KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
17-Sep-2023
The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UP-STF) arrested a gangster, identified as Ravi Kumar, who was a sharpshooter affiliated with the Sunny Kakran gang and known to freelance for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, from Incholi region of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. He was arrested following a brief encounter with the police. Kumar had been involved in over a dozen criminal cases and was arrested due to his involvement in a ransom threat case earlier this year.
16-Sep-2023
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), claimed in a video message on September 16 that the killings of Indian soldiers in occupied Kashmir were a result of the conflict with indigenous Kashmiri freedom fighters and not acts of terrorism. He warned of the potential escalation of conflict in Punjab if a peaceful resolution was not pursued and expressed concerns about the situation in Kashmir, suggesting that the conflict might eventually extend to Punjab in an effort to free it from Indian control.
16-Sep-2023
The villagers of Tendi Wala and Jallo Ke villages held a protest on September 16, demanding a thorough investigation and alleging that a recent drug recovery episode in Jallo Ke, Ferozepur district, was staged. This pertains to a case in which the Border Security Force (BSF), along with the Punjab Police, recovered 1.710 kg of heroin from Tendi Wala village in Ferozepur district on September 15. Two Punjab police officials, Sub-Inspector (SI) Nishan Singh and Head Constable (HC) Harvinder Ram, were found in possession of 1.710 kg of heroin and a firearm by the BSF. Questions have arisen about the police's modus operandi and their use of a private vehicle, prompting calls for a high-level probe into the matter.
16-Sep-2023
Jalandhar Rural police on September 16 froze properties worth INR 40.5 crore amassed by six drug peddlers identified as Kulwant Singh alias Kanti, Varinderpal Singh, Sukhpreet Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Dilbagh Singh, and Swaran Singh from Rehrwan village in Jalandhar district. Two more villagers, Avtar Singh and Charanjit Singh, were also named by the police. According to SSP Jalandhar (Rural) Mukhwinder Singh, the properties acquired through drug smuggling in Rehrwan village include a farmhouse (valued at INR 50 lakh), a residential house (valued at INR 2 crore), 255 kanal and 1 marla of land (valued at INR 4.78 crore), 5 cars, 5 motorbikes, 1 truck, 1 combine, 1 JCB machine, 6 tractors, and 2 tippers. The seized assets will be auctioned by the government.
16-Sep-2023
On September 16, members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) removed posters for an upcoming event scheduled for September 23-25, which was set to feature Canada-based singer and Khalistan supporter Shubneet Singh alias Shubh, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The BJYM, the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), protested against the event and demanded its cancellation, asserting that there is no place for Khalistan supporters in India, especially in Maharashtra. BJYM President Tajinder Singh Tiwana warned that if the program proceeds, the organizers will face opposition. Tiwana also accused Shubh of sharing a distorted map of India on social media on March 23, 2023, and demanded legal action against him.
16-Sep-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police, on September 16 intercepted and shot down a drone, which was eventually discovered to be a China-made Pakistani quadcopter, a DJI Mavic 3 drone, after its recovery in a field near Rajoke village in Tarn Taran district.
15-Sep-2023
Simranjit Singh Mann, the Member of Parliament (MP) in Lok Sabha from Sangrur, criticized the lack of democracy within the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) during a rally in Amritsar on September 15. He called on the Central Government to conduct SGPC elections promptly to restore the democratic functioning of the institution.
15-Sep-2023
According to reports, the radicalization efforts of Amritpal Singh, the jailed Khalistani supporter from Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar district, have been dismantled. The residents of his village now claim that Khalistan was a false narrative created by Singh, and there is no such sentiment on the ground. They attribute the issue of drug abuse as a more significant concern and emphasize the need for job opportunities to prevent youth from turning to drugs or Khalistani ideologies. Amritpal Singh's influence in the village appears to have waned, and he is expected to remain in jail for a long time due to serious charges against him.
15-Sep-2023
According to an intelligence source, the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has reportedly used drones to drop a terrorist into Indian Punjab. An exclusive video obtained by CNN-News18 shows LeT terrorists testing the capability of drones to transport humans, with one terrorist confirming to the source that he was sent by LeT leadership to settle in Punjab and collect weapons and ammunition. This development highlights the increasing use of drones by terrorist organizations for infiltration and operations.
