Intelligence flags ISI plan to push drugs and arms into Punjab
Intelligence agencies have flagged a fresh ISI-backed plan to push drugs, arms and ammunition into Punjab, with Babbar Khalsa International leading the operation. The strategy aims to revive Khalistan activities and later route contraband into Jammu and Kashmir
New Delhi: Fresh intelligence inputs suggest that Pakistan-based actors are trying to flood the Punjab market with drugs, arms and ammunition. At a recent meeting held in Lahore, it was decided that the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) would lead this operation. The modus operandi is to flood Punjab with drugs, arms and ammunition.
While this would help the ISI further its Khalistan movement in the state, the rest of the contraband would be moved into Jammu and Kashmir. Intelligence Bureau officials say that the ISI has come under pressure from Khalistan elements operating out of Canada and other countries since their Punjab plans are not taking off. Central agencies and the Punjab Police have managed to keep these elements out of Punjab successfully.
An official further added that the youth are clearly not buying the idea of a separate Khalistan nation. Various attempts at radicalising the youth have failed and this is largely due to elders in the state who have spoken about the ill effects of this movement. The BKI feels that if the ideology is not working, money should be used to recruit youth in Punjab.
The meeting held at the Gulbarg locality in Lahore discussed in detail the need to make a fresh push in Punjab. The drug problem has been immense in the state. It was decided to lure the youth into the Khalistan movement by using both drugs and money, since the ideology is clearly not working.
Intelligence agencies have learnt that the BKI has stocked huge amounts of drugs, arms and ammunition at warehouses provided by the ISI. The BKI has these facilities in Lahore, Islamabad and Faizabad. Over the last couple of months, huge consignments have entered these warehouses and attempts are being made to send them to India.
Of late, it has been noticed that Khalistani elements are not gaining traction in Punjab. However, their international campaigns have been largely successful, with terror groups such as Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) carrying out referendums and spreading hate against India using social media. International players are now questioning the ISI on why their India operations have not been scaled up. These elements need Pakistan’s support to scale up operations in India.
Another official added that the ISI has been actively training Khalistani elements so that they can scale up operations. Training camps have been activated at Attock, Not Lakhpat, Chakwal and Gujranwala, intelligence agencies have learnt. During the recent meeting held at the Gulbarg locality, it was reiterated by the ISI that all Khalistani terror groups should work as one entity.
The same strategy is being adopted in the case of Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad. The ISI has told these groups that working together would have a deeper impact and ensure there is no competition or rivalry between the groups. While the ISI did take time to convince these terror outfits, it had no such problem with Khalistani terror groups, officials have learnt.
While the revival of the Khalistan movement is the main agenda behind this fresh push, agencies also warn that the strategy includes Jammu and Kashmir. The ISI has been finding it hard to smuggle drugs, arms and ammunition into the Union Territory due to high security along the Line of Control. Several infiltration bids have also been foiled in recent months.
Pakistan is now seeking to send consignments in large numbers into Punjab and later smuggle them into Jammu and Kashmir by road. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the ISI has been trying to nurture homegrown terrorists. However, it has been finding it hard to send funds to these people.
By enhancing operations along the Punjab border, the ISI is attempting to revive Khalistan and fund terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir at the same time, officials have learnt.
