Nijjar-backed outfits involved in targeted killings
India-Canada ties has put the focus back on Pro-Khalistan Elements (PKE) using foreign soil to carry out attacks against India.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing nearly 20 cases involving PKE and have been urging foreign governments, including Canada, to designate them as 'terrorists' for allegedly carrying out anti-India activities.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), had four first information reports (FIRs) registered against him by NIA and carried a reward of ₹10 lakh. He was designated as 'terrorist' by the Union home ministry in July 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, along with several other top-rung pro-Khalistan supporters.
He was allegedly involved in activating a criminal group led by Arshdeep alias Dalla from Moga in Punjab.
Dalla, wanted by the NIA, has also been declared a fugitive and is presently in Canada. The group was allegedly involved in extortions and killings in Moga, Jagraon and Ludhiana in Punjab.
Dalla, on the directions of Nijjar, allegedly carried out targeted killing of Dera Sacha Sauda followers in Bathinda area and made attempts to target the Bargari sacrilege accused and a Hindu priest.
The Khalistani sympathiser was first taken into custody by the Canadian law enforcement in 2018 but was released within 24 hours. Nijjar was then represented by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) legal advisor Gurpatwant Pannun, who is also wanted by the NIA and faces a red corner notice.
In 2020, the NIA filed a chargesheet against Pannun, UK-based Paramjit Singh Pamma and Canada-based Nijjar.
