On 4 December, former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and senior Akali leader Sukhbir Badal was attacked inside the Durbar Sahib complex by a 'Khalistani supporter'.
It was only due to the vigilance of one of his personal security officers that Sukhbir was not harmed. The assailant, a 68-year-old man named Narain Singh Chaura, was determined and unrepentant. After his capture, he showed no remorse for his actions.
The security and intelligence agencies in Punjab are concerned about the increasing number of highly motivated individuals, particularly the youth, who are being radicalised through social media.
Over the past 20 days, besides the attack on Sukhbir Badal, Punjab has witnessed five low-intensity grenade attacks on various police stations.
Authorities believe these attacks are "well-guided, well-orchestrated, and well-coordinated," with pro-Khalistani groups claiming responsibility.
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has escalated its anti-India activities, particularly after the weakening of civilian governments in India.
Prominent Punjab-based militants, sheltered by the ISI in Pakistan, are coordinating with militants in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
While Pakistan remains hostile towards India, even countries like the US and Canada have been reluctant to share information about militant activities emanating from their territories.
The ISI is also exploiting gangster networks across Punjab, using them to carry out violence. Gangsters, motivated purely by money, often collaborate with militants and gain support from radical groups abroad.
These gangs-turned-militants have orchestrated grenade attacks on police stations, but the ISI could easily escalate these operations if necessary.
The widespread use of social media has made tracking these individuals increasingly difficult. Radical groups are exploiting online platforms, using fake handles to spread propaganda. This has made it easier for the ISI to influence youth by presenting grievances and fostering ideological motivation.
To combat these threats, security agencies are advocating for a multi-pronged strategy. This includes a strong deterrence against violence, ensuring that such acts are neither glorified nor incentivised, as has occurred in the past.
Officials stress the importance of taking strong action early to prevent the situation from escalating.
The weakening of the Shiromani Akali Dal at a time when Punjab faces significant challenges from hostile elements has raised concerns. A strong Akali leadership could help counter the radicalisation of youth and the spread of extremist ideologies.
The Akali Dal has the ideological grounding to confront these threats, unlike other political parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, or BJP.
Political parties must avoid stoking false narratives of victimisation, especially regarding farmers, who are a critical constituency in Punjab. Such narratives, though politically convenient, could foster a sense of alienation among the youth, with dangerous consequences.
Punjab’s geographical location, bordering a hostile neighbour, requires a careful and unified approach from all political parties to prevent instability.
No single government can achieve this alone; it requires the collective will of all parties.
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