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NIA allows Engineer Rashid to take oath as MP

The counsel for NIA suggested three dates from July 5 to 7 for Rashid to take oath on any of these dates. Defence counsel Vikhyat Oberoi said that July 5 is okay as July 6 and 7 are holidays…reports Asian Lite News

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday gave its consent to permit jailed Kashmiri leader Abdul Rashid Sheikh also known as Engineer Rashid, from Baramulla to take oath as an MP on July 5 in Parliament.

However, counsel representing the NIA said in court today said that the consent should be subject to certain conditions, which includes him not interacting with the media.

Rashid had won the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections from the Baramulla consituency in Jammu and Kashmir was unable to take oath during the official ceremony in the 18th Lok Sabha.

He won the elections from Baramulla while he was in custody in an NIA case. Rashid had sought interim bail or custody parole for taking oath as a Lok Sabha MP.

The Patiala House Court’s special judge Chander Jit Singh will pass an order on Rashid’s bail plea tomorrow. Engineer Rashid had sought interim bail or custody parole to take oath as an MP.

He has been in custody for the last five years in a terror funding case lodged by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). He defeated former chief minster Omar Abdullah from the Baramulla in the recent general elections.

The counsel for NIA suggested three dates from July 5 to 7 for Rashid to take oath on any of these dates. Defence counsel Vikhyat Oberoi said that July 5 is okay as July 6 and 7 are holidays.

His counsel also urged the court to allow Rashid to obtain his Identity card and CGHS card and to facilitate him to open a bank account. The counsel has also urged the court to permit the presence of family members at the time of taking oath as an MP.

The court of vacation judge on June 22 granted time to file reply on the application of MP Engineer Rashid. On June 22, counsel for NIA sought some time to file a reply citing it as a matter under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi appeared for Rashid and argued that the latter had won with a huge majority and people love him and want him to fight in parliament democratically.

The court may direct the jail authorities to contact to Loksabha Secretariat, direct the NIA to contact to Loksabha Secretariat, or direct the Loksabha Secretariat to specify the date to which Rashid may take oath, the counsel argued.

He also referred to the order of Rouse Avenue court and Patna High Court in which the jail authorities were directed to take the accused to take oath.

On June 18, Delhi’s Patiala House court had directed the NIA to apprise it on which out of the three dates Rashid will take the oath. It granted time to NIA to file a reply.

The scheduled dates to take oath by newly elected MPs were given as June 24, 25, 26. NIA had sought time to work out the modalities to take him to parliament if he is granted bail.

However, the defence counsel relied on the order passed by the Rouse Avenue court passed in Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh’s case. He also said that Engineer is in the court custody. Therefore NIA has no role in taking him to Parliament.

Rashid subsequently approached the court seeking bail for taking oath as MP. On June 5, ASJ Singh had sought a response from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the case.

His counsel Advocate Vikhyat Oberoi said that an application seeking interim bail and in alternative custody parole, to take oath and perform other parliamentary functions had been filed. The matter was taken up by the court and listed for reply by NIA, said Oberoi. Oberoi also said that Rashid is a two time MLA also. Now he has to take oath as an MP after winning the election. The date for oath ceremony is

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India News PAKISTAN Politics

NIA raids Expose Anti-India Propaganda Network

Apart from mobile phones and SIM cards, several documents were also seized during the NIA crackdown, as part of the ongoing investigations in the case…reports Asian Lite News

National Investigation Agency (NIA) carried out raids across multiple states, resulting in the confiscation of crucial documents and electronic devices in connection with the Pakistan-backed Ghazwa-e-Hind module case. An official reported that the searches exposed connections between the suspects, whose locations were targeted, and handlers based in Pakistan.

The official said that these suspects were in contact with the handlers, and were involved in propagating the radical, anti-India idea of Ghazwa-e-Hind.

The official said that searches were conducted at the premises of suspects in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas, Gujarat’s Gir Somnath, Uttar Pradesh’s Azamgarh and Kerala’s Kozhikode.

