Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 26: In a renewed attempt to destabilize India from within, Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI is pushing Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) to escalate its terror operations in Punjab and nearby states. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies believe this is a strategic move aimed at reviving the Khalistan movement by directly targeting the Indian establishment.
Police sources in Punjab have noted a disturbing rise in BKI-related terror module busts in recent months. Unlike earlier attacks which often resulted in civilian casualties, the group's latest strategy is more focused: targeting police stations, Intelligence Bureau offices, government buildings, and courts.
According to security analysts, this shift in tactics is meant to send a clear message — that BKI’s fight is not against the public, but against the Indian state, which they accuse of preventing the creation of a separate Khalistan nation. By avoiding civilian harm, BKI is attempting to gain public sympathy and recruit support, particularly among disaffected youth.
However, the Khalistan cause has failed to gain significant traction within Punjab. Recruitment efforts have stumbled, as the state's youth have largely rejected the separatist narrative. In contrast, pro-Khalistan activity has grown more aggressive abroad, especially in countries like Canada and the UK, where non-supporters of the movement have faced intimidation and violence.
Foreign-based BKI sympathizers have also organized anti-India events internationally, prompting repeated diplomatic concerns from New Delhi over the lack of crackdown on such activities by host nations.
Despite these international efforts, the BKI understands that without youth support in India, its movement cannot thrive. To counter this, the group has deliberately avoided civilian casualties in recent attacks, hoping to portray itself as fighting a political cause rather than waging terror.
In a recent breakthrough, Punjab Police dismantled a BKI module linked to foreign-based handlers Maninder Billa and Manu Agwan. Three individuals were arrested for their involvement in a grenade attack on the Badshapur police post in Patiala on April 1, 2025.
The investigation revealed that top BKI operations are being orchestrated by Harvinder Singh Rinda and Harper Singh alias Happy Passia — both high-value assets of the ISI. The arrest of Passia in the US marked a significant win for Indian intelligence agencies, as both Rinda and Passia were key figures behind multiple attacks on police installations in Punjab.
While agencies have made progress in neutralizing active modules, officials remain concerned about potential radicalization if even a fraction of the state’s youth begins to sympathize with the separatist cause. To counter this, Punjab Police has launched awareness campaigns encouraging young people to stay away from extremist elements and focus on positive, constructive futures.
BKI’s recruitment attempts, including through drugs and indoctrination, have largely failed so far. However, intelligence sources warn that the group’s pivot to targeting the establishment is part of a broader ISI strategy to stretch Indian security forces thin and open another internal security front.
As the situation evolves, agencies are closely monitoring for further shifts in BKI’s strategy, with the understanding that sustained vigilance and public resilience will be key in countering the revival of separatist violence.