Khalistani terrorist, on the run from 30 years, arrested from Punjab

A significant breakthrough was achieved on Wednesday with the arrest of Khalistani terrorist Mangat Singh, who had been evading law enforcement for nearly 30 years. Singh was apprehended from a village in Punjab’s Amritsar district in a joint operation conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and officials from Sahibabad police station.

Mangat Singh had been on the run since 1995, the year he was granted bail after his arrest in a 1993 case involving charges under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act, and attempt to murder. His failure to appear before the court post-bail led to him becoming an absconder.

Police said Singh was not only a key operative of a Khalistani outfit but was also wanted in a separate case involving robbery and extortion. A reward of ₹25,000 had been declared on his arrest, reflecting the gravity of the charges against him.

What makes his arrest even more significant is his family background. Mangat Singh’s brother, Sangat Singh, was the chief of the now-banned Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), a violent separatist group that was active during the peak of militancy in Punjab. Sangat Singh was killed in a police encounter in 1990.

Mangat Singh’s capture marks a major step forward in the long-standing efforts to clamp down on remnants of Khalistani militant networks that have been operating from within and outside the country. Authorities are now investigating possible networks and contacts Singh maintained during his years in hiding.

He is currently in police custody and is likely to be produced in court for further legal proceedings. Officials have indicated that more arrests may follow based on interrogation and evidence collected from Singh’s hideout.