NEW DELHI: Intelligence agencies have issued alerts to security establishments and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) about possible attacks by Punjab-based gangsters ahead of assembly elections in four states and a union territory.
Intelligence agencies maintained that the gangsters have now become foot soldiers of Khalistani elements operating from Pakistan and are found to be coordinating among themselves at a “dangerous level”.
According to sources, the alert has been issued about inputs which were gathered through radio intercepts, suggesting that Punjab gangsters, who intend to target iconic buildings and dignitaries, are aiming to disrupt the Prime Minister’s visits, particularly across the poll-bound states for electioneering. Security forces have been asked to strengthen their protection measures around VVIPs and VIPs across the country, they added.
The intelligence brief suggested the availability of country-made as well as sophisticated weapons with operatives of organised criminal syndicates operating in Punjab and the broader North India-NCR region, who may launch attacks during public exposures of the dignitaries.
These criminals have their networks spread across Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, the intelligence input indicated, while adding that a dangerous trio of gangsters, terror outfits and Khalistani groups are trying to get operational capabilities.
“Punjab-based gangsters, who have become foot soldiers of foreign-based Khalistani and radical handlers, are operating in close tandem with their counterparts from other states, and attacks can be amplified in coming days,” a senior intelligence official said, adding that they are trying to expand their geographic footprint in the country.
Incidentally, the alert has come after a grenade attack outside the BJP office in Chandigarh earlier this month.
According to the sources, such elements are consistently getting support from Pakistan-based terror outfits, and their masters are working in different regions and countries, using encrypted communication, a layered system of recruitment followed by a well-oiled supply chain system of arms and ammunition.