Amritsar Attack: Terror Conspiracy Hatched in Lahore, ISI Colluded With Canada-Based Khalistani Group, Finds Probe
The conclusion was reportedly reached on Tuesday, during a high-level meeting called by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.
Chandigarh, November 21: A preliminary probe into the fatal blast reported in Amritsar on Sunday, has revealed that the conspiracy of the terror attack was hatched in Lahore, with Pakistan's Inter-State Intelligence (ISI) colluding with a pro-Khalistan extremist group based in Canada.
The conclusion was reportedly reached on Tuesday, during a high-level meeting called by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval. The meeting was attended by top officials, including Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Suresh Arora and Intelligence chiefs. 'Grenades Used in Attack Are Similar to Ones Manufactured by Pakistan', Says Punjab CM.
A forensic analysis of the grenades used in the blast has found them to be manufactured in Pakistan. The pins found from the exploded grenades bore markings in Urdu, reports said. The ammunition was handed over to the Khalistani extremists through a Islamist network, which may involve Kashmiri terrorist and al-Qaeda operative Zakir Musa.
The attackers charged of executing the terror assault could be hardline radicalised locals, picked up by the Canada-based extremist group which joined hands with the ISI.
The agenda of the attack, the investigation found, is to revive militancy in Punjab. According to details of the meeting accessed by reports, NSA Ajit Doval -- who has overseen the counter-insurgency operation in Punjab during the late 80s' -- said the recent terror attack would fail to revive militancy as the majority of Punjab's populace is against the separatist movement.
Notably, the terror attack was carried out against the Nirankari Bhawan -- which has opposed the Khalistan movement since the last four decades. The grenades on Sunday were thrown at a congregation of the religious sect gathered in Rajasansi village of Amritsar. 3 devotees had died, whereas, 15 others were left injured.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 21, 2018 10:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).