Probe agency NIA identifies 43 suspects involved in attack on Indian missions
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified as many as 43 suspects involved in the recent attacks on Indian Embassies located.
In the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada earlier this year. According to sources, all the suspects were identified by the investigative agency using a crowdsourcing approach.
NIA took over the case of attacks on the Indian diplomatic missions in the US, the UK and Canada in June this year following orders from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Sources also told India Today that so far 50 raids have been conducted in India, and approximately 80 individuals have been interrogated in connection with the attacks.
Indian diplomatic missions were targeted in March and July of this year. Khalistani elements launched two separate attacks on the Indian Embassy in London on March 19, during a protest. Similar attacks occurred in San Francisco on July 2.
Both the incidents are being probed by the NIA with charges including criminal trespass, barbarism, causing damage to public property, attempting harm to embassy staff, and incitement to violence.
Additionally, to gather information on the assailants involved in these violent acts, the NIA’s team conducted a visit to San Francisco in August 2023.
Delhi Police’s Special Cell had also registered FIRs under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in connection with the March 2023 attacks in Canada and San Francisco.
Furthermore, a grenade was also thrown during the protest at the High Commission of India in Canada, following which the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Act provisions were invoked.
In June this year, NIA even released several CCTV footage of the attack on the Indian Mission in London and sought the help of the public in identifying the culprits.
The alleged pro-Khalistani protestors tried to vandalise the Indian High Commission in London and pulled down the national flag while holding protests outside the high commission complex on March 19.
However, officials claimed that the attempt was foiled.