The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India reported the identification of 43 pro-separatist supporters over their alleged involvement in a series of violent actions directed at Indian missions abroad. The individuals have been recognized as “Khalistan supporters”, advocating for the creation of a majority Sikh separatist state, known as Khalistan, in the Punjab region of India. Read the original story on JURIST.
As reported in the agency’s press release late last week, the individuals were alleged to exhibit their violent predispositions at notable locales like the Indian High Commission in London and at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. The NIA’s press release for the year-end also detailed other matters, including their high conviction rate against those involved in a range of criminal offences for the year 2023.
Pro-Khalistan supporters were video documented protesting at the front of the High Commission of India in London on March 19, 2023, proceeding to pull down the Indian flag. The Indian High Commission in Ottawa was also targeted, with attacks by Khalistan supporters who threw two grenades at the building, leading to the invocation of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Explosives Act.
This was closely followed by an attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco on July 2, 2023, where Khalistan supporters attempted to set the diplomatic mission ablaze, breaking security barricades and managing to install Khalistan flags within consulate premises.
Having taken over the investigation of the attacks perpetrated by the alleged Khalistan supporters on the Indian diplomatic mission, NIA is now focused on gathering tangible evidence and deciphering the network involved in the attacks, while emphasizing the importance of international law enforcement agencies’ collaboration in a thorough investigation, as per the instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs.