KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
31-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 31 conducted a search operation based on intelligence input and recovered 290 grams of heroin, a 9 mm pistol, and three rounds near Dode village in Tarn Taran district.
31-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 31 recovered a drone from fields near Naushera Dhalla village in Tarn Taran district.
31-May-2024
On May 31, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, emphasizing the severe impact of the drug menace in Punjab, called for stringent measures to combat it. Justice Mahabir Singh Sindhu, while hearing a bail petition, highlighted that the state has been significantly affected by drugs and stressed caution in granting bail under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The petitioner was accused based on a co-accused's disclosure, with the recovery involving a commercial quantity of heroin.
31-May-2024
The Crime Branch of the UT police on May 31 arrested a moneylender associated with Javed Jhinjha, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Jagtar Singh alias Tony and seized INR 12.31 lakh, a country-made pistol, a laptop, and a diary containing records of loans from his possession in Chandigarh.
30-May-2024
The Crime Branch of the Delhi Police on May 30 arrested Vishal alias Ghaisal, a sharpshooter of the Tillu-Tajpuria gang, near the Bhalswa Jheel area in North West Delhi district. Vishal had been instructed by jailed gang leaders to eliminate rivals and had previously been involved in a failed murder plot. He had also received arms and money to continue gang activities before his arrest.
30-May-2024
Balkaur Singh, the father of the late singer-politician Sidhu Moose Wala, while campaigning for Congress Candidate Sher Singh Ghubaya in Malout, Sri Muktsar Sahib district on May 30, expressed outrage over gangsters mocking his son's second death anniversary. He accused the state government of facilitating such acts and highlighted the presence of smartphones in jails. Balkaur also alleged government support for gangsters like Lawrence Bishnoi, who reportedly earns millions monthly from jail. He urged voters to establish the rule of law.
30-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 30 intercepted a drone and recovered a packet of methamphetamine weighing 540 grams from farming fields near CB Chand village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
30-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 30 intercepted a drone and recovered a packet of methamphetamine weighing 520 grams along with the drone near farming fields in Kalsian village in Tarn Taran district. The drone recovered was identified as a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
30-May-2024
On May 30, campaigning for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections ended. Punjab is scheduled to vote on June 1, with a four-way contest between the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Prominent hardliner Khalistan supporters, including Simranjit Singh Mann and Amritpal Singh, have avoided directly raising the Khalistan issue. The election discourse in Punjab is also influenced by the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, with many posters and appeals to voters focusing on the 1984 military action.
30-May-2024
Meta's inaugural ‘Adversaries Threat Report’ revealed the removal of 37 Facebook accounts, 13 Pages, 5 Groups, and 9 Instagram accounts linked to a China-originated network targeting the global Sikh community. This network, using fake accounts and AI-generated content, aimed to incite pro-Khalistan sentiment and had previously targeted India and Tibet. Additionally, this network aimed to criticize the Indian government and spread coordinated inauthentic information across multiple countries.
30-May-2024
The President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, recently condemned the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, which took place in Samrala, Ludhiana district, Punjab, and called for severe punishment for the culprits. He criticized the government's lack of serious action against repeated blasphemy incidents in Punjab. Dhami urged Gurdwaras to enhance security measures, including CCTV monitoring and regular checks on electrical appliances, to prevent accidents.
30-May-2024
Spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jaiswal, confirmed on May 30 in New Delhi that the Czech Republic's top court has dismissed Nikhil Gupta's petition to stop his extradition to the United States (US). Gupta was arrested for an alleged plot to assassinate US-based Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
30-May-2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, while addressing an election rally at the Ramlila ground in Hoshiarpur district, Punjab, on May 30, announced that Adampur airport would be named after Guru Ravidas. He also emphasized the government's future plans, including a roadmap for the first 125 days focused on youth and a long-term vision.
29-May-2024
According to reports, Khalistani preacher and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh has created a significant stir in the Khadoor Sahib constituency of Tarn Taran district, Punjab, by contesting the Lok Sabha elections from prison in Dibrugarh, Assam, 2,300 km away. Despite concerns voiced by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal about potential destabilization, Amritpal is garnering support. Villagers show solidarity, perceiving his imprisonment as unjust. Support for Amritpal is seen as a reaction to perceived state overreach rather than an endorsement of Khalistan, reflecting Punjab's historical tendency to oppose perceived injustice.
