KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
20-Oct-2023
Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on October 20 arrested four key operatives of the Bambiha gang, identified as Lakhvir Kumar alias Lucky, Ravi Kumar alias Fauji, Gurvinder Singh alias Matto, and Jatinder Singh alias Soni and seized four pistols, including two sophisticated automatic and semi-automatic foreign-made pistols and two country-made pistols, along with 25 live cartridges and two motorcycles from their possession in Dhakoli in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The operatives were allegedly working under the leadership of foreign-based gangster Gaurav Kumar alias Lucky Patyal, who remains at large.
20-Oct-2023
The Consulate General of Canada in Chandigarh on October 20 suspended its consular services amid diplomatic tensions with India. Services will be redirected to the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi, causing inconvenience to individuals seeking Canadian visas and raising questions about the impact of the suspension on their plans.
19-Oct-2023
Bhupinder Singh Assandh, the president of the ad hoc committee of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), on October 19 announced that the state government has accepted their proposal, allowing only Keshdhari and Sabat Surat Sikhs, who have faith in Guru Granth Sahib and follow all 10 Sikh gurus, to have voting rights in the upcoming HSGMC elections in Haryana.
19-Oct-2023
Amid escalating diplomatic tension between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canadian government has removed a total of 41 diplomats from India after New Delhi threatened to revoke their immunity. Canada's Foreign Minister, Mélanie Joly, stated that 41 of Canada's 62 diplomats in India have been removed, along with their dependents. Joly also mentioned that exceptions have been made for 21 Canadian diplomats who will remain in India.
19-Oct-2023
The Punjab Police on October 19 dismantled a terror funding module with ties to Pakistan-based Harwinder Singh Rinda and being operated by Parminder Pindi, by arresting five of its operatives in different locations within the Batala, Gurdaspur district. The individuals arrested were identified as Amanpreet Walia, Ramanbir Singh alias Fouji, Arshpreet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, and Kirandeep Kaur. The Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, stated that the arrests followed incidents in which liquor vends in Batala were targeted through arson or firing in an attempt to extort money from liquor contractors. Preliminary investigations have revealed that all the accused were acting on the directives of their local handler, Parminder Pindi, who was making threats and demanding extortion for terror funding from liquor contractors.
19-Oct-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on October 19 filed a charge sheet in a special court in New Delhi against gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in a case related to the seizure of approximately 39 kg of heroin by the Gujarat Police.
18-Oct-2023
The families of victims who were killed or affected by the 1984 anti-Sikh riots on October 18 expressed their dissatisfaction with the justice provided by the Indian Government. They stated that a protest would be organized in Ludhiana on November 5 if the government did not address their legitimate demands.
18-Oct-2023
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Punjab Police on October 18 arrested an operative of the Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gang, identified as Sachin alias Bacchi along with four pistols and 12 cartridges from in Landran, Kharar, in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district. Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of AGTF, Sandeep Goel, stated that Sachin has a criminal record and was wanted by the Punjab Police. The preliminary investigations revealed that Sachin and other members of the gang were hatching a conspiracy to attack targets assigned to them by their foreign handlers.
18-Oct-2023
Two gangsters hailing from Punjab, allegedly involved in 11 cases, including attempted murder and kidnapping, identified as Pancham Noor Singh (32) and Himanshu Mata (30), were arrested in the Kurla area of Mumbai, Maharashtra, on October 18.
18-Oct-2023
The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on October 18 conducted a virtual meeting with the chief secretaries, home secretaries, and minority department secretaries from Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, as well as eight other states on action taken by them for granting compensation to the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims. The discussions during the meeting focused on the efforts made by the respective governments to deliver relief, compensation, and justice to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
17-Oct-2023
Punjab Police on October 17 arrested four operatives of a terror module backed by Pakistan-based terrorist Rinda and operated by US-based gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, identified as Vikramjit Singh alias Raja Bains, Bawa Singh, Gurkirpal Singh alias Gagan Randhawa, and Amanat Gill and recovered a .32 bore pistol along with 10 live cartridges from them in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district. The Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, stated that, following intelligence inputs about Rinda and Happy Passia hiring two shooters and planning to target some prominent persons in the state, police teams from the state special operation cell of SAS Nagar launched an operation and successfully apprehended the accused. Preliminary investigations revealed that Happy Passia had made a deal with Vikramjit for INR 15 lakh to carry out a target killing.
