KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
01-Sep-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police, in a joint search operation, on September 1, recovered 2.7 kilograms of heroin from near the international border (IB) on the outskirts of Mehdipur village in Tarn Taran district. The heroin consignment was found in a white coloured sack with illuminating strips and hooks attached to it, indicative of a drone drop.
01-Sep-2023
A joint team of the Punjab Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) on September 1 recovered 2.43 kilograms of heroin from the residence of an individual, identified as Bittu Singh, in Tarn Taran in Tarn Taran district.
01-Sep-2023
Police, on September 1, arrested an alleged member of Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang, identified as Anjeet from Rohini in North West Delhi district of Delhi. Anjeet had a criminal history involving illegal drug supply and was also involved in extortion attempts and other criminal activities for the gang. He had been evading court proceedings in multiple cases.
31-Aug-2023
Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab Police, in a joint operation with Mohali Police, on August 31 arrested six associates of Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, identified as Roshan Kumar, Saurab Kumar, Vikram Kumar, Amrinder Singh alias Billi, Arshveer Singh and Sunny, and recovered five pistols along with ammunition from their possession in Zirakpur in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. According to the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, the suspects were traveling in a Hyundai Verna car when they were arrested, and one of the accused, Arshveer Singh, was wanted for a double murder case in Patiala.
31-Aug-2023
Within hours of Delhi Police announcing the arrest of two operatives of banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on August 31, SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued a threat that its operatives would storm Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi with Khalistan flags to avenge the arrests. He also declared a cash reward of INR 1 lakh for information about the families of Delhi Police officers in Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Italy & Australia.
31-Aug-2023
The rural police in Punjab have arrested seven drug smugglers and frozen their properties, valued at INR 4.11 crore, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the Amritsar district of Punjab. Five of the smugglers—Bara and Dalbir of Dhanoe Khurd village, Bikka of Kakkar village, Bhalwan of Dhanoe Kalan village, and Lali of Cheecha village—were arrested with 42 kg of heroin, while Navjot and Samme of Amritsar city were arrested with around 9 lakh intoxicating tablets. The frozen assets include residential houses, agricultural land, a commercial plot, two cars, a motorcycle, and cash. These smugglers had allegedly used drug money to acquire these properties, and the police plan to take similar action against other drug smugglers in the district. Dhanoe Kalan, Kakkar, and Cheecha villages are notorious for drug smuggling and have been hotspots for the recovery of Pakistani drones and heroin shipments by the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police.
31-Aug-2023
Delhi police on August 31 arrested two persons, identified as Preetpal Singh alias Kaka and Rajvinder Singh alias Kale, in Faridkot district and Bathinda district of Punjab, respectively, in connection with the defacement of metro stations in Delhi which took place on August 27. Preetpal had maintained social media contact with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), for over a year. During this time, Pannun pledged to provide USD 7,000, of which Preetpal had already received USD 3,500. Both individuals were tracked based on CCTV footage near the metro station areas, and further investigation is currently underway.
30-Aug-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in Mohali on August 30 ordered the attachment of the property of an operative of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Varinder Singh Chahal, in connection with a case related to the recovery of heroin and drug money in 2019. Chahal, who was part of an international narco-terror network, was involved in heroin trafficking and money collection on behalf of the KLF. The network operated globally, with links to drug smugglers, terrorists, and money launderers, including Jasmeet Singh Hakimzada, designated as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker by the United States (US) Department of Treasury.
30-Aug-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in Mohali on August 30 ordered the attachment of the property of an operative of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Varinder Singh Chahal, in connection with a case related to the recovery of heroin and drug money in 2019. Chahal, who was part of an international narco-terror network, was involved in heroin trafficking and money collection on behalf of the KLF. The network operated globally, with links to drug smugglers, terrorists, and money launderers, including Jasmeet Singh Hakimzada, designated as a significant foreign narcotics trafficker by the United States (US) Department of Treasury.
30-Aug-2023
The Khanna Police on August 30 arrested a former Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) militant, identified as Gursewak Singh alias Babla for allegedly stealing two-wheelers within the jurisdictions of the Doraha and Payal police stations in Ludhiana district of Punjab. Babla has a history of 65 First Information Reports (FIRs), primarily from the 1983-84 Punjab militancy era. He became inactive in hardliner circles after a 2004 accident but was recently captured on CCTV engaging in petty thefts, primarily stealing and selling two-wheeler parts for survival.
30-Aug-2023
The Khanna Police on August 30 arrested a former Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) militant, identified as Gursewak Singh alias Babla for allegedly stealing two-wheelers within the jurisdictions of the Doraha and Payal police stations in Ludhiana district of Punjab. Babla has a history of 65 First Information Reports (FIRs), primarily from the 1983-84 Punjab militancy era. He became inactive in hardliner circles after a 2004 accident but was recently captured on CCTV engaging in petty thefts, primarily stealing and selling two-wheeler parts for survival.
