KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
23-May-2024
Ahead of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's visit to Patiala on May 23, several farmer organizations have announced protests, including road blockades and sit-ins in Patiala district. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) (Non-Political) and other SKM factions plan to march with black flags and block entry points to Patiala, while the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU) (Ekta-Ugrahan) plans to protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The police have set up barricades to control the movement of protesters.
23-May-2024
Former chief minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Karnal Lok Sabha, Manohar Lal Khattar, on May 23, while addressing the media in Karnal district, Haryana, criticized farmers' protestors against his government, claiming they are neither true Sikhs nor farmers, and condemned their actions during protests. Reacting to his remarks, the spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Sir Chotu Ram), Bahadur Mehla, defended their right to protest and criticized the government's unfulfilled promises and past actions against farmers.
23-May-2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, while addressing an election rally in Patiala district on May 23, accused the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of being two sides of the same coin and responsible for rampant corruption and the flourishing drug industry in Punjab. He claimed that the state is dominated by resource mafia, drug mafia, and shooter gangs, and has become debt-ridden under their rule.
23-May-2024
Minutes before he was shot near Wadala Chowk in Jalandhar on May 12, drug lord Gurpreet Gopa received a call from the United States (US), according to his family. Gopa, wanted in connection with a 2019 heroin smuggling case involving 532 kilograms of heroin, had been hiding in and around Jalandhar for months, living under a false identity. Despite being a prime suspect in the smuggling case, he managed to evade arrest until his murder, which remains unsolved as of yet.
23-May-2024
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police on May 23 arrested 12 members of a gang allegedly linked to those who supplied firearms to the killers of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala and seized seven country-made .32 bore pistols and 10 cartridges, as well as five country-made .315 bore firearms and five cartridges from their possession in Bulandshahr district in UP. The arrested accused revealed their involvement in purchasing firearms from Bilal and Rizwan of Khurja, Bulandshahr, and supplying them to criminal gangs in Delhi, NCR, Punjab, and Haryana. Efforts are underway to apprehend Bilal and Rizwan, who are also being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for their alleged role in supplying firearms to Moose Wala's killers.
23-May-2024
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill, on May 23 in Jalandhar, countered allegations that Amritpal Singh, detained under the National Security Act (NSA) and contesting elections as an independent candidate from Khadoor Sahib, is a BJP prodigy. Shergill emphasized that neither the BJP nor Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi have a history of supporting anti-social elements, highlighting their efforts to reduce terror in Kashmir and the North East. He expressed confidence that PM Modi's visit to Punjab would positively impact the BJP's prospects in the upcoming elections, asserting that the BJP's dominance will significantly increase in Punjab.
22-May-2024
Balkaur Singh, father of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, expressed his sole campaign cause as seeking "justice" for his slain son during an interview with The Tribune while campaigning in Shahkot, Jalandhar district. Throughout his speeches, he emphasized his son's case and lamented the government's inaction in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Despite his lack of oratory skills, he stands on stage out of helplessness, urging support for the Congress candidate Charanjit Singh Channi, citing the deteriorating law and order situation and the prevalence of gangsters.
22-May-2024
On May 22, a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally, pro-Khalistan graffiti was found sprayed on the wall of the old Patiala bus stand flyover in Patiala district despite heavy police deployment. The slogans "Khalistan Zindabad" and "SFJ" were discovered in the morning and promptly painted over by police. Authorities are investigating the incident and reviewing CCTV footage to identify the vandals.
22-May-2024
According to District Electoral Officer (DEO) Aashika Jain, on May 22, the district administration in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, reported the seizure of drugs, cash, and other valuables worth INR 10 crore since the enforcement of the model code of conduct.
22-May-2024
Candidates from all four main political parties contesting the Gurdaspur parliamentary seat recently expressed a unified stance on eradicating the drone menace, despite ideological differences. Pakistani actors frequently use drones to smuggle high-purity heroin into border villages in Gurdaspur, severely impacting local youth. Congress candidate Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Sherry Kalsi, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Dinesh Singh Babbu, and Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) Daljit Singh Cheema all emphasized the urgent need to develop and deploy effective anti-drone systems to combat this issue.