17-Oct-2023
The state special operating cell (SSOC) on October 17 busted an extortion racket and arrested three members of Canada-based slain Khalistani gangster Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke’s gang identified as Vishal Singh, Ranvir Singh and Monu Kumar alias Monu Gujjar along with two .32 bore pistols and 12 live cartridges in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Vishal and Ranvir were arrested from Kharar, SAS Nagar with .32 bore pistol and eight live rounds in their possession, Monu Gujjar was arrested from Patran, SAS Nagar with another .32 bore pistol along with four live rounds in his possession.
16-Oct-2023
As per reports, during the 91st general assembly of Interpol scheduled to take place in Vienna, Austria from November 28 to December 1, the Director of India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Praveen Sood, intends to raise the issue of taking action against fugitives and criminals, which includes Khalistani radicals operating from countries like Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, and Europe. Furthermore, he is anticipated to request international law enforcement agencies to expedite the processing of mutual legal assistance (MLA) requests, through which information or evidence is sought, so that investigations can be completed on time.
16-Oct-2023
The Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority for Sikhs, on October 16 issued a prohibition on the placement of Guru Granth Sahib during destination weddings held at beachside and resort venues, citing a breach of the code of conduct.
16-Oct-2023
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC), while criticizing law enforcement officers for failing to appear as official witnesses in a drug-related case at a Hoshiarpur court, remarked that it appears the local police may have cooperated with individuals involved in the smuggling of narcotics substances.
16-Oct-2023
A Patiala resident, Jagir Singh (71), declared dead in a police encounter 31 years ago in Ajnala in Amritsar, has been found alive. Interestingly, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently prosecuting four Punjab Police officers, including two deceased, on charges of allegedly killing Jagir Singh and Daljit Singh in what is now regarded as a 'fake' encounter that occurred on December 29, 1992. The CBI's investigation also revealed that not only is Jagir still alive, but he also served 15 years as a convict in a drug smuggling case within Amritsar Jail. Remarkably, the case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was registered at the very Ajnala police station where the initial First Information Report (FIR) for the police encounter, listing Jagir's name and details, was filed.
16-Oct-2023
Former Indian Foreign Services (IFS) officer Amar Jit Singh on October 16 criticized the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) for eulogizing terrorists involved in the Khalistan movement. The SGPC's recent posts, which honour individuals like Harjinder Singh Jinda and Sukhdev Singh Sukha, members of the Khalistani terror outfit Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) responsible for high-profile assassinations during the Punjab insurgency, have raised concerns. The SGPC has also been accused of taking anti-India stances, opposing government decisions, and supporting Khalistani elements. Critics argue that the SGPC, influenced by a distorted version of Sikh history attributed to Arthur Macauliffe, has strayed from its original purpose and is promoting a narrow agenda.
15-Oct-2023
Police on October 15 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Surinder Singh alias Shinda, and recovered 1 kg of heroin, a 9-mm pistol, INR 8.5 lakh drug money and two cars, after an encounter at Nurmahal in Jalandhar district.
15-Oct-2023
The Special Task Force (STF) arrested three drug smugglers and recovered 2.5 kg of heroin in the Gharinda area of Amritsar district on October 15.
15-Oct-2023
Ferozepur police arrested two persons, identified as Rajdeep Singh and Amrik Singh along with 2 kilograms of heroin in Ferozepur district on October 15.
15-Oct-2023
Police on October 15 arrested two persons, identified as Surjit alias Bulla and Sukhjinder Singh and recovered 25 grams of heroin from their possession in Kapurthala district.
15-Oct-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered a drone in a paddy field near the International Border in Ferozepur district on October 15.
15-Oct-2023
Police on October 15 placed Damdami Taksal (Sangrawan faction) chief Baba Ram Singh and his son Rajandeep Singh under house arrest in Amritsar. They were prevented from attending Gurdwara Guru Amardas Jee in Athwal village, where they were scheduled to lead a 'Khalsa Vahir' procession, that was recently initiated by Sikh separatist leader Amritpal Singh, which was intended to go to Sri Goindwal Sahib. However, the house arrest of the faction chief led to the postponement of the procession.
15-Oct-2023
Police arrested a drug peddler, identified as Baljeet Singh along with 50 grams of heroin from near the area of Dussehra ground on Altos Chowk in Ludhiana district on October 15.
14-Oct-2023
During his appearance at the Khushwant Singh Literary Festival in Shimla, Ujjal Dosanjh, the former premier of British Columbia, characterized Canada as "hypocritical" and India as "touchy" when discussing the ongoing tension between the two nations regarding the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Dosanjh pointed out that while Canadian President Justin Trudeau has swiftly denounced the celebration of violence by Hamas supporters, he has not extended the same condemnation to the glorification of violence by Khalistani extremists within Canada.
