Person
Lakhbir Singh Rode
Nephew of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, described by Indian media as head of the Khalistan Liberation Force and the International Sikh Youth Federation from Pakistan. Died in December 2023.
Lakhbir Singh Rode was a nephew of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and a native of Rode village in Moga. Indian media describe him as the Pakistan-based head of the Khalistan Liberation Force and the International Sikh Youth Federation; the Tribune called him their "self-styled chief". His brother, Jasbir Singh Rode, is a former Akal Takht jathedar. He was a Kharku figure about whom nearly all that has been published comes from Indian police and agencies, so each claim below is attributed.
Key moments
- After 1984: the Tribune says he first left for Dubai and then moved to Pakistan, while his family stayed in Canada.
- India's case against him, as reported: he was listed as an "individual terrorist" (the state's term) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Tribune reported that the NIA named him the mastermind of the 2021 Ludhiana court complex blast and charged him with smuggling explosives from Pakistan. The Week reported that the Khalistan Liberation Force was banned in 2018 and that Punjab Police claim he worked with Pakistan's ISI to smuggle weapons and drugs and backed Canada-based gangsters, claims it says came mainly from police and unnamed sources.
- 11 October 2023: an NIA court in Mohali ordered the confiscation of his land at Rode village, Moga, under section 33(5) of the UAPA, in a case the NIA registered on 1 January 2021 and in which he was a proclaimed offender.
- December 2023: he died in Pakistan of a heart attack. The Tribune reported his son in Canada telling the family it happened on 2 December; The Week gave the night of 4 December after a heart attack on 1 December. His brother Jasbir told the Tribune the family had no confirmation, and that Lakhbir had been unwell for about a fortnight, was diabetic and had recently had bypass surgery. The Week reported that Jasbir has distanced himself from Lakhbir's activities and says he knew nothing of them.
Known for: his kinship with Bhindranwale and his place on India's wanted lists. The sources opened report no trial of him on these allegations.
Sources
- Lakhbir Singh Rode, Khalistani terrorist and Bhindranwale's nephew, dies in Pakistan, The Tribune, 5 Dec 2023. tribuneindia.com
- Lakhbir Singh Rode death: Is pro-Khalistani terrorist's family in Canada planning last rites in Punjab?, The Week, 5 Dec 2023. theweek.in
- NIA court orders confiscation of land of designated terrorist Lakhbir Singh in Punjab's Moga, The Tribune (PTI), 11 Oct 2023. tribuneindia.com