NIA chargesheets 9 in 2019 Tarn Taran blast case

New Delhi, March 11 The National Investigation Agency on Wednesday said it has filed a charge sheet against nine persons in the 2019 Tarn Taran blast case, in which two persons, who were engaged in digging a pit to retrieve concealed explosives, had died.

An NIA spokesperson in Delhi said, "The agency filed a charge sheet against nine people under several sections of the IPC and the Explosicves Act in a Special NIA Court in Mohali."

He said the agency has chargesheeted Massa Singh, Harjit Singh, Gurjant Singh, Manpreet Singh and Bikramjit Singh Panjwar, all residents of Tarn Taran, Chandeep Singh, a resident of Gurdaspur, Malkit Singh, Amarjeet Singh, both residents of Amritsar and one juvenile.

The official said that Bikramjit Singh Panjwar is absconding.

The official said that during probe it was found that the accused were radicalised pro-Khalistan youths who had formed a terrorist gang under the leadership of absconding accused Bikramjit Singh Panjwar.

"The members of terrorist gang carried out secessionist activities on ground as well as on social media to instigate the members of Sikh community to agitate for the secession of Punjab from India," the official said.

"They also illegally procured explosive substances, prepared and tested crude bombs to carry out terrorist acts in Punjab," he said, adding the accused had, lately, planned to target one 'dera' at Muradpura in Tarn Taran.

The NIA had taken over the probe in September last year.

( With inputs from IANS )