Killing of Hindu leaders in Punjab planned in Pak?

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency will soon approach security agencies in Italy, UK, UAE and France in connection with investigations into the killing and attacks on Hindu leaders in Punjab in the last few months as investigations have revealed that funds for these incidents were routed from Pakistan to some operatives in these countries through the hawala channels.

The NIA has already taken over investigations into at least six incidents of attacks on Hindu leaders, including the killing of senior RSS leader Ravinder Gosain in Ludhiana in November last year. Sources in the investigating agency have revealed that these incidents were part of larger conspiracy hatched by Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI, to foment communal trouble in Punjab and in turn revive militancy in the state.

“All these incidents have taken place in last two years and we feel an ISI backed module is behind them as there is a common link. Initial investigations have also confirmed that funds for these killings and attacks on RSS and other Hindu leaders originated from Pakistan. The money was sent through a complex hawala network to some sympathisers of the Khalistani movement in UK, Italy, France and UAE from where it was diverted to India,’’ a senior security official said.

Sources claimed the NIA would soon approach security agencies in these countries to seek further assistance in the case to help identify these “symathisers’’ and unearth the entire conspiracy which would ultimately expose the involvement of ISI.  Investigating officials claimed there was a strong ISI link emerging in the killing of RSS leader Gosain also and it was also linked to previous incidents of attacks on other Hindu leaders in Punjab like RSS activist Jagdish Gagneja and two supporters of Dera Sacha Sauda.

Investigating officials also claimed that NIA could also approach the Interpol for assistance.