The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key aide of Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu, also known as Landa, in connection with a major terror network case involving the supply of deadly weapons for extortion, among other crimes, according to an official statement released on Friday.
The accused, identified as Baljeet Singh, also known as Rana Bhai or Balli, hails from Barwani district in Madhya Pradesh. He was arrested on Thursday and brought before an NIA special court in Mohali, which remanded him to the agency’s custody. Balli has been identified as a significant weapon supplier to Landa’s agents in Punjab.
These weapons were used to carry out large-scale terror activities, including extortion from businessmen and others, the NIA reported. The investigation also led to the arrest of Gurpreet Singh Gopi, an associate of both Landa and another Khalistani terrorist, Satnam Singh Satta.
The case, which was registered suo motu by the NIA on July 10 last year, revealed that Baljeet Singh had also provided weapons to Satta. This was part of a broader conspiracy involving various banned Khalistani terrorist organizations aiming to destabilize India by inciting violence in Punjab and other regions.
Landa and Satta are believed to be operating from Canada, promoting terror activities in India.
The NIA continues its investigation as part of its crackdown on Khalistani terrorist outfits, the agency added.
