DISPUTE OVER MONEY LIKELY CAUSE OF NIJJAR'S KILLING

Probe by Indian agencies has thrown up the names of Tariq Kiyani and Rahat Rao as key suspects in Nijjar's killing.

- RAHUL CHHABRA

At a time when the Indian government has denied any role in the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, preliminary investigations by Indian security agencies have thrown up names of two ISI agents-Tariq Kiyani and Rahat Rao-as probable murder plotters or killers of the Khalistani terrorist during a gang war over sharing of the spoils of illegal drugs trade and immigration business.

Rao and Kiyani were identified as Nijjar's handlers appointed by the ISI to push the Khalistan agenda and spread drugs smuggling. The two were allegedly unhappy with Nijjar's decisions to ignore their instructions and misuse the money flowing in from drugs smuggling, said sources.

The diplomatic row between India and Canada over the Nijjar killing took a fresh twist with top Khalistani extremist and head of the banned US-based Sikhs for Justice outfit, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in a social media video, blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Nijjar's killing. He threatened to attack the Indian Parliament and disrupt an ICC World Cup cricket match in Ahmedabad on 6 October. The Delhi Police have registered an FIR in the matter and started an investigation.

Meanwhile, the international attention received by Nijjar's killing has lent a fresh sense of urgency within the Indian security establishment to up the ante against anti-India and pro-Khalistan elements and gangsters who support them.

Apart from taking coercive action against such elements and their properties in India, the government is planning to renew efforts to seek help from the United States, UK, Australia, Canada and the UAE for action against 19 such terror operatives and their supporters identified by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).