22-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 22 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 530 grams from a farming field near Ratankhurd village in Ajnala in Amritsar district.
21-May-2024
Recently, images have surfaced showing leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorists, linked to a funding deal in Canada. Sources revealed that Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan met BKI leaders and secured over USD 5 million for AAP in exchange for leniency towards Khalistan activists during a meeting held in September 2022 in Montreal, Canada. Sources also disclosed that Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal addressed BKI leaders over the phone during the meeting. CNN-News18 reported this deal, as well as previous claims by Khalistani terrorist and chief of the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, that AAP received USD 16 million from Khalistani groups for election funding between 2014 and 2022. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expected to investigate these allegations soon.
21-May-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, issued threats via a video to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha election candidates Ravneet Bittu and Hans Raj Hans over their remarks on the farmers' protests, warning of violent retaliation. He invoked Bittu's grandfather, former Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, emphasizing that in Punjab, "murder is avenged by murder." Pannun's message was clear: if even one farmer is murdered, the revenge will be murder.
21-May-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated an investigation into allegations that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal received political funding from the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), following a recommendation by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. An Enforcement Directorate (ED) note from October 2022 to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) also pointed out AAP's alleged violations of foreign funding laws, mentioning USD 16 million in donations associated with efforts to secure the release of 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar.
21-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint search operation with the Punjab Police on May 21, raided the house of drug smuggler Jaswinder Singh Kaka and seized 3.124 kg of heroin, two electronic weighing scales, INR 3 lakh in cash, one .30 calibre pistol, six magazines, and 108 rounds of 9 mm calibre, along with 3 rounds of .30 calibre, in Rajoke village in Tarn Taran district
21-May-2024
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) in Mohali on May 21 busted an inter-state illegal firearm smuggling ring, apprehending two gangsters identified as Amritpal Singh alias Amrit and Sukhwant Singh along with six .32 bore pistols and four live rounds at Rajpura bus stand in Rajpura, Patiala district. Further investigation revealed the duo's acquisition of these weapons from a trafficker based in Madhya Pradesh (MP) for INR 80,000.
21-May-2024
Punjab’s former Director General of Police (DGP), Viresh Kumar Bhawra, on May 21 filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) alleging pressure to engage in illegal activities, including the registration of cases against public figures. He claimed coercion to relinquish his post after the current government assumed power in March 2022, challenging his removal as DGP under the guise of a transfer, which he argues violates Supreme Court precedent. Bhawra's petition, represented by senior advocate DS Patwalia, also names the incumbent DGP Gaurav Yadav among the respondents. The case is scheduled for further hearing on July 4.
20-May-2024
Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on May 20 scheduled the 1984 Pul Bangash Sikh killings case for clarification on May 30 after hearing arguments on framing charges. The case involves the alleged killing of three Sikhs by a mob incited by Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, according to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Tytler's lawyer questioned the credibility of the new eyewitnesses, while the CBI emphasized that there is sufficient evidence to frame charges.
20-May-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, incited Punjab's farmers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi via a video, offering USD 100,000 to stop his convoy in Punjab. Pannun urged farmers of Punjab to block roads and airport routes and emphasized Punjab's desire for independence from India. Pannun said “Narendra Modi should not be allowed to speak here… He needs to be made aware that this is Punjab, which wants independence from India… The enemy is coming into the house, there will be an answer in the house”. PM Modi is scheduled to campaign for the Lok Sabha election in the Patiala, Gurdaspur, and Jalandhar districts of Punjab on May 23-24.
20-May-2024
The special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Mohali recently framed charges against ten people under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district in Punjab. The case originated from the April 2020 arrest of Hilal Ahmed and the seizure of funds linked to narcotics intended for terrorist activities.
