• Source:JND
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Lakhbir Singh Rode, the self-styled chief of the banned outfits Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and International Sikh Youth Federation, has died at age of 72 in Pakistan according to reports. Rode was the nephew of the slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and was listed as an 'individual terrorist' under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and was residing in Pakistan after fleeing from India.

Lakhbir Singh’s brother and former Akal Takht Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode confirmed his death, reported Indian Express. He said his brother had already been cremated in Pakistan on Monday.

“We have been informed by the son of my brother Lakhbir Singh Rode that he died of a heart attack in Pakistan and has been cremated there. He was highly diabetic. His two sons, a daughter and wife live in Canada,” Jasbir Singh said reported Indian Express.

Who is Lakhbir Singh Rode?

Lakhbir Singh is a native of village Rode in Moga, who initially fled to Dubai. He later moved to Pakistan but kept his family in Canada. In 2002, India had submitted a list of 20 terrorists demanding their extradition from Pakistan.

As per Union government’s dossier on Lakhbir Singh, “ISYF opened its chapters at various places in United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and the United States of America. Lakhbir Singh is allegedly engaged in sending weapons and explosives consignments from across the border to India to carry out terrorist activities in Punjab and to target various Very Very Important Persons (VVIPs) and political leaders.”

Reportedly, Rode worked with ISI to disrupt peace in Punjab and all tiffin bomb modules busted in the past couple of years by the Punjab Police were his handiwork. He was also the main conspirator of the Ludhiana Court blast of 2021.

Meanwhile, the killing of Shaurya Chakra awardee Comrade Balwinder Singh was executed on Rode’s directions in 2020. Canada-based gangster-turned-terrorist Arsh Dalla has been the go-getter man of Rode.

Earlier in February, the state special operation cell (SSOC) of the Punjab Police booked nine persons, including Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode, for smuggling arms, ammunition, drugs and explosives using drones from across the border.