A man suspected to be in touch with Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), has been arrested in Maharashtra in connection with the May 9 deadly attack at the intelligence headquarters of Punjab Police, the first after the Aam Aadmi Party formed a government in the border state.
Thirty-year-old, Indrajit Singh Karisingh, who goes by his monikers Karaj Singh and Charat Singh, is known for his affiliation with Canadian-based gangster Lakhbir Landa. Landa is also wanted in Punjab for more than 20 criminal cases involving extortion, murder and supply of arms and ammunition.
The Punjab government had opened a manhunt for the involvement of pro-Khalistani ultras after the terror attack where a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) was used to cause mayhem at the site on May 9.
Hours after the arrest in Mumbai, Punjab Police DGP Gaurav Yadav told media persons, “Arrest of Charat Singh, a close associate of Canada-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Lakhbir Singh, is a big success in our goal to make Punjab crime-free.”
On Tuesday, the Canada-based gangster claimed responsibility for the murder of a shopkeeper in the border district of Tarn Taran through his alleged Facebook account.
Charat Singh was out on two months’ parole leave from Kapurthala jail, Punjab. During his parole period, he, along with his associates, attacked Punjab Police, Intelligence Head Quarters, Mohali with an RPG on May 9, 2022.
The Anti-terrorism Squad, Maharashtra, received discreet information about his whereabouts. Accordingly, an ATS team detained him from Malad, Mumbai. During interrogation, it was revealed that he was in contact with a wanted terrorist named Lakhbir Singh Landa. The arrested accused has been handed over to Punjab Police for further necessary action.
Landa’s father, Naranjan Singh (75), an ex-serviceman, and mother, Parminder Kaur (65), residents of Harike, Tarn Taran, claim that their life has become miserable and they have to face police harassment, and social boycott because of their son. They have been suffering from various ailments. The family owns a house, a tractor, a luxurious car and 20 acres of land.
Landa was allegedly involved in criminal activities since his college days. Landa has a brother, Tarsem Singh, who has shifted to some undisclosed location owing to his brother’s criminal record.
Lakhbir left for Canada in 2017. His family expected him to mend his ways. In 2019, Lakhbir returned to illegal activities after suffering a financial loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.