15-Sep-2023
On September 15, two police officials, identified as Sub-Inspector (SI) Nishan Singh and Head Constable (HC) Harvinder Ram from Jalandhar, Punjab, were taken into custody by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in a case of 'mistaken identity' at Jalloke Chowk near Tendi Wala village in Ferozepur district. The police officials were found in possession of 1.710 kg of heroin, one .32 bore revolver, and 13 rounds of ammunition. The police later clarified that the officers were on duty and had seized the heroin based on information provided by a smuggler.
15-Sep-2023
Punjab State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on September 15 arrested three cross-border smugglers identified as Gurmeet Singh, Angrej Singh and Balwinder Singh alias Billa and seized 1.6 kg of heroin from their possession near Bhikhiwind in Tarn Taran district. The heroin is suspected to have been delivered via a drone by smugglers based in Pakistan, with whom the arrested individuals had links.
15-Sep-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) along with Punjab Police on September 15 recovered 1.710 kg of heroin based on the input provided by Jalandhar Rural Police, in Tendi Wala village in Ferozepur district.
15-Sep-2023
According to a senior investigating official, cow vigilante Monu Manesar reportedly approached gangster Lawrence Bishnoi between August 28 and September 10 to join his gang. An online conversation revealed Manesar's offer to handle the gang's affairs in the region due to their shared 'devotion to cows.' Manesar made multiple calls to Bishnoi and forwarded a 'resume' highlighting his local influence and connections. His aim was to re-establish Bishnoi's gang presence in the area, particularly in Haryana and Punjab, where it had diminished. Investigations are ongoing to determine if Manesar carried out any assignments for Bishnoi.
15-Sep-2023
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on September 15 ruled that cases against drug kingpins should be registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in addition to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Opium Act.
14-Sep-2023
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Border Range, Narinder Bhargav, stated on September 14 that the Drone Emergency Response System (DERS), implemented by the Amritsar Border Range police in collaboration with Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in the border area, has been effective in apprehending drug peddlers using drones for cross-border smuggling. The border belt has multiple VDCs that work in coordination with the police and Border Security Force (BSF) authorities. When a drone sighting is reported, VDC members inform the village police officer, who then alerts police and BSF officials. This streamlined approach has led to the more efficient recovery of drones and contraband, thwarting smuggling attempts.
14-Sep-2023
On September 14, following a tip-off from a Village Defence Committee (VDC), Punjab Police arrested a 14-year-old Pakistani boy in Dhanoe Khurd village in Amritsar district. The boy was taken into custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine whether his entry into the country was accidental or deliberate.
14-Sep-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced, through a press release on September 14, that it had secured a landmark court order from a special NIA court in Haryana to forfeit the properties of terrorists, including cash and an SUV, belonging to four associates of Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda. The four associates have been identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, Mandeep Singh alias Deepa, Parminder Singh alias Pinder, and Bhupinder Singh. This action, taken under Section 26 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), marks a significant step in the NIA's strategy to disrupt the financial resources of terrorist organizations.
14-Sep-2023
According to reports, the Kartarpur corridor, established in 2019 to facilitate visa-free entry for up to 5,000 Indian Sikh pilgrims daily, has faced challenges due to stringent entry requirements imposed by both Pakistan and India. India requires pilgrims to possess passports, while Pakistan charges a USD 20 entry fee, which limits visits for low-income families. As a result, the number of Indian pilgrims remains low, with only 152,577 out of a total of 680,381 visitors from November 2021 to August 2023 being Indian nationals. Experts suggest relaxing these conditions and allowing family visits to enhance the corridor's popularity among Sikhs.
14-Sep-2023
The internal security wing of the Punjab Police has conducted intelligence-based operations leading to the record seizure of around 200 kg of heroin in the past 40 days. Most of these seizures were carried out by the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) wing of Internal Security in the Fazilka district. While SSOC typically focuses on matters of internal security and counterterrorism, it has recently been enlisted to address various intelligence reports and combat extensive drug smuggling activities along the Pakistan international border. The biggest hauls occurred on the following dates: 20 kg of heroin was seized on July 23 in Ferozepur, 77.8 kg of heroin and three pistols were seized on August 6, 3 kg of heroin was seized on August 16, 29.2 kg of heroin was seized on August 21, and 43.5 kg of heroin was seized on September 7. This change in strategy targets major players in drug smuggling operations, with a list of identified smugglers from both India and Pakistan. The crackdown on the prominent figures involved in drug trafficking has resulted in significant heroin hauls, and authorities aim to seize the assets of these smugglers as part of their approach.