20-May-2024
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on May 20 busted a gang reportedly involved in making fake passports and documents for hardcore criminals in Punjab to help them flee abroad by arresting three men identified as Jagjeet Singh alias Jeeta alias Sonu, Mohammad Shazeb Abid alias Shazeb alias Sajid, and Mohammad Kaif, from Urban Estate Phase 1 in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district. The Police arrested Jagjeet first, and based on information provided by him, arrested Mohammad Shazeb Abid and Mohammad Kaif from Delhi. The gang assisted around 20 criminals, such as gangster Gopi Nawanshahria, who escaped to Poland, and others who fled to the United States (US) and Canada. Using counterfeit visas and a clandestine route through Bangladesh, they facilitated the smooth transit of these criminals to European countries.
20-May-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet on May 20 before the NIA Special Court in New Delhi against Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, and his three associates, identified as Harjeet Singh alias Harry Maur, Ravinder Singh alias Rajvinder Singh alias Harry Rajpura, and Rajeev Kumar alias Sheela, for their involvement in a terror-gangster syndicate operating in Delhi, Punjab, and other states. The three associates were implicated in targeted killings and logistical support, with plans to execute terror attacks on Dala's instructions. The charge sheet was filed following their arrests between November 2023 and January 2024.
19-May-2024
Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, was assigned the 'mike' as his election symbol for the June 1 elections, where he is contesting as an independent candidate from the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat in Tarn Taran district, Punjab. Singh, currently jailed in Dibrugarh, Assam, was arrested in April 2023 under the National Security Act (NSA) after a 36-day manhunt.
19-May-2024
Amritsar (Rural) police on May 19 arrested an individual, identified as Kirpal Singh and seized 598 grams of heroin from his possession near Rorawala Kalan village in Amritsar district, Punjab. The police stated that Kirpal was intercepted based on a tip-off, revealing his involvement in receiving contraband smuggled from Pakistan via drones.
19-May-2024
Ravneet Singh Bittu, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and three-time Congress Member of Parliament (MP), on May 19 while campaigning in Ludhiana, warned that electing pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh, currently jailed in Assam, would threaten peace in Punjab. Bittu, the grandson of assassinated former Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, emphasized that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are crucial for maintaining peace and urged Punjabis to vote against separatist elements to ensure stability in the region.
19-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 19 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 575 grams from farming fields near Dhanoe kalan village in Amritsar district.
18-May-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on May 18 released its poll manifesto in Jalandhar, emphasising that "Panthic principles would stand above politics". New proposals included reserving jobs for Punjabi youth, developing special economic hubs, and opposing the uniform civil code (UCC) and Agniveer scheme. The manifesto reiterated long-standing issues such as including Chandigarh in Punjab, cancelling river water settlements, and opening trade with Pakistan.
18-May-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) released its poll manifesto on May 18 in Jalandhar, Punjab, pledging to seek the transfer of Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan to India through mutual land exchange and to push for the elimination of passport requirements for pilgrims. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also committed to fighting for Chandigarh's inclusion in Punjab and opposing the Centre's decisions on river waters without Punjab's consent. The manifesto also advocated for opening borders with Pakistan for trade and tourism, securing Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status for border areas, and addressing discrimination against Sikhs and other minorities.
18-May-2024
Police on May 18 arrested one person, identified as Amritpal Singh Palli and seized 55 grams of heroin and INR 8 lakh from his possession in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, Punjab. Police reported that Amritpal had been a fugitive in a drug smuggling case for 11 years and was involved in drug trafficking with associates Rocky Mental and Chhinda Sandeep alias Deepa. Police are now investigating his network and supply sources.
18-May-2024
On May 18, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, directed Sikhs to observe Gallughara Week from June 1 to June 6, 2024, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star and honor those killed. The directive includes offering prayers at every Gurdwara on June 6, holding Gurmat ceremonies, and displaying exhibitions of photographs depicting the atrocities committed by the Indian government. This decision was made during a meeting of five Sikh high priests at the Akal Takht secretariat.