29-May-2024
According to reports, Khalistani preacher and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh is facing new legal trouble due to his supporters' objectionable remarks against the Dalit community in a WhatsApp group titled 'Mission Khadoor Sahib.' Dalit community leaders have recently lodged a complaint in Phagwara, Kapurthala district, Punjab, providing screenshots of the offensive comments. The complaint identifies individuals named Paramjit Akali, Akal Sahay, and Chacha Bagela USA as participants in the derogatory chats. Amritpal Singh, currently in Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA), is contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha election from the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, as an independent candidate.
29-May-2024
On May 29, representatives from various panthic organizations joined Sarbajit Singh Khalsa, whose father, Beant Singh, was one of the killers of then-Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi, in a march from Gurdwara Dina Sahib in Dina, Moga district to Faridkot, Faridkot district, Punjab, covering nearly 70 kilometres. The march, led by numerous youths on motorcycles, saw slogans raised in support of Sarabjit Singh and his father. Panthic organizations are urging people to vote for Sarabjit Singh as a gesture of repayment for the debt owed to Beant Singh, echoing slogans glorifying the Akal Takht.
29-May-2024
Border Security Forces (BSF) on May 29 intercepted two China-made drones and recovered 550 grams of heroin in the Amritsar sector in Amritsar district.
29-May-2024
According to data from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), drug seizures by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) increased by 160% from 2014 to December 2023 compared to 2006-2013, with a 210% rise in drug-related cases. Punjab, especially districts bordering Pakistan, reported high drug and drone seizures. The government has implemented a three-point strategy, enhanced the Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) mechanism, and initiated financial investigations and prevention measures, including the use of drones, to combat illegal drug cultivation. The total value of drugs seized during this period was INR 22,000 crore, marking a significant increase from the previous period.
29-May-2024
The Punjab Government recently announced the establishment of 28 new cybercrime police stations across the state, with one in each district and Police Commissionerate. This move aims to enhance cybersecurity and combat digital crimes such as hacking, online fraud, identity theft, and cyberbullying. The initiative reflects the government's commitment to strengthening law enforcement capabilities and ensuring the safety and security of citizens in the digital realm.
29-May-2024
In Khadoor Sahib, posters supporting Khalistani preacher and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh, who is currently held in Dibrugarh Jail in Assam, were recently put up for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. Singh's campaign, led by his mother Balwinder Kaur and supporters, focuses on releasing former Sikh militants, ending Punjab's drug menace, and protecting Sikh identity. Despite his imprisonment, Singh's ideology and campaign updates are widely shared on social media, mobilizing significant local support.
29-May-2024
The decision by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to display the bullet-hit Guru Granth Sahib 'saroop' at the Golden Temple from May 26 to June 6 has sparked allegations of political manoeuvring ahead of the Punjab Lok Sabha elections on June 1. Critics from various parties accuse the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of leveraging Sikh sentiment for votes, while SGPC leaders insist that the move responds to public demand and is not politically motivated.
28-May-2024
Jaipur Police launched a probe on May 28 after slogans hailing Pakistan and Khalistan were found on the walls of a State Bank of India (SBI) branch in Chaura Rasta, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
28-May-2024
Khalistan preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, is contesting as an independent from the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, despite being jailed under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam. His entry has intensified the contest, potentially disrupting the Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) traditional Panthic vote bank. Backed by former candidates and parties, his campaign leverages a 20% vote share from previous elections and aims to capitalize on realignments in the region.
28-May-2024
Khalistan preacher and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh is running as an independent candidate from Khadoor Sahib constituency in Tarn Taran district in Punjab, gaining significant local support largely due to his anti-drug campaign. His father, Bapu Tarsem Singh, is leading the campaign, emphasising social reform rather than Khalistan. Despite being challenged by major parties, Amritpal’s focus on eradicating drug abuse and his manifesto addressing local issues are resonating with voters, posing a threat to traditional power structures like the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
28-May-2024
In Bandala, Ferozepur district, Punjab, a mentally ill young man accused of desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib was recently lynched, highlighting a disturbing trend of mob justice in response to such allegations. This pattern reflects deep disillusionment with the legal system and intense reverence for the Guru Granth Sahib among Sikhs. Despite the violence contradicting Sikh teachings of compassion and justice, community trauma from historical events fuels these reactions. This underscores an urgent need for the Sikh community to reconcile these actions with their foundational values, emphasizing justice and empathy over vigilantism.
28-May-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, on May 28 in Amritsar, termed the acquittal of Dera Sirsa head Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the murder case of Dera manager Ranjit Singh as unfortunate. He criticized the Haryana government for favouring Ram Rahim and emphasized the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) duty to ensure a thorough follow-up to maintain public trust in the investigation system. Dhami also offered SGPC's support to Ranjit Singh's family in pursuing justice.
