State police unite against BKI threat

AHMEDABAD, FEB 3: Police of seven states and other security agencies have decided to coordinate their anti-terrorist operations following ...

AHMEDABAD, FEB 3: Police of seven states and other security agencies have decided to coordinate their anti-terrorist operations following intelligence reports that the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is trying to revive terrorism in Punjab and other parts of the country.

Senior police officers of Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and the Intelligence Bureau met in Delhi on Monday and exchanged notes. The meeting comes close on the heels of the arrest of seven BKI men and three members of the Chhota Rajan gang in Ahmedabad, which indicates a nexus between ultras and the underworld.

Sources said intelligence reports indicated that several small Babbar Khalsa International groups are stationed in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab, waiting for an opportunity to create disturbances. These groups have been recruited by Saroop Singh, who has been assigned the task of reviving terrorism by the ISI. He was arrested by Punjab police recently.

Story continues below this ad

Sources said Sarbatjit Singh alias SabbaSukhvat Singh, Sajan Singh alias Bhagat Singh Jat, Lakhvinder Singh alias Lakkha Harbans Singh Jat, who were arrested in Ahmedabad on January 20, and Jurnail Singh, who was arrested in Rajasthan, were former terrorists who had surrendered before Punjab police, but had been motivated by Saroop Singh to work for Babbar Khalsa International .

Paramjit Singh Sandhu, Trilokchand alias Pappu Huthe Singh Jat, Rajmahendra Singh alias Rajvinder Singh Jat and Lokesh Kumar alias Pappu Pritam Prasad Mishra, who were also arrested from Ahmedabad, were also former terrorists, they said, who were wanted by the Jammu and Kashmir police.

Sources said that soon after Sabba, Sajan and Lakkha arrived in Ahmedabad, Saroop Singh had also visited the city and stayed in the Thaltej area. The group identified a well-known businessman, a former chief minister, and a Congress leader as potential targets for kidnapping for ransom.

Prashant Kishor claims top BJP leadership intimidated his candidates into withdrawing

India3 hr ago

Prashant Kishor, founder of Jan Suraaj, accused Amit Shah and Dharmendra Pradhan of BJP of intimidating party candidates for Bihar's assembly polls. He claimed BJP is using pressure tactics due to fear of losing ground. Kishor also questioned Election Commission's ability to protect candidates and voters.

View all shorts

Live Blog

PHOTOS