Politics
BSF Asked To Remain On High Alert As Pro-Khalistan Group Leader Amritpal Singh Remains Missing
Punjab Police personnel conduct a flag march amid a crackdown against Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh and his aides, in Patiala (Image: India TV)
The Ministry of Home Affairs has alerted the Border Security Force (BSF) and Services Selection Board (SSB) chiefs to remain watchful in the border areas.
The Waris Punjab De leader, Amritpal Singh Sandhu, may attempt to cross either via the International Border in Punjab or through the India-Nepal border.
In an effort to apprehend Amritpal Singh, the head of a pro-Khalistan group, who has been declared a fugitive by Punjab Police, a message was sent to all units of the BSF and SSB.
The message included two photos of Amritpal, one with his turban and one without. Officials have reason to believe that he may have attempted to cross the India-Nepal border or the International Border in Punjab.
All personnel have been placed on high alert and instructed to remain vigilant in their duties at the border posts.
Amritpal was due for arrest by the police in Mehatpur on Saturday (18 March), but he managed to escape. Sources reveal that he abandoned his vehicle and mobile phone close to Nakodar.
On the same day, 78 of his allies were captured in a state-wide crackdown. The pursuit for Amritpal extended into the second day, prompting the district police chiefs to conduct marches in significant towns in Punjab.
Additionally, the state government prolonged the internet blackout until noon on Monday (20 March).
A group of eight including Amritpal have been charged by the Punjab Police under the Arms Act. Following the recovery of six 12-bore rifles and 196 cartridges, they were taken into custody.
Additionally, one of Amritpal's associates was found in possession of over 100 illegal cartridges. The seven individuals arrested have been remanded in police custody until 23 March.
According to intelligence officials, in 2012, Amritpal had traveled to Dubai to work as a truck driver for his family's transport company.
During his stay, he got in touch with Jaswant Singh Rode, who is the brother of Lakhbir Singh Rode, a Khalistani operative based in Pakistan, and Paramjit Singh Pamma, a militant.
It is believed that these individuals may have facilitated Amritpal's connection with the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) which allegedly paid him to ignite Khalistan sentiments in Punjab.
According to a security establishment official, Avtar Singh Khanda, a UK-based SAD-Amritsar activist and associate of Khalistani terrorist Jagtar Singh Tara, is the main handler and brain behind the fast rise of Amritpal Singh.
Khanda is also associated with Pamma and conducts theoretical radical training for Sikh youth.
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