KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-Mar-2024
On March 6, the Akal Takht constituted a sub-committee to address the issue of shifting detainees from Dibrugarh Central Jail to Punjab, following concerns raised by family members during a meeting with Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh. The detainees, including Khalistan preacher Amritpal Singh and nine others charged under the National Security Act (NSA), have been on a hunger strike since February 16, citing privacy violations due to surveillance cameras installed without their consent.
06-Mar-2024
According to sources, intelligence agencies have warned of potential disruption by pro-Khalistani elements during Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's rally, scheduled for March 7 at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has reportedly called for raising pro-Khalistan and Pakistan flags. Despite doubts about SFJ's presence in J&K, security forces are on high alert.
06-Mar-2024
Giani Raghbir Singh, Jathedar of Akal Takht in Amritsar, issued a warning on March 6 to the government and administration regarding serious consequences if any harm befalls Amritpal Singh and his family, who are currently on a hunger strike. Singh emphasized the lack of government response to the hunger strike, expressing concern about biased treatment and the growing alienation among Sikhs. He also demanded the immediate transfer of Sikh detainees from Dibrugarh Jail in Assam to Punjab, citing deteriorating health due to the hunger strike.
06-Mar-2024
The Punjab Police on March 6 arrested arrest of two individuals, identified as Ajit Singh alias Golu and Mandeep Kumar alias Vada, in connection with a gun house theft case in Amritsar and seized 12 weapons and 21 cartridges from their possession in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The stolen weapons, ammunition, and cash were taken from the gun house on February 21-22, 2024.
05-Mar-2024
The Kapurthala police on March 5 busted an inter-district gang of criminals by arresting three persons identified as Sukhwant Singh, Roshan Singh and Ajay Kumar along with seven pistols and 35 live cartridges and a car, near Gaunspur village in Kapurthala district.
05-Mar-2024
Two jailed associates of Waris Punjab de (WPD) leader Amritpal Singh, identified as Kulwant Singh and Gurmeet Singh, were hospitalized on March 5 with health issues at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh in Assam. Kulwant reportedly experienced an epilepsy attack, while Gurmeet was hospitalized for undisclosed ailments. Amritpal Singh, a radical preacher with pro-Khalistan views, was arrested in April 2023 under the National Security Act (NSA) with alleged connections to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and involvement in arming a private militia.
05-Mar-2024
Professor Mark Juergensmeyer, an expert on Punjab, stated during the second and final day of the international seminar 'Punjab at Crossroads' held in New Delhi on March 5, that the 1980s uprising in the state was driven by religious nationalism, although not all participants sought Khalistan. Highlighting unresolved issues, he also stressed the need for economic growth. The historical context of Punjab's territorial identity and language complexities was discussed, alongside unaddressed grievances such as the lack of truth commissions for both militancy and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
05-Mar-2024
The Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal-Sanyukt (SAD-Sanyukt), on March 5, merged with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by Sukhbir Singh Badal in Chandigarh. The merger aims to unify the Sikh community ('panth') and revitalize the SAD's relevance in Punjab politics, given its recent electoral setbacks, ahead of the Parliamentary elections.
05-Mar-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on March 5 criticized the handling of drug cases by state agencies in Punjab and Haryana, deeming their investigations 'extremely faulty.' Consequently, the court directed the Directors General of Police (DGPs) of Punjab and Haryana to send batches of investigating officers to the Police Training Centre (PTC) in Daroh, Himachal Pradesh, for a three-month period.
05-Mar-2024
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema stated on March 5 that the state Budget 2024-25 would emphasize modernization and infrastructure improvement for the Police Department, allocating INR 10,635 crore for initiatives such as the Sadak Surakhya Force. He also highlighted the procurement of top-of-the-line vehicles, with 1,396 provided in the last two years out of 1,993 purchased over five years.
