Khalistani Terrorist Operates Under Mumbai’s Nose for 4 Months, NIA Exposes Intelligence Failure

The Mumbai Police's intelligence network has come under scrutiny once again following the arrest of Jatinder Singh, a key associate of the Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Singh, who had been working as a crane operator at a metro construction site in Mankhurd for the past four months, was apprehended on December 23.

Despite his prolonged stay in the city, Mumbai Police's intelligence unit failed to detect his presence, raising serious concerns about the city's security apparatus. This comes months after similar criticism over the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique, which also exposed lapses in the police's intelligence system.

NIA Operation Details

Singh, believed to have links with Dawood Ibrahim, had been hiding in a makeshift shelter at the metro site. Sources reveal that he avoided renting a room to avoid suspicion. During his stay, Singh reportedly received secret cash funds from Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) operatives and maintained contact with Khalistani supporters in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra.

The NIA's investigation has revealed that Singh fled to Navi Mumbai in July-August 2024 after an incident in Punjab. He initially stayed with his maternal uncle before securing a job at a crane company in Navi Mumbai in September, allegedly through a recommendation from a religious leader at a gurdwara.

Police Begin Probe into Employer and Network

Following Singh’s arrest, Mumbai Police, the Crime Branch, and Maharashtra ATS have launched an inquiry. They are interrogating the crane company that employed Singh to determine whether mandatory background checks were conducted before his hiring. Officials are also probing how Singh managed to operate undetected in the city.

Initial findings suggest Singh had direct links with KTF operatives and was actively coordinating with Khalistani supporters in the region. Investigators are now exploring whether Singh was planning any illegal activities in Mumbai or Maharashtra.

Mumbai Police Zone 6 is the only zone in the city with the largest total of 10 stations.

After the murder of Baba Siddiqui, the Mumbai Police began scrutinizing property owners to ensure they followed the basic tenant document verification norms.

Zone 6 police stations gathered data from local house agents to collect information about tenants in the area. The police identified over 100 agents in each area and collected all the necessary details about the tenants.

So far, the police have registered cases against 12 to 15 property owners for failing to adhere to the basic document verification rules.

Intelligence Failure Under Spotlight

This arrest has once again exposed gaps in the city's intelligence framework, which had already come under fire earlier this year. Despite Singh’s presence at a prominent metro construction site, neither the Mumbai Police's intelligence unit nor state terror agencies picked up on his activities.

Further revelations are expected as the investigation unfolds. The case has sparked fresh debates about the efficiency of Mumbai's security and intelligence systems in countering threats.​