NIA raids Amritpal’s aides, kin; 13 sites across 7 dists searched

In a statewide crackdown in connection with the 2023 violent attack by a pro-Khalistani mob at the Indian High Commission in Ottawa (Canada), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday carried out searches at 13 locations and seized several incriminating documents and digital devices.

The searches were conducted at locations in Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Patiala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Tarn Taran and Moga districts.

The NIA also searched residences of close aides and relatives of Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, currently imprisoned in Assam's Dibrugarh Jail under the National Security Act.

Raids were conducted on the house and furniture workshop of Amritpal's uncle Pargat Singh Sandhu.

A team also searched his brother-in-law Amarjot Singh's premises at Butala village in Amritsar. Amarjot, who currently resides in Canada, had allegedly led a group of pro-Khalistani supporters who raised anti-India slogans and hurled grenades at the High Commission.

Pargat Singh was not at home, while his wife Amarjit Kaur was detained for questioning at the Beas police station and released after seven hours. She was asked to appear before the NIA in Chandigarh.

Charanjit Singh Bhinder, a spokesperson for Amritpal, criticised the raids as "pressure tactics" against the MP's supporters, claiming the action by the central agency was in response to the recent Baba Bakala conference organised during the Rakhar Punia event.

Amritpal's father Tarsem Singh alleged the government was trying to create an atmosphere of fear among the people of Punjab, especially MP's supporters. He said the central agencies were harassing their relatives and supporters.