Terror Threat Alert: Delhi And Uttarakhand On High Alert Over Khalistani Terrorist Warning

New Delhi: Delhi Police and Uttarakhand Police are on high alert. Threat emails had come in that warned of a major terrorist attack in the coming days. The emails named the specific targets like Temples, Government offices, political leaders. The threat was prompting that these all could be hit. Intelligence agencies had also issued an alert. It covers areas from Uttarakhand to Delhi. The warning said that the Khalistani terrorists could strike. Temples in Uttarakhand and Delhi are at risk. Government buildings and railway stations also need to be protected. The alert came after recent trouble with Nihang Sikhs in Uttarakhand.

What happened with the Nihangs?

Nihang Sikhs and Uttarakhand Police had a standoff. The group was demanding the release of four Nihangs. These four were arrested for allegedly hurting locals in a fight. The tension started on June 16 in Chamoli. A group of Nihang pilgrims was accused of attacking people with swords. They were returning from the Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage. An FIR was filed. Four were arrested and sent to jail.

What was the developments?

On June 20, the Nihang group occupied a gurdwara in Nagarasu in Rudraprayag as they held meditations. On June 23, they had left the place. A bigger group marched to Dehradun on June 25. They demanded the release of the four arrested Nihangs. They kept up the pressure.

What is the thaw?

Now things have cooled down as the standoff has eased. Police talked to the group and assured them that they would look at allegations of unfair investigation. The group stepped back from the Himachal Pradesh-Uttarakhand border.

What started it?

On June 16, Karnaprayag in Chamoli, a group of Nihang pilgrims was returning from Hemkund Sahib. A verbal fight broke out with local traders then it got violent. The Nihangs allegedly pulled swords. They attacked one trader and other residents who tried to stop them. Four people got hurt and four Nihangs got arrested. One was remanded to judicial custody.

What is the threat now?

But now bigger worry is the terror emails and specific targets named. Police are watching and intelligence agencies are on alert. Security has gone up. Temples are being watched and monitored. Government buildings are being lashed.