04-Mar-2024
According to sources, the global drug trafficking crisis implicates Pakistan, allegedly involving Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and retired military officers, with links to the Khalistan movement in Canada. Routes span from Afghanistan to North America, necessitating international cooperation for dismantling networks. There is an urgent need for a holistic approach addressing socio-economic factors alongside law enforcement efforts. These factors highlight a complicated network taking advantage of geopolitical conflicts.
04-Mar-2024
According to sources, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), is reportedly orchestrating a plan to incite violence within the farmer's movement in India. He allegedly encouraged supporters through text messages to take up arms against Indian security forces and revealed plans to smuggle weapons from Pakistan via Kartarpur and across the Rajasthan border. Pannun's scheme includes using social networks in the United States (US), Canada, Australia, and Pakistan to spread propaganda and destabilize the movement. Despite stringent security measures, concerns persist about potential support from Pakistan, prompting heightened vigilance by intelligence agencies.
04-Mar-2024
Dal Khalsa, on March 4, extended warm greetings to Pakistan's new Prime Minister (PM), Shehbaz Sharif, expressing optimism for positive changes in Pakistan and South Asia. They acknowledged the challenges ahead while emphasizing the potential for progress under Sharif's leadership. They reiterated that the Sikh community anticipates increased opportunities for social, religious, and political engagement, hoping for attention to their identity and aspirations.
04-Mar-2024
Police on March 4 arrested two drug peddlers, one of whom was a dismissed cop from Punjab identified as Amardeep Singh alias Kala and the other as Parveen and seized 70 grams of heroin from their possession in Ferozepur district in Punjab and Chandigarh. Parveen was arrested in Chandigarh, and confessed to sourcing the contraband from Amardeep Singh, the dismissed cop, leading to the latter's arrest in a subsequent raid in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district in Punjab.
04-Mar-2024
A gangster, identified as Rajesh Dogra alias Mohan Chir, was shot dead by four unidentified persons outside a shopping mall in Sector 67 in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district in Punjab. According to the police, the shooting was the result of a fallout from a gang war.
04-Mar-2024
On March 4, Shiromani Akali Dal - Amritsar (SAD-A) president and Sangrur Member of Parliament (MP), Simranjit Singh Mann, was confined to his residence in Baguana Enclave in Sangrur district, by the police amid the 'rail roko' agitation. The protest revolves around the release of 'Bandi Singhs' and alleged atrocities against farmers.
04-Mar-2024
Around 25 Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar (SAD-A) workers, led by organizing secretary Gurnaib Singh Rampura, were detained by the police in Mullowal village in Sangrur district in Punjab, while en route to the agitation on March 4.
03-Mar-2024
A high-level delegation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) met Governor Banwarilal Purohit in Amritsar on March 3 to address three key issues: the firing incident at a gurdwara in Sultanpur Lodhi, the hunger strike by detainees at Dibrugarh jail, and the release of 'Bandi Singhs'. The delegation urged the Governor to promptly address these issues, seeking the intervention of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) to transfer the detainees to Punjab jails and uphold human rights.
03-Mar-2024
According to sources in the Indian intelligence agencies, there has been a reduction in terrorist infiltrations along the western borders and in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) ahead of the national elections in Pakistan. Activities facilitating infiltration by Pakistani authorities have decreased, with a noticeable shift in tactics to avoid international and domestic backlash. Pakistani forces, which previously assisted terrorists in tunnel construction and drug trafficking, have scaled back in the past six months.
03-Mar-2024
The Commissionerate Police on March 3 busted an international drug trafficking syndicate involved in the illicit trade of narcotics across four countries using courier services, with the arrest of three people identified as Aman, Sunny and Shejal, and seized 5 kg of opium from their possession, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district. Led by kingpin Manish alias Mani Thakur in the United Kingdom (UK), the cartel sourced opium from Jharkhand and used courier services in Hoshiarpur and Jalandhar to send shipments abroad. The syndicate's operations spanned four countries, with investigations uncovering approximately 300 recipient addresses and implicating Customs officials and India Post in facilitating the trade.
