UP's Pilibhit a 'safe haven' for Khalistan sympathisers

In June, the UP Police had sounded an alert in Bareilly, Pilibhit after posters of separatists were put up outside gurdwaras

- Rohit Kumar Singh

LUCKNOW: The encounter of three pro-Khalistan operatives in Pilibhit on Monday reinforces the belief that Khalistan movement sympathisers seeking refuge in the Terai region is not a new phenomenon, said officials.

In June, the UP Police had sounded an alert in Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur and Budaun districts, after posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who led the Khalistan movement, and other separatists were put up outside gurdwaras in Pilibhit and Bareilly, said a police official. "We are committed to forging a united front, along with the police of other states and agencies to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, sending a strong and unequivocal message that UP will not be a safe haven for terror," said UP DGP Prashant Kumar.

The Khalistani leaders' posters outside gurdwaras seem to be a larger conspiracy of separatist groups to widen support for

NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday arrested a key aide of Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa and gangster Bachitar Singh alias Pavitar Batala in the Punjab terror conspiracy case, according to an official statement.

Jatinder Singh alias Jyoti of Gurdaspur had been absconding since the arrest of weapons supplier Baljit Singh alias Rana Bhai in July 2024. He was arrested on Monday from Mumbai after extensive technical and on-ground efforts by the NIA.

themselves. This incident hinted at the presence of Khalistani sympathisers in Pilibhit and Bareilly, he said.

The first incident of posters was reported from Pilibhit's Puranpur police station limits, the same area where the three pro-Khalistan militants were gunned down on Monday, while the second incident was reported from Baradari police station area of Bareilly, he said.