India: Information on the history, evolution and political orientation of the Babar Khalsa and the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), and on whether these organizations have been operating in Punjab in the last three months
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IND26044.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, India: Information on the history, evolution and political orientation of the Babar Khalsa and the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), and on whether these organizations have been operating in Punjab in the last three months, 1 February 1997, IND26044.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ace724.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Information on whether the Babar Khalsa is presently active in Punjab could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.
For general information on the Babar Khalsa, please consult the following Responses to Information Requests, which are available at all Regional Documentation Centres and on the SHARENet database: IND24629.E of 30 August 1996 on the Babar Khalsa and forced recruitment; IND13960.E of 27 April 1993 and IND10540 of 9 April 1992 for general information and information on its legal status.
Current information on the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) is scarce among the sources consulted by the DIRB.
Kuldip Singh Bitta of the KCF was arrested in Delhi on 26 September 1996 (AFP 27 Sept. 1996; All-India Radio 26 Sept. 1996). He allegedly admitted to having orders to kill Sikh leader Prakash Singh Badal (AFP 27 Sept. 1996).
On 15 September 1996, Canada deported alleged KCF member Sarabjit Singh Bhatti (The Vancouver Sun 16 Sept. 1996; The Ottawa Citizen 16 Sept. 1996).
For additional information on the KCF, please consult the following Responses to Information Requests, which are available at all Regional Documentation Centres and on the SHARENet database: IND19669.E of 26 January 1995 on the KCF organizational structure, leadership and recruiting practices; IND18399.F of 3 October 1994 and IND5665 of 30 May 1990 for general information, and IND9826 of 5 December 1991 on whether the KCF operates in Uttar Pradesh.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 27 September 1996. "Sikh Militant Arrested for Plotting to Kill Politician: Police." (NEXIS)
All-India Radio [New Delhi, in English]. 26 September 1996. "Arrest of 'Pakistan-Trained Punjab Militant in Delhi Reported." (BBC Summary 28 Sept. 1996/NEXIS)
The Ottawa Citizen. 16 September 1996. Final Edition. "VancouverSuspected Sikh terrorist... ." (NEXIS)
The Vancouver Sun. 16 September 1996. Final Edition. David Hogben. "Suspected Terrorist Is Back in India after Deportation Order." (NEXIS)
Attachments
Agence France Presse (AFP). 27 September 1996. "Sikh Militant Arrested for Plotting to Kill Politician: Police." (NEXIS)
All-India Radio [New Delhi, in English]. 26 September 1996. "Arrest of 'Pakistan-Trained' Punjab Militant in Delhi Reported." (BBC Summary 28 Sept. 1996/NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
Asian Survey [Berkeley, Calif.]. Monthly. August-November 1996.
Current History [Philadelphia]. Monthly. August 1996-January 1997.
DIRB. February 1996. India: Sikhs in Punjab 1994-1995.
_____. Indexed Media Review [Ottawa]. Weekly. July 1996-present.
_____. "India" country file. August 1996-present.
_____. "India: Amnesty International" country file. June 1996-present.
Extremist Groups: An International Compilation of Terrorist Organizations, Violent Political Groups, and Issue-Oriented Militant Movements. 1996.
FBIS (Internet)
Human Rights Watch World Report 1997. 1996.
India Today [Delhi]. Fortnightly. November 1996-present.
Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. Monthly. August-November 1996.
News from Asia Watch [New York]. Monthly. 1996-present.
Office of Asylum Affairs, United States Department of State. June 1996. India: Comments on Country Conditions and Asylum Claims.
Shiromani Akali Dal. 30 August 1996. Memorandum to the Canadian Department of Immigration.
On-line search of media sources.
