The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key associate of two Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) linked terror operatives who had carried out a grenade attack on a temple in Punjab’s Amritsar in March this year, the agency said on May 22.
Absconder Bhagwant Singh alias Manna Bhatti was nabbed on May 21 from Akalgarh village in Amritsar, taking the total arrests in the case to four.
The attack was carried out by Gursidak Singh and Vishal alias Chuchi, who had hurled a hand grenade at Thakur Dwara Sanatan Mandir in Amritsar, the NIA investigation reveals. The proscribed terror organisation KLF has claimed responsibility for the attack.
While Gursidak Singh was killed in a shootout with police following the temple attack, Vishal was arrested. Two other men, identified as Diwan Singh alias Sunny and Sahib Singh alias Saba, were also arrested in the case.
As per NIA investigation, Bhagwant, who was absconding since the incident, had knowingly provided shelter to Gursidak and Vishal. “The duo had stayed with Bhagwant during the planning of the terror attack and also thereafter. The grenade used in the attack was also concealed behind Bhagwan’s house with his knowledge.”
NIA’s investigations in the case further reveal that Bhagwant Singh had even received terror funds in his bank account.
NIA is continuing its investigation in the case as part of its crackdown against KLF associates in India and the terror outfit’s foreign-based nodes.
(With inputs from ANI)
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