Apart from mobile phones and SIM cards, several documents were also seized during the NIA crackdown, as part of the ongoing investigations in the case.

The case was initially registered as FIR on July 14 last year by Phulwarisharif police in Patna district of Bihar, following the arrest of one Marghoob Ahmad Danish a.k.a. Tahir. Marghoob was the admin of WhatsApp Group ‘Ghazwa-e-Hind’, created by a Pakistani national identified as Zain. The accused, Marghoob, had added many persons from India as well as other countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh and Yemen, to the group, which was also active on other social media platforms such as Telegram and BiP Messenger.

Aimed at radicalizing impressionable youth in the name of the establishment of Ghazwa-e-Hind over the territory of India, the group was being operated by Pakistan-based suspects, according to NIA investigations, the official said. The anti-terror agency had filed a charge sheet against accused Marghoob Ahmad Danish on January 6 this year.

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NIA Books SFJ’s Pannun For Threatening Air India Flyers

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has threatened the shutdown of Delhi's IGI Airport on November 19, the day on which the final of the ongoing cricket World Cup will be played in Ahmedabad.(IANS/Video Grab)

The Ministry of Home Affairs, on July 10 2019, banned SFJ as an ‘unlawful association’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for its activities…reports Asian Lite News

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday said that it has registered a fresh case against “listed individual terrorist” Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the banned terror organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) over his latest viral video threatening the passengers flying on Air India with a global blockade and closure of the operations of the airline from November 19.

An NIA spokesperson here said that the agency has booked Pannun under several Sections of the IPC and of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The official said that Pannun, the self-proclaimed General Counsel’ of the outlawed SFJ, had issued a threatening video message on various social media platforms urging Sikhs not to fly on Air India planes on and after November 19 claiming threat to their lives if they flew on Air India.

Pannun also threatened that Air India would not be allowed to operate in the world.

Pannun’s assertions and threats have triggered a high alert as well as investigations by security forces in Canada, India and certain other countries where Air India flies.

In his video messages, released on November 4, Pannun had urged Sikhs to stop flying on Air India planes on and after November 19, citing potential threat to their lives.

Pannun also issued a warning to the Indian Government that, “The Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) would remain closed on November 19”.

The IGIA, located in New Delhi, is one of the world’s busiest airports. The official said that as part of his concerted plan to promote terror acts in India and revive terrorism here, Pannun has been creating a false narrative around the issues prevailing in Punjab, especially with regard to Sikh religion, by promoting enmity between the Sikhs in the country and other communities.

“The latest threat is in line with the same narrative, which Pannun has actively promoted in the past by threatening & attempting to disrupt essential transportation network systems, including the Railways, as well as Thermal Power Plants in India,” the official stated.

The Ministry of Home Affairs, on July 10 2019, banned SFJ as an ‘unlawful association’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for its activities.

On July 1, 2020, Pannun was listed as an ‘individual terrorist’ by the Indian Government. Pannun has been under the NIA’s lens since 2019, when the anti-terror agency registered its first case against him. In September 2023, the NIA had confiscated his share of the house and land of the listed terrorist in Amritsar (Punjab) and Chandigarh UT.

Non-Bailable Warrants of arrest were issued against Pannun by the NIA Special Court on February 3, 2021 and he was declared a ‘Proclaimed Offender (PO)’ on November 29, 2022.

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Crime India News Punjab

NIA chargesheet exposes Khalistani terrorists

According to the NIA statement, these individuals had close ties with drug smugglers and Khalistani operatives based in Pakistan and other countries…reports Asian Lite News

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken a major step by filing a chargesheet against nine individuals, three of whom are recognized as “listed Khalistani terrorists.” These individuals have affiliations with the banned organizations Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). The chargesheet provides valuable insights into their participation in a dangerous alliance between gangsters and terrorists, as well as their disruptive activities within the nation.

The three “listed terrorists” have been identified as Harwinder Singh Sandhu, also known as Rinda, from BKI; Arshdeep Singh, known as Arsh Dala, from KTF; and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu, known as Landa, also associated with BKI. These individuals, who are based abroad, have allegedly established their own networks of operatives to carry out acts of subversion in India.

