Amritpal Singh crackdown: Pakistan's ISI instigating pro-Khalistan elements to organise protests abroad

Pakistani intelligence agency ISI, which has been the brain behind growth of radical preacher Amritpal Singh, has now instigated overseas Khalistan supporters to organise protests and demonstrations abroad including London, San Francisco and Canberra in his support, officials said on Monday.

They said the overseas protests were the desperate attempt by the ISI to build followership of Amritpal who has been hiding from the Punjab Police for the last three days. While pro-Khalistan supporters vandalised the Indian High Commission in London and the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, there were sporadic protests in Australia.

All these acts by the pro-Khalistan elements were orchestrated by ISI agents operating in different countries, the officials said. Citing recent incidents in different parts of the world, they said there has been a design by ISI agents to organise protests, vandalism of places of Indian interests through Khalistani elements exploiting their religious sentiments.

Last week, the Honorary Consulate of India in Australia's Brisbane city was forced to close down due to safety concerns after Khalistan supporters organised an unauthorised gathering and blocked the entry of the office, days after Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese assured India that his government will not tolerate "extreme actions".

Several Hindu temples in Melbourne were also vandalised by Khalistan supporters in recent months. Canada has also seen a rise in anti-India activities recently by Khalistani supporters who have vandalised some Hindu temples.

Last September, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement condemning the rise of hate crimes against Indians and anti-India activities in Canada, expressing concern with stern language. The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) has also blamed Pakistan's spy agency ISI for instigating and funding Sikh radicalisation with false propaganda.

The Punjab Police on Saturday carried out a massive crackdown on Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal and members of his group 'Waris Punjab De' following which the radical preacher has been on run.

Amritpal was last year anointed head of 'Waris Punjab De', which was founded by actor and activist Deep Sidhu who died in a road accident in February 2022. The event was held at Moga's Rode, the native village of slain militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

READ | Amritpal Singh crackdown latest updates: Punjab Police suspects ‘ISI angle’, fugitive preacher still on the run