KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
22-Oct-2024
United States (US) State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel stated in Washington, DC, on October 22 that the US 'won’t be fully satisfied' unless India’s investigation into the alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun leads to 'meaningful accountability.' Patel emphasized that the US expects further steps following recent discussions between Indian and US officials.
18-Oct-2024
The United States (US) has officially charged former Indian government official Vikash Yadav in connection with a failed assassination attempt on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Yadav, a former senior field officer with India’s intelligence agency, is accused of orchestrating the plot from India and directing his associate, Nikhil Gupta, to hire a hitman for the murder. The indictment includes charges of murder-for-hire and money laundering.
17-Oct-2024
According to an indictment unsealed on October 17, the United States (US) officially charged a former Indian intelligence officer identified as Vikash Yadav in connection with a foiled assassination plot targeting Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in New York. The indictment accuses Yadav of “murder-for-hire and money laundering.
16-Oct-2024
Michael Rubin, a United States (US) expert on international security, described Khalistan in an article as an artificial concept, akin to Pakistan, with no historical foundation. He cautioned that Khalistani extremism, backed by Pakistan, has become a growing threat in the US and Canada. Rubin noted that most Sikhs prefer integration with India and criticized the US for engaging with Khalistani figures, warning that this extremism could potentially endanger American lives.
16-Oct-2024
United States (US) State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated in Washington, DC, on October 16, that a recent meeting between US and Indian officials regarding the foiled assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, which took place on October 15, was productive. He emphasized Washington's satisfaction with India's cooperation.
16-Oct-2024
According to sources, a fresh round of diplomatic tension is expected between India and the United States (US) as the latter seeks to investigate an Indian police official, identified as ‘CC-1,’ linked to an alleged assassination attempt on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The US Department of Justice has indicted ‘CC-1’ for orchestrating the foiled plot against Pannun in New York City in 2023. The US State Department confirmed that India is actively investigating the case and providing updates to US officials on its findings.
16-Oct-2024
According to sources, an Indian inquiry committee, led by Deputy National Security Adviser (DNSA) Vikram Misri, is currently in Washington, DC, to discuss the assassination attempt on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and gather updates from US authorities. The US has identified an Indian police official, referred to as ‘CC-1,’ as being linked to the incident.
15-Oct-2024
Michael Rubin, from the American Enterprise Institute and director of policy analysis at the Middle East Forum, commented on the India-Canada row on October 15, stating that the United States (US), unlike Canada, recognizes the complexity of the issue, during remarks in Washington, DC. He criticized Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau for 'flying by the seat of his pants' and noted that the US is aware of the involvement of Khalistani militants in organized crime. Rubin emphasized that India's trust in the American investigation stems from its focus on uncovering the truth rather than protecting a single leader.
14-Oct-2024
The United States (US) State Department on October 14 announced that an Indian inquiry committee would visit Washington, DC, on October 15 to discuss a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, amid escalating diplomatic tensions between India and Canada over allegations concerning the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
14-Oct-2024
According to official sources, over the past week, the United States (US) and Canada have engaged in several rounds of discussions with India regarding 'credible information' linking an Indian government official to transnational plots targeting pro-Khalistan separatist figures in the US and Canada. While India dismissed Canada's allegations as 'absurd' and 'politically motivated,' it has been more cooperative with the US. A statement from the US State Department, which was later removed from their website, indicated that an Indian inquiry committee is scheduled to travel to Washington, DC, on October 15 to discuss the case.
10-Oct-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, once again threatened India's sovereignty in a recently released video. Pannun declared plans to fuel independence movements in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland, with the aim of 'Balkanising' India by 2047. He also urged China to reclaim Arunachal Pradesh and claimed that the SFJ would exploit Canadian and American laws to promote these separatist agendas.
09-Oct-2024
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), claimed in an interview in New York, United States (US), that Indian intelligence agents continue to target him. He also criticized the Biden administration's 'quiet diplomacy,' stating that it has failed to hold Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's government accountable and that the risk to his life has only increased.
01-Oct-2024
Khalistani extremists desecrated the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on October 1, draping it with Khalistan flags and separatist symbols in Washington, D.C., in the United States. According to reports, the silence from the U.S. government regarding this incident is troubling, as it risks condoning hate and disrespect under the guise of free speech. This act not only disrespects Gandhi but also strains the strong diplomatic relationship between India and the U.S.
30-Sep-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in a letter to United States (US) Secretary of State Antony Blinken, accused Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar of engaging in transnational terrorism against pro-Khalistan Sikhs. Pannun further claimed that the Modi government has targeted pro-Khalistan activists globally, citing incidents such as the murder-for-hire plot against him and the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He urged the US to take action against what he called India's "violent transnational repression" on American soil.
28-Sep-2024
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, while addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 28 in New York, warned Pakistan that its actions, particularly its policy of cross-border terrorism, would "certainly have consequences." He criticised Pakistan for promoting fanaticism and exporting terrorism, adding that its current societal issues were a result of its own misdeeds, referring to it as "karma." Jaishankar also emphasised the need for UN reforms, stressing that the organisation must address global challenges like conflict and terrorism more effectively.
27-Sep-2024
Pakistan Counsellor Gul Qaiser Sarwani, during a debate titled 'Leadership for Peace' at the United Nations Security Council in New York, United States (US) On September 27, dismissed India's accusations against Pakistan as baseless and misleading. Sarwani accused India of sponsoring terrorism, alleging that India's intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), was involved in global operations targeting political dissidents. He also reiterated Pakistan's position on Jammu and Kashmir, calling for India to end its occupation and comply with UN resolutions on the region's right to self-determination.
25-Sep-2024
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was desecrated with anti-Hindu messages, including "Hindus go back," in Sacramento, California, in the United States (US) on September 25. The vandalism, classified as a hate crime by the Sacramento Police, marks the second such incident in the US within ten days. Community members gathered at the temple for a prayer ceremony to promote harmony, while investigations are underway.
23-Sep-2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on 23 September met several members of the Sikh community in New York in the United States (US), who expressed gratitude for his government’s efforts for Sikhs. Jasdip Singh Jassee from Sikhs of America praised PM Modi for initiatives like the opening of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and justice for the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims. Prominent Sikh leader Darshan Singh Dhaliwal also commended Modi’s work for the community.
23-Sep-2024
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on September 23 released a video threatening Indo-American citizens, upset by the massive success of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s event in the United States (US). Pannun accused them of supporting PM Modi's Hindutva ideology and called for their return to India. His statement came after the failure of anti-Modi protests planned during the PM Modi’s visit.
23-Sep-2024
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on September 23 released its latest hate crime data, showing a slight decrease in anti-Sikh hate incidents from the all-time high in 2022. However, Sikhs remain the third most-targeted religious group, following Jewish and Muslim communities. The Sikh Coalition expressed concern over the overall rise in hate crimes and the underreporting by local law enforcement, emphasizing the need for improved data collection and policy measures, such as the Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act (IRPHA).