Uttarakhand has never been directly linked to terrorist incidents, but national security agencies have consistently visited the region, following the terrorists’ footsteps. Some were attempting to operate their networks from here, while others were taking refuge here after the incident. The Uttarakhand Police, in collaboration with security agencies, have tracked down several terrorists and their supporters.
Even now, the Uttarakhand Police is determined not to allow Uttarakhand to become a safe haven for any such anti-national elements. Therefore, intelligence is being continuously gathered in collaboration with all agencies. In the 1980s, Udham Singh Nagar district was also affected by Khalistani terrorists. Terrorists were active here as well. For more than a decade, numerous encounters took place between the police and terrorists. Punjab Police also conducted several operations in collaboration with local police.
Mastermind Parminder alias Painda and his accomplice were arrested in 2015.
Subsequently, the terrorist network operating from here in the 1990s was dismantled, but they considered this area their safe haven. While their direct activities have ceased, they have hidden here several times after committing crimes. Among them, the Nabha jailbreak accused even took refuge in Dehradun. Mastermind Parminder alias Painda and his accomplice were apprehended by Dehradun police in 2015.
Here in Garhwal, the Haridwar and Roorkee areas have seen numerous instances when central agencies have been pursuing terrorists and their associates. These include Lashkar-e-Taiba, ISI informants, and the Ghazwa-e-Hind module. In 2016, four suspected ISIS terrorists were apprehended in Haridwar by the NIA and Delhi Police’s Special Cell, in collaboration with local police. These terrorists were planning to carry out a major incident during the Ardh Kumbh Mela being held in Haridwar.
When were the suspected terrorists apprehended?
February 6, 2018 – A suspected terrorist named Abdul Samad, associated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba network, was apprehended. He was collecting funds through hawala.
April 20, 2018 – The UP ATS arrested a suspected terrorist named Ramesh Singh Kanyal from Didihat. He was accused of providing information to the ISI.
September 10, 2018 – The Udham Singh Nagar police arrested two suspects linked to the Khalistani movement who were spreading propaganda on social media.
September 17, 2018 – A suspect was arrested from Dharchula. At the time, it was alleged that he was plotting to assassinate the then Defense Minister.
June 6, 2019 – Harcharan Singh, who was involved in collecting and supplying weapons for Babbar Khalsa International, was arrested from Udham Singh Nagar.
July 21, 2019 – Nainital police launched an investigation against 52 individuals from Haldwani who were linked to the Khalistani movement through social media.
February 1, 2020 – The UP ATS arrested Ashish Singh, a member of the Khalistani Liberation Force, from Roorkee.
03 November 2022-UP ATS in collaboration with Uttarakhand STF arrested a suspect linked to Ghazwa-e-Hind module from Jwalapur
