Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI sponsored the US-based secession outfit ‘Sikhs For Justice’ to hoist the Khalistan flag at the deputy commissioner’s office in Moga, Punjab, by Khalistan Zindabad Force on the eve of Independence Day.
“Two alleged members of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) have been held by special cell on Saturday evening from Delhi’s GT Karnal Road while they were en-route to Pakistan via Nepal to train further. Both the arrested accused have been identified as Inderjit Singh Gill, 31, and Jaspal Singh, 27,” said Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, DCP Special Cell. Adding further, the DCP told The Daily Guardian that both the accused were wanted under several sections of IPC including sedition and Section 2 of the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act 1971 in Punjab. “We received secret input that two KZF members will come to Delhi to commit some anti-national activities on the directions of their foreign-based commanders. Accordingly, a trap was laid by the team led by ACP Sanjay Dutt near Shani Mandir at GT Karnal Road. Both were intercepted by the team and nabbed after a brief chase,” said the DCP.
Inderjeet, Jaspal Singh and one of their associates Aakashdeep, went on a bike and hoisted black flag painted with ‘Nishan Shahib’ (the Sikh symbol). They also decimated the Indian flag, before fleeing away from the spot. Following the incident immediate inquiry was set up by intelligence agencies. District magistrate Sandeep Hans announced a reward of Rs. 50,000 on any information leading to their arrest.
Both the men were convinced with the 2020 Sikh Referendum demanding secession of Punjab from India and the movement by Sikh For Justice (SJF) founded and primarily headed by USbased lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a senior police officer told TDG. Requesting anonymity, he explained that Inderjeet’s elder brother introduced him to the YouTube videos provoking youngsters to join Khalistan movement. “SFJ was banned under the UAPA Act, last year. Pannu, the man behind the group, is declared a terror threat, accepted by the Government of India. Its unlawful activity has been an internal threat to the harmony of the country,” said the officer. The accused told the officers that they were impressed by a US national, identified as Rana whose video they saw frequently. “Rana in his videos urged everyone to be awarded with $2,500 if they hoist the Khalistan flag and torn apart Indian one, while $12,500 if done on any historic buildings like Red Fort,” said DCP.
