NIA searches multiple locations across state in Pannun terror case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday conducted searches at four locations across Punjab in connection with a case related to the promotion of terror-related activities and violence by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) leader and designated terrorist Gurupatwant Singh Pannun.
The NIA teams conducted searches at one location in Moga, two in Bathinda and one in Mohali. The searches led to the seizure of incriminating material, including digital devices.
The case relates to the conspiracy by Pannun with other members of SFJ. The NIA had registered the case against Pannun on November 17, under Sections 120B, 153A and 506 of the IPC and Sections 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, 18B and 20 of the UAPA.
The agency registered the case against Pannun and the SFJ on November 17, 2023, for allegedly issuing video messages, threatening Air India passengers.
Pannun, the self-proclaimed general counsel of the “unlawful association” SFJ, had released video messages on social media platforms on November 4 last year.
He had asked the Sikhs not to travel on Air India planes on and after November 19 last year, claiming that there would be a threat to their lives, if they opted for the airline. The listed terrorist had also threatened that Air India would not be allowed to operate globally.
Following that, a high alert was sounded and investigations were launched by security forces in Canada, India and certain other countries where Air India operates, according to the NIA.
Pannun has been under the NIA lens since 2019, when the anti-terror agency registered its first case against him. He was declared a “Proclaimed Offender” on November 29, 2022.
Further investigations in the case were continuing, sources added.
Truck driver’s house raided
The NIA on Friday raided the house of truck driver Kulwant Singh, a resident of Bilaspur village in Nihal Singh Wala subdivision of Moga district. The team raided the house of Kulwant, 42, around 5 am. Kulwant is a truck driver in a cement factory at Rampura. He used to share posts related to Khalistan on social media.
