In the past 18 months, terror groups like Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), and Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) have been active, aiming to revive the Khalistan movement in Punjab under ISI patronage. The Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA) is identified as the most dangerous threat to India, being the ISI’s hidden weapon. Intelligence agencies highlight that the KLA, with its well-trained operatives, poses a significant risk once fully reactivated.
The KLA, known for its highly skilled members, has been strategically kept low-key by the ISI while pushing other groups like BKI to the forefront. Despite being a faction of the KLF, the KLA is now being positioned to lead operations independently. The ISI’s tactic of using the KLA as a proxy group to confuse security agencies has been noted following recent low-intensity explosions in Punjab.
While the KLA has historically operated alongside BKI and KZF, it is now being groomed by the ISI to take a more prominent role. Trained extensively by top instructors from groups like Lashkar-e-Tayiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, the KLA is described as well-prepared for significant actions. Officials emphasize that the KLA, with its connections to criminal networks and drug syndicates, poses a serious threat.
The recent spate of low-intensity attacks in Punjab is seen as a deliberate strategy to divert security forces’ attention, allowing the ISI to potentially unleash the KLA on a larger scale. The ISI’s focus on training KLA operatives intensively indicates a looming threat, despite efforts to keep the group under the radar. The KLA’s readiness for action and its network connections raise concerns among intelligence agencies, signaling a critical security challenge for India.
