Foreign funding has been found in connection with the recent Amritsar blasts, with police investigations revealing that the mastermind behind the attacks was taking instructions from a foreign handler. According to authorities, Azadbir Singh, who carried out three bomb blasts near the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, was also receiving funding from abroad.
The police have now registered another FIR against Azadbir Singh, along with the names of Amrik Singh, Sahib Singh, Harjeet Singh and Dharmendra, who are all believed to be linked to the plot.
In the FIR, the mastermind behind the blasts has been identified as Azadbir Singh. The plans behind the attacks are being linked to Khalistan supporter and chief of Waris Punjab De, Amritpal, who was previously caught in the National Security Act (NSA) case. The letter received from Azadbir Singh reportedly demanded Amritpal's release, and also referred to the recent controversy surrounding the tricolor on a girl's face at the Golden Temple.
The investigation has also revealed that Azadbir and his close aide Amrik Singh have been involved in anti-national and anti-social activities. A case of hurting religious sentiments has already been registered against Azadbir in Chheharta police station of Amritsar.
Both Azadbir and Amrik have been working on the instructions of their handlers, who are believed to be based in both India and abroad. They have also been receiving funding from abroad for their activities.
Police suspect that the group may have been involved in previous bombings around the Golden Temple, and are currently investigating the matter further.
There have been a number of explosions near the Golden Temple in recent weeks, including blasts at a restaurant in the parking lot and near Saragarhi parking on Heritage Street. The latest blast occurred on May 10-11 in the corridor on the backside of an inn. The security of SGPC was alerted, and the perpetrators were identified on CCTV and later caught and handed over to the police.