New Delhi: After intelligence agencies warned the state government about as many as 12 terrorists of dreaded ‘Babbar Khalsa’ militant outfit managing to enter Punjab, the police have gone on high alert expecting subversive activities ahead of state elections.
A high alert has been sounded and the state police has stepped up vigil around vital installations across the northern state of Punjab.
Sources in the police department believe the militants may try to disrupt the election related activities in the state.
According to intelligence sources, the warning came after the interrogation of suspected terrorist Kamaldeep Singh, who was arrested from Punjab on October 23.
“Kamaldeep Singh is a resident of Kashmir. On interrogation, he revealed to us that 12 highly trained Babbar Khalsa terrorists have slipped into the Indian side for terror activities. He has also revealed that all of the 12 terrorists were allegedly trained in Pakistan and are heavily armed,” the intelligence sources informed Gulf News.
After holding a crucial meeting with senior government officials of Punjab, the state Director General of Police has instructed the police force to launch massive search operations in the state and bordering areas.
Elections in Punjab are due in next three months.
Interestingly, two aides of Babbar Khalsa militant Jagtar Singh Hawara, who were arrested for reportedly planning terror, were acquitted by a special court last week, which, said there was no evidence to prove the allegations against them.
Additional sessions judge Reetesh Singh absolved Kulwinder Singh Khanpuriya and Baljinder Singh, who were arrested by the special cell of Delhi Police in 2013, of all charges on October four.
The police had alleged that the two accused were planning to commit terror acts in Delhi and had recovered one revolver, fake identity cards of Punjab police officials and some cartridges from their possession.
Also last week, police in Sangrur district of Punjab held two youths allegedly belonging to Babbar Khalsa group for sending threatening letters to people and extorting money. The police nabbed them, while they were trying to extort Rs. seven million from an industrialist.
