In a major development, Pro Khalistan terror outfit Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) has claimed responsibility for the fire that broke out on January 19 at the Prayagraj Mahakumbh Mela. As per reports, KZF sent an e-mail to media organizations on Tuesday claiming that this is revenge for the Pilibhit encounter. The Pilibhit encounter took place on December 23. UP Police had neutralised 3 Khalistani terrorists. However, UP Police has denied the claim of Khalistan Zindabad Force.
For the unversed, a fire broke out in the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj on January 19 at around 4:30 pm. This fire broke out in the camp of Geeta Press in Sector 19 near Shastri Bridge. 180 cottages of Geeta Press were burnt in the fire. According to the Mahakumbh administration, the fire broke out due to gas leakage while making tea from a small cylinder in the kitchen of Geeta Press. Due to the fire, 2 gas cylinders kept in the kitchen blasted.
KZF in their unverified email reportedly stated that their main objective was not to harm anyone. This is just an alert for the CM of UP. This is just the beginning.' Fateh Singh Bagi's name is written in the email.
Fateh Singh Bagi is a resident of Tarn Taran. As per reports, he is also the handler of the Khalistani terrorists involved in the encounter. Bagi had gone abroad for studies. His father Joginder Singh and his grandfather both were in the Indian Army. At the same time, Bagi's elder brother Gurjeet Singh is still in the Indian Army and is posted in Rajasthan.
Joginder Singh had told the media that it has been ten years since Jagjit Singh alias Fateh Singh Bagi has been living abroad. He had gone to the UK to do a diploma in software engineering. About 8 years ago, he was evicted by his family after marrying into another caste. He joined the UK Army. He also went to Afghanistan to fight.
Pilibhit Encounter
The Pilibhit encounter took place on 23 December. Pilibhit police killed 3 Khalistani terrorists. They were accused of grenade attack on a police post in Punjab. All three had fled and were living in Pilibhit. UP police took this action on the input of Punjab police.