Anti-terrorism meet focuses on Pro-Khalistanis Elements

The re-emergence of Pro-Khalistan Elements (PKEs) is among the top agendas during the two-day anti-terrorism conference that started here on Thursday. Heads of anti-terrorism squads, special operation groups and the National Investigation Agency are participating in the meet. The action taken and the challenges in India and abroad was likely to be taken up, said officials, adding this included the recent NIA crackdown on narcotic-smugglers-gangsters nexus.

NIA has set up an interstate coordination mechanism with Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh police for regular and real-time information sharing and coordinated operations to dismantle organised criminal gangs and terror syndicate ecosystems in the northern region.

Besides this, the Union home ministry has designated terrorist organisations and associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) such as Hardeep Singh Nijjar (now dead), Gurpatwant Singh Pannu and his organisation and Sikhs For Justice.


The killing of Nijjar has led to a diplomatic row between India and Canada with the latter accusing New Delhi of being involved in the murder. The agency, further probing the cases of attacks on Indian Consulates by Pro-Khalistan Elements, have sought identification of 88 individuals involved in the attack in London and the United States.

Punjab police in March this year launched a massive crackdown on Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh who was believed to have links with PKEs in the United Kingdom and Canada. India has also sought action against PKEs in foreign countries, including Canada following which the London police launched a probe into the attack.

Three PKEs and five others linked to them have been deported from various countries by NIA.