Khalistan Card: Why KLA Biggest Threat Yet

July 2, 2026

~Vicky Nanjappa

During the last 18 months, the names of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) have been doing the rounds. All these terror groups who are working under the patronage of the ISI have been instructed to revive the Khalistan movement in Punjab. However, the Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA) is the ISI’s hidden weapon and the biggest threat yet to India. While the ISI has been pushing the BKI to take the lead and strike in Punjab, the Indian agencies have learnt that the most potent and dangerous Khalistani terror groups is awaiting formal re-activation.

The Intelligence agencies have learnt that the terror group that is most dangerous among them and has the most welltrained operatives is the KLA. The outfit and its operatives have been kept in the shadows and once re-activated fully, is expected to deliver a deadly blow in Punjab. Reports say the ISI’s strategy is to have the Indian agencies chase groups such as the BKI, KLF and KZF while keeping the activities of the KLA low-key and under wraps. In the 1990s, the KLA operated as a smaller faction group within the wider Khalistani network. It usually operated alongside the BKI and the KZF.

If one takes a look at the recent claims made following the low-intensity explosions that have rocked Punjab, there is a deliberate attempt that has been made to confuse the security agencies. Some of the explosions are claimed by the KLA, while the others by the KLF. While the KLA does operate as a separate entity, it is being projected as a proxy of the KLF. The KLA has been a faction group of the KLF. However the ISI now wants to adopt a different strategy whereby it was the KLA to lead operations.

The Indian agencies have identified the KLA to be the most wellorganised. It has heavily armed cadres and all these years, it was instructed to just act as a proxy group. Moreover, KLA in the months to come would start taking the lead role and come out of its proxy avatar. At times post an attack, the KLA would claim responsibility or it would be the KLF. This was aimed at confusing the investigating agencies. The ISI would float the name of the KLA every now and then and during the probe it would be found to be some loosely connected proxy group.