Chandigarh (Punjab): Avtar Singh Khanda, the handler of an arrested Khalistani supporter Amritpal Singh, died in a London hospital on Thursday. Khanda had insulted the Tricolor at the Indian Embassy in the United Kingdom.
According to sources in the know-how, Avtar Singh Khanda, in his thirties, was suffering from first-stage blood cancer. He was admitted to a hospital in Birmingham, where he was put on life support. However, Khanda died on Thursday.
Also read: No Khalistani wave in Punjab: Amit Shah praises 'good work' of State government
Avtar Singh Khanda was the head of the London unit of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). Son of KLF terrorist Kulwant Singh Khukhrana, Avtar Singh Khanda had become very active in the United Kingdom. Khanda, who became the loudest voice of Khalistan in the United Kingdom, had even tried to unite the banned organisations that raised their voice for Khalistan.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had identified Khanda along with three other separatists as the principal accused of dishonouring the Indian flag at the Indian High Commission in London during a protest on March 19. Khanda was also accused of training Sikh youths on how to make live bombs and handling of IEDs. In the recent investigation by the NIA, it emerged that Khanda was the handler of Amritpal Singh.
Khanda had been guarding Amritpal Singh for 37 days when the Punjab Police started action against him. Security agencies also believed that Avtar Singh Khanda was close to top Khalistani leaders Jagtar Singh Tara and Paramjit Singh Pamma.
Also read: NIA raids 10 places in Punjab, Haryana in case against Khalistan Tiger Force