28-May-2024
Sarabjit Singh, son of Beant Singh, who assassinated former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, continues to attract attention in Faridkot's political arena in Punjab, contesting independently with support from villagers, despite his unimpressive electoral track record. His current campaign focuses on addressing the 2015 sacrilege issue, reflecting his family's historical significance in Punjab's political landscape. Despite his efforts, winning against established candidates like singers-turned-politicians from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) seems unlikely.
28-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 28 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 500 grams, partially burned and wrapped with yellow adhesive tape, from farming fields near Daoke village in Amritsar district.
28-May-2024
Slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala's father, Balkaur Singh, is making the murder a central focus of the election campaign in Punjab, urging voters to defeat those responsible for his son's death on June 1. Despite chargesheets and arrests, the investigation into Moose Wala's murder still implicates gangster Lawrence Bishnoi as the main conspirator, while another suspect, Goldy Brar, remains elusive abroad. While some residents acknowledge the lack of justice in Moose Wala's case, they question whether it will significantly impact the elections.
28-May-2024
According to reports, in Malerkotla, Punjab's only predominantly Muslim town, communal harmony prevails despite the political fervor. Residents prioritize local issues like power outages over electoral battles. Candidates from various parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), vie for the seat without attempting to polarize the diverse electorate. Women, concerned about issues such as drug abuse, demand solutions from candidates before casting their votes.
27-May-2024
Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of one of Indira Gandhi's assassins, is contesting the Faridkot Lok Sabha seat independently, focusing on the 2015 Guru Granth Sahib desecration case. Despite previous electoral defeats, he has gained significant traction, with support from Sikh community members and farmer unions. His rivals, including candidates from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), dispute his grassroots support, emphasizing their own party credentials. Issues like drug abuse, unemployment, and education also feature in his campaign, marking his departure from traditional party politics.
27-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 27 arrested an unidentified individual and seized two small packets, weighing 200 grams, of suspected heroin concealed in the toolbox of his motorcycle near Chak Bhange Wala village in Ferozepur district. The individual, a resident of Chak Bhange Wala village, was questioned and subsequently handed over to the police along with the narcotics and motorcycle for further investigation.
27-May-2024
Mukhtiar Singh alias Qafan Wala Baba, a prominent crusader against drug abuse since 2016, recently criticized politicians for their inaction on the issue. Despite arrests and drug seizures, Mukhtiar claimed that the flow of narcotics and addiction rates remain high, condemning politicians for only addressing the issue during elections. Mukhtiar’s activism began after his 28-year-old son died from a drug overdose in March 2016, prompting him to hold a protest by draping his son's body in a shroud with anti-drug slogans and carrying it through busy markets in Tarn Taran, Punjab. He continued his symbolic protests by wrapping himself in a shroud whenever a drug addict died to raise awareness and demand justice.
27-May-2024
Mohali police, along with the Static Surveillance Team (SST), on May 27 arrested two unidentified drug smugglers and seized 80 kg of poppy husk in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
27-May-2024
Patiala Police on May 27 averted two planned crimes by arresting two members of Lawrence Bishnoi gang identified as Harjinder Singh alias Laadi and Subir Singh alias Subi and seized three pistols along with 15 live cartridges and a car from their possession in Rajpura in Patiala district. They were tasked with carrying out two target killings in retaliation for the murder of their gang member by a rival gang. Laadi, previously involved in the 2017 murder of Meet Bouncer, had been out on bail since September 2020. The arrested individuals were directed by foreign-based gangster Goldy Dhillon, an aide of absconding terrorist and gangster Goldy Brar.
27-May-2024
According to his father Balkaur Singh, singer Sidhu Moose Wala’s second death anniversary on May 29 will be a low-key family affair due to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The family remains committed to seeking justice for Moose Wala’s murder, which they believe is part of a larger conspiracy. Several NGOs will organize blood donation camps at his memorial in Musa village in Mansa district, Punjab. Moose Wala was shot dead in Jawaharke village, Mansa district, on May 29, 2022.
26-May-2024
Assam Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma, while speaking at a political rally in Faridkot district on May 26, drew parallels between Punjab and the Northeast region of India, highlighting shared experiences of insurgency and subsequent development. Sarma emphasized the remarkable transformation witnessed by both regions, from periods of uncertainty to significant progress. He also underscored cultural connections, noting the historical presence of Guru Tegh Bahadur in Assam and similarities in the teachings of Sikh Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Assam’s revered figure, Srimanta Sankardeva.
