SNE NETWORK.CHANDIGARH.
The Punjab police has attached properties of members of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) in connection with the high-profile Batala firing incident in which Shiv Sena leader Rajiv Mahajan and his relatives were attacked in Batala in June.
The shootout took place at Neelam TV Centre in Batala where two unidentified masked assailants opened fire on Rajiv Mahajan, injuring him, his uncle and cousin. Investigation revealed the involvement of KLF members with cross-border connections.
The case, initially registered under sections 452, 307, 34 of the IPC and the Arms Act, was later enhanced to sections 16, 17, 18, 18(b), and 20 of the UAPA.
Conspiracy hatched to avenge Nijjar’s death
Inderjit Singh Bajwa, a prominent member of the KLF and a habitual offender, was identified as the primary conspirator. Bajwa, along with Ranjodh Singh alias Baba (resident in Canada), had hatched the conspiracy to carry out the attack to avenge the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
A 32 bore pistol, magazines, ammunition and communication equipment were recovered from the accused, along with evidence of money transactions to carry out the attack.
The 32 marla house of Inderjit Singh and his father Kulwant Singh in the Red Line area of Raishiana village in Tarn Taran was used for terrorist activities. The property has now been attached under UAPA provisions.
Agricultural land including house seized in Tarn Taran
A 7.11 marla house and 16.5 marla agricultural land of Qila Santokh Singh village Tarn Taran, registered in the name of Jashnpreet Singh, have also been attached. Jashnpreet, another KLF member, helped plan and execute the attack from these premises. During the investigation, a large network of accused including Dalbir Singh alias Jassa, Lakhwinder Singh, Dev Singh, Jagdish Singh and Amit was unearthed.
All of them were part of an international syndicate with links in Canada, which was promoting terror operations in Punjab. Ranjodh Singh alias Baba had further exposed the international connection by taking responsibility for the attack on social media platforms.
SSP Batala Sohail Qasim Mir said, “The attachment of properties sends a strong message to individuals and organisations involved in anti-national activities. Punjab Police is committed to dismantling the terror network and ensuring peace in the state.”