Papalpreet Singh, brain behind Amritpal's escape, arrested

Papalpreet Singh, a close aide of radical preacher Amritpal Singh was on Monday arrested from Hoshiarpur in a joint operation conducted by Punjab Police and its counter-intelligence unit along with Delhi Police.

Amritpal and Papalpreet were on the run since March 18 after the police launched a crackdown against the Khalistan sympathiser and his aides. Both were spotted together at various places in Punjab but went on their own ways in Hoshiarpur.

Papalpreet is believed to be the 'right hand' of radical preacher Amritpal who planned out things for him after the latter was declared a fugitive by the Punjab Police.

According to reports, Papalpreet Singh is said to be providing all necessary logistic support to fugitive preacher Amritpal and arranging safe shelter houses and vehicles.

Even as hundreds of policemen continue their pursuit, pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal remains untraceable since March 18, about three weeks after he and his supporters stormed into the Ajnala police station near Amritsar to secure the release of an arrested man.

The radical preacher escaped the police net in Jalandhar district on March 18, switching vehicles and changing appearances.

He and his associates have been booked under several criminal cases related to spreading disharmony among classes, attempt to murder, attack on police personnel and creating obstructions in the lawful discharge of duty by public servants.

Police have already stepped up security in and around Amritsar and Bathinda amid reports that Amritpal may surrender after entering either the Golden Temple or the Takht Sri Damdama Sahib.