26-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 26 recovered a Pakistani drone from farming fields near Dhanoe Khurd village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
26-May-2024
In a joint operation with Punjab Police on May 26, the Border Security Force (BSF) busted an international drug smuggling module, arresting seven drug smugglers and seizing 5.470 kg of heroin, 40 cartridges, three bikes, six mobile phones, INR 1.07 lakh in drug money, 8.470 grams of gold, and 68.970 grams of silver from their possession in Fazilka district.
26-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint operation with Punjab Police on May 26, recovered a packet of heroin weighing 530 grams from the outskirts of Dal village in Tarn Taran district.
26-May-2024
The bullet-riddled Sri Guru Granth Sahib 'saroop' kept during Operation Bluestar in June 1984 is now on display at the Shaheed Baba Gurbax Singh Gurdwara in Amritsar district until June 6, allowing devotees to witness the damage caused by the bullets. Emotions ran high as visitors queued up to glimpse the holy relic, which retains bullet marks on its cover and pages. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh emphasized the significance of commemorating the event, urging Sikhs worldwide to observe a week of mourning from June 4-6 and to wear black turbans or stoles as a mark of protest.
26-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 26 intercepted a drone and recovered 10.760 kg of heroin near Agwan village in Gurdaspur district. The Pakistani drone baffled security officers by traveling 10 km deep into Gurdaspur district in Punjab instead of returning to Pakistan after making the drop when it was intercepted and fired at. Eventually, the drone was recovered from Talwandi Virk village in Gurdaspur tehsil in Gurdaspur district in Punjab. The drone was a hexacopter, made in China.
25-May-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, in an interview, expressed skepticism about jailed Khalistani preacher and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, who announced his candidacy for the Lok Sabha elections from Khadoor Sahib constituency in Tarn Taran district. Badal questioned Amritpal's sudden shift to radical politics, his interactions with the police, and his ties with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) functionaries. He emphasized that while the SAD respects political diversity, it remains critical of Amritpal's actions and their implications for the Khalsa Panth and Punjab.
25-May-2024
According to reports, the entry of jailed Khalistani preacher and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, into the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Khadoor Sahib in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, has introduced a hardline angle to the polls. Despite being jailed under the National Security Act (NSA), Amritpal has garnered significant support, particularly among the youth and rural population of the Sikh-dominated constituency. His presence is challenging traditional strongholds of the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), with his wave potentially surprising Punjab politics if he wins. Amritpal declared minimal assets in his poll affidavit, highlighting a stark contrast with his wife's more substantial assets.
25-May-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) Staff of Firozpur police arrested an individual identified as Karamjit Singh alias Karma and seized 100 grams of heroin from his possession near Madhare village in Ferozepur district. The police reported that Singh was apprehended during a police blockade when he attempted to flee. A case has been registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
25-May-2024
The crime branch of the Chandigarh Police on May 25 arrested three members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Ravinder Singh, Karan Kapoor, and Javed Jhinjha for allegedly planning a major crime in Chandigarh. The suspects were using virtual numbers and mobile applications to communicate and are also suspected of aiding shooters in the April 14 firing outside actor Salman Khan's house in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The police revealed that the arrests followed secret information received on May 18 about the gang members' presence in Chandigarh.
24-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 24 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 400 grams from fields near Rorawala Kalan village in Amritsar district.
24-May-2024
France-based Non-Resident Indian (NRI) Iqbal Singh Bhatti visited Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G) VK Saxena on May 24 to deny involvement in Khalistani funding for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Bhatti, a social worker who runs Aurore Dawn in France, asserted that he had no connection to the funding allegations and provided documents supporting his claims. He mentioned his history of social service, including organizing a rally for Prime Minister (PM) Modi in Paris. Previously, Bhatti had received a letter from AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal in 2014 regarding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the release of Sikhs imprisoned for decades.
24-May-2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Gurdaspur district on May 24, criticized the Congress over the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, accusing it of allowing the "massacre of Sikhs" and protecting the rioters, while he ensured that the guilty were punished. He further criticized the Congress and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc, claiming they instigated separatism and sheltered rioters, thus disturbing communal harmony in Punjab.
23-May-2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Patiala district on May 23, commented on Pakistan’s Kartarpur Sahib, suggesting that if he had been in power during the 1971 Bangladesh war, he would have negotiated its transfer from Pakistan in exchange for returning Pakistani soldiers. The Kartarpur corridor, opened in 2019, allows visa-free access for Indian Sikh pilgrims to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur in Pakistan.