Edited by Deepali Verma
The ministry of home affairs (MHA) on December 29 via a notification declared Canada-based gangster and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) leader Lakhbir Singh Landa an “individual terrorist” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Landa is said to supervise the smuggling of arms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from Pakistan to Bharat.
Landa is the mastermind behind the rocket propelled grenade (RPG) attack at the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali on May 9 last year. He is in the wanted list of the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in this regard.
As per the notification issued by MHA, Landa associates closely with the Canada-based pro-Khalistan elements (PKEs), including deceased Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun among others.
Landa is the resident of Harike in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district and is currently based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
“Lakhbir Singh alias Landa is backed by the cross border agency and has been involved in the terror attack through shoulder mounted Rocket Propelled Grenade on the building of Punjab State Intelligence Headquarter at Mohali. His involvement is noted in supplying the Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), arms, sophisticated weapons, explosives from across the border to various modules for promoting the terrorist activities in Punjab,” the notification said.
Landa also finds involvements in various criminal cases related to raising of terror modules, extortion, killings, planting IEDs, smuggling of weapons and narcotics and using funds or proceeds thereof for acts of terrorism in Punjab and other parts of the country.
His name is further mentioned in the targeted killings, extortions and other anti-national activities in different parts of India, the notification said. A look out circular has been issued against Landa in 2021 and NIA has also declared a reward on him.
