INDIA is not happy over the participation of Sikh delegations from both the UK and Australia in various events, according to a report.
Last week, 12 Sikh soldiers of the British Army visited religious sites in Pakistan under the Defence Sikhs Network. Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Bajwa invited them and the event was titled 'Ex Nankana Pilgrim 2022', the Hindustan Times reported.
The team was led by defence champion for Sikhs in the Armed Forces Major General Celia Harvey. Reportedly, they also met Bajwa.
The DSN is an official UK armed forces organisation which acts as a focal point for serving Sikhs and their community.
In another development, a Sikh contingent from the Australian Defence Forces participated in the Griffith Sikh Games in New South Wales.
According to the report, the event featured Khalistani banners, posters and flags.
It is reported that many Australian Sikhs of Indian origin raised concerns to the organisers about the pro-Khalistan banners.
Later, an Australian defence spokesperson clarified that only 'a small group' participated in the event and there was no 'formal invitation' to defence.
He added that they were unaware of other groups attending the event, including political or separatist movements.
The Hindustan Times report said that pro-Khalistan organisations used photos of Sikh ADF personnel in the games to suggest they support an 'independent Sikh homeland'
According to the report, the UK delegation visited Kartarpur Corridor, Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum, Gurudwara Darbar Sahib and Orakzai district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
Earlier, a post by DSN on social media on June 6 condemned the “loss of the sanctity of Harmandir Sahib and the Akal Takht” in 1984.
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)