Who is Harmeet Singh PhD aka Happy, Mastermind of Amritsar Grenade Attack?
Days after Amritsar grenade attack, Punjab CM Amarinder Singh released the image of prime suspect Pakistan-based Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) leader Harmeet Singh ‘PhD’ alias Happy.
Amritsar, November 21: Days after the two motor-borne terrorists killed three people with grenades at a congregation at Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday informed that police have arrested one terrorist and have identified the mastermind of the attack -- Pakistan-based Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) leader Harmeet Singh ‘PhD’ alias Happy.
Based on the intelligence inputs, the Punjab Police suspect that the blasts were carried out by Pakistan-based Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), along with the help of ISI. According to the initial report, the mastermind - Harmeet Singh - had also planned and strategist the targeted killings of some socio-religious leaders in the state in 2016-17. Amritsar Grenade Attack: One Attacker Arrested, Amarinder Singh Confirms ISI Link
Considered as self-styled chief of the KLF, after its former head - Harminder Mintoo - was held by state police from Thailand in 2014, Harmeet is a native of Amritsar and living in Pakistan for over two decades. Harmeet is also a doctorate and has earned his name in the outfit due to this, say intelligence reports.
Among other cases registered in his name, Harmeet was also booked by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the case related to the killings of different community leaders - especially right wing leaders.
Informing more about the prime suspect, an investigating officer said, "Harmeet enjoys full-backing of Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and he has been given the assignment of creating terror in Punjab by making pro-Khalistan modules. Using ISI’s network, Harmeet has developed strong links among terrorist groups active in Kashmir too and there were strong inputs that the Kashmiri groups may be roped in to create terror in Punjab."
The Punjab Police on Wednesday even shared the photograph of Harmeet as prime suspect of the Armritsar grenade attack. CM Amarinder Singh in his visit to the Guru Nanak hospital had stated that no perpetrator will be spared and strict action would be taken against them.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 21, 2018 06:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).