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NEW DELHI: Members of terrorist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) trespassed and vandalised Indian embassy in Zagreb and tried to replace the Tricolour with a “Khalistan flag”, drawing strong condemnation from Indian govt. Govt on Thursday said it had raised the issue with Croatian authorities both here and in the Croatian capital and asked them to bring the perpetrators to justice. “We condemn the incident of trespassing and vandalism at our embassy in Zagreb, Croatia, by anti-India elements,” said MEA in a statement, adding under Vienna Convention, diplomatic premises are inviolable and must be protected.It said such actions also speak of the character and motives of those behind them, and law enforcement authorities everywhere would do well to take note of them. “Accordingly, we have taken up the matter strongly with Croatian authorities, both in New Delhi and in Zagreb, and asked them to hold the perpetrators accountable for their reprehensible and illegal actions,” said the ministry.Looking to target India ahead of its Republic Day, the separatists tried to take down the Indian flag and replace it with a “Khalistan flag”. They also raised anti-India slogans. This was one of the few occasions where the separatists targeted an Indian mission outside of the “five eyes countries” – US, Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand – where they are mostly based. India has been looking to ramp up its ties with Croatia, a member of EU, and PM Modi had visited the country last year on his way back to India from G7 summit in Canada.In a statement, SFJ claimed the act was timed to coincide with the lead-up to Republic Day. “Ahead of EU leaders’ participation in Republic Day, Indian Tricolour was removed and destroyed, while Khalistan flag was raised at the Indian embassy in Zagreb, Croatia…” SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said.Continuing his anti-India rhetoric, Pannun claimed that the act was the first such incident in past 40 years. A “26-26” chatter has been intercepted by Indian agencies referring to the terror group plotting an attack on Indian soil around this Republic Day.