13-Sep-2023
All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) on September 13 organized an anti-drug march to raise awareness about the harmful impact of drugs on society from Bhai Gurdas Hall to Sri Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar. Hundreds of youths participated in the march, holding placards with anti-drug slogans.
13-Sep-2023
Patiala police are investigating the role of certain army officials after the arrest of army man Manpreet Sharma on September 11, who allegedly passed on sensitive military information to a notorious drug peddler, Amrik Singh. Police suspect that Manpreet couldn't have obtained such information without help from a superior. Amrik Singh had connections with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and forensic analysis of his seized phone revealed the passing of a 140-page report about an Army camp in Himachal Pradesh (HP) to the ISI. The investigation also uncovered the ISI's involvement in smuggling two AK-47 weapons and around 250 bullets.
13-Sep-2023
Police on September 13 registered a case against 11 identified individuals and some unknown persons following a clash between two groups near the New Grain Market in Abohar in Fazilka district. The clash involved occupants of an Innova and riders on three motorcycles, and it escalated to include weapons such as lathis, kirpans, axes, and even gunfire. The suspects fled the scene, leaving behind some of the motorcycles.
12-Sep-2023
Gurpreet Singh Randhawe Walian, an executive member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and a Panthic Akali Lehar activist, on September 12, wrote a letter to SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, inquiring about the whereabouts of rare manuscripts and holy scriptures allegedly seized by the Army after Operation Blue Star in 1984.
12-Sep-2023
The Police Department in the Malerkotla district of Punjab on September 12 initiated an integrated program to combat the drug problem in the district. This program includes identifying drug addicts, offering counselling, and facilitating their rehabilitation. It involves approximately 150 police personnel in the Ahmedgarh and Amargarh subdivisions. Special police teams, led by Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), are conducting seminars and workshops to raise awareness about the causes and consequences of drug abuse.
12-Sep-2023
On September 12, Vijay Singh, a member of the anti-drug committee, was attacked by nearly a dozen unidentified assailants in Bir Talab village in Bathinda district. The anti-drug committees, established in various villages, have played a role in reducing drug sales, but their members are increasingly targeted by criminals.
12-Sep-2023
According to sources, due to increased vigilance along the Punjab border, drug traffickers from Pakistan have resorted to air-dropping heroin along the borders of Rajasthan and Gujarat. The Border Security Force (BSF) and central agencies have reported a significant rise in drug seizures in these regions. Punjab-based drug dealers have been identified and arrested while attempting to retrieve the dropped consignments via drones, leading to several significant drug busts These shipments were destined for Punjab by way of the road. This shift in drug smuggling tactics highlights the evolving challenges faced by border authorities.
12-Sep-2023
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab Police on September 12 arrested a gang member of notorious gangster Sonu Khatri, identified as Sajan Gill alias Gabbar from Jalandhar in Jalandhar district. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, Gabbar was involved in a recent shooting incident in Zirakpur and provided support to the shooters on the instructions of gangster Sonu Khatri, who is closely associated with Khalistani terrorist Harvinder Rinda.
12-Sep-2023
Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on September 12 busted an extortion racket backed by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, with the arrest of its two key operatives, identified as Tarlochan Singh alias Rahul Cheema and Harish alias Harry alias Baba. Tarlochan Singh alias Rahul Cheema was arrested on September 11 with one pistol along with two live cartridges in his possession, and Harish was arrested on September 12 with the one pistol, in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar, in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district in Punjab.
12-Sep-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reportedly identified 15 individuals allegedly involved in the violence at the Indian High Commission in London, United Kingdom (UK), during a protest on March 19, 2023. The NIA plans to request the UK immigration department to issue Look Out Circulars (LOC) against them, but the challenge lies in persuading the UK government to take action, as there is no equivalent law to India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the UK for such cases.
