International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF)

What it is: Gurnam Singh, who took part, writes in Asia Samachar (2020) that the ISYF was formed at a large UK Sikh convention at Walsall on 23 September 1984, in the shadow of Operation Blue Star. It was set up as the international wing of the AISSF, which he says had been outlawed, and its stated aim was to fight for Sikh liberation in India.

Who led it, in order: Sources differ on its founders. The Quint names Amrik Singh and Jasbir Singh Rode, and Wikipedia names Harpal Singh and Jasvir Singh Rode. Gurnam Singh says Jasvir Singh Rode, nephew of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was appointed its first president but was soon arrested and sent to India. He says Dr Pargat Singh of Hitchin became first national president, and Dr Jasdev Singh Rai the second in 1987, leaving a year later. He writes that the body later split into two: the International Panthic Dal, loyal to Rode, and Sikh Federation UK. The Quint instead names Satinderpal Singh Gill as leader of the second faction. Lakhbir Singh Rode, Jasbir's elder brother, led the Rode wing from Pakistan.

Key moments

• 1984: formed at Walsall.
• 2001: the UK proscribes it under the Terrorism Act 2000. An order made on 17 March 2016 removed it from the list, in force on 18 March 2016 (legislation.gov.uk). The sources opened give no reason beyond the order.
• India lists it as a "terrorist organisation"; Wikipedia dates the ban to 2002 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Canada lists it as an entity under its Criminal Code, and in August 2025 its Department of Finance named the ISYF and BKI as "Khalistani violent extremist groups" receiving funds raised in Canada, The Quint reports.
• 2 December 2023: Lakhbir Singh Rode, whom The Tribune calls the Pakistan-based head of the ISYF and the KLF and whom India listed as an "individual terrorist", died of cardiac arrest in Pakistan, his family said. The Tribune reports his son, in Canada, said he was cremated the next day; a BJP spokesman claimed he was buried.

The charges: The Quint writes that at its peak the ISYF was involved in murders, bomb blasts and abductions, and reports that in 1997 two associates were allegedly sent to kill Parkash Singh Badal. The Tribune says India repeatedly sought Lakhbir Rode's extradition from Pakistan. These are the Indian state's and press's charges; the sources opened cite no court finding on them.

Where it stands: It remains listed in India and Canada. Who leads the ISYF since Rode's death was not found in the reports opened.