Police arrest 3 for pro-Khalistan activities in Punjab

Gurgaon: The Sonepat police have caught three men who allegedly worked for pro-Khalistani outfits, unleashing terror in Punjab and other areas. They claimed that the arrestees involved in targeted killings in Punjab on orders from abroad and had received funding from pro-Khalistan sects overseas, The Indian Express reported.

Police said they had seized an AK-47 assault rifle, 49 rounds and three foreign-made pistols from the arrestees, identified as Sagar, alias Binni; Sunil, alias Pahalwan; and Jatin, alias Rajesh. The accused were in touch with declared Khalistani separatists Lakhbir Singh Road (International Sikh Youth Federation, based in Pakistan), Australia-based Gurjant Singh, alias Janta, and Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Arshdeep Singh Dala, both based in Canada, police alleged.

According to Sonepat SP, Rahul Sharma, the police received intel that three men from a village have contacts with pro-Khalistani groups Khalistan Tiger Force and International Sikh Youth Federation through social media. The arrest was carried out through a raid by the crime branch, SP said. Initial investigation into the matter revealed the targeted killings and the funds received from abroad. So far, police have found that the three received Rs 5 to 6 lakh from pro-Khalistani outfits abroad, SP said.

SP Sharma said that investigation has found that a murder was committed in December, and another was planned close to the state elections. The arrestees' handlers provided them with weapons, vehicles, accommodation and also targets from Mohali and Kharar.

One more associate to the accused has also been identified, and a search is going on in order to nab him, police said. Sonepat police have lodged an FIR with Sections 16, 17, 18, 20, 21 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, and Arms Act.