A Pakistan-based terrorist identified as Harvinder Singh Rinda, who is reportedly working for Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI, has threatened Punjab’s excise department and liquor contractors, according to a viral audio clip. Rinda warned that those targeted should protect themselves because anyone could be blown up.
The audio clip circulated widely on social media. In it, Rinda issues a direct warning about recent violence in Punjab and the attacks on liquor shops. He refers to prior warnings and says the next action will be bigger.
Security agencies find the statement alarming because it specifically threatens contractors, workers at liquor outlets, and excise department staff. Since the recording went viral, panic has spread among the department and contractors. The full recording is about 4 minutes and 35 seconds long. Dainik Bhaskar does not independently verify the audio.
The NIA has announced a reward of several lakhs for information on Rinda.
Rinda claimed the Nawanshahr grenade attack was a step up from his previous actions. He said, “This is Rinda speaking. I have warned many times since last year to back off and stop making Punjab helpless. But I think you won’t change until you are hit properly. The grenade attack at the Nawanshahr liquor shop was a step ahead of previous acts.”
He added that the next attack will go a step further and be far more horrific. “So far grenades have been falling outside liquor shops. I thought that would make you understand. But this time the grenade fell inside a liquor shop. It seems you still haven’t understood what to do. If you still don’t get it, then the next step above this will be taken.”
Rinda threatened attacks using explosives and bullets. “Mainly those people who have liquor contracts across Punjab. Any liquor contractor who comes within our range will be targeted right there. This is our warning: we will start killing them wherever we find them. Whether we kill with explosives or bullets we will kill. What we did in Nawanshahr will now happen everywhere.”
He warned not only the contractors but also the workers who serve those outlets: “You are burning the lives of Punjab’s youth; we will burn you. From now on there will be no more warning recordings only news that some contractor was killed or that a contractor and his shop were set on fire.”
Rinda also threatened excise teams. “We will not spare excise personnel either. Excise staff should beware there could be an explosive device placed at the side of any road; you never know what might detonate. Workers traveling with excise teams should also be careful. They will be responsible for their own lives.”
He concluded by calling this his final warning recording and saying action will follow: “Take action carefully any step you take could be your last. After this there will be no telling whose turn it is. After this you will only hear news that someone’s number came up. This is not about any single area whether Majha, Malwa or Doaba this is about the whole of Punjab. This is my last recording; after this there will be no recordings. Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh.”
Who is Harvinder Singh Rinda?
Harvinder Singh Rinda is reportedly active in pro-Khalistan activities and is said to have formed a new terrorist network in coordination with people like Happy Pasia, who lives in the United States. Rumors of his death circulated in 2022 claimed to be from kidney failure or a drug overdose but these were not confirmed. He is believed to be hiding in Lahore, Pakistan, and both the Indian government and Interpol are reportedly making ongoing efforts to capture him.