KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
04-Jun-2026
According to reports, pro-Khalistan activists disrupted an outreach consular event organised by the Indian High Commission in Sutton, South London, United Kingdom (UK), last weekend. The activists reportedly entered the venue—a primary school building—waving Khalistan flags, confronted organisers, and objected to the event, arguing that Indian officials had no right to hold it there. They also raised pro-Khalistan slogans and demanded access to the visiting officials. The all-day event, organised by Indian Friends of Sutton, was intended to assist members of the Indian community with passport renewals, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, and visa-related services. Approximately 500 people attended the programme. Reports further indicated that a Tamil-language class for children was underway in another part of the building when the disruption occurred.
14-Mar-2026
Indian-origin restaurateur Harman Singh Kapoor has been arrested days after announcing the closure of his 16-year-old restaurant Rangrez in the United Kingdom (UK), citing threats from Pakistani individuals and a lack of support from the police. Responding to a post on social media, Kapoor confirmed his arrest but did not disclose the exact reason. He stated, “All I did was protect my family, yet I was the one arrested. Instead of protecting us, the police targeted my religion—my Sikh faith and my beliefs. This is deeply troubling.”
29-Jan-2026
An Indian-origin drug dealer, Naginder Gill, was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment by Bolton Crown Court in northwest England, United Kingdom (UK) on January 29 for plotting multiple firearms and drug offences. Using the EncroChat handle “indianoceon,” Gill conspired with Carl Ian Jones and Harly Wise to trade military-grade weapons. Jones was sentenced to 30 years and Wise to 25 years in the same case, following an investigation by the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).
12-Jan-2026
According to reports, pro-Khalistani activist Paramjeet Singh Pamma was advised by United Kingdom (UK) police to install security cameras and reinforce door locks at his residence following alleged threats from Hindu nationalist elements, raising renewed concerns about transnational repression on British soil. Pamma stated that police had visited him and issued verbal security advisories based on intelligence inputs indicating potential threats to his safety. He further accused UK ministers of failing to take what he described as “relentless” transnational repression by India seriously.
02-Jan-2026
United Kingdom (UK)-based Sikh activist Harman Singh Kapoor, a vocal critic of Khalistani extremism, on January 2 alleged that his London home was attacked multiple times within an hour while police failed to respond. Kapoor, who was abroad at the time, posted urgent messages on X seeking public help, claiming his property was repeatedly vandalised and accusing the Metropolitan Police of not attending despite his calls. He said his family had to be safeguarded as attackers smashed the windows of his cars parked outside. Kapoor has earlier stated that his opposition to radical Khalistani elements has made him a target of threats and attacks.
28-Dec-2025
According to sources, the scuffle outside the Bangladesh Embassy in London, United Kingdom (UK), on December 27 was planned rather than coincidental. The timing and sudden arrival of pro-Khalistan activists at the exact location of a peaceful protest organised by the Bangladesh Hindu Association, with participation from the Indian diaspora, indicated prior coordination. Sources further alleged that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has, on multiple occasions, influenced Khalistani groups in the UK and provided them with weapons, as flagged by Indian intelligence. While the Khalistani groups had no role in Bangladesh’s communal violence, sources said their actions reflected a pattern of disruption and narrative hijacking, aimed at diverting international attention from the plight of Hindu victims in Bangladesh.
27-Dec-2025
A brief scuffle broke out outside the Bangladesh Embassy in London, United Kingdom (UK) on December 27 when pro-Khalistan activists confronted Indo-UK Hindu protesters demonstrating against the killing of Hindus in Bangladesh. Videos and eyewitness accounts showed a short physical altercation involving a group led by Paramjeet Singh Pamma, a coordinator of the Khalistan Referendum campaign, before British police intervened.
14-Dec-2025
United Kingdom (UK) Counter Terrorism Policing has announced two new national initiatives to strengthen how organisations prepare for and mitigate the threat of terrorism. The measures include the creation of a national register of verified counter-terrorism security specialists and the introduction of a new Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation)-regulated qualification focused on protective security and workplace preparedness. Both initiatives directly respond to recommendations of the Manchester Arena Inquiry. From spring 2026, businesses and organisations will be able to access a new Counter Terrorism Security Specialists Register, endorsed by Counter Terrorism Policing, providing a trusted pathway to qualified professionals offering advice on protective security, organisational preparedness, and technical implementation.
06-Dec-2025
For the first time, the United Kingdom (UK) has used its domestic counter-terrorism framework to target a pro-Khalistan group, with the UK Treasury on December 4 imposing sanctions on a British national and an organisation for alleged terrorist activity in India and for supporting the Khalistan extremist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The sanctions, issued under the Counter-Terrorism (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, enable asset freezes and restrictions on individuals or entities suspected of involvement in terrorism. The measures include an asset freeze and director-level disqualification against Gurpreet Singh Rehal, who is suspected of supporting organisations involved in terrorist activities in India. An asset freeze has also been imposed on Babbar Akali Lehar, accused of promoting and aiding BKI. According to the UK Treasury, Rehal and Babbar Akali Lehar were engaged in recruitment, financial support, and procurement of weapons and military materiel for BKI. All funds and economic resources in the UK owned or controlled by Rehal or Babbar Akali Lehar now stand frozen.
