Very little information could be found on a militant group named the Khalistan Kashmir International.

A 20 January 2002 article published by the Times of India reported that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan were thought to have been promoting "coordinated militancy" in the early 1990s through the aegis of two groups: K2M (Khalistan Kashmir and Muslim Militancy) and the KKI (Khalistan Kashmir International). The report further stated that Lakhbir Singh Rode was the co-ordinator of the KKI (Times of India 20 Jan. 2002)

A 24 January 1999 article stated that Wadhawa Singh, the leader of Babbar Khalsa International, had been appointed chief of the KKI (The Hindu). Reportedly Singh was directed by the ISI to "revive terrorism in Punjab in tandem with the International Sikh Youth Federation chief, Mr. Lakhmir Singh Rode " (The Hindu 24 Jan. 1999).

The following information may also be of interest.

An article in the 19 January to 1 February 2002 edition of the Indian magazine Frontline included Wadhawa Singh and Lakhbir Singh Rode on a list of 20 "terrorists" whose extradition from Pakistan was demanded from India. The article further stated that Lakhbir Singh Rode had "fled India to Dubai in 1986, and after arranging to send his family to Canada, went on to Pakistan" (Frontline 19 Jan.-1 Feb. 2002). Reportedly, Rode remains a popular figure and is further described as a successful fundraiser among Khalistan supporters in the US, the United Kingdom and Canada (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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.

Frontline. 19 January-1 February 2002. Vol. 19. No. 2. Praveen Swami. "India's Most Wanted." http://www.flonnet.com/fl1902/19020180.htm [Accessed 15 Aug. 2002]

The Hindu. 24 January 1999. "Pak. Senator Involved in ISI Arms Smuggling." (Asia Intelligence Wire/NEXIS)

The Times of India. 20 January 2002. Vandana Shukla. "ISI Redefines Role of Punjab Militants." (Financial Times Information/NEXIS)

IRB databases

Jane's Geopolitical Library

Jane's Intelligence Review

Jane's Terrorism and Security Monitor

Jane's World Insurgency and Terrorism

NEXIS

Internet sites including:

BBC

Dawn

Deccan Herald

Excelsior

Federation of American Scientists

The Hindustan Times

Indian Express

Patterns of Global Terrorism, US Department of State

Rediff

South Asia Terrorism Portal

Terrorism Research Center

Terrorist Group Profiler

Times of India

The Tribune

World News Connection

Search engine:

Google