Amritpal Singh's 'Mentor', Avtar Singh Khanda Arrested For Vandalism At Indian Mission In UK
Authorities in the UK have reportedly arrested Avtar Singh Khanda, a Khalistani leader, in connection with the vandalism at the Indian High Commission in London on Sunday.
According to reports, Khanda was the person who was seen pulling down the Indian Flag at the Embassy in London during a protest by a group of Khalistan supporters there.
Who is?Avtar Singh Khanda?
Khanda is said to be an asylum seeker in the UK and is the son of Kulwant Singh Khukrana, who was associated with the banned terror outfit 'Khalistan Liberation Force'.
Khanda is believed to be a trusted lieutenant of Paramjit Singh Pamma, the leader of another banned group Babbar Khalsa International, who is involved in radicalising Sikh youths.?
Khanda, who Indian intelligence agencies believe has close ties with Pakistan's ISI, is also the mentor of Amritpal Singh, the radical preacher and Khalistan supporter currently on the run.
Avtar Singh Khanda groomed Amritpal Singh? ?
Khanda is said to be the man who 'groomed' Amritpal Singh before he returned to Punjab from Dubai?to become the chief of 'Waris Punjab De', which was founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu, who died in a road accident in February last year.
Since then,?Amritpal Singh, who was previously unheard of, had a meteoric rise and created a cult-like following in Punjab.
Amritpal Singh's 'private army'
Amitpal Singh, who had even issued a veiled threat to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, that he will face the fate of Indira Gandhi, was also creating a 'private military.'
While searching at his house in his native village in Jallupur, Khera intelligence agencies found weapons and bulletproof jackets with 'AKF' written on them.
AFK reportedly stands for 'Anandpur Khalsa Force' and the militia was being raised for 'Mission Khalistan' at the behest of Khanda, a charge Amritpal Singh's family has denied.
Lookout notice against?Amritpal Singh?
Meanwhile, a lookout circular has been issued against Amritpal Singh, who continues to evade the police.
Punjab police believe that Amritpal Singh may have changed his appearance as he continues to be on the run. They shared pictures of him with different looks while appealing to people to disclose the fugitive's whereabouts.
He was last seen escaping in an SUV in Jalandhar on March 18.?
Locals of the Jalandhar village claimed Amritpal Singh's presence in their village on March 18. A CCTV video has emerged sourced from the local villagers.?
The video shows a car and men waiting on a bike near a field. Another bike is parked nearby and as the first bike moves with three riders, the other also readies to leave.
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