India has recently labeled Lakhbir Singh Landa, a notorious Canada-based gangster and one of the most sought-after fugitives, as a terrorist. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification highlighted Landa's affiliation with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), a designated terrorist organization, and his involvement in various criminal activities.
Hailing from Harike in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, Landa, 34, currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The MHA notification specified his direct engagement in nefarious activities, including a terror attack using a shoulder-mounted Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) on the Punjab State Intelligence Headquarter building in Mohali.
Landa's criminal record spans a range of offenses, from supplying Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), arms, and sophisticated weapons across the border to different modules, to orchestrating terror modules, extortion, killings, smuggling weapons and narcotics, and funding terrorist acts in Punjab and other parts of India.
The notification further detailed Landa's involvement in conspiracies to disrupt peace and order in Punjab through targeted killings, extortions, and anti-national activities across the country. Consequently, an open-ended warrant and a Look Out Circular dated June 9, 2021, have been issued against Landa.
Moreover, the Central Government, exercising its authority under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, affirmed Landa's terrorist involvement and officially added him to the Fourth Schedule of the Act.
Additionally, recent disclosures have unveiled alarming details about an RPG attack on the Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali targeting the late Punjabi singer Shubhdeeep Sidhu, known as Sidhu Moosewala. However, due to concerns about higher casualties during public events, the assailants redirected their plan to target the Punjab Police headquarters.
Investigations revealed that the RPG, supplied by Khalistani terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, originated from Pakistan through illicit channels, implicating Pakistan's spy agency, ISI. Landa, identified as the second in command, collaborated with Rinda, sharing resources and manpower. Further connections were discovered between Goldy Brar and Landa, implicating Brar as a BKI operative closely associated with Rinda in NIA investigations.
These revelations shed light on the intricate network and collaborative efforts between fugitive Lakhbir Singh Landa, Rinda, and their associates, exposing the transnational nature of their criminal activities.
(With Agency Inputs)
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