A wanted member of the pro-Khalistan outfit 'Waris Punjab De' and a US national linked to the organisation were arrested while entering India from Nepal, police said on Thursday.
According to ABP News, Bahraich Superintendent of Police (SP) Vishwajeet Srivastava said that a joint operation by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Uttar Pradesh Police was carried out at the Indo-Nepal international border under the Rupaidiha police station area.
Who were the two men arrested at the border?
The two arrested individuals have been identified as Vikramjit Singh and Manveer Dhillon. Vikramjit Singh is wanted in connection with a 2023 case registered at the Ajnala police station in Punjab. Manveer Dhillon is a US national and a native of Moga district in Punjab, according to PTI News.
Three others arrested for helping the suspects
Police also arrested three other men on Thursday for allegedly helping Vikramjit Singh and Manveer Dhillon in their attempt to enter India, as reported by Press Trust of India.
The SP confirmed that Punjab Police were looking for both men in separate cases. The arrests were made based on preliminary questioning and intelligence inputs.
Our Take: A significant cross-border arrest
This arrest shows that security agencies are working together across state lines and international borders to track down wanted individuals. The fact that a US national with roots in Punjab was also caught highlights how these networks can extend beyond India. In our view, this joint operation by SSB and UP Police is a good example of coordinated policing. But it also raises questions about how these individuals managed to evade capture for so long and what links they still have inside the country. The public should know that such operations are ongoing, and the authorities are keeping a close watch on border crossings.
