Amritpal Singh’s “close aide and financer” arrested: Sources

Although attempts are being made to apprehend pro-Khalistan ‘Waris Punjab De’ head Amritpal Singh, a suspected advisor and financier of the “fugitive” has been apprehended, according to central agency sources. According to reports, Amritpal Singh’s accused adviser and financier, Daljeet Singh Kalsi alias Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi, has been detained. This comes after the Punjab Police started a huge raid on the ‘Waris De Punjab’ commander on Saturday.

Police were posted outside Amritpal Singh’s house in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar earlier today, and security was increased across the state because the Khalistani sympathiser group head is presently on the run, according to the police. Previously on Saturday late evening, Jalandhar Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal stated that the extreme leader had been labelled a “fugitive”.

In an exclusive interview with ANI, the Jalandhar Commissioner said, “Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh has been declared a fugitive. His two cars were seized and gunmen nabbed. We also checked if the firearms of his security escorts had been procured legally. A case has been registered. Punjab Police have launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh and we are hopeful that he will be arrested soon. A total of 78 people have been arrested so far and further searches and raids are underway”.

Amritpal Singh’s father, on the other hand, said that Punjab Police searched his Amritsar home but found no “illegal” items. Amritpal’s father, Tarsem Singh, claimed late Saturday night that the police should have detained him before he left the house.

“We don’t have any information about his whereabouts. They carried out a search at our residence for 3-4 hours but did not find anything illegal. Police should have arrested him before he left home,” said Tarsem Singh in an exclusive interview with ANI on Saturday.

Sharing more details, the official spokesperson of Punjab Police said, “On Saturday afternoon, several activists of WPD were intercepted by the Police at the Shahkot-Malsian Road in Jalandhar district and seven persons were arrested on the spot. Several others including Amritpal Singh are on the run and a massive manhunt has been launched to nab them.”

“During the statewide operation, nine weapons, including one .315 bore rifle, seven rifles of 12 bore, one revolver, and 373 live cartridges of different calibres have been recovered so far,” said an officer.

According to the spokesman, WPD members are implicated in four criminal cases including promoting discord among classes, attempting to kill, striking police officers, and obstructing the proper fulfilment of public employees’ responsibilities.

“Case FIR No. 39 dated 24-02-2023 stands registered against WPD elements for the attack on Ajnala Police Station,” he added.

He stated that all people implicated in criminal offences will be dealt with according to the law, and that anyone wanted by the police should submit to the legal process. Their fundamental rights to legal representation would be safeguarded, he emphasised.