Official Declaration: India Labels Lakhbir Singh Landa as a Terrorist Amidst Babbar Khalsa Ties
New Delhi, December 29, 2023: In a decisive move, the Ministry of Home Affairs has officially declared Lakhbir Singh Landa, associated with the Canada-based Babbar Khalsa International, as a terrorist. The announcement, made through a notification (S.O. 5491(E)), signifies a stern response to the escalating threat posed by individuals linked to terrorist organizations.
Lakhbir Singh Landa, son of Niranjan Singh and Parminder Kaur, born on 24.08.1989, and currently residing in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has been added to the Fourth Schedule of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. This legal measure empowers the government to proactively counter terrorism and address activities detrimental to national security.
The Babbar Khalsa International, listed as a terrorist organization in the First Schedule of the said Act, has been under scrutiny for its involvement in various anti-national activities. The Ministry's notification points to Lakhbir Singh Landa's active role in a terror attack on the Punjab State Intelligence Headquarters at Mohali, emphasizing his significant contribution to the organization's nefarious activities.
The declaration follows a series of criminal allegations against Lakhbir Singh Landa, including the supply of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), arms, and sophisticated weapons from across the border to fuel terrorist activities in Punjab, India. His involvement in raising terror modules, extortion, killings, planting IEDs, smuggling weapons and narcotics, and utilizing funds for terrorist acts has prompted the government's decision to designate him as a terrorist.
The Central Government, in exercising the powers conferred by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, believes that Lakhbir Singh Landa poses a significant threat to national security. The move aims to curb his activities and send a clear message about the government's commitment to safeguarding the nation from individuals associated with terrorism.
This development comes in the wake of an open-ended warrant and Look Out Circular against Lakhbir Singh Landa, further underscoring the severity of the allegations against him. The Ministry of Home Affairs, through this designation, reinforces its stance against terrorism and its unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity and security of the nation.
