Template:Infobox militant organization
The Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) is a Sikh Khalistani militant organisation, that aims to create a sovereign Sikh state called Khalistan by carving State of Punjab and some Punjabi-speaking parts of neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan out of the Republic of India.[1]
Organisation and activities
The Khalistan Zindabad Force is headed by Ranjit Singh Neeta, a native of Jammu and Kashmir.[2] He was listed among India's 20 most wanted persons in 2008.[3] It largely compromises of Jammu based Sikhs.[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.[2] Funding of the organisation comes from United Kingdom, Malaysia and Spain.[5]
Notable attacks
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, which killed Rama Nand, a leader of the Dera Sach Khand, injured 17 people,[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[1] and the European Union. The Khalistan Zindabad Force was reported to still be active in 2008.[2] 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 the 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.Template:Citation needed Template:Citation needed
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 List of Banned Organisations. Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI. Government of India. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ranjit Singh Neeta (Khalistan Zindabad Force)(December 4, 2008). Retrieved 2009-06-18.
- ↑ 10) Ranjit Singh Neeta. rediff.com(June 24, 2008). Retrieved 2009-06-19.
- ↑ Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) Terrorist Group, Punjab. www.satp.org. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
- ↑ Pro-Khalistan terrorist group received funds from UK, Malaysia(19 August 2014). Retrieved 31 January 2019.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 KZF takes responsibility for Vienna temple massacre(29 May 2009). Retrieved 2009-05-31.
- ↑ Sikh: Alarm vor Tag der offenen Tür in Wien(2009-05-28). Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- ↑ KZF denies involvement in attack. The Tribune(May 28, 2009). Retrieved 2009-05-31.
- ↑ KZF takes responsibility for Vienna temple massacre – General News – Austrian Times. Austriantimes.at. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
- ↑ Suspects in Sikh temple attack identified: Austria - India - NEWS(29 May 2009). Retrieved 2009-08-09.
- ↑ South Asia | Punjab riots after Vienna killing. BBC News(2009-05-25). Retrieved 2009-08-09.
- ↑ From Vienna To Jalandhar. www.outlookindia.com. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
- ↑ Riots after Sikh guru Sant Rama Nand shot dead in Vienna. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
- ↑ Europe | Preacher dies after Vienna clash. BBC News(2009-05-25). Retrieved 2009-08-09.
- ↑ KZF claims responsibility for Vienna attack; Babbar Khalsa condemns killing(2009-05-27). Retrieved 10 February 2015.
- ↑ Archived copy. Retrieved 20 January 2007.
- ↑ ਖਾਲਿਸਤਾਨ ਜ਼ਿੰਦਾਬਾਦ ਫੋਰਸ ਨੇ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਧਮਕੀ..... News18 Punjab(26 September 2019). Retrieved 2023-03-04.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 NIA issues non-bailable warrants against Khalistanis involved in dropping of arms. Hindustan Times(2020-02-12). Retrieved 2020-02-28.
- ↑ Punjab drones case: NIA files chargesheet against 9 Khalistan Zindabad Force terrorists. Zee News(18 March 2020). Retrieved 2020-03-19.
Template:Khalistan movement Template:India separatist movements Template:Terror outfits