NIA arrests pro-Khalistani man accused of attacking Indian High Commission in London

Almost a year after the attack on the Indian High Commission in London, in a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday (Apr 25) made the first arrest.

The investigative agency has nabbed Inderpal Singh Gaba, a resident of Hounslow in the United Kingdom, for carrying out unlawful activities during the March 2023 protests.

Gaba, allegedly a Khalistani extremist along with Avtar Singh Khanda (since deceased), reportedly desecrated the Indian national flag during the protests.

Inderpal Singh Gaba arrest

Indian news agency PTI reports that the federal agency is yet to reveal details about the location from where Gaba was arrested.

However, as per the report, the agency during its investigations found that the incidents that took place in London on March 19 and 2 were part of a larger conspiracy. Reportedly, the motive of the "conspiracy" was to unleash vicious attacks on the Indian missions and its officials.

Motive of the attack on Indian missions

Pro-Khalistani protesters had attempted to vandalise the Indian mission in London during protests outside the High Commission complex on March 19 and even pulled down the Indian national flag, waving Khalistani flags instead.

Seeking the public's help in identifying the individuals involved in the London attack, the NIA shared five videos of the incidentin June last year.

This attack, as per the NIA, was retaliation for pro-Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh's arrest.

"The attacks in London in March 2023 were found to be in retaliation to the action taken by the Punjab Police against pro-Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh on March 18, 2023," said NIA in its statement.

Amritpal Singh, the chief of 'Waris Punjab De' outfit, was arrested in Moga's Rode village on April 23 last year following a more than one-month-long manhunt. He is currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam, along with nine of his associates.

(With inputs from agencies)