Amritpal Singh
Sikh leader of Waris Punjab De (born 1993) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amritpal Singh Sandhu[3][4] (born 17 January 1993)[5] is a radical[9] pro-Khalistan separatist,[12] and a self-styled Sikh preacher.[14] After living in Dubai for a decade, he returned to Punjab in September 2022, having been controversially appointed as the leader of Waris Punjab De (lit. "Heirs of Punjab"), and started a campaign which encouraged youth to refrain from drugs, adopt a traditionalist form of Sikhism, and advocated a sovereign Sikh state called Khalistan.[15]
Amritpal Singh Sandhu | |
---|---|
2nd Jathedar of Waris Punjab De | |
Assumed office 29 September 2022 | |
Preceded by | Deep Sidhu |
Personal details | |
Born | (1993-01-17) 17 January 1993 (age 31) Jallupur Khaira, Baba Bakala, Amritsar, Punjab, India[1] |
Known for | Khalistani separatism[2] |
Indian intelligence sources claim that Sandhu has been supported by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI),[19] that he has stockpiled arms while raising a private militia called Anandpur Khalsa Fauj (AKF).[20][21][28] In March 2023, the state government, acting in coordination with the central government, launched an intense crackdown on Sandhu and his associates.[32] He was arrested on 23 April 2023 for attempted murder, among other charges.[33][34]