Fugitive Khalistani extremist Amritpal Singh’s key aide Papalpreet Singh arrested from Hoshiarpur

Papalpreet Singh, an aide of pro-Khalistani sympathiser Amritpal Singh, was detained in Hoshiarpur in a major crackdown against ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief, according to reports on April 10.

Papalpreet Singh was arrested in an operation conducted by Punjab Police and its counter-intelligence unit. It is to be noted that on April 1, a CCTV footage emerged wherein Amritpal Singh’s key aide Papalpreet Singh can be seen casually roaming around in the compound of a dera in Hoshiarpur in Punjab. According to reports, Papalpreet Singh, who provided all logistics and contacts required to live in hiding for Amritpal Singh, got separated from the latter in the same city.

Punjab Police launched an operation against Amritpal and his aides on March 18.

According to the police, the accused, identified as Amrik Singh, a resident of RS Pura, and his wife Paramjit Kour, were detained for reportedly having links with Papalpreet Singh, a key aide of Amritpal Singh.

The accused duo were handed over to Punjab police later, an officer of Jammu police said. Delhi Police said that the head of the pro-Khalistani outfit Waris Punjab De is suspected of having left the National capital.

According to sources, Delhi Police and Punjab Police were conducting a search operation in Delhi and its borders after receiving intelligence inputs of a sighting of Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal at Delhi’s ISBT bus terminal.

Intelligence inputs had suggested that he may be disguised as a sadhu. Papalpreet Singh is accompanying Amritpal Singh, sources said.

The Punjab Police had expressed doubts about Amritpal entering the Delhi border using any vehicle other than a bus. Following the input, Delhi Police went on alert mode and are trying to track Amritpal’s movements.

Amritpal has been on the run since March 18, the day Punjab Police launched a massive manhunt for him.

The crackdown came almost over three weeks after Amritpal’s supporters stormed Ajnala police station in Amritsar on February 23, demanding the release of one of his close aides, Lovepreet Toofan.