12-Sep-2023
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau left India on September 12 after being stranded for over 36 hours, primarily due to a plane issue. This incident occurred amidst criticism and backlash regarding his diplomatic failure in Canada. Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre and the media highlighted his diplomatic failures at the G20 Summit and strained ties with India due to his perceived patronage of Khalistani elements in Canada. Trudeau's popularity has declined, with the Conservative Party gaining support, as negative perceptions of his government and the overall mood in Canada have impacted his political standing.
12-Sep-2023
The Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, criticized Pakistan for neglecting Sikh religious sites and urged the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) to address issues such as the illegal occupation of gurdwaras and the restoration of religious practices ('maryada') with the Pakistani government. Giani Raghbir stressed the historical and emotional significance of these sites to the Sikh community and called for their liberation from illegal occupants. He also requested that Sikhs be allowed to pray at these shrines.
12-Sep-2023
According to Indian intelligence sources, the Canadian government has received multiple extradition requests related to individuals involved in pro-Khalistan activities in Canada. These sources alleged that Canada's inaction is driven by domestic political considerations, despite these individuals being associated with terrorism and other serious offenses. Furthermore, the sources emphasized that these pro-Khalistani groups receive support from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and are involved in radicalizing younger generations.
11-Sep-2023
An army jawan identified as Sepoy Manpreet Sharma on September 11 was remanded to three-day police custody in Patiala, Punjab. Sepoy Manpreet Sharma was working as a computer operator at Western Command headquarters, and was arrested on September 10, by Punjab Police at Bhopal railway station for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) through a drug peddler identified as Amrik Singh, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh (MP). Manpreet had shared a 140-page dossier, maps, pictures of army assets with Amrik, and had a foreign SIM card, suspected to be the source of information in his possession. The arrest followed a joint operation between Punjab Police and Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) Madhya Pradesh, revealing connections between Amrik Singh and ISI.
11-Sep-2023
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), recently released a video in which he claims to have hoisted the Khalistan flag on the HUDA City Metro Station flyover in Sector 29 in Gurugram, Haryana. In the same video, Pannun also threatened Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar.
11-Sep-2023
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) has granted bail to Chandeep Singh alias Gabbar Singh, an accused in the 2019 Tarn Taran blast case, citing the lack of substantial progress in the trial. He has spent nearly 4 years in detention in Chandigarh. The prosecution had labelled Chandeep Singh as a 'radicalized pro-Khalistani' youth and a member of a 'terrorist group.' However, the HC found no credible evidence connecting him to the most serious charge under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and noted that the trial had been slow.
11-Sep-2023
A Delhi court on September 11 transferred the case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Pul Bangash, in which Senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler is accused, to a district judge for a sessions trial. The court had previously granted anticipatory bail to Tytler on a personal bond of INR 1 lakh and one surety of the same amount, along with certain other conditions.
11-Sep-2023
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau encountered a travel setback when his plane developed a snag, leaving him and his son stranded in New Delhi after the conclusion of the G20 Summit. The situation was further complicated by India's expressed concerns about anti-India activities in Canada and the simultaneous Khalistan referendum organized by the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in Surrey, Canada. Trudeau also faces pressure to address these concerns and extradition requests for gangsters and individuals involved in criminal activities in India who are residing in Canada add to the complexity of the situation.
11-Sep-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 11 recovered a bottle containing about 1.3 kilograms of heroin, near Mehdipur village in Tarn Taran district. The bottle was concealed in the flood debris collected alongside the international border (IB) fence.
11-Sep-2023
Punjab Police have uncovered a financial trail involving three modules responsible for transferring over INR 2 crore in drug money daily to smugglers in Pakistan and Afghanistan through hawala networks in Dubai, Canada, and the United States (US) and have arrested 13 persons associated with such drug modules in the past three weeks. Vinay Aggarwal, along with his son and collection agent, was one of the ‘big fish’ arrested by police. Vinay had conducted business transactions amounting to approximately INR 80 crore in recent weeks. The other ‘big fish’ Naveen Bhatia is absconding, but the police arrested his employees, namely, Shashank Wadhwan, Abhishek, Neeraj, Pamma, Lovepreet, and Sukhwinder.