According to the NIA statement, these individuals had close ties with drug smugglers and Khalistani operatives based in Pakistan and other countries. The NIA has accused them of recruiting, motivating, and handling associates in India to carry out terrorist activities, extortion, and cross-border smuggling of weapons and drugs into the country.

The investigation has revealed a complex mechanism of fund-raising utilized by BKI and KTF, raising concerns about the financial support behind their nefarious activities. In addition to the nine accused, the NIA is also probing the links of 16 other absconding and arrested individuals associated with these terrorist outfits.

One of the listed terrorists, Rinda, reportedly fled to Pakistan illegally in 2018/19 and has been living there under the protection of the ISI. He has been involved in numerous terrorist activities, including the RPG attack on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in May 2022, which led to him being declared an “individual terrorist” by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in 2023.

Arsh Dala, on the other hand, started as a gangster and later moved to Canada, where he came into contact with Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of KTF. He, too, was designated an “individual terrorist” in 2023.

Landa initially engaged in criminal and gang-related activities but later relocated to Canada, where he connected with Rinda and began working for BKI. He is the primary accused in several terror incidents, including the RPG attack on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters and the Sarhali police station in Tarn Taran in December 2022.

The NIA has also identified other foreign-based BKI nodes, including Harjot Singh in the US, Kashmir Singh Galwaddi (accused in the Nabha jailbreak case), and Tarsem Singh in Dubai. Gurjant Singh, another individual charged in the case, is residing in Australia.

Additionally, Deepak Ranga and Lucky Khokhar, also known as Denis, have been charged as they were recruited by foreign-based handlers to carry out terror activities in India. Ranga was allegedly used by Rinda and Landa to carry out the RPG attack in Mohali.

The investigation has revealed the magnitude of the gangster-terrorist nexus and the networks operating across borders to perpetrate violence and instability within the country. The NIA’s chargesheet represents a crucial step in unveiling the truth behind these heinous acts and holding the culprits accountable for their actions. The agency continues to work diligently to bring justice to those affected by these terrorist activities and disrupt any further attempts to undermine national security.

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NIA takes over probe into attacks on missions in US, Canada

San Francisco, Mar 23 (ANI): Protesters waving Khalistan flags gathered outside the Indian Consulate amid heightened security, in San Francisco on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

Multiple incidents of protests by supporters of Khalistan have been staged outside the Indian Embassy and the San Francisco Consulate…reports Asian Lite News

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will investigate the Khalistani elements’ attacks on Indian High Commission in Canada and the US, as per Delhi Police sources.

FIRs were registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) by Delhi Police Special Cell regarding the March 2023 attack in Canada and San Francisco (US). The case has now been transferred to the NIA, the Delhi Police sources revealed. Pro-Khalistan supporters in the US recently threatened the Indian embassy and Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu during their protest.

While rallying outside the mission, a protestor in his speech made a direct threat to the Ambassador that the “hypocrisy” will come to an end and that the Ambassador could face a similar fate to what former president of India Zail Singh faced back in 1994.

In response, the US said: “Violence or the threat of violence against diplomatic facilities and personnel in the United States is a grave concern and will not be tolerated.”

Multiple incidents of protests by supporters of Khalistan have been staged outside the Indian Embassy and the San Francisco Consulate.

The Indian Consulate in San Francisco was also attacked on March 20.

Recently, a video surfaced on social media in which pro-Khalistani protestors gathered at the consulate in San Francisco, shouting slogans in support of pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh and heckling staff as they abandoned the diplomatic mission.

The US said it condemns recent violent incidents that have taken place during protests at Indian diplomatic facilities in the country.

Khalistan supporters in March, protested outside the Indian Embassy in Canada. They raised pro-Khalistan slogans and allegedly assaulted Indian-origin journalists present on the spot.

NIA identifies people involved in attack on Indian High Commission in UK

Last week, NIA announced that it is seeking the identification of individuals involved in the recent attack on the Indian High Commission in the UK.

