On Friday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) designated Lakhbir Singh Landa, a Canada-based gangster and leader of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), as an “individual terrorist” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Landa, responsible for overseeing the smuggling of arms and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from Pakistan to India, is the mastermind behind the rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali on May 9 of the previous year. He is wanted by both the Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with this incident.
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As per the notification issued by the MHA, Landa had close associations with Canada-based pro-Khalistan elements (PKEs), including the late Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, among others.
Currently residing in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Landa, originally from Harike in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, has been involved in numerous criminal activities. The MHA notification stated that he orchestrated the terror attack on the Punjab State Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali using a shoulder-mounted Rocket Propelled Grenade, in addition to supplying IEDs, arms, sophisticated weapons, and explosives from across the border to various modules for carrying out terrorist activities in Punjab.
The notification further revealed Landa’s involvement in various criminal cases related to the establishment of terror modules, extortion, killings, IED planting, weapons and narcotics smuggling, and the utilization of funds for terrorist acts in Punjab and other parts of the country. Additionally, Landa is implicated in targeted killings, extortions, and other anti-national activities across different regions of India.
A look-out circular was issued against Landa in 2021, and the NIA has also offered a reward for information leading to his apprehension.