03-Mar-2024
The city police on March 3 arrested two persons, Naveen Kumar and Sajan Singh and seized 15 gm of heroin from their possession, in Abohar in Fazilka district.
03-Mar-2024
Police on March 3 arrested two men, identified as Sukhdev Kaur and Veerpal Kaur and seized 2 kg of poppy husk from their possession, in Abohar in Fazilka district. They were returning to Punjab from Bikaner in Rajasthan.
02-Mar-2024
Directors of United Sikhs, a non-profit organisation, Amritpal Singh and Gurpreet Singh, Advocate Gurmohanpreet Singh, and farmer leaders Baldev Singh Sirsa and Ashok Balhara recently organised a press conference to highlight their provision of legal aid and medical assistance to farmers injured during protests. The organisation deployed three ambulances and initiated legal action, including filing writ petitions, to seek justice for the injured farmers.
01-Mar-2024
A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Chandigarh on March 1 convicted a Punjab-based man identified as Sukhjinder Singh on money laundering charges linked to an illegal narcotic trafficking case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced that Singh was sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment and fined INR 1lakh. The conviction stemmed from a money laundering investigation initiated in 2010 following an FIR registered by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Chandigarh under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
01-Mar-2024
In preparation for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Fatehgarh Sahib and Sangrur districts, district police have intensified efforts to eradicate drugs, and announced the destruction of all seized drugs and narcotics to prevent their re-circulation. The destroyed materials included 1,629 gm of heroin, 3.5 lakh tablets and capsules, 634 kg of poppy husk, and 25 gm of narcotic powder. Additionally, awareness campaigns and increased vigilance in identified hotspots have been implemented to combat drug abuse during the election period.
01-Mar-2024
The Assam Police on March 1 increased security for Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma following a phone threat issued by a member and supporter of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), regarding the alleged mistreatment of Amritpal Singh and his associates in Dibrugarh Jail in Assam. The caller demanded the transfer of jailed Amritpal Singh and his associates to Amritsar jail, threatening consequences for the CM. The caller claimed that the message was being delivered at the behest of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
01-Mar-2024
According to sources, Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh and his associates are preparing their meals due to safety concerns and are demanding to be shifted to Punjab at Dibrugarh jail in Assam. Unauthorised items seized from their cell prompted security enhancements. As a result, they have started a hunger strike over the installation of CCTV cameras, citing privacy invasion.
01-Mar-2024
According to official sources, eight Haryana districts bordering Punjab—Sirsa, Fatehabad, Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, and Hisar—account for 86.7% of drug cases reported in the state over the last five years. Despite the efforts of the Haryana Police, including the registration of 3,757 First Information Reports (FIRs) and 5,350 arrests in the previous year (2023), drug availability remains high, with Sirsa district topping the list. Health officials attribute the rise in drug addiction to factors such as aggressive marketing, stress, and peer pressure. Measures, including the establishment of more de-addiction centres and awareness campaigns, are planned to address the issue.
01-Mar-2024
The Crime Branch of the UT police on March 1 arrested three individuals including a 28-year-old woman, who were part of the Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar module that was given the task to eliminate gangster Bhupinder Singh Rana alias Bhupi Rana, identified as Amanpreet Singh, Parwinder Singh and Maya alias Kashish alias Pooja Sharma, in Chandigarh.
01-Mar-2024
Farmers, regrouping under Kisan Andolan-2, plan to resume their 'Dilli Chalo' march into Delhi from multiple routes after March 3, aiming to intensify their protest. Leaders have announced a march starting from the Dabwali route and urged farmers nationwide to join. Talks with members of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU-Ugrahan) chief Joginder Singh Ugrahan are ongoing, with plans to discuss further actions following a bhog ceremony on March 3.
01-Mar-2024
A worker of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Chohla, was shot dead by assailants on March 1, near the railway crossing between Fatehbad and Goindwal Sahib in Tarn Taran district in Punjab.
