Canada-based Khalistan operatives involved in killing of Punjab's Shaurya Chakra awardee in 2020: NIA tells SC
PTC Web Desk: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has informed the Supreme Court that operatives of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) based in Canada orchestrated the 2020 murder of Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a Shaurya Chakra awardee and teacher, in Punjab. The revelation comes amidst strained relations between Canada and India over the ongoing investigation into the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Balwinder Singh Sandhu was fatally shot outside his residence at Bhikhiwind, Tarn Taran district, in October 2020. He had been honoured with the Shaurya Chakra for his efforts against militancy in Punjab during the 1990s. According to a 111-page affidavit submitted by the NIA, the accused revealed that they were instructed to carry out the murder by Canada-based KLF operatives Sukhmeet Pal Singh, alias Sunny Toronto, and Lakhveer Singh, alias Rode.
The affidavit states that both Sunny Toronto and Lakhveer Singh, named in the NIA chargesheet as absconders, planned to eliminate "anti-Khalistan entities in India" in an effort to reignite the Khalistan movement. The NIA reported that the pair contacted Sukhmeet Pal Singh to execute the killing with the goal of reviving terrorism in Punjab.
The NIA further stated that Sunny Toronto reached out to radicalised youth in Punjab, including Inderjit Singh, alias Inder, to carry out the murder of Sandhu.
"The primary objective of the Khalistan Liberation Force is to establish a Khalistan state through armed struggle," the NIA's affidavit noted. It added that KLF leaders believe targeting specific community members can revive the movement by creating communal tensions in Punjab.
The affidavit emphasised that the KLF considers those who oppose the ideology of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as key targets, making Sandhu a victim of their conspiracy.
- With inputs from agencies
