Vicky Nanjappa

New Delhi, July 27 (IANS) The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan has directed the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) to carry out a series of major terror attacks in Punjab in an attempt to revive the Khalistan movement in the state, according to investigative agencies. In response, the Punjab Police have launched a massive crackdown on BKI operatives across the state. 

Investigations have also revealed that funds are allegedly being channelled from Pakistan to support efforts aimed at reviving the Khalistan movement in Punjab, officials said.

An official said the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is in the process of setting up modules across Punjab and recruiting young people to strengthen its network. "There is a strong focus on youth from rural areas. The BKI is trying to exploit their financial hardship by luring them with money to join the outfit," the official said.

An Intelligence Bureau official said the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) has adopted a modus operandi similar to that of Shahzad Bhatti to target and recruit youth through social media. According to the official, Pakistan-based BKI handlers are closely monitoring social media platforms, identifying young users who are active online and reaching out to them with inducements to join the outfit.

Investigators said the BKI has found it increasingly difficult to radicalise young people through ideology, as many do not identify with or support the Khalistan movement. As a result, recruitment based on ideological appeal has yielded limited success.

However, officials said the outfit has had relatively greater success by offering financial incentives to prospective recruits, particularly those facing economic hardship.

An official said that apart from recruitment, the major concern as of now is that the ISI has instructed the BKI to carry out major attacks in Punjab.

Intelligence agencies have for several months warned that attempts to carry out major terror attacks in Punjab could intensify as the state approaches elections. Officials believe such attacks are intended to create unrest and destabilise the security situation.

The threat became evident on Sunday when the Punjab Police busted a major BKI module, uncovering what investigators described as part of the outfit's broader conspiracy to revive militant activities in the state.

Following the arrest of an alleged BKI operative in Jalandhar, the police recovered a powerful improvised explosive device (IED) from him. The IED weighed nearly 1.3 kg, and this was enough to carry out a massive explosion, the police said.

Another official said that the BKI is desperate as past attempts to revive the Khalistan movement in Punjab have failed.

"The terror group is pursuing multiple strategies to revive militancy in Punjab. It plans to carry out a mix of small and large-scale attacks across the state. Smaller strikes, such as grenade attacks at different locations, are intended to sustain an atmosphere of fear while also stretching and distracting law enforcement agencies," the official said.

Officials say that the grenade attacks are only meant to create panic among the people and confuse the police.

“The intention is to keep the law enforcement agencies busy with smaller attacks and then use this diversionary tactic to carry out a big attack in the state,” officials say.

An official said that this is a crucial year for Punjab. With countries such as Canada cracking down on Khalistani elements, the ISI has become desperate.

Earlier, Khalistani operatives based out of Punjab played a key role in directing and coordinating activities. However, officials said this has become increasingly difficult following the improvement in India-Canada ties and the resulting crackdown on extremist networks. As a result, Pakistan's spy agency stepped up pressure on the BKI to intensify its activities and carry out major attacks in Punjab.

Officials said the Punjab Police and central intelligence agencies remain on high alert, but cautioned that the threat persists.

The BKI is under pressure to demonstrate its operational capability, and that desperation increases the risk of a major terror strike or other serious act of violence in the state, an official said.