Who Is Lakhbir Singh Landa? The Canada-Based Khalistani Terrorist Under NIA Scanner

In a determined effort to combat Khalistani terrorism, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) made an announcement on Wednesday, offering cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Lakhbir Singh Sandhu, known as 'Landa.' Rewards were also declared for four other BKI operatives: Harwinder Singh Sandhu ('Rinda'), Parminder Singh Kaira ('Pattu'), Satnam Singh ('Satbir Singh'/'Satta'), and Yadvinder Singh ('Yadda').

The NIA disclosed cash rewards of Rs 10 lakh each for 'Rinda' and 'Landa,' and Rs 5 lakh each for 'Pattu,' 'Satta,' and 'Yadda.' It's worth noting that the BKI is a proscribed terrorist organisation.

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. However, India promptly dismissed this claim as "absurd and motivated."

On Wednesday, the external affairs ministry issued an advisory urging its citizens in Canada to exercise "utmost caution" due to the increasing anti-India activities and hate crimes.

Who is Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias 'Landa'?

• Lakhbir Singh 'Landa,' originally from Tarn Taran in Punjab, is suspected to be residing in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
• Landa was a close associate of Harvinder Singh, alias 'Rinda,' a gangster-turned-terrorist based in Pakistan. He fled to Canada in 2017 and aligned himself with the pro-Khalistan terror group BKI.
• His criminal record includes the first case in July 2011 for attempted murder and violating the Arms Act in Harike Pattan. Currently, he faces approximately 18 criminal cases, including charges of murder, attempted murder, and drug smuggling in districts like Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Moga, and Ferozepur. Landa's last case, registered by Punjab Police under kidnapping charges, occurred in Moga in May 2016, just before his escape to Canada.
• Landa was a key conspirator in the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack on the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali. He was also involved in planting an improvised explosive device (IED) beneath a sub-inspector's car in Amritsar.
• The NIA initiated a case in 2022 after discovering that terrorist organizations and elements abroad were collaborating with leaders and members of organized criminal groups in northern Indian states to execute targeted killings and violent criminal acts.
• According to the NIA, 'Landa' and the other wanted individuals are linked to a case filed earlier this year regarding BKI's terrorist activities, aimed at disrupting India's peace and communal harmony and spreading terror in Punjab.
• They are accused of instigating acts of terrorism, smuggling terrorist hardware and narcotics into Punjab, and engaging in extensive extortion from businessmen and prominent individuals to fund BKI's activities.