The NIA has issued a lookout notice and released pictures of 45 people who were responsible for vandalizing the High Commission and showing disrespect to the Indian National Flag in London back in March. In a tweet on Wednesday, the official Twitter handle of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) wrote, “REQUEST FOR IDENTIFICATION/INFORMATION On 19.03.23 these persons were involved in an attack on the High Commission of India, London. They caused grievous injury and disrespected the Indian National Flag If anyone has any information about them, please Whatsapp/DM @+917290009373.”

Earlier on June 12, NIA has released over 2 hours of CCTV footage of the attempted vandalisation of the Indian High Commission in London, United Kingdom by anti-national elements.

NIA has appealed to the public to provide information regarding the people seen in the CCTV footage to the agency in the public interest.

NIA files chargesheet against 13

Meanwhile, NIA filed a chargesheet against 13 persons, including Lankans, in the India-Sri Lanka illegal drugs and arms trade case which was linked to attempts to revive the LTTE in India and its southern neighbour, NIA informed though an official release.

The accused men had conspired with the accused in the Vizhinjam Arms case, for exploiting the illegal drugs trade in India and Sri Lanka for funding, amassing and stashing weapons for the revival of LTTE in India and Sri Lanka, the NIA said, adding that the drugs were being sourced from one Haji Salim, who is suspected to be residing in Pakistan. The accused persons had been using various foreign WhatsApp numbers to carry out the clandestine trade, as per the official release.

Investigations in the case had exposed their conspiracy to fund the revival of LTTE through drug trade. They were arrested at the Trichy Special Camp.

NIA said their investigations revealed further that the accused were using the proceeds of crime to lead a lavish life. Several mobile phones with pre-activated Indian SIM cards were seized from them, the central agency informed, adding that it also seized various digital devices, documents relating to drug transactions, cash to the tune of Rs 80 lakh and 9 gold bars during the course of its investigations.

This cash and gold were the proceeds from the sale of narcotics and were being channeled through hawala networks between Chennai and Sri Lanka, the NIA stated, adding that several transactions using Crypto platforms also came to the fore during the probe.

Earlier, on July 8, the NIA had filed the case suo motu, nabbing 13 persons. The accused were charge-sheeted on Friday under various sections of the IPC, UA(P) Act 1967, and NDPS Act. They included three Indians, identified as Selvakumar. M, Vigneshwara Perumal alias Vicky and lyyapan Nandhu alias Ayyappan Nandhu.

The remaining 10 are Sri Lankans identified as C Gunasekaran alias Guna, Pushparajah alias Pookutti Kanna, Mohammad Asmin, Alahapperumaga Sunil Ghamini Fonseka, Stanly Kennady Fernando, Dhanukka Roshan, Ladiya alias Nalin Chathuranga, Vella Suranga alias Gamage Suranga Pradeep, Thilipan alias Dileepan and Danarathnam Nilukshan.

While Vicky and Nandhu were arrested in April this year, the others were arrested in December 2022, the release added. (ANI)

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NIA releases videos of vandalisation bid of Indian high commission

NIA releases CCTV Footage of Attack on Indian High Commission in London

Pro-Khalistan protestor in London climbed the High Commission of India’s balcony and pulled down the Indian flag on March 19…reports Asian Lite News

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) has released over 2 hours of CCTV footage of the attempted vandalisation of the Indian High Commission in London, United Kingdom by anti-national elements.

NIA has appealed to the public to provide information regarding the people seen in the CCTV footage to the agency in the public interest. The NIA has released CCTV footage of the Khalistani attack, given a WhatsApp number as well seeking info on the vandalisers, while promising to keep the identity of the informant secret.

A request for information from NIA read, “CCTV footage of the attack by anti-national elements on High Commission of India London, which happened on 19.03.2023 is uploaded above. All the members of the public are requested to provide any information regarding the persons seen in the footage to the NIA in the public interest. Information may be provided on Whatsapp No +91 7290009373. The identity of the informant shall be kept secret.”

