The arrest of four suspected activists of the Babbar Khalsa has once again kindled the worst fears of the people of Punjab.
On Sunday, four suspected activists of the Babbar Khalsa -- Gurpreet, Palwinder Singh, Sandeep Singh and Ravinder -- were arrested for their alleged role in the dreaded Ludhiana Cinema blasts, which killed six and injured several others.
The Intelligence Bureau had always cautioned the police and the state administration regarding the revival of Sikh militancy in the state. The arrest of these militants only goes on to confirm this.
This also goes on to prove wrong the statement made by Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, who had said after the blasts that the militancy was not being revived in his state.
Director General of Police N S Aulakh informed that the blasts were aimed at creating communal tension and to revive terrorism in the state. Punjab police is also on the lookout for another person by name, Harminder Singh, who they believe had trained in Pakistan the technique of bomb making.
The IB says the bigger worry on hands at present is that these militants have the direct backing of Pakistan-based terrorists. The IB, which had sounded the warning bell around two years back regarding the revival Sikh militancy, also adds that the ISI had chosen five outfits from Pakistan, including the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, to train the activists from the Babbar Khalsa.
A report prepared to this effect by the IB also points out that ISI has plans to revive Sikh militancy in a big way and is constantly imparting training in bomb making and the use of weapons.
The IB has warned the state administration and also reiterated that action should be taken at the earliest, as the ISI plans to partner with the Babbar Khalsa to unleash a reign of terror in India.
Khalsa activists, who infiltrated into Pakistan through Kashmir, commenced training in the year 2001. The Babbar Khalsa has also set up a common office with the LeT in Nankana Sahib, in West Punjab, Pakistan.
Khalsa activists are also working in coordination with the Jamaat-e-Islami who have assured of all support in reviving Sikh militancy. Through the Babbar Khalsa, the ISI is not only looking at Punjab, but also wants a strong ally in the war for Kashmir.
The IB report also states that the ISI is trying to create a common ground and wants to portray both Kashmiris and Sikhs as common allies in waging a war against the Indian government. In this regard, the ISI had also formed the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee.
The IB says that a crackdown is necessary and the problem needs to be catered to as early as possible before the situation gets out of control.
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