NIA Raids: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has raided several locations in Punjab and Rajasthan on Tuesday (27 February). The investigating agency has also detained several people on suspicion of their alleged involvement in terrorist activities. Last year, Khalistan supporters attacked the Indian Embassy in San Francisco, USA. Sources have said that this raid has been conducted in connection with the investigation of the attack on the embassy.
An official said the agency has already identified some individuals who were part of the conspiracy behind the embassy attacks. These people include some attackers and many of their associates. Both Indian and foreign citizens are involved in the attack on the embassy. In August last year, a team of NIA officers also went to San Francisco. After reaching America, the NIA team investigated the attacks on the San Francisco Consulate there.
Attempt to set fire to the embassy
In fact, on March 19 last year, some miscreants attacked the Consulate General of India in San Francisco. They not only attacked the embassy but also vandalized it. Some officers were also attacked. On the same day, before the attack, some people had tried to set the Indian Embassy on fire by spraying inflammable substance. After this, at midnight on July 2, some people tried to set fire to the embassy building.
At which places were raids conducted?
The agency said that action has been taken against criminal syndicates having links with terrorists in Punjab and Rajasthan. Raids have been conducted at 14 places in Punjab and 2 places in Rajasthan. A search operation has also been conducted. The raids began in the early hours in Amritsar, Bathinda, Moga, Sangrur and Kapurthala districts of Punjab and Churu and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan. Some people have been detained and are being interrogated regarding terrorist activities.
A statement issued by NIA said, ‘Many digital devices, mobile phones and objectionable documents have been seized. They are being investigated. NIA has been investigating this case since last year and a massive operation is being conducted to nab the accused.