MHA designates 9 foreign-based Khalistani operatives as terrorists under new UAPA act

In a significant move, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Wednesday designated nine individuals associated with Khalistani extremist organisations as terrorists under the provisions of the UAPA Act.

All nine are Khalistani terrorists wanted by India. All nine are based out of India with the majority being from Pakistan. They have been accused of trying to revive militancy in Punjab as well as garnering support for the Khalistan movement.

This is the second time that the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued such a list.

In September 2019, the Central government designated four individuals with ties to Pakistan, namely Maulana Masood Azhar, Hafeez Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Dawood Ibrahim, as terrorists.

The total number of individuals designated as terrorists under the amended UAPA Act has now risen to 13.

The nine Khalistani terrorists have been identified as:

1. Wadhwa Singh Babbar: Pakistan-based chief of the terrorist organization “Babbar Khalsa International”.

2. Lakhbir Singh: Pakistan-based chief of the terrorist organization “International Sikh Youth Federation”.

3. Ranjeet Singh: Pakistan-based chief of the terrorist organization, “Khalistan Zindabad Force”.

4. Paramjit Singh: Pakistan-based chief of the terrorist organization “Khalistan Commando Force”.

5. Bhupinder Singh Bhinda: Germany-based key member of the terrorist organization “Khalistan Zindabad Force”.

6. Gurmeet Singh Bagga: Germany-based key member of the terrorist organisation “Khalistan Zindabad Force”.

7. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun: US-based key member of the unlawful association “Sikhs for Justice”.

8. Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Canada-based chief of “Khalistan Tiger Force”.

9. Paramjit Singh: UK-based chief of the terrorist organization “Babbar Khalsa International”.

The MHA in a statement said, “These individuals are involved in various acts of terrorism from across the border and from foreign soil. They have been relentless in their nefarious efforts to destabilize the country, by trying to revive militancy in Punjab through their anti-national activities and through their support to and involvement in the Khalistan movement.”

On June 1, one of the individuals who is now designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu of Sikh Federation of Justice had written to Chinese premier Xi Jinping announcing Khalistani Sikhs’ support to China against India.

The Central government had amended the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 in August 2019 to include the provision of designating an individual as a terrorist.

Prior to this amendment, only organizations could be designated as terrorist organizations.

“The Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the debate in Parliament last year on the amendment to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, had strongly expressed the Modi Government’s commitment to firmly fight the menace of terrorism and had unequivocally reaffirmed the nation’s resolve on this matter,” said the ministry.