Notably, a pro-Khalistan protestor in London climbed the High Commission of India’s balcony and pulled down the Indian flag on March 19.

A video of the same incident went viral on social media. In the then-viral video, the Khalistani protestor can be seen on the balcony attempting to bring down the Indian flag. At the end of the video, another man reaches the balcony from inside to avert any more harm to the flag.

The Indian community on March 19 held a large gathering in front of the Indian High Commission in London against the “disrespectful act” of Khalistan supporters towards the Indian flag and demanded that the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan and the British government act against the perpetrators at the earliest.

The desecration of the Indian Flag led to an unprecedented outpouring of support from the diverse Indian community settled here in Britain. Expats from all across the UK travelled to London to express their solidarity with the Indian Flag and with the unity of India. The gathering resoundingly debunked the idea of Khalistan, saying there are no takers for it.

A case was registered by the Delhi Police on March 24 in connection with protests in front of the Indian High Commission in London on March 19.

“On receipt of a report from the Ministry of External Affairs on the incident at Indian High Commission, London on March 19, 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs asked Delhi Police to take appropriate legal action,” said an official statement.

The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned after the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom was vandalised. The senior-most UK diplomat in New Delhi was summoned to convey India’s strong protest at the actions taken by separatist and extremist elements against the Indian High Commission in London earlier in the day, the Ministry of External Affairs said earlier.

British High Commissioner Alex Ellis condemned the attack on the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom. He condemned the “disgraceful acts” and called them totally unacceptable.

“I condemn the disgraceful acts today against the people and premises of the High Commission of India – totally unacceptable,” British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis tweeted. (ANI)

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NIA takes over probe into attack on Indian mission

India also pointed out its concerns over the breach of security of the Indian High Commission…reports Asian Lite News

Nearly a month after the national flag at the Indian high commission in London was pulled down during a protest by pro-Khalistan activists, India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case to investigate the matter, sources said.

According to inputs, the case was handed over to the NIA by the Counter Terrorism and Counter Radicalization (CTCR) division of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs a few days back. The anti-terror agency registered a First Information Report (FIR) based on the orders of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and began its probe.

The agency took over the case from Delhi Police, which registered an FIR in the matter under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and is currently investigating it.

The MHA took the decision to hand over the case to the NIA following a meeting with UK representatives last week, the sources indicated.

It is learnt that a special team of the NIA, including a Deputy Inspector General rank officer, may visit London “very soon”, said a source privy to the development.

A tricolour flying atop the Indian High Commission in London was grabbed at by a group of protesters waving separatist Khalistani flags and chanting pro-Khalistani slogans on March 19.

The national flag was pulled down during the protest by pro-Khalistani elements. Videos of the incident showed several protesters carrying the yellow and black Khalistan flag and calling for radical Sikh preacher and Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh to be “freed”.

The videos showed one of the protesters clambering onto a balcony and pulling down the Indian flag from a pole at the front of the high commission to cheers from the other men. British policemen arrived on the scene and prevented the protestors from approaching an entrance of the Indian high commission. The protesters shouted slogans and abused Indian officials within, the videos showed.

Centre amended the NIA Act in August 2019, empowering the agency to investigate terror activities against Indians and Indian interests abroad apart from cyber crimes and human trafficking.

In the fifth India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue held on April 12, India raised concerns on the misuse of the UK’s asylum status by the Pro-Khalistani elements aid and abet terrorist activities here and requested better cooperation with the UK and increased monitoring of UK based Pro-Khalistan Extremists and take appropriate proactive action.

India also pointed out its concerns over the breach of security of the Indian High Commission.

Both sides reviewed the ongoing cooperation and identified further steps that can be taken to explore opportunities and synergies in advancing cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber security and global supply chains, drug trafficking, migration, extradition, and anti-India activities in the UK including Pro-Khalistan Extremism among other issues.

