New Delhi, India: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made a significant arrest in connection to the violent attack on the Indian high commission in London last year. The suspect, identified as Inderpal Singh Gaba, a resident of Hounslow in the United Kingdom, was detained upon his arrival in Delhi based on a look-out circular issued against him earlier.
This arrest marks a unique development as the NIA, for the first time, has apprehended a British resident for a crime that occurred within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. The increased coordination between law enforcement agencies of both countries is seen as a step towards preventing similar breaches of security, disrespect towards the Indian flag, and threats to Indian interests abroad.
The NIA’s investigation has uncovered that the attacks in London on March 19 and 22, 2023, were part of a larger conspiracy to launch violent assaults on Indian missions and its officials. These attacks were reportedly in retaliation for actions taken by Punjab Police against pro-Khalistan separatist Amritpal Singh the previous year.
In response to the attacks, the government had summoned the senior-most diplomat from the UK high commission in London to demand an explanation for the security lapses that allowed the incident to occur. The high commission was targeted by a group of 50 individuals who trespassed, disrespected the Indian flag, damaged public property, and harmed officials.
The alleged organizers of the attack, including Gurcharan Singh, Dal Khalsa, UK; Avtar Singh Khanda of KLF, Jasvir Singh, and their associates, both Indian and foreign nationals, were identified during the investigation. The NIA’s efforts to track down perpetrators involved in the incident included issuing lookout circulars and initiating a manhunt.
In a show of determination to hold those responsible for the London attack accountable, the NIA conducted raids in Punjab and Haryana to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy behind the March incident. Similarly, UK’s Metropolitan Police had made an arrest in connection to the attack. The NIA’s commitment to identifying and apprehending all individuals involved, whether in India or abroad, was evident in their thorough investigation and seizure of digital data related to the accused individuals.