Khalistan Zindabad Force

Last updated

Khalistan Zindabad Force
LeaderRanjit Singh Neeta
Dates of operation1988-present
CountryIndia, Canada, European Union
Active regions India, Canada, European Union
Ideology Sikh nationalism
Notable attacks Vienna temple attack
StatusActive [1]
Means of revenue Sikh diaspora in United Kingdom, Canada, Malaysia, Pakistan and Spain [2]
Designated as a terrorist group byFlag of India.svg  India
Flag of Europe.svg  European Union

The Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) is a militant group and is part of the Khalistan movement to create a separate country Sikh homeland called Khalistan by carving Punjab and some parts of neighbouring states of Haryana, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh out of Indian union. [3]

Contents

Organisation and activities

The Khalistan Zindabad Force is headed by Ranjit Singh Neeta, a native of Jammu and Kashmir. [1] He was listed among India's 20 most wanted persons in 2008. [4] It largely compromises of Jammu bases Sikhs. [5]


The strength and striking capabilities of the Khalistan Zindabad Force are currently unknown, but it is reported that attempts have been made for the Khalistan Zindabad Force and other militant groups from Kashmir to co-ordinate their efforts. [1] Funding of the organisation comes from United Kingdom, Malaysia and Spain. [2]

Notable Activities

Claims [6] [7] and denials [6] [8] of responsibility have been reported in the name of the Khalistan Zindabad Force for a May 2009 attack at the Gurdwara Ravidass in Vienna, Austria, that left Rama Nand, a leader of the Dera Sach Khand dead, 17 injured, [9] [10] and sparked riots across northern India. [11] [12] [13] [14] [15]

Status

In December 2005 the European Union classified the Khalistan Zindabad Force as a terrorist organisation, freezing its monetary assets throughout its 25 member countries. [16]

The KZF remains banned in India [3] and the European Union. The Khalistan Zindabad Force was reported to still be active in 2008. [1] In 2019, a letter purporting to be from the KZF threatened Indian agencies and the Chief Minister of Punjab. [17]

On February 12, 2020, The special court of National Investigation Agency (NIA) India in Mohali, Punjab issued non-bailable warrants against Pakistan-based KZF chairperson Ranjeet Singh Neeta and Germany-based Gurmeet Singh Bagga. [18] The court issued warrants against Neeta and Bagga during an investigation related to the delivery of arms, ammunition, explosives, communication devices, and fake currency notes from the other side of the border with the help of a drone. [18] This is the second time in the past five months that legal action was taken against Bagga. Earlier in October, Bagga was amongst the eight Khalistani operatives against whom Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice. Speaking about the verdict, NIA spokesperson said that their investigation revealed that both Neeta and Bagga were involved in the illegal transfer of arms, ammunition, explosives, and other products from across the border. He said, "Investigation has revealed that they have been able to recruit certain individuals from Punjab for carrying out terrorist activities." [18]

On March 17, 2020, National Investigation Agency (NIA) files charge sheet against nine Khalistani terrorists for their alleged involvement in Punjab drone arms drop case. [19] All the accused have been charged with IPC relevant provisions, Arms Act and Explosives Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

February 2021, it is reported through official sources and internal elements of KZF that Ranjeet Singh is no longer alive. His death cause reported was heart attack during first week of February 2021. Officially neither KZF nor the Indian government has spoken about it but there are foreign and independent media news agencies that reported his death news is confirmed.[ citation needed ][ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalistan movement</span> Sikh separatist movement in the Punjab region

The Khalistan movement is a separatist movement seeking to create a homeland for Sikhs by establishing an ethno‐religious sovereign state called Khalistan in the Punjab region. The proposed boundaries of Khalistan vary between different groups; some suggest the entirety of the Sikh-majority Indian state of Punjab, while larger claims include Pakistani Punjab and other parts of North India such as Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Shimla and Lahore have been proposed as the capital of Khalistan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Babbar Khalsa</span> Militant organization

