On a recent Wednesday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) made a significant declaration by offering monetary rewards for information pertaining to five individuals affiliated with the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist organization. Among these individuals, the NIA singled out Lakhbir Singh Landa, the leader of BKI based in Canada, and Harwinder Singh Rinda, who operates out of Pakistan.
These two figures hold pivotal roles within the Khalistan machinery, warranting a reward of ₹10 lakh each for any actionable information leading to their apprehension. Additionally, the NIA has put forth ₹5 lakh each as rewards for details regarding Parminder Singh Kaira, also known as Pattu, Satnam Singh alias Satbir Singh, and Yadvinder Singh alias Yadda. This initiative was announced through an official statement issued by the NIA.
It is crucial to note that all five of these individuals, for whom rewards have been offered, maintain affiliations with the Babbar Khalsa International, a notorious terrorist organization.
In a subsequent development, the NIA has unveiled a collection of photographs featuring 43 members believed to be associated with the nexus of Khalistani militants and gangsters. This group has been implicated in a range of activities, spanning from acts of violence, and drug and weapons smuggling in the Punjab region, to involvement in anti-India actions abroad, including the attack on the Indian high commission in London on March 19 of the current year.
Many of these individuals are purportedly connected to pro-Khalistan elements based in Canada, such as Lakhbir Singh Landa, the deceased leader of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and the leader of Sikhs for Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, among others. The list of 43 suspects encompasses various figures, including Lawrence Bishnoi, Satwinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, gangsters like Kala Jatheri, Naveen Dabas, Sunil Balyan, Amit Dagar, and several others. It's worth noting that Lawrence Bishnoi is already incarcerated, while Sunil Balyan met his demise at the hands of rival gang members inside Tihar prison in May of this year. The NIA has also called upon the public to provide information regarding their properties.
Regarding the BKI terrorists, the NIA elucidated, "These five terrorists are wanted in a case registered early this year related to the BKI’s terrorist activities aimed at disturbing India’s peace and communal harmony and spreading terror in the state of Punjab. The wanted terrorists are accused of commissioning of terror acts and activities, besides raising funds for the BKI, a banned terror outfit, through smuggling of terrorist hardware and narcotics into Punjab and also through extensive extortion from businessmen and other prominent individuals.
They are also wanted in cases relating to commissioning of targeted killings as well as targeting of law enforcement agencies in order to create an environment of terror in the state of Punjab." Moreover, the suspects have been implicated in the recruitment of new members for the BKI by enticing them with financial incentives.
The NIA has encouraged individuals with specific information about these wanted terrorists to reach out to either the NIA headquarters in New Delhi or the NIA Branch Office in Chandigarh. Contact information, including telephone and WhatsApp numbers, has been provided by the NIA spokesperson for this purpose.
It is worth mentioning that the NIA's announcement came one day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, a claim that India promptly dismissed as "absurd and motivated." In light of the growing anti-India activities and hate crimes, the external affairs ministry issued an advisory on Wednesday, urging Indian citizens in Canada to exercise "utmost caution."
