New Delhi: As diplomatic tensions continue to escalate between India and Canada, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken a significant step in its efforts to counter Khalistani terrorists operating both within India and abroad.

In response to the ongoing Khalistani row, the NIA has released a list of 43 individuals suspected of having links to a terror gangster network operating from Canada. The agency has also released photographs of these accused, some of whom are based in Canada.

The NIA's crackdown is part of its intensified efforts to combat Khalistani terrorists who aim to disrupt peace and communal harmony in the state of Punjab. To further this mission, the agency has announced cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of 'listed terrorists' Harwinder Singh Sandhu and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu, with a reward of Rs 10 lakh each. Additionally, a reward of Rs 5 lakh has been announced for information on Parminder Singh Kaira, Satnam Singh, and Yadvinder Singh.

According to the NIA, these individuals are wanted in connection with terrorist activities, fundraising for the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) outfit, smuggling of terrorist hardware and narcotics into Punjab, and extensive extortion from businessmen and prominent individuals. The suspects are also allegedly involved in targeted killings and recruiting new members for the BKI, both in India and abroad. The agency claims that they have established a network of operatives in various countries.

Harwinder Singh Sandhu is identified as a Pakistan-based listed terrorist and a member of the BKI, while the others are said to belong to the Indian state of Punjab.

The NIA's actions come on the heels of growing tensions between India and Canada, sparked by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's accusation that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India. Nijjar was gunned down in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023.

In addition to pursuing individuals with suspected links to Khalistani terrorism, the NIA has also released pictures of 43 members of a Khalistani-gangsters nexus involved in various criminal activities, including murders, drug and weapon smuggling, and participation in anti-India acts abroad, such as the attack on the Indian high commission in London on March 19 of the same year. Many of these individuals are believed to have connections with Canada-based pro-Khalistan elements.

The NIA's announcement of cash rewards for information on these individuals came shortly after Prime Minister Trudeau's allegations of Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing — a claim that India has vehemently denied.

As tensions persist, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has issued an advisory to its citizens in Canada, urging them to exercise "utmost caution" due to growing anti-India activities and hate crimes.

The NIA has encouraged anyone with specific information regarding the wanted terrorists to share it with the NIA headquarters in New Delhi or the NIA Branch Office in Chandigarh via telephone or WhatsApp.

The evolving situation underscores the complex diplomatic and security challenges surrounding the issue of Khalistani terrorism and its impact on India-Canada relations. /BI/