Amid Diplomatic Tensions, India Designates Canada-Based Gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa As Terrorist

The Ministry of Home Affairs has designated Lakhbir Singh Landa, a 33-year-old gangster based in Canada, as a terrorist.

Associated with the pro-Khalistani group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), Landa played a significant role in plotting a rocket attack on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali in 2021.

The latest move comes amid growing diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, triggered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation that India had a role in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Originally from Tarn Taran district in Punjab, Landa had sought refuge in Canada in 2017.

Known for his association with Harvinder Singh, aka Rinda, a gangster based in Pakistan collaborating with the BKI, Landa has been implicated in various criminal activities, including an RPG attack at Sarhali police station in Tarn Taran in December 2022.

Landa also played a key role in the supply of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), arms, and explosives from across the border, provided to different modules for executing terrorist activities in Punjab.

Additionally, he has been involved in criminal cases related to the establishment of terror modules, extortion, homicides, and smuggling of weapons and narcotics.