Babbar Khalsa International, is a Sikh militant organisation that aims to create an independent Sikh nation of Khalistan in the Indian and Pakistani states of Punjab. It has used armed attacks, assassinations and bombings in aid of that goal, and is deemed to be a terrorist entity by various governments. Besides India, it operates in North America and Europe, including Scandinavia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalistan Commando Force</span> Sikh Khalistani organisation

The Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) is a Sikh Khalistani militant organisation operating in the state of Punjab, India with prominent members based in Canada, United Kingdom and Pakistan. Its objective is the creation of a Sikh independent state of Khalistan through armed struggle. KCF is also responsible for many assassinations in India, including the 1995 assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. It is designated as a Terrorist Organisation by the Government of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simranjit Singh Mann</span> Indian politician (born 1955)

Simranjit Singh Mann is a former Indian Police Service officer and a Member of the Parliament in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India, representing the constituency of Sangrur since 2022. He is the president of the political party Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar). Mann has served three-times as an MP; once from Taran Tarn between 1989 and 1991, and twice from Sangrur between 1999-2004 and since 2022. He is known as a Khalistani supporter and his party is known for their pro-Khalistan stances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalistan Liberation Force</span> Sikh militant group

The Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) is a Khalistani separatist militant organization based in the Indian state of Punjab. Its motive is the creation of a sovereign Sikh state called Khalistan via armed struggle. The KLF is one of the key fighting forces of the Khalistan movement. It was responsible for assassinations, abductions and military engagements with the Indian Armed Forces during the Insurgency in Punjab. The KLF is listed as a designated terrorist group by the Republic of India.

Ravidassia or the Ravidas Panth is a religion based on the teachings of Guru Ravidas. It was considered a sect within Sikhism until 2009. However, some Ravidassias continue to maintain Sikh religious practices, including the reverence of the Guru Granth Sahib as their focal religious text, wearing Sikh articles of faith (5Ks), and appending Singh or Kaur to their names.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darshan Singh Canadian</span> Indian politician

Darshan Singh Canadian was a Sikh trade union activist and communist organizer in Canada and India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Labh Singh</span> Leader of Khalistan Commando Force

Sukhdev Singh Dhillon, best known as General Labh Singh and also known as Sukha Sipahi and just Labh Singh, was a former Punjab police officer turned militant who took command of the Khalistan Commando Force after its first leader, Manbir Singh Chaheru, was arrested in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Sikh Youth Federation</span> Banned organization in India

The International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) is a proscribed organisation that aims to establish an independent homeland for the Sikhs called Khalistan. It is banned as a terrorist organisation under Australian, Japanese, Indian, Canadian and American counter-terrorism legislation. The Government of India has declared it a terrorist organisation. While banned, the organization continues to receive financial support from many Sikh people based in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Lakhbir Singh Rode was an Indian Khalistani separatist and the nephew of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.

Indians in Pakistan typically refers to Indian nationals working, studying or generally residing in Pakistan as expatriates. It also includes Indian emigrants to Pakistan, Indian spouses married to Pakistanis and Muhajirs.

During the years of 2016 and 2017, multiple attacks on political activists and mostly Hindu religious leaders in the northern Indian state of Punjab were perpetrated by individuals who were allegedly affiliated with the Sikh militant group Khalistan Liberation Force which is a designated terrorist group by India. Those culpable for the attacks were also arrested. The Pakistani agency ISI was allegedly held responsible by India for financing and aiding the militant acts to foment religious disturbances in the state.

On Sunday 24 May 2009, several people in the Guru Ravidass Gurdwara in Vienna, Austria, were attacked by six men carrying knives and guns. Two of the victims were identified as visiting Dera Sach Khand head Niranjan Dass, 68, and another leader, Ramanand Dass, 57, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died the next day in hospital. At least 15 others were injured, including 4 of the attackers, who were in the end subdued by the other worshipers. It was described as a terrorist attack committed by Sikh fundamentalists. The incident sparked riots across Northern India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sikhs for Justice</span> US-based Sikh separatist group

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is a US-based secessionist group that supports the formation of Khalistan. Founded and primarily headed by lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in 2009, the organization was created in response to the lack of litigation to convict the murders and massacres of Sikhs after Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amritpal Singh</span> Sikh leader of Waris Punjab De (born 1993)

