NIA’s crackdown on Khalistan Tiger Force, raids in Punjab and Haryana

In a major crackdown against banned terrorist group Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has today carried out raids at nine locations in Punjab and one in Haryana. The raids conducted on the Operation Blue Star Anniversary comes sends out a clear message of zero tolerance to Khalistani forces that have been getting more active in last one year.

Raids are part of an investigation into a criminal plot involving fundraising for the terror outfit and smuggling of arms, ammunition, and explosives across the border. Highly placed sources revealed that the organisation was involved in cross border smuggling of arms and drugs was also running a high profile extortion racket for raising funds for the banned outfit. The raids are reportedly in connection with this racket.  The sources claim that raids are being conducted in Abohar and Muktsar districts and a prominent toy manufacturer of Muktsar is being questioned along with a drug trader in Kaithal. Sources claimed that NIA had found suspicious activity in accounts of trader and his brother linking it to terror outfit.

NIA had registered a suo moto case on August 20 last year against KTF under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. It then went on to arrest two wanted criminals Amritpal Singh alias Ammy and Amrit Singh hailing from Punjab at the Indira Gandhi International Airport while they were returning from the Philippines. The individuals were deported from Manila before their arrest by the NIA.

The duo were alleged to be close associates of Canada based designated terrorist Arshdeep Dalla and KTF.

The investigations revealed that the accused worked in association with another notorious wanted accused Manpreet Singh alias Peeta and were actively involved in smuggling weapons from Pakistan and recruitment of youth to carry out acts of violence and terror in the country at the behest of the KTF.  They were leading the extortion racket which was a key fundraiser. The trio would identify extortion targets, including businessmen, and then threaten them into parting with huge amounts. In case the identified targets refused, their homes and other premises would be fired at by the India based associates of the accused. Hardeep Singh Nijer, who hails from Phillaur in Jalandhar, is currently leading KTF and residing in Canada. NIA has already declared him a fugitive terrorist and declared a cash reward of 10 Lakhs for killing a Hindu priest in Jalandhar. Investigations reveal that KTF is currently planning targeted killings across the state to promote his secessionist and violent agenda.

The crackdown on KTF comes at a crucial timing when similar Khalistani terror outfits are being targeted across the world. The movement has already lost its crucial pillars the attest being Khalistan Commando Force’s chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar. Panjwar was gunned down near his residence in Pakistan’s Lahore in May this year and was a declared designated terrorist. Prior to him chief of Khalistani liberation Force Harmeet Singh alias PHD was gunned down in similar fashion in Lahore.

NIA had in May launched a countrywide crack down on Narco gangster terror links.