Republic Day plot foiled in Delhi: two held in ‘Pannun-linked sleeper cell’ case, Canada link flagged

Police say the plot was orchestrated from Canada and aimed at disturbing public order ahead of Republic Day celebrations.

• Delhi Police arrested two alleged sleeper cell operatives linked to SFJ's Pannun
• Accused were paid Rs 2 lakh to write pro-Khalistan slogans ahead of Republic Day
• Security agencies are probing the wider network and its Canada-based handlers

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Delhi Police have arrested two alleged sleeper cell operatives linked to Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for attempting to disturb public order in the national capital ahead of Republic Day celebrations, according to CNN-News18.

The arrests were made after attempts at two locations in Delhi to write pro-Khalistan slogans ahead of January 26, officials said. The case is being probed by the Delhi Police in connection with efforts to create unrest during the high-security period, CNN-News18 reported.

Sources told CNN-News18 that the accused were allegedly lured with Rs 2 lakh to write “Khalistan Zindabad” slogans in Delhi, with the entire conspiracy orchestrated from Canada.

A close associate of Pannun, based in Canada, allegedly hired Baljinder and Rohit alias Keerath to carry out the act. Baljinder works as an ambulance driver in Delhi, while Rohit is his associate, sources said.

Investigators also identified a mastermind, a resident of Tilak Nagar, who had travelled to Canada a few days before January 26 and was in direct contact with Pannun, according to CNN-News18.

Ahead of Republic Day, the Delhi Police Special Cell registered an FIR against SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for allegedly issuing threats to create unrest in the capital, CNN-News18 reported.

The case has been registered under Sections 196 (promoting enmity), 197 (imputations prejudicial to national integration), 152 (acts endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India), and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

Pannun had earlier released a video on social media claiming that his “sleeper cells” had put up pro-Khalistan posters in Delhi’s Rohini and Dabri areas. Police are examining these claims as part of the investigation, CNN-News18 reported.

Security agencies remain on high alert as investigations continue into the wider network and its alleged foreign-based handlers.