11-Sep-2023
Amritsar (Rural) police have established anti-drug committees in villages and introduced a drug tip-off helpline number, 978007703, to combat drug supply. According to Gurpratap Singh Sahota, Superintendent of Police (SP), during the anti-drug campaign from September 1 to September 9, the Amritsar (Rural) police registered 28 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, leading to the arrest of 37 suspects. They seized 19.960 kg of heroin, 3 kg of poppy husk, and 70 narcotic pills. Additionally, 17 cases were filed under the Excise Act, resulting in the arrest of 15 individuals and the confiscation of 282,750 litres of illicit liquor.
11-Sep-2023
Police arrested a person, identified as Muhammad Yasin and seized one pistol of .32 bore along with two magazines, one pistol of .9 mm along with three magazines and 12 cartridges, from Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
11-Sep-2023
A man identified as Amandeep Singh died from a drug overdose on September 11 in Moga city in Moga district. Police have arrested his friend Baldeep Singh alias Bablu, and an unidentified drug supplier based on the statement of the deceased's father Kewal Singh. Amandeep and Baldeep had consumed 'chitta' (heroin) procured from an unidentified supplier on September 11.
10-Sep-2023
According to sources, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police September 10 arrested Harry, a key suspect in the murder case of international-level kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian. He had been on the run since March 14, 2022, when he allegedly killed Ambian. Harry is allegedly a close associate of gangster Kaushal.
10-Sep-2023
Police on September 10 arrested two persons, identified as Sharanjit Singh and William Masih alias Goli, and seized two pistols and cartridges from their possession near Gumjal in Fazilka district. The suspects attempted to flee but were captured by the Police.
10-Sep-2023
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, during a press conference on September 10, stated that he and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed Khalistani extremism and 'foreign interference' at the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Trudeau emphasized Canada's commitment to freedom of expression and peaceful protest while preventing violence and countering hatred. Both leaders acknowledged the importance of respecting the rule of law and addressing foreign interference. In July, India expressed concerns about the growing presence of pro-Khalistani groups in Canada, prompting Trudeau to reaffirm Canada's strong stance against terrorism.
10-Sep-2023
Delhi Police, deployed in and around New Delhi during the G20 Summit, have been equipped with graffiti remover to erase objectionable slogans, including pro-Khalistani content, if found near the locations of G20 heads. This move comes in response to information that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), allocated USD 100,000 to encourage supporters to write pro-Khalistani slogans and raise Khalistan flags near the G20 head locations. The Special Branch of Delhi Police issued an alert to all Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) about these plans and urged vigilance to prevent such activities during the summit.
10-Sep-2023
Punjab Police on September 10 conducted Operation 'SEAL-4' in collaboration with four neighboring states- Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir. They arrested 64 individuals and seized 667 grams of heroin, two pistols along with ammunition, 35 kg of poppy husk, INR 1.48 lakh in cash, 40 grams of smack, 9275 bottles of licit liquor, 170 bottles of illicit liquor, and 17 vehicles. Additionally, they filed 49 First Information Reports (FIRs). The operation was conducted between 8 am and 2 pm and involved strong checkpoints at inter-state boundaries in 10 border districts.
10-Sep-2023
Jarnail Dass, a key accused in the murder of Dayal Dass, a dera head, died on September 10 at Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital in Faridkot in Faridkot district. Jarnail Dass had been in judicial lock-up since September 2 and was admitted to the hospital due to breathing difficulties. The murder case had been surrounded by controversy, with allegations of bribery involving police officials and accusations against several high-ranking officers. Dayal Dass was shot on November 7, 2019, and the investigation faced challenges due to allegations of bribery and irregularities in the case.
09-Sep-2023
A member of an anti-drug action committee, Jasvir Singh, was allegedly killed on September 9, by two bike-borne assailants in Sidhana village in Bathinda district of Punjab. He was attacked with an iron rod when he attempted to stop the bikers during his night patrol. Two suspects have reportedly been arrested in connection with the murder. Anti-drug action committees in various Punjab villages are actively involved in monitoring and preventing drug smuggling.
09-Sep-2023
Whistleblower Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was recently released from Muktsar jail on September 9, called for a 'Jan Aandolan' against drugs at the campus of the district administration complex (DAC) in Mansa, Mansa district. He attended the cremation of Jasvir Singh, a drug awareness committee member, and later joined the protest in Mansa, vowing to continue his fight against synthetic drugs and police corruption while demanding action against drug suppliers, including some police officers.