Indian counter-terror agencies are smelling a Khalistan conspiracy in the case of alleged Indian national 'Balvir'—who was accused of spying for Indian intelligence agencies and is set to face trial in Germany.
The federal prosecutors have told a regional court in Germany that the alleged Indian national, identified as 54-year-old Balvir, was spying on Sikh and Kashmiri communities for India's external intelligence agency, R&AW.
It has been alleged that the suspect was working as a spy since 2015 and that he had provided information about figures in the Sikh opposition scene, the Kashmiri movement and their relatives in Germany to his handlers, apparently working at the Indian consulate general in Frankfurt. The trial will begin on August 25.
While the Indian government has not officially reacted on the matter, government sources said any decision with regard to offering consular access to Balvir Singh can only be taken if it is established that the accused person is an Indian passport holder and if he asks for consular access. So far, there is no official word in this matter.
Counter-terror officials meanwhile pointed out that top leaders of the banned Khalistan outfits are either foreign passport holders or have sought political asylum in Germany allowing them to operate freely there.
There is an increasing trend where anonymous complaints and petitions are being filed as part of a motivated campaign by the Khalistan groups against those who are taking them on, said the official.
The Khalistanis are a potent force in countries like Germany, Canada, UK and US, said a counter-terror official.
Indian security agencies suspect that elements in Germany with links to security agencies are providing support to the Khalistani leaders. They see this as a reason why no legal action is taken against the Khalistani operatives in that country.
One of the top operatives roaming freely in Germany is Gurmeet Singh Bagga of the Khalistan Zindabad Force. Gurmeet Singh, also known as Bagga and ‘Doctor’, has allegedly been instrumental in re-organizing the terrorist group to revive terrorism in Punjab—where he is believed to have established sleeper cells, which was recently busted by the Punjab police.
Bagga has been very active in sending arms, fake Indian currency, and drugs into Punjab through his associates in Pakistan. The Pakistan angle to this conspiracy is already being probed by the National Investigation Agency which has issued red corner notices against Bagga and other Khalistani terrorists operating in different countries.
The matter got highlighted recently in February during the NIA probe into dropping of arms and ammunition, explosives and fake currency in Punjab from across the border using drones.
During the investigation, the role of Hamburg-based Bagga and one Ranjeet Singh Neeta of KZF and Harmeet Singh of Khalistan Liberation Force was revealed. Harmeet Singh got killed in Pakistan recently by a local gang over financial disputes.
Both terror groups are banned by New Delhi, but the Khalistani leaders continue to have a free run in Germany.
Even as Balvir's identity remains a mystery, counter-terror agencies are hot on the trail of not only Bagga but other Khalistani leaders with close links in Germany, like Gajinder Singh, Dal Khalsa, Wadhwa Singh, Babbar Khalsa, whose families are residing in Germany. Many of their associates, as well as other Khalistani leaders, have close ties in Pakistan, said the sources.