The Indian delegation was led by Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and the UK delegation was led by Permanent Secretary, of Home Office, Sir Matthew Rycroft. The meeting was also attended by other senior officials of both countries.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) last month summoned the UK deputy high commissioner after pro-Khalistan protestors took down the Indian flag at the high commission in London. The pro-Khalistan groups were protesting against the Punjab police’s crackdown on Sikh hardliner Amritpal Singh. (ANI)

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NIA branches in every state by 2024: Amit Shah

Surajkund: Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the inaugural session of the 2-day Chintin Shivir in Surajkund, Haryana on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. (Photo: Twitter)

Apart from this, an investment of Rs 57,000 crore has also been seen in J&k since then…reports Asian Lite News

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated a 2-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ to discuss problems relating to internal security at Surajkund, Haryana, on Thursday. Addressing the inaugural session, Shah said that there has been a 34 per cent reduction in terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. At the same time, he said that the government has decided to set up National Investigation Agency (NIA) branches in every state by 2024.

Shah added that a 64 per cent reduction in deaths of security personnel and 90 per cent reduction in civilian deaths have been recorded after the revocation of Article 370. Apart from this, an investment of Rs 57,000 crore has also been seen in J&k since then.

He stated that the NIA has been given special powers. It is the collective responsibility of the states and the Centre to effectively deal with cross-border crimes. He added that various suggestions have been received regarding reforms in the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and said that the government will bring new drafts in Parliament soon.

Shah added that the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) has been amended to prevent its misuse by NGOs. The government has taken strict measures against such NGOs, which were obstructing the development of India. He said that the Shivir will help in drawing up a joint plan to tackle cyber crimes, narcotics smuggling, cross-border terrorism, sedition etc.

Home Ministers of all the states, Lt Governors and Administrators of Union Territories are participating in this two-day meeting.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address Chintan Shivir of home ministers of states later today via video conferencing.

According to Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) statement, the Chintan Shivir of Home Ministers is an endeavour to provide a national perspective to policy formulation on internal security-related matters. The Shivir, in the spirit of cooperative federalism, will bring more synergy in planning and coordination between various stakeholders at the centre and state levels.

The Shivir will deliberate on issues like modernization of police forces, cybercrime management, increased use of IT in the criminal justice system, land border management, coastal security, women safety, drug trafficking, among others, added the statement.

The event was attended by Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Kerala, Assam, Goa, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Manipur and Tripura– all having charges of Home Ministry in their respective states.

Besides, Deputy Chief Ministers of Maharashtra and Nagaland; Governor of Rajasthan; Home Ministers of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, Telangana; Finance Minister of Jharkhand among others took part in the event which is organized with the objective to prepare an action plan for the implementation of ‘vision 2047’ and ‘Panch Pran’ announced in the Independence Day speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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NIA team in Canada to get Khalistani outfits terror tag

According to sources, an Inspector General level officer led team will investigate the sources of funding by various organisations abroad for the creation of Khalistan out of India by the banned outfits like SFJ, reports Asian Lite News

A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team probing the funding of local NGOs by foreign secessionist Khalistani outfits like Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has liaised with the Canadian authorities in Ottawa to seek legal action, including their listing as terror entities.

The NIA team was in Ottawa on Thursday and Friday at the invitation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP for better coordinating investigation against entities and individuals suspected of terrorism and to discuss other criminal matters.

The NIA had earlier this year formally requested Canada to declare SFJ a terrorist entity. To buttress its case, the NIA shared dossiers with the Canadian law enforcement authorities during interactions in Ottawa, sources said.

The NIA team’s visit comes as the federal anti-terror agency has evidence to substantiate India’s claim that SFJ was fueling violence in India, particularly in Punjab, as part of its separatist agenda. The SFJ is also spearheading the Punjab Referendum at the behest of Pakistani agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srNrZVmojDw

Headquartered in New York, the SFJ, aided by ISI, has spread its tentacles globally and has emerged as an influential voice among pro-Khalistan elements in Canada. The SFJ was banned in India last year under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Public Safety Canada’s currently listed entities include two Khalistani outfits — Babbar Khalsa International and International Sikh Youth Federation — other than groups like the Taliban, Islamic State, Al Qaida and its affiliates Boko Haram, Haqqani Network, Hizbul Mujahideen, Indian Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Tayabba among several others.