14-Oct-2023
According to reports, in order to prevent the recruitment of young individuals by jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and the Canada-based terrorist Arshdeep Dalla via social media platforms, the Punjab Police has notified the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) and the heads of state police forces and anti-terror agencies that over the past three years, they have successfully restricted access to 6,000 social media accounts on platforms such as X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and other similar channels. Sources also indicated that the Punjab Police highlighted several significant catalysts and elements in the process of radicalization. These include the farmers' agitation, individuals like Amritpal Singh and the Khalsa Vaheer, social media platforms, the influence of the Dera culture, and the foreign-based movement known as Referendum 2020, led by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
14-Oct-2023
Punjab Police on October 14 busted a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terror module by arresting two Jammu and Kashmir-based operatives, identified as Uzair Ul Haq and Raj Mohammad Andleeb along with two IEDs, two hand grenades, one .30 bore pistol with two magazines, 24 cartridges, eight detonators, four batteries, and a timer switch in Amritsar. According to the police, the LeT had planned to use these operatives to target places of strategic importance and prominent personalities in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, with the aim of disturbing peace and harmony.
14-Oct-2023
Police arrested four Punjab-based drug peddlers, identified as Kulwinder Singh, Gurpal Singh, Kuljit Singh Rana and Kalu Singh and recovered 55 grams of heroin in two separate incidents in Fazilka district.
14-Oct-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on October 14 raided the houses of two youngsters, identified as Aditya and Abhishek to probe their links with drug smugglers and gangsters in Panjkosi and Maujgarh villages in Abohar in Fazilka district.
13-Oct-2023
Two Pakistani prisoners, who were released by the Indian Government on October 13, have been returned to Amritsar Central jail because the Pakistan Embassy could not provide the necessary documents.
13-Oct-2023
According to reports, following the seizure of 30 kg of cocaine from two peddlers based in Punjab in the Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the J&K Police have raised suspicions that the Srinagar-Pathankot highway has become a prominent channel for inter-state drug trafficking. Additionally, the police are actively investigating whether the two arrested peddlers have any connections with previously arrested drug traffickers in J&K. Inside sources within the police department believe that these Punjab-based peddlers may have been disguising themselves as tourists while entering Kashmir, using their vehicles to transport illicit consignments.
13-Oct-2023
The Khanna police obtained a production warrant to bring gangster Amit Malik Bhura, who is currently incarcerated in Bathinda jail, in connection with an Arms Act case registered at the Sadar police station a month ago. The court has remanded him in police custody for four days.
13-Oct-2023
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on October 13 while addressing a felicitation event arranged by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), acknowledged the significant role of the Sikh community in India's struggle for independence and expressed gratitude for their unwavering commitment to the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shah also highlighted the sacrifices made by the Sikh community and emphasized that the contributions of Sikh Gurus to the country are immeasurable and cannot be repaid even over thousands of years. He also said that justice to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots started being delivered only after the Narendra Modi government assumed office in 2014.
13-Oct-2023
Police on October 13 arrested three gangsters who were closely associated with Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar and worked for Malaysia-based gangster Vicky, identified as Gurdit Singh, Sunil Kumar, and Rohit Kumar, and recovered a .32-bore pistol and four cartridges from their possession near Ring Road, close to the Army Cantonment in Bathinda district.
12-Oct-2023
An Indian official in New Delhi on October 12 revealed that Indian and Canadian authorities have engaged in communication 'at multiple levels' in the wake of a dispute over potential Indian involvement in the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver, Canada. However, Arindam Bachi, the spokesperson for India's External Affairs Ministry, refrained from verifying or refuting media accounts of a meeting between the foreign ministers in Washington, United States (US), which allegedly occurred two weeks ago.
12-Oct-2023
Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on October 12 emphasized that the ‘core issue’ in India's relationship with Canada is the safe space that "terrorists and criminal elements" have found in that country. He also said that India remains dedicated to attaining a ‘parity’ in diplomatic missions.
12-Oct-2023
The Delhi police on October 12 arrested two shooters from a criminal gang associated with gangster-turned-terrorist Arshdeep Dalla alias Arsh Dalla, identified as Krishan and Gurinder, in New Delhi. According to police, when the police intercepted them on Outer Ring Road, one of the shooters opened fire, while the other attempted to lob a grenade and escape. The police recovered a hand grenade, a pistol, and five cartridges from them. Both shooters are wanted in connection with the murder of Punjab Congress leader Baljinder Singh Balli, who was fatally shot at his home near Moga on September 18. They are believed to have allegiance to the gang operated by Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) terrorist Arsh Dalla.
