The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested “most-wanted” terrorist Kulwinderjit Singh alias Khanpuria, associated with Khalistani outfits Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF). He was the “chief mastermind” behind a conspiracy to carry out terror attacks on establishments linked to Dera Sacha Sauda and the Punjab police.
Khanpuria, who carried a Rs 5 lakh reward, was arrested from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on November 18 upon arrival from Bangkok. He had been absconding since 2019.
Investigations have revealed that Khanpuria is the chief conspirator and mastermind behind the conspiracy to carry out terrorist attacks in India by targeting establishments connected with Dera Sacha Sauda and those belonging to police and security in Punjab.
Besides, the NIA said, Khanpuria was also targeting senior officers of Bhakra Beas Management Board, Chandigarh, with an overall objective of creating terror in Punjab and across the country. “Khanpuria had also carried out reconnaissance of some of the targets.”
The case was initially registered on May 30, 2019, at Police Station State Special Operation Cell, Amritsar and re-registered by the NIA on June 27, 2019.
Khanpuria, along with his handlers and associates, based in India and abroad in different South-East Asian countries, had planned and conspired to commit terrorist attacks in India, said the NIA, adding “Khanpuria later managed to flee from India.”
“While he was based abroad, he first collided with Harmeet alias PhD, and now with wanted Pakistan-based ISYF Chief Lakhbir Singh Rode to use his India-based terrorist associates for targeting the identified individuals as well as establishments,” the counter-terrorism agency said.
Khanpuria was declared a proclaimed offender (PO) by the NIA Special Court, Punjab, following which, a LookOut Circular (LOCu) was issued and a Red Corner Notice was issued by Interpol against him. The NIA had also declared a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to his arrest. He was charge-sheeted as an absconder on November 21, 2019.
Notably, four co-accused conspirators of Khanpuria had already been arrested after the recovery of arms and ammunition from their possession.
The case against Khanpuria was initially registered as FIR no. 05/2019 dated 30.05.2019 at Police Station State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar and re-registered by NIA on 27.06.2019.
Khanpuria, along with his handlers and associates based in India and abroad including different South-East Asian countries, had planned and conspired to commit terrorist attacks in India. He later managed to flee the country. While Khanpuria was based abroad, he first colluded with Harmeet @PhD and then Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode to use his India-based terrorist associates to target identified individuals as well as establishments.
Khanpuria was declared a proclaimed offender (PO) by the NIA Special Court, Punjab, following which a look-out circular was issued. Interpol too issued a red corner notice against him. The NIA declared a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh for information leading to Khanpuria’s arrest.