Friday, August 12 2005 16:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Amid growing evidence that Khalistan militancy is being re-activated, intelligence agencies have warned that three Congress leaders, including Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar, and former Punjab Police Chief K P S Gill may be targeted by Punjab terrorists before Independence Day.

Tamil Nadu Governor Surjeet Singh Barnala and All India Anti-Terrorist Front Chief and Congress leader Maninder Singh Bitta also figure in the hit list of pro-Khalistani elements, active in the west coast of the United States.

Intercepts have revealed that they are planning some 'dhamaka' (explosion) before Independence Day on August 15, 2005 in which the five leaders may be possible targets, security sources said.

Following the inputs by the intelligence agencies, police forces in Delhi, Punjab and Tamil Nadu have been sensitised about the threat.

The names of Tytler, Kumar, Gill and Bitta have repeatedly figured in target lists of Punjab militants. Gill and Bitta have earlier been attacked by Khalistani groups.

Security agencies are exercising extra precaution this year following the virtual indictment of Tytler and Kumar by the Nanavati Commission in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Jagtar Singh Hawara, the head of Khalistan outfit Babbar Khalsa's India operations, was arrested here in June in connection with the May 22 twin blasts in cinema halls.

His interrogation revealed that the Pakistan-based Chief of the outfit Wadhwa Singh is trying to revive its operation in India. Several members of the outfit have been arrested in Delhi and Punjab.