LUDHIANA: Punjab DGP Suresh Arora claimed on Friday that the handlers of the ISI-backed terror module behind targeted killings of religious leaders in the state were based in Italy, the UK and Canada.
"The role of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) is being investigated. Although it is too early to share details, funding for the module from foreign sources has been confirmed," he told reporters.
The top cop made the announcement after the arrest of a second alleged sharp-shooter in the case on Friday morning. Hardeep Singh Shera, 21, of Fatehgarh Sahib is believed to be directly involved in at least three of the eight murders — those of Shiv Sena member Durga Prasad Gupta, the vice-president of RSS in Punjab, Brig Jagdish Gagneja (Retd), and pastor Sultan Masih. Police are now tracking the alleged foreign-based handlers, who use social media. Shera and the second jailed sharp-shooter, Ramandeep Canadian, were reportedly contacted on Facebook. So far, five people have been arrested over their alleged involvement in the killings. Those arrested include a UK national, Jagtar Singh Johal.
Shera is believed to have fled to Italy six days after he allegedly killed Gagneja on August 6 last year. His passport has revealed that he would leave the country after each killing and return when the "dust settled". Officials were reluctant to give details, but said his passport bore visas for "many nations".
Arora said Shera tried to fire at the cops who confronted him at a gym in Fatehgarh Sahib on Friday. However, he was quickly overpowered. He has no criminal record. The DGP said the motorcycle used in Gagneja's killing was recovered from a canal after Shera gave them the details.
"Since the conspiracy was executed by trained operatives, the perpetrators managed to hide their footprints quite well," said a government official, "The modus operandi...was to kill RSS and other leaders... in the hope of triggering communal disharmony in Punjab."
"The role of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) is being investigated. Although it is too early to share details, funding for the module from foreign sources has been confirmed," he told reporters.
The top cop made the announcement after the arrest of a second alleged sharp-shooter in the case on Friday morning. Hardeep Singh Shera, 21, of Fatehgarh Sahib is believed to be directly involved in at least three of the eight murders — those of Shiv Sena member Durga Prasad Gupta, the vice-president of RSS in Punjab, Brig Jagdish Gagneja (Retd), and pastor Sultan Masih. Police are now tracking the alleged foreign-based handlers, who use social media. Shera and the second jailed sharp-shooter, Ramandeep Canadian, were reportedly contacted on Facebook. So far, five people have been arrested over their alleged involvement in the killings. Those arrested include a UK national, Jagtar Singh Johal.
Shera is believed to have fled to Italy six days after he allegedly killed Gagneja on August 6 last year. His passport has revealed that he would leave the country after each killing and return when the "dust settled". Officials were reluctant to give details, but said his passport bore visas for "many nations".
Arora said Shera tried to fire at the cops who confronted him at a gym in Fatehgarh Sahib on Friday. However, he was quickly overpowered. He has no criminal record. The DGP said the motorcycle used in Gagneja's killing was recovered from a canal after Shera gave them the details.
"Since the conspiracy was executed by trained operatives, the perpetrators managed to hide their footprints quite well," said a government official, "The modus operandi...was to kill RSS and other leaders... in the hope of triggering communal disharmony in Punjab."
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