NEW DELHI: An arrest has been made in connection to the violent attack on the Indian high commission in London last year. The suspect, identified as Inderpal Singh Gaba, a resident of Hounslow, United Kingdom, was apprehended upon arrival in Delhi based on a look-out circular issued against him. This move marks a significant development as it signifies cooperation between law enforcement agencies of both countries.
According to a senior officer, the arrest of a British resident for a crime that occurred under UK jurisdiction serves as a major deterrent against future breaches of security and threats to Indian interests abroad. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been conducting an investigation into the incidents in London on March 19 and 22, 2023, revealing that they were part of a larger conspiracy to carry out attacks on Indian missions and officials.
The attacks were reportedly a reaction to the arrest of pro-Khalistan separatist Amritpal Singh by Punjab Police in March last year. The Indian government had expressed strong objections to the incident, leading to the summoning of the senior-most diplomat in the UK high commission in London to provide an explanation for the security lapse.
The NIA team visited the UK in May 2023 to further investigate the attack, followed by a crowdsourcing effort to gather information on the UK-based entities and individuals involved. Multiple look-out circulars were issued, leading to a manhunt for the perpetrators and their associates. Raids were conducted in Punjab and Haryana to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy behind the attacks in London.
Efforts to identify and arrest all those responsible for the attack, regardless of their location in India or abroad, have been ongoing. The NIA has seized digital data containing information related to the accused individuals involved in the attack as part of its extensive investigation. The arrest of Inderpal Singh Gaba is seen as a significant step towards holding all responsible parties accountable for their actions.