New Delhi:
Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Dalla has links to Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba and wanted to target Hindu leaders in Punjab, Delhi Police has found.
This assumes significance against the backdrop of the massive diplomatic row between India and Canada. Ties between New Delhi and Ottawa have been strained after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian agents were behind the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year.
India responded strongly, calling the allegations ‘absurd’ and ‘motivated’. What followed was a series of tit-for-tat moves and advisories, with India and Canada expelling envoys and warning their citizens against visits.
The Khalistani terrorist’s plan to target leaders of Hindu groups and the BJP’s ideological wing, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), emerged during a crackdown by Delhi Police against two terror suspects earlier this year. In January, police conducted a raid in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri and arrested Jagjeet Singh Jagga and Naushad after recovering weapons. The two were later charged under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
According to a Delhi Police complaint filed in the court two months ago, Jagga revealed during interrogation that he was in touch with Dalla. The Canada-based Khalistani terrorist had asked Jagga to prepare for terror activities in Punjab, the complaint said.
Dalla was in contact with Suhail, a Lashkar handler. The arrested terror suspects had also told the police that on the orders of Suhail and Dalla, they had killed a Hindu boy in Delhi’s Jahangirpuri and chopped off his head. They also recorded a video and sent it to Suhail and Dalla. Police sources then said that Naushad and Jagga had sent the video to “prove their loyalty” and that they had received Rs 2 lakh for committing the heinous crime.
“During his hiding period, suspect Jagjit Singh @ Jagga came in contact with the designated Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep @ Arsh Dala, who instructed him to kill some leaders of RSS and the prominent persons opposing the Khalistani movement in Punjab. A nexus had emerged between Pakistan-based Suhail, Naushad, Jagjit Singh @ Jagga and Arshdeep @ Arsh Dala are going to commit terror activities on the orders of LeT and on the other hand on the orders of designated terrorist Arsh Dala in Punjab and other parts of the country. the police report said.
“They have been instructed to kill Sadhus/religious leaders and also carry out targeted killings in Punjab for which they have received money and weapons from Suhail and Arshdeep @ Dala,” it added.
Dalla, 27, hails from Moga district in Punjab and has been accused in at least 25 cases. The charges against him include murder, criminal conspiracy and cases registered under the Arms Act and Anti-Drug Act.