Amritpal Singh Sandhu is a radical pro-Khalistan separatist, and a self-styled Sikh preacher. After living in Dubai for a decade, he returned to Punjab in September 2022, having been controversially appointed as the leader of Waris Punjab De, and started a campaign which encouraged youth to refrain from drugs, adopt a traditionalist form of Sikhism, and advocated a sovereign Punjabi Sikh nation‐state called Khalistan.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is one of the main leaders of the Khalistan movement, which advocates for a religion-based separate state to be split out from Punjab and many neighbouring areas in India, to be known as Khalistan. He is the legal advisor and spokesperson for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which aims to promote the idea of a separate Sikh state. As of July 2020, the Ministry of Home Affairs of India has declared Pannun a terrorist on the grounds of sedition and secessionism, and has requested an Interpol red notice for him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalistan Tiger Force</span> Organisation for the Khalistan movement cause

Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) is a militant outfit of the Khalistan movement. In February 2023, it was designated as a terrorist organization by the Government of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harmeet Singh (militant)</span> 8th Chief of Khalistan Liberation Force

Harmeet Singh also known as PhD or Happy was the 8th chief of Khalistan Liberation Force.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harminder Singh Nihang</span>

Harminder Singh Nihang, also known as Harminder Singh Mintoo, was a prominent Sikh militant and the 7th leader of Khalistan Liberation Force. Nihang was instrumental in reinvigorating the Khalistan Movement in the 21st Century. Nihang died in police custody.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Ranjit Singh Neeta (Khalistan Zindabad Force)". The Indian Express. 4 December 2008. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  2. 1 2 "Pro-Khalistan terrorist group received funds from UK, Malaysia". Hindustan Times. 19 August 2014. Archived from the original on 1 February 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  3. 1 2 "List of Banned Organisations". Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI. Government of India. Archived from the original on 3 May 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
  4. ↑ "10) Ranjit Singh Neeta". rediff.com. 24 June 2008. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  5. ↑ "Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) Terrorist Group, Punjab". www.satp.org. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
  6. 1 2 "KZF takes responsibility for Vienna temple massacre". Austriantimes.at. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  7. ↑ "Sikh: Alarm vor Tag der offenen Tür in Wien" [Sikh: Alarm before "Open Day" in Vienna] (in German). Die Presse. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  8. ↑ Sanjeev Singh Bariana (28 May 2009). "KZF denies involvement in attack". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 2 July 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2009. Anti-Sikh are being misled in the name of the KZF. The incident has taught the entire Sant Ravidass brotherhood a lesson. The KZF approves the killing of the Sant Ravidass brotherhood.
  9. ↑ "KZF takes responsibility for Vienna temple massacre – General News – Austrian Times". Austriantimes.at. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  10. ↑ "Suspects in Sikh temple attack identified: Austria - India - NEWS". The Times of India . 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  11. ↑ "South Asia | Punjab riots after Vienna killing". BBC News. 25 May 2009. Archived from the original on 28 May 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  12. ↑ "From Vienna To Jalandhar". www.outlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  13. ↑ "Riots after Sikh guru Sant Rama Nand shot dead in Vienna". Archived from the original on 11 December 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  14. ↑ "Europe | Preacher dies after Vienna clash". BBC News. 25 May 2009. Archived from the original on 28 May 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  15. ↑ "KZF claims responsibility for Vienna attack; Babbar Khalsa condemns killing". The Hindu . 27 May 2009. Archived from the original on 1 June 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ↑ "ਖਾਲਿਸਤਾਨ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਾਬਾਦ ਫੋਰਸ ਨੇ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਧਮਕੀ..." [Khalistan Zindabad Force threatened...]. News18 Punjab (in Punjabi). 26 September 2019. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 "NIA issues non-bailable warrants against Khalistanis involved in dropping of arms". Hindustan Times. 12 February 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  19. ↑ "Punjab drones case: NIA files chargesheet against 9 Khalistan Zindabad Force terrorists". Zee News. 18 March 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.