01-Mar-2024
Assam Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma, in Guwahati on March 1, downplayed the threat from Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), who demanded the transfer of Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh, leader of Waris Punjab De (WPD), from Dibrugarh jail to Amritsar jail. Sarma stated that he does not fear Khalistanis.
01-Mar-2024
A Sikh delegation wrote a letter to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on March 1 amidst ongoing protests outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB), demanding an apology from BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari for allegedly making a 'Khalistani' remark against Sikh Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Jaspreet Singh. Gurmeet Singh, the president of Gurdwara Bara Sikh Sangat, expressed hope in the letter for a meeting to address the community's concerns, stating that it would offer solace during this challenging time.
29-Feb-2024
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (ATGF) of Punjab Police, on February 29, arrested Amritpal Singh alias Nannu, an associate of the Davinder Bambiha Gang, in connection with a recent shooting at Katani Premium Dhaba in Mohali's Sector 79, in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The police revealed that the interrogation of the arrested individual provided information about two other fugitive suspects, Rana and Arshjot. Additionally, another suspect, Feroz, was apprehended on February 27 in Haryana. The crime is believed to have been orchestrated by the foreign-based gangster Gaurav alias Lucky Patiyal of the Davinder Bambiha Gang, with the aim of extorting ransom money from the victim. Ongoing efforts are in place to apprehend the remaining suspects.
29-Feb-2024
JS Manjpur, the lawyer of Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar, revealed on February 29 that Bhullar, convicted in the 1993 Delhi bomb blast case, plans to challenge the Delhi Government's Sentence Review Board's decision to reject his premature release. His earlier plea with the Punjab and Haryana High Court was withdrawn as it became irrelevant. Bhullar's family and lawyer seek implementation of a 2019 notification for his special remission, citing his deteriorating health and the Centre's announcement regarding his release.
29-Feb-2024
Former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Charanjit Singh Channi revealed on February 29 that he had received a ransom demand of INR 2 crore via text message from an unidentified sender, allegedly belonging to the Goldy Brar gang. Despite forwarding the message to the Director General of Police (DGP), he received no response. Channi expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation, citing instances of ransom demands becoming commonplace.
29-Feb-2024
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video on February 29 encouraging the kidnapping of ministers or their family members and advocating for breaking into Dibrugarh jail in Assam to release the jailed Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh. In the video, Pannun suggests to people how to attack jails and uses the picture of a Union Minister and his son while discussing abduction. Pannun also recommends filing a complaint with the United Nations (UN).
29-Feb-2024
Police, on February 29, busted a cross-border drug cartel being run by a United States (US)-based drug peddler, Jasmeet Singh alias Lucky, by arresting Gurpreet Kumar alias Deep and seizing 5 kg of heroin and one Tata Ace car from his possession in Kajikot village in Tarn Taran district. During questioning, Deep admitted to receiving drug consignments from across the border on the instructions of Lucky, revealing the international connections and operational dynamics of the drug cartel. Earlier, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police had arrested five drug smugglers of Jasmeet alias Lucky module after recovering 6.2 kg of heroin, INR 3.80 lakh drug money, a car, and 12 sims from their possession.
28-Feb-2024
Police on February 28 busted a Madhya Pradesh (MP) based weapon supply racket with the arrest of two persons identified as Harminderpal Singh and Jatinderpal Singh alias Baba, and seized four country-made pistols, magazines and 16 live cartridges along with their Honda Activa scooter, from near Pul Taranwala area in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
28-Feb-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on February 28 intercepted a drone and recovered three packets of suspected heroin weighing 3.030 kg, a hexacopter drone attached to it, and two mobile phones, from near Uttar Dhariwal village in Amritsar district.
28-Feb-2024
Police on February 28 arrested two individuals, identified as Rajan and Sachin Sharma, and seized 204 grams of heroin from their possession in Derabassi in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. During the interrogation, the accused confessed to obtaining heroin from a Nigerian national in Tilak Nagar, Delhi, exposing the intricate international drug trade network.
