Mehal Singh Babbar, Wanted Babbar Khalsa Militant, Dies in Pakistan

Mehal Singh Babbar, a sought-after militant of Babbar Khalsa, died in Pakistan from kidney failure. He had been wanted since 1990 for his role in militancy during the 1980s. Babbar’s death occurred in Nankana Sahib, with cremation expected soon. The NIA had charged him with coordinating weapon supplies into India.

Mehal Singh Babbar, a wanted militant of the Babbar Khalsa organization, passed away on March 24 in Pakistan due to kidney failure. Reports indicate that he had been a declared offender since 1990, associated with militancy in several Indian districts during the 1980s. He died at a private hospital in Nankana Sahib, and it is expected that his cremation will take place on Wednesday evening.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had recently implicated Babbar in collaborations with gangsters and the illegal supply of weapons from Pakistan into India. He was recognized as the deputy chief of Babbar Khalsa International, underscoring his significant role in militant activities. Babbar, a former Indian Air Force officer, had resided in Pakistan since the early 1990s and had traveled to France in 2003.

Notably, Babbar was the sibling of Sukhdev Singh Babbar, who led the Babbar Khalsa in 1984 and was killed in 1992. His widow, Gurdev Kaur, resides in Amritsar. In the late 1980s, she, along with other relatives of alleged militants, faced police action initiated by then Batala Senior Superintendent of Police Gobind Ram, which led to public protests organized by Giani Darshan Singh Raggi, the Akal Takht Jathedar. Ram was later killed in a bombing incident.

In summary, the death of Mehal Singh Babbar marks the end of a prominent figure in the Babbar Khalsa militant organization. His life’s trajectory included significant ties to militancy and criminal activity, recognized by Indian authorities. His family background and the legal repercussions faced by his relatives highlight the ongoing complexities relating to militancy in the region.

Original Source: indianexpress.com