Wanted Terrorist Mehal Singh of Babbar Khalsa Reportedly Dead in Pakistan

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Notorious Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Mehal Singh Babbar passed away on March 24 in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan. A proclaimed offender in India since 1990, Mehal Singh had long been wanted for his involvement in militancy-related activities across Punjab, specifically in the districts of Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Faridkot during the 1980s.

Reports indicate that Mehal Singh was undergoing treatment for a kidney ailment at a private hospital in Nankana Sahib at the time of his death.

NIA Accusations and Criminal History

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had recently named Mehal Singh Babbar in its investigations, accusing him of smuggling weapons from Pakistan into India and collaborating with gangsters to orchestrate terror plots. His connections and influence remained under scrutiny due to his deep-rooted involvement in extremist networks.

Interestingly, Mehal Singh Babbar was a former officer of the Indian Air Force before becoming a key figure in the Khalistani militant outfit Babbar Khalsa. He fled to Pakistan in the early 1990s and reportedly traveled to France in 2003.

Family Ties and Controversial Past

Mehal Singh was the brother of Sukhdev Singh Babbar, the founder and former chief of Babbar Khalsa, who was killed in an encounter in 1992. His wife, Gurdev Kaur, continues to live in Amritsar. During the intense counter-terror operations of the late 1980s, Punjab Police allegedly detained Gurdev Kaur and other women related to suspected terrorists. The then Batala SSP, Gobind Ram, faced criticism over these actions.

The detentions led to widespread outrage. In response, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Darshan Singh Raggi announced a protest outside the Batala Police Headquarters. Gobind Ram was later killed in a bomb blast.

Impact on Investigations

With Mehal Singh’s death, agencies investigating Khalistani networks and related terror activities are now closely monitoring his old links and possible successors. His demise marks the end of a key chapter in Punjab’s militancy history, but security forces remain alert to prevent any revival of such extremist elements.