NEW DELHI (Diya TV) — India’s National Investigation Agency announced they have arrested Mandeep Singh, an associate of Arshdeep Singh Dala, whom they have deemed a terrorist for his alleged involvement in the Khalistan separatist movement.
Singh was arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi after evading several months of arrests by managing to land from a foreign country. Singh is believed to be associated with some of the terror activities carried out by Dala.
Dala is believed to be based in Canada. He is alleged to be involved in several targeted killings and terror financing cases in India. Mandeep Singh is accused of helping Dala in various criminal activities from arms smuggling to logistical support for attacks.
The arrest of Mandeep Singh is part of the Indian government’s effort to break terror networks, particularly those that are being paid by Khalistan supporters abroad. The NIA has arrested several individuals linked to Dala and other Khalistan militant groups, which are believed to be planning to launch attacks in India with the support of foreign mentors.
The NIA said, “Mandeep Singh was a close associate of Arshdeep Dala and had been on the run for months. The arrest has been an important breakthrough in our attempts to prevent Khalistani terrorism and ensure accountability for those involved.”
NIA investigations revealed Singh played a vital role in handling funds and coordinating activities for Dala’s terror operations. The agency is interrogating Singh to gain more insight into a greater network of people involved in these activities and other possible operatives working in India and abroad.
The arrest has come at a time when concerns regarding the activities of Khalistani elements in India are climbing fast, particularly due to growing tensions between India and Canada
Since then, the Indian government has scaled up its crackdown on Khalistani sympathizers and terrorists through raids across the country. The NIA has led these processes with active collaborations of intelligence agencies in tracing and nabbing terror plot suspects.
Mandeep Singh is likely to appear before the court regarding his alleged involvement in terror activities. The police believe that the arrest of Singh may recover further information regarding Dala’s network and serve to prevent future terror incidents. The NIA said it would continue to keep Singh in custody while the investigations are underway.