The Centre on Monday designated Canada-based Khalistani ultra Aarshdeep Singh Gill, who has been involved in targeted killings, terror financing and extortion in Punjab, a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
In a notification, the Union Home Ministry said that Gill alias Arsh Dala, who was born in Ludhiana but is currently based in Canada, is involved in the cross-border smuggling of drugs and weapons on a large scale.
Gill is associated with the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and runs terror modules on behalf of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist. He is the fifth individual to be designated as a terrorist within a week. All these terrorists are based in countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and Canada. Gill is an accused in various cases registered and investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), including targeted killings, extorting money for terror funding, attempt to murder, disturbing communal harmony and creating terror among the people in Punjab.
According to inputs with Centre, Gill is involved in terrorism leading to his designation as a terrorist under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. The Home Ministry, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 35 of the UA (P) A, declared Gill as a terrorist.