28-Feb-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on February 28 troops intercepted the movement of a drone and later recovered it from fields adjacent to Kalas Havelian village in Tarn Taran district.
28-Feb-2024
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on February 28 flagged off 410 vehicles for Punjab Police, comprising 315 vehicles for Station House Officers (SHOs), 76 Tata Tiago vehicles for the Dial 112 project, and 19 vehicles for the Mahila Mitras women safety scheme at the Phillaur Police Academy in Phillaur in Jalandhar district. He emphasized prioritizing vehicle allocations from SHOs to higher-ranking officers to bolster law enforcement. Mann urged SHOs to vigorously pursue cases against drug smugglers, affirming his administration's commitment to combat the drug menace.
28-Feb-2024
During the India-United States (US) Homeland Security Dialogue (HSD) held on February 28 in New Delhi, India emphasized the need to investigate pro-Khalistani outfits in the US accused of inciting violence against India. Led by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and US Acting Deputy Secretary Kristie Canegallo, both sides reviewed ongoing efforts in counter-terrorism and security domains. They also discussed cooperation in counter-terrorism, security, and combating narcotics trafficking, particularly Fentanyl. Issues raised included pro-Khalistani activities on US soil and support for separatist elements in India, amidst demands for accountability. Discussions also addressed issues such as illegal immigration, human trafficking, cybercrimes, and terror financing. Notably, the official statements made no mention of the ongoing "assassin for hire" investigation involving an Indian national allegedly linked to a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
28-Feb-2024
In an interview, United States (US) Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristie Canegallo, on February 28 underscored the priority of ensuring the safety of diplomats. She emphasized cooperation on counterterrorism, counter-narcotics, and cybersecurity, highlighting joint efforts to combat threats like Fentanyl trafficking. Canegallo stressed that violence against diplomatic facilities or personnel is treated as a serious criminal offense, with active investigations conducted by the Department of Justice and other relevant authorities. She assured the priority of safety for Indian diplomats in the US and discussed ongoing investigations into attacks on Indian diplomatic facilities.
28-Feb-2024
Balwinder Kaur, the mother of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Chief and Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh, has decided to continue her hunger strike until all Sikh detainees are transferred to Punjab. Amritpal, along with nine others, is currently detained in Dibrugarh jail in Assam.
28-Feb-2024
According to sources, central intelligence agencies expressed concerns over the emergence of secret communication platforms used by a transnational nexus of terrorists, gangsters, and narco-criminals to fuel unrest in Punjab. These platforms have dual uses, with private ones for operational purposes and public ones for anti-India propaganda, including attacks on Indian diplomatic missions abroad. Investigations reveal a shift from traditional telephone calling to internet-based communication, utilizing VoIP, app-based virtual numbers, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and phone speakers for covert communication, making detection difficult. The use of emerging technologies by these networks poses challenges for law enforcement, with jails becoming recruitment hubs for criminals by terror masterminds.
27-Feb-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation with Punjab Police on February 27 arrested one unidentified person and seized 500 grams of heroin from his possession, near Ramdas village in Amritsar district. Another suspect managed to escape during the operation, efforts are underway to nab him.
27-Feb-2024
A Ghaziabad court on February 27 acquitted Sikh Political Prisoner Prof. Devinderpal Singh Bhullar in the 1994 case in Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh (UP). This was the last pending case against Prof. Bhullar, who is currently serving a life sentence in a 1993 Delhi case.
27-Feb-2024
Punjabi music composer and lyricist Bunty Bains narrowly survived an assassination attempt on February 27 at a restaurant in Sector 79 in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. He filed a police complaint after unknown assailants opened fire on him, escaping unhurt. Bains had received a threatening call demanding INR 1 crore, allegedly from the gangster Lucky Patial, known for his connections to criminal gangs in Punjab.