Khalistani militant held in Delhi

A Khalistan militant has been arrested here for involvement in over 75 cases of terror, murder, robbery and loot registered against him in Punjab, Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, Delhi Police said on Tuesday.

Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) member Gursewak Singh alias Babla, 55, was arrested on a tip-off from west Delhi's Mahipalpur area on Monday evening with a loaded sophisticated pistol, said Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Praveer Ranjan.

The official said Gursewak had killed several police officials, informers and committed bank and police station dacoities as well as robberies in the above-said states during 1980s when terrorism was at its peak in Punjab.

"Gursewak was associated with Sikh militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed in Operation Blue Star by the Army in 1984," said the officer, adding the accused was presently planning to resurrect his organisation on instructions from KCF chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar, now in Pakistan.

"He was in touch with Sikh militant Jagtar Singh Hawara and other militants lodged in jails in India. The accused was also declared a proclaimed offender by a Patiala House court as he was not appearing for hearing since 2010," the official said.

The police said Gursewak is involved in the murder of Hind Samachar group's editor Ramesh Chander in May 1984 in Jalandhar, who was an outspoken critic of Bhindranwale.

He remained jailed till 2004 for around 18 years before he fled from Punjab Police custody.

--IANS

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