba Nanak of Punjab’s Gurdaspur district on Friday, said BSF sources.
According to sources, the drone was noticed by BSF troops at around 4:30 am today. BSF fired upon the drone near BOP Aabad after which the Pakistani drone went back, they said. They further stated that a search operation has been launched in the area.
“Today around 4:30 am, a Pakistani drone was noticed in Dera Baba Nanak area by BSF troops. BSF fired upon the drone near BOP Aabad After which the Pakistani drone went back. BSF has started search operation in the area,” BSF sources said.
This comes after the Border Security Force (BSF) on May 14, recovered an AK-47 rifle, a 9-mm pistol with a magazine and 15 rounds dropped by a Pakistani drone in the Samba sector of Jammu.
“On specific information of BSF regarding the crossing of arms/ammunition through drone from Samba border area. As per input, BSF troops carried out a search operation in the general area of the Samba sector on May 14. At about 11.30 am, BSF troops recovered a wrapped item with a yellow colour polythene bag in a field. After taking all precautionary measures, troops opened the wrapped packet and found an AK-47, a pistol, a magazine, 15 rounds of 9 mm, a wooden frame (used to attach the payload with a drone) and the wrapping material. The site was around 250 metre from the international border inside the Indian Territory,” read a BSF statement.
Earlier on April 24, BSF troops in Arnia sector of Jammu district in Jammu and Kashmir had foiled a drone intrusion bid by Pakistan on the International Border by firing upon two drones/UAVs that they observed entering from Pakistan side and compelled them to retreat.
An official statement issued by the BSF had said, “Today alert BSF troops in Arnia Sector foiled drone intrusion bid by Pakistan on International Border. During the early morning hours today, two drones/UAV were observed entering from Pakistan side and immediately fired upon by vigilant BSF troops which compelled it to retreat to Pakistan territory.”
The BSF had stated that the drone intrusion bid foiled by BSF Jammu troops was indicative of alertness and swift retaliatory action by BSF on a drone intrusion from the Pakistan side.
Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/pakistani-drone-noticed-by-bsf-in-punjabs-dera-baba-nanak-270351
A sessions court on Thursday rejected the temporary bail application of Sunderlal Parashar, 64, retired police officer of Delhi Police, an accused in the Khalistani conspiracy case.
Parashar, accused by the NIA of providing arms to an alleged member Mohinuddin Siddiqui of a pro-Khalistani group, was arrested on 24 April 2019.
In his plea filed from jail, Parashar had claimed temporary bail on the grounds of the High Power Committee’s (HPC) recommendations last year for release of prisoners for decongestion of prisons during the pandemic.
He had cited his age and several health ailments which made him susceptible to the virus in the jail’s crowded conditions. His advocate had also pointed out to the court that the third wave of the pandemic is expected soon.
The NIA had opposed his plea stating that he is not eligible for the relief as he is charged under serious offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The court in its order said that the applicant wants to take benefit of the HPC guidelines, but in the notification offences under special Acts such as MCOCA, TADA, UAPA are excluded from the relief.
It said further that allegations are levelled against the applicant for hatching conspiracy of providing arms to an accused, who then supplied the same to the accused No.1, a member of banned organization. It noted that the main offences are under the UAPA. The court further said that last year, he had filed two interim bail pleas that were rejected in June and July respectively on the ground that the recommendations of the HPC are not applicable to him and that again on the same grounds, he has filed the plea. The court said finally that even though he is over 60 years he is not entitled for the relief.