"NIA Files Chargesheet Against Khalistani Militants' Associate in Terror Conspiracy Case"

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a chargesheet against Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, a key associate of Khalistani terrorists Harwinder Singh Sandhu, alias Rinda, and Lakhbir Singh, alias Landa, in a terror conspiracy case. The chargesheet was submitted on October 21 in the NIA special court at Mohali.

Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran, is identified as an associate of foreign-based designated terrorists Rinda and Landa, both affiliated with the banned organization Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Investigations by the NIA revealed that he was involved in the RPG attack on the Sarhali police station in December 2022 and maintained contact with his foreign handlers while in jail and afterward. The agency also established his role in a conspiracy orchestrated by BKI terrorists to instigate terror in Punjab and other regions of India.

Furthermore, the NIA found that Gurpreet conspired to raise funds for BKI operatives in India through extensive extortion from businesses, acting on instructions from Landa. He was also involved in recruiting vulnerable youth for the BKI module, conducting reconnaissance on targeted individuals, and attempting to eliminate those targets. During a search operation in January, the NIA seized an illegal weapon from his residence.

Gurpreet has been charged under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Arms Act, with further investigations ongoing. Rinda, who fled to Pakistan in 2018, is linked to various terror activities against India, including smuggling arms and recruiting operatives for BKI.