Launching a massive crackdown on terrorist-gangsters network, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has released the photographs of 43 notorious accused individuals, some of them based in Canada. Moreover, the anti-terror outfit on Wednesday announced cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of five Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operatives, including Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias "Rinda" and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias "Landa".
The federal agency announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh each for Rinda and Landa and Rs 5 lakh each for Parminder Singh Kaira alias “Pattu”, Satnam Singh alias “Satbir Singh” alias “Satta” and Yadvinder Singh alias “Yadda”.
What did the officials say?
According to a spokesperson of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the above mentioned five terrorists are wanted in a case registered early this year related to the BKI's terrorist activities aimed at disturbing India's peace and communal harmony and spreading terror in the state of Punjab.
"The wanted terrorists are accused of commission of terror acts and activities, besides raising funds for the BKI, a banned terror outfit, through smuggling of terrorist hardware and narcotics into Punjab and also through extensive extortion from businessmen and other prominent individuals.
"They are also wanted in cases relating to commissioning of targeted killings as well as targeting of law enforcement agencies in order to create an environment of terror in the state of Punjab," the spokesperson said.
About the names released by NIA
The list released by the NIA includes some of the notorious and most wanted criminals, who have fled from the country and have been alleged to have been involved with Khalistani terrorists.
The list includes names like Arshdeep Gill alias Arsh Dalla, Lakhbir Singh Linda, Goldy Brar, Lawrence Bishnoi, Anmol Bishnoi and Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuri
Arsh Dalla, who is presently residing in Canada, is identified as a close aide of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Linda too is based in Canada and has been linked to various terrorist activities, including the (rocket-propelled grenade) RPG attack in Punjab.
Goldy Brar is believed to be the mastermind behind the Siddhu Moose Wala's murder. The Punjabi singer was shot dead in May last year.
Lawrence Bishnoi is holds the reputation of being one of the most notorious gangsters in India. Bishnoi is the linchpin of a formidable terror-crime syndicate, while his brother, Anmol Bishnoi, is currently believed to be in hiding in the United States. He is a key accused in the Siddhu Moose Wala murder case.
Jagdeep Singh, who is currently incarcerated in a Punjab jail, is suspected of providing local support to terrorist outfits. From behind bars, he is said to orchestrate drug smuggling operations from Pakistan via drones.
