NIA nabs absconding Khalistani terrorist

New Delhi, December 23

The NIA claimed to have arrested absconding Khalistani terrorist Gurjeet Singh Nijjar, who was hiding in Cyprus (Europe), upon his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here last night.

According to NIA officials, Nijjar of Pandori Sukha Singh village in Ajnala tehsil of Amritsar district, was wanted in a case registered on January 10, 2019, against Harpal Singh under various sections of the Arms Act, Maharashtra Police Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The investigation later revealed that Nijjar was the main conspirator in the case. “Accused Nijjar, Harpal Singh and Moin Khan were active on social media platforms and had hatched a criminal conspiracy to revive Sikh militancy for the formation of a separate state of Khalistan,” a senior NIA official said.

The probe established that the trio used to post videos and images praising militant Jagtar Singh Hawara (a convict in Beant Singh assassination case). They also posted images and videos of Operation Bluestar and pro-Khalistani posts related to the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) with the intention of motivating Sikh youths and others to join the Khalistan “movement”, officials said.

Nijjar left for Cyprus on October 19, 2017. He was produced in a special court here to obtain his transit custody for being taken to Mumbai for further investigation, officials said.

Moin was in Tihar Jail from 2013 to 2016, during which he developed contact with Hawara, showed his willingness to work for him and shared his contact number with him. Subsequently, as planned, Khan sent friend request to Facebook ID “Khalistani Jindabad Khalistan”. By joining this account, Khan came in contact with Singh and Nijjar. — TNS