Aug 15 in focus as Khalistan groups intensify Punjab strike plans

Intelligence agencies have issued a high alert in Punjab ahead of Independence Day, warning of possible symbolic attacks and intensified online propaganda by pro-Khalistan elements. Authorities are closely monitoring SFJ activities and alleged efforts to revive the separatist movement

New Delhi: The Intelligence agencies have issued a high alert for Punjab ahead of Independence Day on August 15. The agencies say that pro-Khalistan elements would look to carry out an attack on that day.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that the Khalistani groups are planning strikes in several parts of Punjab. This has been their plan for long, but they would want to time the attack on Independence Day, the official added.

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The official further said that pro-Khalistan terror groups want the attack to be a symbolic one and hence have planned it for August 15. They would not mind even if the attack is smaller in nature, but they want to send out a message when India celebrates Independence Day, the official also said.

The warning comes amidst a major push being made by the ISI to revive the Khalistan movement in Punjab. With crackdowns galore on gangster-terror networks both in India and Canada, these groups find themselves to be on the back foot.

The desperation is growing, and hence they would indulge in a misadventure in Punjab. An official said that a close watch is also being kept on the activities of the proscribed outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

The chief of the banned outfit, Gurpatwant Singh, has been active on social media of late. He has been urging the youth in Punjab to hoist Khalistan flags on schools and other public places. He has been instructing the youth to term August 15 as a dark day and also gather in large numbers and protest against the Indian state.

While on one hand there are terror strikes that are being planned, a major propaganda drive is also on the anvil of these elements.

Earlier this week, pro-Khalistan slogans were found written on a government middle school in Kotla Heran village in Punjab. The slogans found on the school read, “Khalistan Zindabad.” The police who sprang into action later erased the slogans from the walls. Another official said that these elements are also attempting something similar in Canada and the United Kingdom on August 15. They have plans to shift the narrative away from India’s Independence Day and push their agenda for a separate Khalistan nation carved out of India’s Punjab, the official also added.

Meanwhile, the Intelligence agencies are keeping a close tab on the activities of the SFJ online. Gurpatwant Singh is trying to push pro-Khalistan content heavily on social media. The content would revolve around the creation of a separate Khalistan nation, and also calls would be made to the youth of Punjab to rise against the Indian state.

He also plans on running hate campaigns against India. In the past, Singh’s campaigns have largely focused on calling for attacks in India. He has particularly focused on running a smear campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Officials say that these elements would look to organise a referendum in various countries. After the Canadian and UK authorities stepped up the heat on this movement and its members, the Khalistan groups tried making a shift to Malaysia and Azerbaijan. However, Malaysia has been tough on these elements and in June this year deported Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) members to India.

Officials say that this is a crucial time for the battle against the Khalistan movement. They have become desperate; their backers, the ISI, are getting edgy, and hence the chances of them indulging in a massive misadventure cannot be ruled out, the official also said.