12-Oct-2023
According to reports, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) has upgraded the security of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Z category due to new posters put up by Khalistani groups in Canada. These posters carry the images of the minister, along with those of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and call for their assassination. New posters promoting hatred against India and threatening PM Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma are on full display on the busiest road of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.
12-Oct-2023
Police arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Gurbinder Singh alias Binder and Kulwant Singh alias Kanta, and recovered 12 kg of heroin from them near Qile Wala Chowk in Ferozepur district on October 12. According to police, both were coming back after receiving a consignment from across the border in a car.
12-Oct-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police, in a joint operation, recovered a drone (Quadcopter) and a packet containing 3.213 kg of heroin from a paddy field near the International Border in Tarn Taran district on October 12.
12-Oct-2023
Jagtar Singh Hawara, a convict in the case involving the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, appeared before a local court in Mohali via video conferencing on October 12 for proceedings related to terror and sedition charges.
12-Oct-2023
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi on October 12 deposed as a prosecution witness in a double murder case dating back to 2017, involving the killings of Satbir Punia and Amit Saharan before a special CBI court in Panchkula in Haryana. The murders took place in Haryana and were allegedly orchestrated by gangster Chotu Ram Bhat. He had a grudge against Saharan, whom he believed had sheltered individuals involved in an attack against him.
11-Oct-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on October 11 confiscated agricultural land at Kothe Gurupura village in Moga district that belonged to Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode, a nephew of militant Sikh leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and the brother of Akal Takht's former Jathedar, Jasbir Singh Rode. The land of Lakhbir, who currently heads the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and is suspected to be residing in Pakistan, was seized by the state under Section 33(s) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967. This action was carried out based on the orders of an NIA special court issued on October 5, in connection with an NIA case, RC 24/2021, in which Lakhbir had been declared a proclaimed offender and charged as an accused.
11-Oct-2023
Punjab police on October 11 arrested three members of a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)-backed terror module, identified as Harpreet Singh, Harbir Singh alias Happy, and Navroop Singh for planning target killings in Punjab, from Ajnala in Amritsar district. Police also recovered two pistols, three magazines, and 11 bullets from their possession. According to the police, these individuals had been in contact with Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, a BKI terrorist based in Pakistan.
11-Oct-2023
The Quami Insaaf Morcha representatives, who have been staging a protest at the Mohali-Chandigarh border near YPS Chowk for almost 10 months, have formally presented their list of "four" demands in writing to the Punjab Police. These demands include a request for the central government to increase the penalties for sacrilege cases, along with a plea for the early release of Sikh prisoners to be taken into consideration.
11-Oct-2023
According to top Indian government sources, the display of hoardings by the Gurdwara Management Committee and the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), labelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and India's High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma as 'wanted,' indicates that Canada's actions against extremism remain superficial. The situation on the ground remains unaltered, said the sources.
11-Oct-2023
Punjab Governor Banwari Lal Purohit on October 11 stated that drug addiction is no longer confined to Punjab but is rapidly spreading to Haryana and other states.
11-Oct-2023
The Punjab Police, along with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Manjit Singh, who was wanted in a 30-kg cocaine seizure case, and seized a .32-bore revolver, INR 4.94 crore drug money, 38 fake vehicle number plates of Punjab and Haryana, 44 gm gold, 385 gm silver, a currency counting machine and a weighing machine, from Mullanpur Dakha in Ludhiana district on October 11. This development followed the earlier arrest of two Punjab-based drug smugglers, Hunny Basra from Palahi Gate in Phagwara and Sarabjit Singh from Ballan village in Kartarpur, who were arrested with 30 kg of cocaine in Jammu on October 1. Punjab police sources said that they were suspecting it to be an Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-linked case
11-Oct-2023
According to sources, during police custody, Sachin Thapan, who is accused in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case and happens to be Lawrence Bishnoi's nephew, disclosed that an altercation between Moose Wala and Lawrence initially began over a kabaddi cup. Subsequently, there was another argument involving Lawrence and Goldy Brar over the phone. These disagreements ultimately formed the basis of the conspiracy to harm Moose Wala.
10-Oct-2023
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), in a video, issued a warning to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, urging him to pay attention to the Israel-Palestine conflict and take measures to prevent a similar situation in India. Pannun also stated that they could potentially carry out an attack in a manner similar to the actions of Hamas in India. He said, “People under illegal occupation from Punjab to Palestine will react. And violence begets violence… if India continues to ‘occupy’ Punjab, there will be a ‘reaction’ and India and PM Modi will be responsible for it."