Babbar Khalsa was one of many Sikh groups operating during the 1970s and '80s. They were sponsored by expatriate and Indian Sikh groups who worked for the creation of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan (Land of the Pure) from Indian territory in the Punjab.

The Babbar Khalsa was founded in India in 1978 by a former follower of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale's named Sukhdev Singh Dasuwal. Branches of the Babbar Khalsa were established in a number of countries, the most active of which operating in Canada and Britain. When operating outside India they were known as the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The Babbar Khalsa chapter in Canada was formed in 1981 by Talwinder Singh Parmar. Members of the Babbar Khalsa were present during the occupation of the Golden Temple in Amritsar and left days before Operation Blue Star commenced.

In 1991 the Babbar Khalsa operating in Canada under Talwinder Singh Parmar broke away from the BKI and formed the Azad Babbar Khalsa (Independent Babbar Khalsa). Parmar was later killed during a gun battle with Indian police on October 27, 2000.

Terrorism

The Babbar Khalsa has been listed as a terrorist organization by India, Canada, and the United States along with other active groups including the International Sikh Youth Federation , Dal Khalsa , and the Bhinderanwala Tiger Force.

The Babbar Khalsa was accused of the bombing of Air India Flight 182 in 1985. Two alleged members, Ripudaman Singh Malik and Ajaib Singh Bagri , were arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on October 27, 2000. On February 10, 2003 an alleged member of the Babbar Khalsa , Inderjit Singh Reyat, pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter and a charge of aiding in the construction of a bomb and was sentenced to five years in jail. As part of his plea bargain all other charges against him were stayed and was not required to provide testimony in the trial of the other alleged members of the Babbar Khalsa.

On August 31, 1995, an alleged member, Dilawar Singh, assassinated Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh at the civil secretariat in Chandigarh during a suicide bombing.

Sikh terrorist attacks included assassinations, bombings, and kidnappings. Since 1992, Indian security forces have killed or captured many senior Sikh militant leaders and total civilian deaths in Punjab have declined more than 95 percent since over 3,300 civilians died in 1991.

Within the last 20 years, militant Sikhs were removed from positions of power within Sikh temples and as a result, support for terrorist activities has nearly evaporated within the Sikh community.