Punjab law enforcement officials are unraveling the connections between Khalistan terrorists and British military operatives, spotlighting the case of Jagjeet Singh, known by his assumed name Fateh Singh ‘Baagi’. Pakistani intelligence affiliation emerges as investigators pursue leads.
The investigation gained momentum following police encounters resulting in the deaths of three suspects identified as members of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). According to Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the breakthrough sheds light on the recruitment strategies utilized by KZF, especially concerning individuals who served or are serving within foreign military forces.
The casualties—Gurvinder Singh, Varinder Singh, and Jasanpreet Singh—were linked to grenade attacks on police posts. Authorities confirmed the shootings happened after the suspects allegedly opened fire first. DGP Yadav noted the trio's involvement included executing attacks on various police establishments throughout Punjab, highlighting the severity of the threat posed by KZF, which has been allegedly orchestrated from Pakistan.
Jagjeet Singh’s military background complicates these investigations. From Punjab's Tarn Taran district, Singh hails from a family steeped in service; his grandfather, father, and brother have all donned military uniforms. Singh relocated to the UK about a decade ago on a student visa, completing his software engineering degree before enlisting with the British Army.
This affiliation is remarkable. It's the first known case of someone from the British military being implicated with international terrorism against Indian interests. Reports suggest Singh was part of the 4th Battalion of The Rifles, specializing in operations across conflict regions including Iraq and Afghanistan, underscoring the heightened capabilities and potential risk embedded within this case.
Investigative efforts reveal Singh’s deep involvement with the KZF, which has roots directly tied to Ranjeet Singh Nita, the terror module's chief allegedly based out of Pakistan, and the Greece-based Jaswinder Singh Mannu. Reports identify Singh as using his British Army identity to mask his operational role within KZF's activities.
Concerning the encounters, the Punjab Police recovered significant weaponry, including AK-47 rifles and Glock pistols, indicating the substantial danger the suspects posed. The law enforcement community is now grappling with not only dismantling the KZF's operational network but also addressing potential national security issues stemming from Singh's connections.
DGP Yadav's statement clarifies, "This module is controlled by Ranjeet Singh Nita... It is controlled by Jagjeet Singh, based in the UK and serving in the British Army." This statement has put pressure on international relations, particularly between India and the UK, as authorities seek cooperation on these investigations.
Authorities fear the repercussions of ISI's attempted infiltration of foreign militaries to recruit operatives for the Khalistan movement. There’s growing concern about how many more individuals like Singh might be embedded within the British framework, and how many active threats might still be operating within India.
Singh’s involvement reveals both the alarming trend of utilizing diaspora members for extremist agendas and the challenges faced by law enforcement when dealing with transnational crime. Punjab police have faced struggles securing timely cooperation from foreign agencies, which often resist providing pertinent intelligence, fearing the backlash of associational ties to violent extremists who once served within their ranks. A senior police officer remarked, "Normally, we do not get a positive response from foreign agencies on such inquiries as they tend to deny any involvement of any citizen of theirs who is working in government establishments." This silence complicates the investigations tremendously.
Further complicity may arise from the possibility of petty criminals recruited for the KZF's operations; previous incidents have listed these low-level operatives engaging in vicious attacks, including the recent grenade incident at the Bakshiwala police post.
The political undercurrents related to these events have also become evident, as local politicians, including Congress MP Sukhjinder Randhawa, voice concerns over the state’s safety and government connections to broader national insecurities, stating, “Today drones and RDX are coming to Punjab from Pakistan.”
While the Punjab Police continues its investigation, there remains little doubt the emergence of Jagjeet Singh’s case will force greater scrutiny over international links to domestic terror threats. The police’s next steps will include closer cooperation with UK law enforcement agencies to ascertain Singh's current status and any possible additional ties he may still maintain within military and covert operations.
