Khalistan Zindabad Force

The Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) is a militant group, and is part of the Khalistan movement to create a Sikh homeland called Khalistan via armed struggle. Government of India and the European Union have declared and banned KZF as a terrorist organisation.[3]

Khalistan Zindabad Force
LeaderRanjit Singh Neeta
Dates of operation1988-present
CountryIndia, European Union
MotivesThe creation of a Sikh independent state of Khalistan
Active regionsIndia, European Union
IdeologySikh Fundamentalism
Notable attacksVienna temple attack
StatusActive[1]
Means of revenueSikh diaspora in United Kingdom, Malaysia, Pakistan and Spain[2]
Designated as a terrorist group byIndia and EU

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]

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

Based on the information acquired from the interrogation of three pro-Khalistan militants arrested on 4 August 2014 revealed that Funding of the organisation comes from United Kingdom, Malaysia and Spain.[2]

Attacks

Claims[5][6] and denials[5][7] 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,[8][9] and sparked riots across northern India.[10][11][12][13][14]

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.[15]

The KZF remains banned in India [3] and the European Union. The Khalistan Zindabad Force was reported to still be active in 2008.[1]

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.[16] 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.[16] 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."[16]

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.[17] All the accused have been charged with IPC relevant provisions, Arms Act and Explosives Substances Act and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

References
  1. "Ranjit Singh Neeta (Khalistan Zindabad Force)". The Indian Express. 4 December 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2009.
  2. "Pro-Khalistan terrorist group received funds from UK, Malaysia". Hindustan Times. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  3. "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. Retrieved 19 June 2009.
  5. "KZF takes responsibility for Vienna temple massacre". Austriantimes.at. 29 May 2009. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Retrieved 31 May 2009.
  6. "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.
  7. Sanjeev Singh Bariana (28 May 2009). "KZF denies involvement in attack". The Tribune. 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.
  8. "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.
  9. "Suspects in Sikh temple attack identified: Austria - India - NEWS". The Times of India. 29 May 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  10. "South Asia | Punjab riots after Vienna killing". BBC News. 25 May 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  11. "From Vienna To Jalandhar". www.outlookindia.com. Archived from the original on 29 May 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  12. "Riots after Sikh guru Sant Rama Nand shot dead in Vienna". Archived from the original on 6 June 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  13. "Europe | Preacher dies after Vienna clash". BBC News. 25 May 2009. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  14. "KZF claims responsibility for Vienna attack; Babbar Khalsa condemns killing". The Indian Government. Retrieved 10 February 2015.
  15. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_340/l_34020051223en00640066.pdf
  16. "NIA issues non-bailable warrants against Khalistanis involved in dropping of arms". Hindustan Times. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
  17. "Punjab drones case: NIA files chargesheet against 9 Khalistan Zindabad Force terrorists". Zee News. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
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