Avtar Khanda, Face Of March Attack On Indian High Commission In London, Dies: Report
Avtar Singh Khanda, also known as Ranjodh Singh, is the main accused of the March 19 attack on the Indian High Commission in London. He is said to have died today after suffering from Blood cancer.
Avtar Singh Khanda, the main accused of the March 19 attack on the Indian High Commission in London and the self-styled chief of designated terror outfit Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), reportedly died in Sandwell Hospital in UK’s Birmingham on Thursday. On March 19, the pro-Khalistan protester in London scaled the balcony of the Indian High Commission and removed the Indian flag. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is currently probing the case and has released photos of suspects as well as CCTV footage in this regard.
According to a report by Hindustan Times, Avtar Singh Khanda died today. The cause of death is not yet known while the medical report is awaited.
This comes after he had been admitted to the Sandwell and West Birmingham hospital about a fortnight ago as he was diagnosed with blood cancer, as per the report.
ALSO READ | NIA Releases Photos Of Suspects In March Attack On Indian High Commission In London
Who Is Avtar Singh Khanda AKA Ranjodh Singh?
Khanda, also known as Ranjodh Singh, sought political asylum in the United Kingdom. He was instrumental in radicalising the Sikh youth towards the separatist movement for an independent Sikh nation of ‘Khalistan’, the HT report mentioned.
As per the report, Khanda’s father was a KLF terrorist who was killed by security forces in 1991 and his mother was related to another KLF terrorist Gurjant Singh Budhsingwala with strong connections to Pakistani deep state. He entered the UK via a student visa and became associated with separatist groups active in some of the key gurudwaras in the country. These places are said to be managed by Khalistani supporters to collect funds in the name of human rights violations against the Sikh community in India.
He along with three other separatists were identified by the NIA as the main accused for insulting the Indian flag at the London High Commission during an orchestrated protest on March 19.
The report cited inputs as suggesting that the deceased KLF leader’s supporters want the medical report to indicate poisoning so that they can blame the Indian security agencies for his “murder” while declaring him a martyr.
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NIA Probe Into March Attack On Indian High Commission In London
On Wednesday, the NIA, sharing photos of the suspects in a long Twitter thread, stated, “REQUEST FOR IDENTIFICATION/INFORMATION. On 19.03.23 these persons were involved in an attack on the High Commission of India, London. They caused grievous injury and disrespected the Indian National Flag. If anyone has any information about them, please Whatsapp/DM @+917290009373.”
REQUEST FOR IDENTIFICATION/INFORMATION
— NIA India (@NIA_India) June 14, 2023
On 19.03.23 these persons were involved in an attack on the High Commission of India, London. They caused grievous injury and disrespected the Indian National Flag
If anyone has any information about them, please Whatsapp/DM @+917290009373 pic.twitter.com/Rhy93cFJjA
Earlier, the NIA released CCTV footage showing moments before the high commission was attacked by pro-Khalistani protesters. Requesting information regarding the persons seen in the footage, it assured that the identity of the informant will remain a secret.
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
— NIA India (@NIA_India) June 12, 2023
CCTV footage of the attack by anti-national elements on High Commission of India London.https://t.co/UG0aM5Ag7N pic.twitter.com/oZXpdlQR6L
The NIA took over the case from the special cell of the Delhi Police which had registered a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act as it involves unlawful activities carried out by certain people holding Indian nationality abroad.
The NIA was mandated to probe any terror case that takes place in foreign land following amendments to the law governing the anti-terror probe organisation in 2019, news agency PTI reported officials as informing.
The Counter-Terrorism and Counter Radicalisation unit of the Ministry of Home Affairs handed over the case to the NIA and the decision was taken after Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla held a meeting with representatives of the British government.
In the London incident, the tricolour flying atop the Indian high commission was grabbed at by a group of protesters waving separatist Khalistani flags and chanting pro-Khalistani slogans, leading to an arrest.
It happened a day after the Punjab Police launched a crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh in Punjab.
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