Description
Amritpal Singh's uncle, Harijit Singh, was driving a Mercedes when police chased the Khalistani leader and his aides on Saturday. Harijit Singh said he and Amritpal got separated during the 15-16 kilometer police chase. Four of Amritpal Singh's top aides, arrested and flown to Dibrugarh in upper Assam, have been charged under the strict National Security Law (NSA). Police have so far arrested 112 associates of Amritpal Singh, including 34 on Sunday. Several members of his group “Waris Punjab De” were detained for questioning. Among those arrested was Daljeet Singh Kalsi, the man who handles Amritpal Singh's finances.
British Deputy High Commissioner Christina Scott was summoned by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Sunday night after videos on social media showed a Khalistan supporter lowering the national flag outside the Indian High Commission in London.
Police have launched a massive operation to catch Amritpal, who was last seen fleeing on a motorbike in Jalandhar on Saturday night, the sources said. The police officers seized his car in which firearms and several dozen rounds of live ammunition were found.
Restrictions on SMS and mobile internet services have been extended to Punjab. Neighboring Haryana also remains on high alert.
Amid the crackdown in India, Khalistan supporters have taken to the streets of the UK in protest. Videos on social media showed protesters scaling the Indian High Commission building in London and tearing down the national flag.
Intelligence reports suggest that Amritpal Singh used drug rehabilitation centers and a gurdwara to store weapons and train young people to carry out suicide attacks.
During the ongoing crackdown, a number of weapons and ammunition destined for the so-called Anandpur Khalsa Front (AKF), the brainchild of Amritpal Singh, were seized.
The crackdown comes a month after Amritpal Singh and his supporters stormed a police station with swords and guns to free one of his aides.
