Terrorist-turned-robber nabbed in Punjab

TARN TARAN - A former Sikh terrorist who had turned robber was arrested from a village near this town, police said Tuesday.

The former Khalistan Commando Force terrorist was identified as Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha, a resident of Kalah village here, and caught Monday evening. Police have recovered one .315 bore pistol and several live cartridges from him.

“Sukha was involved in various terrorist activities in Punjab in the early 1990s when terrorism was at its peak in the state,” Tarn Taran senior superintendent of police P.S. Virk told IANS.

“He had once surrendered before former Punjab police chief K.P.S. Gill in 1992 but was later released from jail because of good behaviour,” Virk said.

“Sukha indulged in robberies, snatchings, murders, vehicle thefts and attempts to murder in the last few years. The criminal was arrested from Khadur Sahib area Monday evening and had brought the weapon and cartridges from Uttar Pradesh,” he added.

Police sources said Sukha was the close associate of dreaded Khalistan terrorist Lakhwinder Singh, who was killed in a police shootout.

“We suspect that Sukha still has some contact with terrorists and is assisting them,” said a police official, on condition of anonymity.