Explosive Crackdown: India Launches Massive Raids on 53 Sites, Escalating Fight against Sikh Separatists

India's anti-terrorism agency conducted raids at 53 locations in seven states and union territories to combat alleged "terrorists" and "gangsters." The National Investigative Agency (NIA), announcing the seizures of firearms, ammunition, and numerous electronic devices, stated that it had detained individuals suspected of having connections to Sikh separatist organizations, including "pro-Khalistan" groups.

"Khalistan" refers to a separatist movement aiming to establish a Sikh homeland in India's Punjab region. In recent news, a raid occurs amidst India's strained diplomatic relations with Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised concerns, accusing India of potential involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh Canadian and staunch supporter of Khalistan, in British Columbia.

India has vehemently denied Trudeau's allegations, accusing Nijjar of terrorism and his involvement with the Khalistan movement, as well as his attempts to radicalize the Sikh community globally. Moreover, India has persistently accused various foreign nations of harboring Sikh militants within their diaspora populations.

The NIA announced on Wednesday that the recent raids are linked to plots involving targeted assassinations, the financing of pro-Khalistan organizations, extortion, and more. These activities are carried out by gang members who are either imprisoned or conducting operations from foreign countries such as Pakistan, Canada, Malaysia, Portugal, and Australia. According to the NIA's investigations, numerous criminals and gangsters who previously operated within India have fled overseas in recent years and continue to carry out their acts of terror and violence from there.

These criminals have been involved in plotting and carrying out severe criminal activities, such as contract and revenge murders, in collaboration with incarcerated criminals throughout India.

The operation covered the regions of Punjab, Harayana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand, as well as the union territories of Delhi and Chandigarh.

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New Delhi has expressed strong outrage over Trudeau's assertions, leading to a worsening disagreement that resulted in reciprocal expulsions of high-ranking diplomats from both countries. This strained situation could potentially create an uncomfortable divide between important allies of the United States.

Tensions escalated even more when India decided to halt visa services for Canadian citizens, citing alleged "security threats" against its diplomats in Canada.

Modi has not publicly addressed the escalating conflict, however, Indian officials recently declared a more rigorous crackdown on what they claim to be a "Khalistani terrorist movement."

In a recent development, the NIA offered a monetary reward for five individuals whom they allege are involved in "propagating terror" in Punjab.