Fugitive pro-Khalistani leader Amritpal Singh's aide Papalpreet Singh has been arrested from Hoshiarpur in a joint operation conducted by Punjab Police and its counter-intelligence unit along with Delhi Police. Amritpal and Papalpreet were on the run since March 18 after the police launched a crackdown on Amritpal's radical outfit Waris Punjab De and its supporters. Both were spotted together at various places in Punjab but went on their own ways in Hoshiarpur.
"Papalpreet Singh, a close aide of 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh, has been detained under NSA from Amrtisar's Kathu Nangal area. He is also wanted in six cases. Action will be taken against him as per law," Punjab IGP Sukchain Singh Gill said.
Papalpreet is believed to be the "right hand" and mentor of radical preacher Amritpal Sing who planned out things for him after the latter was declared a fugitive by the Punjab Police. He is also alleged to have been in contact with Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI.
As per ABP News sources, Papalpreet told his family "he was tired of being on the run and disclosed his location to his family members who then informed the police" adding he had decided to surrender if the police would not find him.
Earlier in the day, asked to comment on reports that Amritpal may surrender, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said, "Whoever is wanted by the law, we will catch them. It is better that such people submit to the law."
Several CCTV footage have emerged where the fugitive leader could be seen switching vehicles and his appearance to dodge the police net.
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Amritpal and his associates have been booked under several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.
It has been alleged that he has been in touch with ISI which helped the radical preacher to flee to Nepal. The ISI tried to move Amritpal out of Nepal to a shelter house in another country but after the Indian government asked Nepal to not let him flee to a third country, Kathmandu had put him on surveillance list, following which the radical preacher came back to Punjab, sources had said earlier.
As per the sources ISI was trying to bring Amritpal to Pakistan and had activated its sleeper cells in Punjab's border districts of Tarn Taran, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Ajnala.