In relation to a cross-border arms smuggling case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced on Sunday that it had filed a comprehensive charge sheet against Malkit Singh, also known as Pistol, in the NIA Special Court in Mohali, Punjab. The case concerns drone-assisted cross-border smuggling of weapons and ammunition in the Gurdaspur district border area. The BSF authorities reportedly found a cache of weapons and ammunition in the cremation ground near the village of Bagtana Boharwala, Dera Baba Nanak, Batala, Punjab, according to the NIA. Among the recovered items were 10 magazines, 91 live 9 mm cartridges, and five Austrian-made Glock pistols.
“Subsequently, FIR No. 39, dated March 24, 2023, under section 25 of Arms Act, sections 10, 11 and 12 of Aircraft Act was registered at Police Station Dera Baba Nanak, Police District Batala, Punjab,” it stated.
Earlier on August 8, 2023, NIA re-registered the case as RC-25/2023/NIA/DLI under section 25 of the Arms Act, sections 10, 11 and 12 of the Aircraft Act and sections 10, 12, 13, 14,15, 16 (1) 18 and 20 of UA (P) Act-1967.
Further investigations revealed connections between members of the proscribed terrorist organisation Khalistan Liberation Force and individuals based in Pakistan.
“Accused identified in this terror network include Malkit Singh alias Pistol, Taranjot Singh alias Tanna, and Gurjit Singh alias Paa. Additionally, it was found that these operatives were in direct communication with Pakistan-based drug smugglers, Rehmat Ali alias Miyan, Pakistan-based ISYF Chief Lakhbir Singh Rode alias Babaji, and Ranjot Singh Rana,” it stated.
Moreover, Lakhbir Singh Rode alias Baba ji is the Chief of the proscribed terrorist organisation Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and Chief of the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF).