According to senior officials, ISI for long have been working with Khalistani groups but now they have launched a classified project - Harvest, which aims to create unrest in India specially Punjab by targeting retired officers of defence forces and police establishment
New Delhi: Pakistan's Inter-services Intelligence (ISI) is once again trying to disrupt peace in Punjab by instigating Kalistani terrorists living in Canada and pro-Khalistani groups. As per intelligence agencies, this time the top targets are retired army and police personnel.
According to senior officials, ISI for long have been working with Khalistani groups but now they have launched a classified project - Harvest, which aims to create unrest in India specially Punjab by targeting retired officers of defence forces and police establishment. ISI is helping Khalistani groups with financial and logistic backing but it is yet to ascertain the number of people involved in the malicious project and their network.
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Security agencies are keeping a watch on the activities of pro-Khalistan groups like 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ). It has come to the notice of agencies that SFJ is sponsoring free air tickets to people willing to join the Khalistan Referendum movement. The agencies are also investigating whether SFJ was part of ISI's 'Project Harvest'. As per their input, the ISI has opened an office for the 'Sikh For Justice' in Lahore. They have also been connected with Hafiz Saeed's JuD for efficient training.
Indian agencies suspect that the ISI wants to carry out terrorist acts once again in Punjab with the help of these groups. Youngsters going to visit Kartarpur Sahib are also under ISI radar.
The ISI along with other groups are also involved in information warfare against India and is trying to malign Indian forces at the global forum. They have circulated several fake documents, images and videos on the web which represent Indian forces in a bad light. The entire activity is not just through Pakistan but a high volume of such data is being uploaded from Canada and the UK. Intelligence agencies have several digital footprints of Khalistani groups assisting Pakistan's ISI in disturbing law and order situation in India.
Even the Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had earlier expressed apprehension that Pakistan's ISI and hardline Sikh groups may misuse Kartarpur corridor for anti-India activities.
Last Updated May 28, 2019, 4:32 PM IST