Mumbai: On Monday, an official of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra police said that they have arrested two supporters of the Khalistan movement, one from Pune and the other from Punjab. They were in touch with Khalistan separatists in Pakistan and elsewhere, the police official said.

Harpal Singh Nagra (42), a Karnataka resident from Bellary, was arrested from Chakan in Pune district on December 2 under the Arms Act for illegal possession of a country-made pistol and five live rounds.

According to reports, in order to threaten the integrity and the sovereignty of India, the accused and his associates formed a terrorist gang and obtained firearms to carry out terrorist activities.

An investigation revealed that he was a supporter of an independent Khalistan and was involved in procuring arms through the internet and radicalisation of the youth through social media, the officials said.

Acting on the information provided by Nagra, the ATS arrested another person from Punjab, and he will be brought to Mumbai for further investigation, the official said.

The police did not disclose the second accused's name, and the ATS has pressed charges under section 20 (being a member of the terrorist gang) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) against Nagra.

Nagra was produced before the Mumbai court on Monday where he was sent to ATS custody till December 17, an official said.

 

(With Inputs from agencies)