17-May-2024
Amritpal Singh, the Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), is running for the Khadoor Sahib seat in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, from jail in Dibrugarh, Assam. Sources indicate he enjoys significant local support despite his contentious history. His campaign centers on tackling drug abuse, eliciting varied reactions. While some support his initiatives, others, cautious of his separatist stance, perceive him as a peace risk. Political analysts note the tension between his electoral involvement and Khalistani separatist goals.
17-May-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently expressed concern over the rampant growth of wild cannabis plants in the Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali (Tricity) area, facilitating drug peddling. The court has directed the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to submit reports on their actions to control this growth. Emphasizing the adverse effects on youth, the court has issued notices to state authorities, requiring them to explain their measures by May 20.
17-May-2024
On May 17, a sharpshooter from the Himanshu alias Bhau gang, identified as Ajay alias Goli, opened fire at the Delhi Police’s Special Cell team and later succumbed to injuries in Rohini, North West Delhi. His criminal record is linked to a series of heinous acts, including a broad daylight murder in Murthal, Sonipat, and a recent firing incident in West Delhi’s Tilak Nagar area. Goli, a close aide of gangster Himanshu alias Bhau, operated under his command, engaging in various criminal activities across Delhi and Haryana. His demise marks a significant blow to the notorious criminal network led by Bhau, who remains a fugitive orchestrating operation from abroad.
16-May-2024
Former National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director-General Dinkar Gupta, who retired as Punjab Police Director-General of Police (DGP) in April 2024, has been granted 'Z-plus' category VIP security by the Centre due to threats from pro-Khalistan elements. A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) VIP security wing will deploy approximately 40 personnel in shifts to protect him in Punjab and Delhi. This decision follows a threat perception report from central intelligence and security agencies, emphasizing his work against pro-Khalistan activities.
16-May-2024
Since the amendment of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2019, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has seized 403 properties related to suspected terrorists until May 16, 2024. The highest number of properties were attached in Jharkhand (206) linked to left-wing extremism (LWE), and 100 properties in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) associated with terrorists and separatist leaders. Properties related to pro-Khalistan elements and other terrorist activities were also seized in cities like Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Delhi.
16-May-2024
Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has issued a threat to disrupt the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab and announced a reward of INR 1 lakh for raising Khalistan flags on June 1. He has also announced the allocation of USD 11 million for campaigning for a Khalistan Referendum in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi during the 2024 elections.
15-May-2024
Police on May 15 arrested an associate of Canada-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh Landa and United States (US)-based gangster Gurdev Singh Jassal, identified as Sharanjit Singh alias Sunny and seized six pistols and 20 live cartridges from his possession in Tarn Taran district. Sunny, the main weapon supplier for the Landa gang, was involved in smuggling arms from Madhya Pradesh (MP) to Punjab. This arrest is part of an ongoing investigation that has so far led to the seizure of 13 illegal weapons and 30 live cartridges, linking Sunny to criminal activities including extortion and murder.
15-May-2024
Panthic politics in Punjab has taken an unpredictable turn with the Election Commission of India (ECI) accepting the nomination of jailed Khalistani preacher and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief, Amritpal Singh, as an independent candidate for the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Tarn Taran district, Punjab. While Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar (SAD-A) is backing him, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has criticized the move, questioning Amritpal's intentions and alleged influence by Central agencies. This area has a history of supporting hardliners.
15-May-2024
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on May 15 accepted the nomination of jailed Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, for the general election in the Khadoor Sahib seat in Tarn Taran district, Punjab. Despite being incarcerated in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam, under the National Security Act (NSA) since April 2023, Singh filed his nomination as an independent candidate on May 10.
15-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 15 intercepted the movement of a drone and recovered a packet of heroin weighing 550 grams along with a small drone near Havelian village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model, made in China.
15-May-2024
To ensure peaceful polling in Punjab, authorities have mobilized approximately 64,000 police officers and 225 companies of Central forces. Special Director General of Police (DGP), Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, announced that 25 companies of Central forces have been deployed since May 15, with additional units en route.
