NIA attaches properties of 2 pro-Khalistan terrorists

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 8

The government today ordered attachment of immovable properties owned by designated terrorists Gurpatwant Singh Pannu in Amritsar and Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Jalandhar.

While Pannu, based in the US, heads the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Nijjar, living in Canada, is the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force.

A senior National Investigation Agency (NIA) official said the orders for attaching the properties were issued in accordance with the powers conferred on the anti-terror probe body under Section 51A of the UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act), 1967.

Pannu owns 46 kanal in Khankot village and 11 kanal 13.5 marla in Bhainiwal under Sultanwind Suburban in Amritsar district. Nijjar has 11 kanal 13 marla land at Bhar Singhpura village in Phillaur, Jalandhar.

“The orders have been issued as part of the NIA investigation into a concerted campaign by secessionist SFJ under the banner of Sikh Referendum 2020 for creation of Khalistan,” the official said.

The outfit was also trying to hold meetings at certain places in the US and other countries to instigate and mobilise diaspora for its illegal activities, the official said.

The Centre had declared SFJ an unlawful association under the UAPA vide its notification on July, 10, 2019. On July 1 this year, it designated Pannu and Nijjar as terrorists, as per the fourth schedule of the Act.

Crackdown on SFJ, KTF

• The action has come against Pannu, based in the US, and Canada resident Nijjar
• Pannu, chief of banned SFJ, owns 46 kanal in Khankot village and 11 kanal 13.5 marla in Bhainiwal in Amritsar
• Nijjar, Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief, owns 11 kanal 13 marla land at Bhar Singhpura village in Phillaur