Reports confirm the demise of Lakhbir Singh Rode, a suspected Khalistani terrorist and a key figure in the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing, in Pakistan due to a heart attack. At 72, Lakhbir Singh served as the self-styled head of the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and was the nephew of the slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. The news of his death was verified by Rode’s brother, Jasbir Singh Rode, a former Akal Takht Jathedar. Rode’s cremation took place in Pakistan recently, marking the end of a chapter in a controversial life.
Notably, Lakhbir Singh Rode had been designated as an ‘individual terrorist’ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UA(P)A) and had sought refuge in Pakistan. His connection to the 1985 Air India bombing case, which resulted in tragic consequences, remained a significant aspect of his controversial profile.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in Mohali had recently taken action, ordering the confiscation of land owned by Lakhbir Singh in Punjab’s Moga district. The court invoked Section 33(5) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, allowing the judge to seize both movable and immovable property belonging to a proclaimed offender involved in serious crimes.
Lakhbir Singh Rode’s death adds a new dimension to the complex narrative surrounding Khalistani terrorism, as authorities have grappled with addressing the historical incidents and individuals linked to such acts. The repercussions of his alleged involvement in the Air India bombing continue to resonate, and the circumstances surrounding his death raise questions about the broader implications for the ongoing efforts to address and counteract terrorism in the region.