04-Dec-2025
The United Kingdom (UK) Treasury on December 4 sanctioned a British national, Gurpreet Singh Rehal and an organisation, Babbar Akali Lehar for alleged terrorist activity in India and for supporting the Khalistan terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Rehal, a 34-year-old resident of Leeds, was sanctioned for allegedly promoting, recruiting for, financing, and procuring weapons for Babbar Khalsa and Babbar Akali Lehar. The organisation, Babbar Akali Lehar was sanctioned for allegedly promoting, encouraging, and conducting recruitment for BKI. This marks the first time the UK has used its domestic counter-terrorism regime to target funding linked to the pro-Khalistan BKI. Under these sanctions, UK citizens and entities are barred from dealing with any funds or economic resources owned or controlled by Rehal, Babbar Akali Lehar, or their associated firms. Rehal is also prohibited from serving as a director or participating in the management of any company. The Treasury noted that violations of these sanctions carry penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment or civil fines.
08-Nov-2025
A Bloomberg Originals documentary titled “Inside the Deaths That Rocked India’s Relations With the West” claimed that the United Kingdom (UK)’s intelligence agency, Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), provided Canada with a dossier of intercepted communications alleging India’s involvement in plots to assassinate Khalistan separatists. According to the film, the Cheltenham-based signals intelligence agency intercepted conversations discussing three potential “targets” — Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, Avtar Singh Khanda in the UK, and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US. The documentary alleges that those involved in the conversations were “working on behalf of the Indian government.”
07-Oct-2025
The pro-Khalistan group Sikh Federation (UK), on October 7, appealed to United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Keir Starmer to press for the release of jailed British national Jagtar Singh Johal alias Jaggi Johal, accused of involvement with the banned group Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), during his meeting with Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi later this week. Johal, a resident of Dumbarton, Scotland, faces multiple cases filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and has been jailed in India since November 2017.
06-Oct-2025
According to reports, as pro-Khalistan elements face increasing pressure in Canada, where authorities are acting on Indian intelligence, Khalistani operatives are now shifting their focus to the United Kingdom (UK). Despite lacking Canada’s entrenched networks, frequent protests, disruptions of Indian visits, and so-called referendums indicate sustained Khalistani activity in UK. While UK authorities cite free speech to justify inaction, Indian officials warn the situation could worsen if unchecked.
28-Sep-2025
According to intelligence sources, the attack on the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Tavistock Square in London, United Kingdom (UK), on September 28 was carried out by pro-Khalistanis. The incident was reportedly orchestrated ahead of October 2 – the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi – by UK-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) leader Paramjit Singh Pamma, a close aide of Khalistani activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Earlier, the plinth of the iconic statue, which depicts the Father of the Nation in a seated meditative pose, was found defaced with disturbing graffiti.
28-Sep-2025
According to reports, two Canada-based Khalistani separatists, Moninder Singh Bual and Prabjot Singh, both representatives of the Sikh Federation of Canada and testified at the 2024 Hogue Commission on foreign interference, were guest speakers at a United Kingdom (UK) event on September 28 featuring members of a Khalistani organization listed as a terrorist entity in Canada. The National Convention of the Sikh Federation UK, hosted and livestreamed on September 28 in Wolverhampton, England, was promoted by the group as featuring “Khalistani leaders from across the globe.” One of the speakers at the event was seen wearing a jacket of the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), a Khalistani separatist organization designated as a terrorist entity by Public Safety Canada since 2003.
19-Aug-2025
On August 19, the British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed the arrests of three individuals — a 17-year-old boy and two men aged 19 and 25 — in connection with the racially aggravated assault on two elderly Sikh men outside Wolverhampton train station in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom (UK), on August 15.
18-Aug-2025
On August 18, the Sikh Federation United Kingdom (UK) condemned the alleged racist assault on two elderly Sikh taxi drivers outside Wolverhampton train station. A viral video showed three white teenagers attacking the victims, during which one driver’s turban was removed and the other sustained broken ribs. The organisation criticised the delayed police response, noting that officers contacted the victims 48 hours later despite the availability of CCTV footage and arrests.
08-Aug-2025
In the United Kingdom (UK), the Charity Commission has allowed Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Slough to retain boards featuring the word “Khalistan,” ruling that they do not breach political guidelines for charities. The commission concluded that the term “Khalistan” holds religious significance for many Sikhs and does not constitute political advocacy.
07-Aug-2025
The United Kingdom (UK) Charity Commission on August 7 ruled that Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha in Slough may retain plaques bearing the word “Khalistan,” concluding that their display does not breach its guidance on political activity by charities. The decision comes more than five years after a complaint was filed in 2019, prompting the commission to open a regulatory compliance case. Although an ultimatum was issued in December 2024 to remove the plaques by March 10, 2025, the gurdwara did not comply. The commission has now determined that the word “Khalistan” carries religious significance for many Sikhs and, in the absence of overt political campaigning, does not contravene charity rules.
31-Jul-2025
On July 31, a British Sikh man identified as Gurmuk Singh alias Gary was formally named by the Metropolitan Police as the victim of a fatal stabbing in Ilford, East London, United Kingdom (UK). A man identified as Amardeep Singh has been charged with his murder and is scheduled to stand trial at the Old Bailey on January 5, 2026. Four others were arrested and later released on bail as investigations continue.