Will attack Parliament on or before Dec 13: SFJ chief Pannun's threat
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US-based Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has released a video in which he has threatened to 'shake the very foundations of the Parliament' on or before December 13, the date which marks the 22nd anniversary of the Parliament attack by terrorists in 2001.
The video featured a poster with his photo alongside 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, with the caption 'Delhi Banega Khalistan' (Delhi will turn into Khalistan). Pannun said a conspiracy to kill him by Indian agencies had failed. Afzal Guru was hanged in 2013 for the attack.
Pannun, a citizen of the US and Canada, serves as the chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a US-based organization banned in India and is wanted by Indian probe agencies.
His threat came as Parliament is holding its Winter Session, which began on Monday. The session is scheduled to continue till December 22.
Security agencies are on high alert following the release of the threat video, heightening concerns over potential disruptions during the ongoing session. A senior police officer with the Delhi police said that security has already been stepped up in and around Parliament. "No one will be allowed to disturb law and order," he said.
"When Parliament is on, we remain alert. We are taking all precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incident," the officer said, adding that security has also been beefed up in entire Delhi.
In November, The Financial Times (FT), citing unnamed sources, reported that US authorities foiled a plot to kill Pannun and issued a warning to the Indian government over concerns it was involved in the plot.
The US federal prosecutors also charged a 52-year-old Indian national Nikhil Gupta working with an Indian government employee in the foiled plot to kill Pannun.
In response, India expressed concern about one of its government officials being linked to the plot, from which it dissociated itself.
