Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the leader of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), has been sought out by the Punjab police in connection with instances involving acts of terrorism in the region. On July 1, 2020, India labelled Nijjar and 8 other individuals as terrorists. Furthermore, in July of this year, a reward of Rs. 10 lakh was declared on his head.
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As per the media reports, a senior official revealed that the demand for Nijjar’s extradition is based on a red corner notice issued on March 14, 2016, and a lookout circular (LOC) issued on January 23, 2015, both of which are based in the country where he is accused of engaging in terrorist activities.
Reportedly, by encouraging Parminder Kala, a resident of Mughal Majri in the Ropar district, to attack Baba Piara Singh Bhaniarawala and Sanjeev Ghanouli, a Shiv Sena leader, for their claimed anti-panthic activities, Nijjar created a KTF module in Punjab.
According to the media reports, Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal, a former resident of Chak Kalan in Ludhiana, and three other youngsters reportedly received instruction to use AK-47 assault weapons, sniper rifles, and pistols at an arms training camp organised by Nijjar in December 2015 in Mission Hills, British Columbia, Canada. In order to carry out targeted killings, Mandeep was sent to Punjab in January 2016. However, he was caught in June and prevented from carrying out the plan.
However, Nijjar, in an interview with Vancouver-based journalist Kuldeep Mann on TV Punjab, denied the claims that he was involved in any terrorist activities. “I’ve lived in Canada for more than three decades. I work as a sewadar in a Vancouver gurdwara. I’m being unfairly singled out,” said Najjar.