“The NIA team led by an Inspector General of Police held detailed discussions with senior RCMP officials to collate evidence on several ongoing investigations into cases of terrorism and other serious crimes in order to bring about successful prosecution of the accused in both India and Canada,” the Indian High Commission in Ottawa said in a statement.

The NIA delegation also “held additional meetings with the International Crime and Counter-terrorism Bureau of Global Affairs Canada and with senior officials from the International Affairs Division of Public Safety Canada, with a view to deepening and expanding India-Canada collaboration on counter-terrorism and interdiction of global terrorist financing.”

The NIA and RCMP officials also discussed issues related to evidentiary requirements in India and Canada and possible cooperation for capacity building in police investigation between the two agencies.

The Indian delegation invited their Canadian counterparts to visit India at their earliest convenience to continue the ongoing collaboration between police agencies.

India and Canada share common views on the need for strong concerted action against global terrorism and for curtailing terror financing. The police and security agencies of the two countries pursue investigation, prosecution and suppression of crime, including crime related to terrorism, through cooperation and mutual assistance in criminal matters.

The two countries have a range of ongoing bilateral mechanisms including a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism. The two countries had signed a treaty on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters in 1994 and have an Extradition Treaty since 1987.

During the farmers agitation against the three farm laws in Delhi in January and February, it was reported that some NGOs like ‘Khalsa Aid’ and others were funded by these Sikh organisations and supported the agitation for long. Around 40 persons including a Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu and Khalistani sympathizer Baldev Singh Sirsa were summoned by the NIA for questioning in the ‘Sikhs For Justice Referendum case.

Recently on November 1, the SFJ organised a referendum in London to carve out Khalistan in India, which badly failed to garner support of the Sikhs due to punitive actions taken by the Indian government.

The Indian authorities have cancelled the visas of 12 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) status for their involvement in anti-India activities abroad. The US based SFJ deliberately tried to organise a referendum in London on November 1, 2021 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the UK, attending a global summit on Climate Change in Glasgow.

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NIA Begins Probe on SFJ’s Funding Routes in Canada

The probe team arrived in Canada on Friday will investigate the connection of these anti-Indian outfits’ funding links of terrorist organisations — SFJ and other pro-Khalistani groups, reports Asian Lite News

A three-member team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrived in Canada on November 5 to probe the funding routes to Sikh for Justice (SFJ) and other Khalistan supporters there.

According to sources, an Inspector General level officer led team will investigate the sources of funding by various organisations abroad for the creation of Khalistan out of India by the banned outfits like SFJ and other terrorist organisations.

The probe team will investigate the connection of these anti-Indian outfits’ funding links of terrorist organisations — SFJ and other pro-Khalistani groups like Khalistan Zindabad Force, Babbar Khalsa International, Khalistan Tiger Force, who have become active in the recent past. Sikh For Justice is backed by Pakistan’s intelligence wing the Inter State Services (ISI) which has been trying to revive militancy in India.

SFJ has been banned by the Indian government for involving in terror-related activities.

The central probe team would also investigate the Khalistani terrorist organisations funding source from different foreign countries including the US, the UK, Australia and Germany.

SFJ
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in London (File)

During the farmers agitation against the three farm laws in Delhi in January and February, it was reported that some NGOs like ‘Khalsa Aid’ and others were funded by these Sikh organisations and supported the agitation for long. Around 40 persons including a Punjabi actor Deep Sidhu and Khalistani sympathizer Baldev Singh Sirsa were summoned by the NIA for questioning in the ‘Sikhs For Justice Referendum case.

Recently on November 1, the SFJ organised a referendum in London to carve out Khalistan in India, which badly failed to garner support of the Sikhs due to punitive actions taken by the Indian government.

The Indian authorities have cancelled the visas of 12 Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) status for their involvement in anti-India activities abroad. The US based SFJ deliberately tried to organise a referendum in London on November 1, 2021 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in the UK, attending a global summit on Climate Change in Glasgow.

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