Khalistan Links Surface on Pakistani Telegram Channels in Wake of Delhi Blast

In the aftermath of an explosion that rattled the Prashant Vihar area of Delhi on Sunday morning, authorities are now investigating claims made on Pakistani Telegram channels suggesting that Khalistani operatives were behind the attack. The incident, which took place near Rohini, has drawn widespread attention as investigators from central agencies and Delhi Police continue their probe into the origin and intent behind the blast.

The claims emerged on Telegram channels that have a history of circulating information linked to terrorism in the region, particularly those that previously shared updates from The Resistance Front (TRF), a terror outfit operating in Kashmir. The message, which was first posted on a channel named "Justice League India," was quickly picked up and disseminated across multiple platforms, all linked to sources operating from Pakistan. The message accompanying the video purported to show CCTV footage from the incident site, and the channel claimed responsibility on behalf of Khalistani operatives, asserting their ability to strike Indian targets at any time.

The explosion, which occurred on October 20, left traces of low-intensity explosives at the scene. Investigators have so far discovered materials commonly associated with crude bombs, including a white powdery substance suspected to be ammonium phosphate, alongside other chemicals. While forensic teams work to confirm the exact nature of the explosives used, authorities are also looking into the presence of wires and a battery found near the blast site. Though it remains unclear whether these materials were directly related to the explosion, the discovery has raised additional questions about the sophistication and intent behind the attack.

Despite the claims of Khalistani involvement, officials caution that the true nature of the attack and the motivations behind it are still under investigation. Experts and intelligence officials have suggested that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) could be behind the narrative, possibly using the Khalistan movement as a proxy to further destabilize India. The investigation is expected to explore all angles, including the role of ISI in possibly fueling militancy within India under the guise of separatist movements like Khalistan.

Delhi Police, for their part, have moved swiftly to seek more information about the "Justice League India" Telegram channel. A formal request has been made to Telegram's parent company for details on the administrators and users of the group. However, the platform has yet to respond to these inquiries. With the proliferation of messaging platforms and their role in spreading disinformation, the involvement of social media channels in facilitating the spread of terror-related content has added another layer of complexity to the investigation.

What is striking about this incident is not just the blast itself but the careful orchestration behind it. The timing of the explosion, which targeted a school wall early in the morning, has led investigators to believe that the primary intention was to send a message rather than cause mass casualties. The choice of location, coupled with the relatively low-intensity nature of the blast, suggests that the perpetrators sought to create a spectacle and sow fear without triggering widespread destruction. This has led authorities to focus on the symbolic aspects of the attack, examining whether it was part of a larger, coordinated effort to stoke tensions in India's capital.

The incident has also reignited concerns about the increasing role of transnational networks in domestic terrorism. The connection between groups operating in Pakistan and separatist elements within India has been a longstanding issue, but the rapid dissemination of information via encrypted platforms like Telegram represents a new challenge for security forces. The ease with which terror-linked messages can be broadcast to large audiences, often without immediate detection, underscores the difficulties faced by authorities in preempting and responding to such attacks.

For now, the investigation continues with central agencies and Delhi Police working together to piece together the events that led to the blast. The forensic analysis of the scene is expected to yield more clues, but much of the attention is focused on the digital trail left by the messages shared on Telegram. If Khalistani operatives are indeed involved, it would mark a significant escalation in their activities, which have largely been restricted to rhetoric and propaganda in recent years.

As Delhi recovers from the shock of this latest incident, the broader implications of the attack are being carefully considered by security analysts. The potential involvement of Khalistan, coupled with the role of Pakistan-based networks, points to a continued strategy of low-intensity conflict aimed at keeping India on edge. While the blast itself may not have caused major physical damage, the psychological impact of such incidents, particularly in a city as politically and symbolically important as Delhi, cannot be underestimated.

The probe into the explosion at Prashant Vihar is ongoing, with authorities exploring every possible lead. From forensic evidence to digital footprints, investigators are leaving no stone unturned as they work to uncover the truth behind the attack. At the same time, the role of international actors in stoking internal divisions within India remains a pressing concern, one that will likely shape the country's counterterrorism efforts in the coming months.

As new details continue to emerge, the authorities' focus is on determining the authenticity of the claims made on social media and whether they represent a genuine threat to national security or merely an attempt to spread panic. The investigation is expected to take time, but the stakes are clear: this is not just a probe into a single blast, but a test of India's ability to counter the ever-evolving tactics of those who seek to destabilize the nation.

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