NIA arrests two ‘wanted’ aides of terrorist Arsh Dhalla at Delhi airport

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two ‘wanted’ close associates of Arsh Dhalla, a ‘listed terrorist’ based in Canada, after they arrived at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in the national capital on Friday.

According to officials, the couple arrived from Manila, Philippines, where they had been living. Amritpal Singh alias Ammy and Amrik Singh, both from Punjab, were apprehended in an early morning operation by the NIA, which was waiting at the airport for their flight to land.

According to the NIA, the accused were issued non-bailable arrest warrants by the NIA Delhi Court in a case involving the unlawful and violent activities of banned organisations in India.

They also have several criminal cases registered against them in Punjab, said the Central anti-terror agency, adding that NIA had registered a suo moto case on August 20 last year under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

The NIA investigations have revealed that the accused had entered into a criminal conspiracy to raise funds for the banned terrorist organization Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), and also smuggle arms, ammunition and explosives for it from across the border.

“The accused had been working for individual designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh Dhalla to promote violent criminal activities of the KTF in India,” added the NIA.

“In association with another notorious wanted accused Manpreet Singh alias Peeta, they had been involved in smuggling weapons from Pakistan and recruitment of youth to carry out acts of violence and terror in the country at the behest of the KTF, said the NIA.

“They were also part of an extortion racket for raising funds for the banned outfit. The accused used to identify extortion targets, including businessmen, and then threaten them into parting with huge amounts,” said the agency.

“In case the identified targets refused, their homes and other premises would be fired at by the accused’s India-based associates,” added the agency.

The arrests were made as part of the NIA’s ongoing crackdown on individual terrorists and terrorist organisations involved in a criminal conspiracy to smuggle terrorist hardware, such as arms, ammunition, and explosives, and raise funds for terrorist acts on Indian soil.