New Delhi : The Intelligence agencies have issued a high alert for Punjab ahead of Independence Day on August 15. The agencies say that pro-Khalistan elements would look to carry out an attack on that day. An Intelligence Bureau official said that the Khalistani groups are planning strikes in several parts of Punjab. This has been their plan for long, but they would want to time the attack on Independence Day, the official added.

The official further said that pro-Khalistan terror groups want the attack to be a symbolic one and hence have planned it for August 15. They would not mind even if the attack is smaller in nature, but they want to send out a message when India celebrates Independence Day, the official also said. The warning comes amidst a major push being made by the ISI to revive the Khalistan movement in Punjab. With crackdowns galore on gangster-terror networks both in India and Canada, these groups find themselves to be on the back foot. The desperation is growing, and hence they would indulge in a misadventure in Punjab. An official said that a close watch is also being kept on the activities of the proscribed outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

The chief of the banned outfit, Gurpatwant Singh, has been active on social media of late. He has been urging the youth in Punjab to hoist Khalistan flags on schools and other public places. He has been instructing the youth to term August 15 as a dark day and also gather in large numbers and protest against the Indian state. While on one hand there are terror strikes that are being planned, a major propaganda drive is also on the anvil of these elements.

Earlier this week, pro-Khalistan slogans were found written on a government middle school in Kotla Heran village in Punjab. The slogans found on the school read, “Khalistan Zindabad.” The police who sprang into action later erased the slogans from the walls. Another official said that these elements are also attempting something similar in Canada and the United Kingdom on August 15. They have plans to shift the narrative away from India’s Independence Day and push their agenda for a separate Khalistan nation carved out of India’s Punjab, the official also added.

Meanwhile, the Intelligence agencies are keeping a close tab on the activities of the SFJ online. Gurpatwant Singh is trying to push pro-Khalistan content heavily on social media. The content would revolve around the creation of a separate Khalistan nation, and also calls would be made to the youth of Punjab to rise against the Indian state. He also plans on running hate campaigns against India. In the past, Singh’s campaigns have largely focused on calling for attacks in India. He has particularly focused on running a smear campaign against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Officials say that these elements would look to organise a referendum in various countries. After the Canadian and UK authorities stepped up the heat on this movement and its members, the Khalistan groups tried making a shift to Malaysia and Azerbaijan. However, Malaysia has been tough on these elements and in June this year deported Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) members to India. Officials say that this is a crucial time for the battle against the Khalistan movement. They have become desperate; their backers, the ISI, are getting edgy, and hence the chances of them indulging in a massive misadventure cannot be ruled out, the official also said.

Bengaluru, Aug 8: Bengaluru police have launched a special drive, ‘Operation Mukta’ on Saturday, to identify and track illegal immigrants allegedly residing in different parts of the city, with raids and verification exercises being conducted across several localities, officials said.

As part of the drive, police teams have conducted searches and document verification in Whitefield, Kadugodi, Mahadevapura and other areas. The three localities are part of Bengaluru’s major technology corridors and are home to several multinational IT and biotechnology companies.

Sydulla Adavat, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Whitefield division, said the special drive was launched across the city on the directions of the Bengaluru Police Commissioner.

“As per the orders of the Police Commissioner, Bengaluru, the special drive has been taken up across the city, including the Whitefield DCP division. More than 500 police personnel and officers are involved in the exercise. The drive will continue,” he said.

According to the DCP, police teams have already tracked several suspected illegal immigrants, and some have been deported to their respective countries following due legal process.

“Verification is being conducted at more than 30 locations falling under various police station limits in the Whitefield division. If anyone is found suspicious, we will verify their documents. If we find identity cards of another country or any other clues indicating that they are foreign nationals residing here without authorisation, the matter will be brought to the notice of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO),” Adavat said.

He added that once deportation orders are obtained from the competent authorities, further legal action would be initiated and the illegal immigrants would be sent back to their respective countries.

As part of the exercise, police are checking identity and other documents of people suspected to be residing in the city without valid authorisation. Police sources said the focus is particularly on suspected Bangladeshi nationals and Rohingyas.

The police are also verifying Aadhaar cards and voter identity cards of suspected persons, as officials suspect that some foreign nationals may have obtained Indian identity documents through the assistance of local handlers.

Police sources said more than 50 persons have been tracked during the ongoing exercise, while the identities of four Bangladeshi nationals have been established. Those without proper documents are being subjected to further verification.

The police have also turned their attention to temporary sheds and other makeshift accommodation rented out to migrant workers.

DCP Adavat said some local residents allegedly construct sheds and rent them out to construction workers who come to Bengaluru from other states and districts. Police suspect that some unauthorised foreign nationals may also be residing in such premises along with migrant workers.

“We will initiate action against those facilitating such unauthorised stay,” the DCP said.

The police said the verification drive will continue across the city and that further action will be taken based on the documents and evidence gathered during the exercise.

Srinagar, Aug 8: The Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday raided multiple locations in the Valley in connection with an already registered FIR over online glorification of terrorism.

Officials said that CIK Kashmir on Saturday morning carried out raids at multiple locations across the Kashmir Valley in connection with a terror-related case involving the online glorification of terrorism and recruitment of individuals into terrorist ranks.

Officials said searches are being carried out in Baramulla, Shopian, Anantnag, Kupwara, Bandipora and other districts.

“Today’s raids are linked to FIR No. 03/2023, registered at Police Station CIK Srinagar under Sections 505 and 153-A of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 13 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

“The case pertains to misuse of online platforms to glorify terrorism and influence individuals to join terrorist organisations”, officials said.

CIK is a specialised branch of the Jammu & Kashmir Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) focussed on tracking, investigating, and dismantling terror networks, terror financing, and anti-national activities within the Kashmir Valley.

The core functions of CIK are focussed on unearthing covert recruitment modules, white-collar terror operations, and cross-border handler networks.

The duties of CIK also include intercepting technical signatures, crackdown on the misuse of encrypted messaging apps, and targeting cyber-fraud networks tied to terror funding.

The raids of CIK are backed by court warrants to seize incriminating digital evidence and communication hardware.

As part of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is the principal Intelligence wing of the Jammu & Kashmir Police, entrusted with safeguarding the security of the Union Territory, CIK plays a crucial role in the department.

The duties of CID include collecting, analysing, and sharing Intelligence to support policy decisions, strengthen law enforcement, and ensure effective governance. Headed by an officer of the rank of Additional Director General, the CID operates through its Special Branch (SB) and Counter Intelligence (CI) units across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Special Branch gathers and assesses Intelligence on political and other sensitive matters, while the Counter Intelligence wing focusses on counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, espionage, smuggling of contraband, and cross-border activities.

Together, these units help maintain public order and protect national security. Beyond Intelligence functions, the CID carries out various statutory and administrative verifications, including those related to service matters, passports, visas, NRIs, migration and threat assessments.