15-May-2024
The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on May 15 arrested notorious gangster Gourav Kapila alias Kapila, associated with the Vicky Gounder gang and seized five pistols from his possession in Jalandhar, Jalandhar district. Kapila, a prime suspect in a shooting incident during a birthday party in March 2024, was arrested following a complaint by Sunny, alias Kaka, who alleged that Kapila and his associates fired shots, severely injuring him.
15-May-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recently taken charge of the probe into the targeted killing of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Prabhakar alias Vikas Bagga, which took place on April 13 in Nangal town in Rupnagar district of Punjab. Sources reveal that the assassination was orchestrated by Pakistan-based masterminds operating through terror networks in Portugal, Germany, and Dubai.
15-May-2024
Following the Punjab and Haryana High Court's inquiry into the protocol for granting armed licenses, Justice Harkesh Manuja on May 15 requested Punjab's Director-General of Police (DGP) to join the proceedings via video conferencing due to the failure to file a comprehensive affidavit by the next hearing date. The court sought comprehensive data on arms glorification on social media platforms, including FIRs registered and actions taken in the last five years.
14-May-2024
In a joint operation, the Counter-Intelligence (CI) unit of Bathinda and the district police on May 14 arrested three operatives of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), identified as Gogi Singh, Johny Singh, and Pritpal Singh and recovered three mobile phones, two dongles, an ATM card, and an Aadhaar card from their possession in Bathinda district. These arrests followed investigations that linked the individuals to pro-Khalistan graffiti slogans found in various public places in Bathinda, Punjab, and Delhi. Gogi Singh, identified as a key operative, was in constant communication with SFJ leader and Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
14-May-2024
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on May 14 dismantled a terror module operated by foreign-based mastermind Iqbalpreet Singh alias Buchi, arresting four module members identified as Gurwinder Singh alias Shera, Gurpreet Singh, Ranjit Singh alias Sonu, and Jagjit Singh alias Jashan and seizing three pistols, 13 live cartridges, and a car from their possession near Liberty Chowk in Rajpura, SAS Nagar district. Police disclosed that Gurwinder Singh, previously arrested in 2022 for plotting target killings, had reassembled under Iqbalpreet Singh's guidance to plan new criminal activities in Punjab. Iqbalpreet Singh was linked to the late Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and another Khalistani terrorist, Ramandeep Bagga alias Canadian, a key perpetrator in multiple target killings, currently incarcerated in Tihar Jail in Delhi.
14-May-2024
In the 60 days following the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for India's ongoing general election, the Border Security Force (BSF) has either taken down or recovered 49 drones along the India-Pakistan international border. Most of these drones, predominantly of Chinese origin, were intercepted in Punjab, with a few in Rajasthan. This significant increase, 13 times more than in 2022, highlights an ongoing security threat, as drones are being utilized for smuggling drugs and weapons across the border from Pakistan. Despite the efforts of security agencies like the BSF and local police, the challenge persists, emphasizing the necessity for sustained vigilance.
13-May-2024
The Special Task Force (STF) on May 13 arrested five shooters associated with notorious gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Rohit Godara, identified as Dinesh, Pradeep, Jagdish and Vishnu, and seized five automatic pistols and 55 cartridges from their possession, in Farrukhnagar in Gurugram district in Haryana. Dinesh, who was initially arrested on May 11, revealed the whereabouts of the other four shooters. They were subsequently arrested on May 13 from Abohar, Fazilka district, Punjab. The shooters were allegedly planning serious crimes in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab.
13-May-2024
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, speaking at the Constitution Club in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on May 13, stated that India has not received any actionable evidence from Canada regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He affirmed that India remains open to investigation if Canada provides relevant information.
13-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 13 intercepted a drone and recovered one packet of heroin weighing 560 grams along with the drone from fields near Ratankhurd village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was identified as a Quadcopter, Model DJI Mavic 3 Classic, manufactured in China.