Sikh extremists living abroad behind Gosain’s killing: NIA
NEWDELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said Sikh extremist elements living abroad, including Pakistan and Britain, were behind the murder of RSS leader Ravinder Gos a in in Ludhiana and over half-a-dozen incidents of murder and attempt to murder of rightwing leaders, aimed at destabilising Punjab.
The anti-terror agency’s revelation comes within two weeks of its investigation into the killing of Gosain, 60, who was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants on October 17 near his house while returning after attending a morning RSS drill.
The NIA, which took over the case following a November 16 order issued by the Union home ministry, said the questioning of two arrested accused persons — Ramandeep Singh and Hardeep Singh — by Punjab Police and further investigation in the case revealed the conspiracy.
The NIA had taken custody of Ramandeep and Hardeep from Punjab Police on November 22.
NIA officials said the arrested shooters have admitted their involvement in the killing of Gosain as well as in seven other incidents of murder or attempted to murder in Punjab that have taken place since January 2016. The killing of the RSS leader was the latest in a series of murderous attacks on rightwing and religious leaders . In July 2017, theshooters murdered pastor Sultan Masih in Ludhiana, officials said.
They said a conspiracy to “destabilise Punjab has been hatched by Sikh extremist elements and others located in various parts of the world including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan,” said officials.
“The investigation conducted so far has revealed channelling of funds from foreign countries for execution of these incidents. The conspiracy also included an element of ideological brainwashing and incitement of the above accused persons on religious grounds by their mentors settled abroad. Investigation is continuing,” they said.