Severe concerns are being raised against the opening of Kartarpur corridor that connects India and Pakistan as Indian Intelligence agencies have accessed information that terrorists being trained near the border district of Narowal in Pakistan’s Punjab province, the same district where Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara is situated.
Reportedly, the intelligence alert has been received less than a week from the opening of the Kartarpur corridor for Indian pilgrims.
Times of India reported that terrorist training camps are situated at Muridke, Shakargarh, and Narowal in Pakistan’s Punjab province, where “a substantial number of men and women are reportedly camping and undergoing training”.
These details were shared at a recently held joint meeting of all top security agencies of the country to discuss issues related to border management in Punjab.
Read: Punjab: ISI network operating near Kartarpur corridor busted, Pakistani spy arrested
According to the security agencies, the biggest challenge is the opening of the Kartarpur corridor as anti-India activities are likely to be carried out by hostile elements in Pakistan, especially “those likely to come into contact with pilgrims at the shrine”.
The Indian intelligence agencies are very much apprehensive about Pakistan’s over-eagerness to open Kartarpur corridor as it provides an opportunity for the terror state to “exploit Sikh sentiments to support Khalistan agenda” in India.
Another worrying issue for Indian security establishment is that spillage of Pakistan mobile network up to 3-4 KM inside Indian territory. The officers said the spillage of the network can be used by drug smugglers and those involved in anti-national activities by using Pakistani SIM cards.
One of the central agencies, who guard borders in Punjab, requested the Punjab police to impose a ban on the use and possession of Pakistan SIM cards, on the lines of a recent ban imposed by Sri Ganganagar district collector in Rajasthan.
Another major challenge for security agencies is the proscribed group – Sikhs for Justice, whose propaganda through digital media and activities abroad have been a matter of concern.
The reports of terror camps near the Indian border comes months after a Pakistani spy, part of a larger espionage network, was caught by the military intelligence from Gurdaspur in Punjab. The accused Pakistani spy was sending photographs and information related to the construction of Kartarpur corridor to his handlers in Pakistan through his WhatsApp number raising doubts about Pakistan’s intention to build the corridor.
Read: Congress leader Navjot Sidhu poses with Khalistani terrorist Gopal Chawla during Kartarpur visit
Earlier, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh had also warned the country about Pakistan’s treacherous plans to use the Kartarpur corridor to inflict terror on India, especially by reviving Khalistani terror. Captain Amarinder Singh had reiterated his position on the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor by Pakistan. He claimed that it is an ISI ploy to strengthen anti-India forces, including the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
Pakistan is scheduled to open the Kartarpur Corridor for Indian Sikh pilgrims on November 9, days ahead of the 550th birth anniversary of first Sikh guru Baba Nanak Dev on November 12. Initially, only 5,000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit daily from India but later it will be increased to 10,000 pilgrims per day.
The corridor connects Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in Gurdaspur district of Indian Punjab with the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara located in Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab.
On November 22 last year, the government of India had announced its intention to build the Indian side of the Kartarpur Corridor and had urged Pakistan to reciprocate by building the corridor on Pakistan side.
Senior Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu had caused a severe controversy after he posed with Khalistani terrorist Gopal Singh Chawla during his controversial visit to Pakistan to inaugurate the Kartarpur corridor.
Navjot Singh Sidhu has also received an invitation from his ‘friend’ and an ‘angel’, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), for the inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor on November 9 and he is likely to attend the event.