New Delhi: An extensive fund raising campaign is being undertaken by secessionist Sikh groups in Europe and North America at the instance of Pakistan`s ISI to revive terrorism in Punjab.
Sources in security agencies have informed about movement of banned Babbar Khalsa International and Khalistan Commando Force terror groups in Western countries with the aim to radicalise Sikh youth by showing them doctored footage of Operation Bluestar and other propaganda materials.
The attack on Lt Gen (retd) K S Brar who led Operation Blue Star and disruption of Indian Independence Day celebrations in London this year too were the results of such activities of anti-India elements, the sources said.
They said over ground workers of these terror groups were targeting Sikh youths born and brought up in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Belgium.
Besides BKI and KCF, radical groups like Dal Khalsa and International Sikh Youth Federation were also working to radicalise the youth and made their members, they alleged.
The sources said in the name of fighting the cause of Khalistan, funds are being raised from Sikhs settled there and the next generation youths are being lured into the ideology of the extremist groups.
The most worrying part is whenever any anti-India meeting or protest demonstration is organised like the anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6, there have been significant presence of Pakistani origin people who actively participate and share thoughts of Khalistan ideology.
Besides, there are more than 50 social networking groups and over 20 websites which propagate independent Khalistan and openly encouraging revival of the movement.
"These are disturbing developments. We want foreign governments to curb these anti-India elements.
"But unfortunately, due to the liberal policies of these countries, no significant step has been taken so far against these groups," a source said.
Last month, Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh had
said Pakistani intelligence agency ISI has been providing patronage and assistance to various Sikh terrorist groups, including Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), to revive militancy in Punjab.
"Available inputs indicate the patronage and assistance provided by Pakistan`s ISI to leaders of various Sikh terrorist groups, including BKI, based in Pakistan," he had told Lok Sabha.
Intelligence Bureau chief Nehchal Sandhu also had said that due to the external support, "terrorist groups, including those focusing on Punjab and neighbouring states, are likely to pose a challenge".
In recent days, Punjab police has arrested SGPC member Kulbir Singh Barapind and Daljit Singh Bittu, former president of Panch Pardhani and All India Sikh Student Federation for alleged terror links.
Police had claimed that they had got the numbers of more than 20 bank accounts and need to probe whether Bittu was using them to get financial aid from persons residing abroad.
PTI
