New Delhi: Pakistan’s external spy agency ISI is the force behind the revival of Khalistani supporters and helped to place Amritpal Singh in Punjab to plunge the state again into the dark days of terrorism, media reports said citing officials.

Singh, aged around 30, previously worked as a truck driver in Dubai. However, he was reportedly radicalized by the ISI, with the assistance of Khalistan supporters residing outside of India.

The radical Sikh preacher made open statements about declaring secession from India and creating Khalistan, while also threatening Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Punjab Chief Minister Bagwant Singh Mann.

He also referred to the assassinations of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Chief Minister Beant Singh by terrorists to warn the ministers and law enforcers.

Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own bodyguards and Beant Singh was killed by Dilawar Singh, who acted as a suicide bomber. The radical preacher asserted that there were many individuals like Dilawar who were prepared to act in the current situation in Punjab.

Since being active in India, Amritpal Singh incited Sikh youths to engage in armed rebellion against democratically elected governments, citing discriminatory treatment as the reason, in order to achieve the ‘ultimate goal’ of creating Khalistan.

Singh stated during a function in Rode, Moga district that non-Sikh governments have no right to govern the people of Punjab, and that only Sikhs should have the power to rule over them.

He has adopted the style of terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed during Operation Blue Star in 1984, by imitating his clothing, behavior, carrying an arrow, keeping a group of armed bodyguards, and using religion as a shield.

Singh is currently on the run and is accused of having connections with Lakhbir Singh Rode, the leader of the International Sikh Youth Federation who is wanted in India for Arms Smuggling (including RDX explosive), plotting to attack government leaders in New Delhi, and promoting hatred in Punjab.

According to officials who monitored his activities, Singh stayed in touch with Jaswant, the brother of Rode, while he was in Dubai. After returning to Punjab at the request of the ISI, Singh enlisted the assistance of Amrit Sanchar to establish his own organisation.

He then launched a campaign named 'Khalsa Waheer' and increased the strength of his group by visiting various villages. Singh raised the problems faced by Punjab and used religion to incite Sikhs against the government.

The reports said citing sources that the lower strata of society and aimless youth became an easy target of Singh and he started exploiting the sentiments in the name of religion.