30-Aug-2023
According to reports, multiple agencies are actively countering cyber threats to prevent the disruption of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi, particularly against potential attacks on the event's website and critical information infrastructure. Hackers supported by Pakistan and the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) are under surveillance for engaging in disinformation activities. These activities involve SFJ's attempts to send mass emails opposing the summit. To bolster cybersecurity measures such as monitoring the dark web and social media platforms have been implemented to safeguard against ransomware, phishing, and other forms of attacks.
30-Aug-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on August 30 recovered six packets heroin weighing 6.3 kilograms and one packet of opium weighing 70 grams, concealed in a 12-volt battery, near the international border (IB), near Dostpur village in Gurdaspur district.
30-Aug-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on August 30 recovered 2.6 kilograms of heroin dropped by a drone at a farming field on the outskirts of Ranian village in Amritsar district.
30-Aug-2023
According to Kaustubh Sharma, the Inspector General (IG) of Ludhiana Range and in-charge of the Special Task Force (STF) in Punjab, the police have registered 758 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the past year in four different districts within the Ludhiana range such as Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr and Rupnagar. They have also arrested 1,037 drug smugglers and seized various contraband, including 13 kilograms of heroin, 2,000 kilograms of poppy husk, 160 kilograms of opium, and 140,000 drug pills.
30-Aug-2023
Police on August 30 arrested one person, identified as Jashanpreet Singh and seized 10 gm heroin from his possession in Ram Nagar in Abohar in Fazilka district.
30-Aug-2023
According to reports, as India prepares for the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9-10, various anti-India groups, including the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), have intensified negative propaganda efforts, which they refer to as the “battle of G20”. On August 27, SFJ defaced Delhi Metro properties, launched a social media campaign with hashtags like #Khalistan and #G20India2023, and issued threats against the G20 Summit and Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. This surge in activities aims to highlight the Khalistan agenda and disrupt the summit, raising concerns about national security and international support for such activities. SFJ has also sent a letter to the government of India expressing their intention to prevent the G20 summit in Delhi from taking place without addressing the Khalistan issue.
30-Aug-2023
According to Punjab Police sources, many individuals from Punjab are reportedly seeking political asylum in countries like the United States (US), Canada, United Kingdom (UK), New Zealand, Australia, and Germany, citing political persecution in India. However, 4,280 asylum claims on the basis of political persecution were rejected in the last 10 years. This includes gang members, Khalistan terrorists, and job seekers. Illegal immigrants using the 'donkey route' to reach Western countries are reportedly misusing letterheads of small political parties for political asylum claims. The Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) has also raised concerns about its letterheads being forged for such purposes. More than two dozen wanted Khalistani terrorists are attempting to secure political asylum in Canada, the US, and the UK despite being sought by Indian agencies for terror and criminal cases.
30-Aug-2023
Head constable Rashpal Singh on August 30 submitted a court application urging the summoning of 14 protesters, including six leaders, for allegedly causing injuries to police and damaging public property during the 2015 Kotkapura incident where Rashpal suffered head injuries, in the Faridkot court in Faridkot district. Rashpal's plea states that CCTV footage and a 13-minute video, submitted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) as evidence, confirm the protesters' involvement in the crime.
30-Aug-2023
Punjab police on August 30 registered a case against director Bhushan Kumar, producers Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, and actor Meezaan Jafri for allegedly hurting religious sentiments in their upcoming movie 'Yaariyan-2,' in the Jalandhar district. The case was filed on the basis of a complaint lodged by Harpreet Singh, a member of the Sikh Talmel Committee.
29-Aug-2023
A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party flag accompanied by 30-40 balloons was discovered, near the international border in Shahbazpur village in Tarn Taran district of Punjab on August 29. The flag, with text in Urdu, was found in a farmland by villagers who alerted local authorities. The area has been prone to cross-border drug smuggling
29-Aug-2023
A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) political party flag accompanied by 30-40 balloons was discovered, near the international border in Shahbazpur village in Tarn Taran district of Punjab on August 29. The flag, with text in Urdu, was found in a farmland by villagers who alerted local authorities. The area has been prone to cross-border drug smuggling
29-Aug-2023
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on August 29 directed field officers to initiate a crackdown on the drug supply chain, employing a three-pronged strategy of police enforcement, de-addiction, and rehabilitation, in a state-level video conference meeting in Punjab.
29-Aug-2023
Police on August 29 arrested the main shooter of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, identified as Anil Bishnoi and recovered a .30 bore pistol from his possession in Zirakpur, in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district of Punjab. Acting on a tip-off, the police confronted Bishnoi at Chatt light point in Zirakpur and asked him to surrender, but he fired shots and accidentally injured himself in the foot.
28-Aug-2023
The chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has praised China's incorporation of Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan, and the disputed South China Sea in its 'official map' introduced on August 28. He stated that these regions rightfully belong to China. Pannun has also suggested that the G20 Summit in New Delhi could be an opportune time for China to endorse the annexation of Arunachal Pradesh and the Khalistan Referendum. The SFJ, which advocates for Khalistan, had reached out to China in June, viewing Punjab as occupied territory and Arunachal Pradesh as Chinese territory.
28-Aug-2023
Top sources within the security establishment on August 28 revealed that Sikh youths are being exploited by Khalistani groups for anti-national propaganda. These groups manipulate the youths' sentiments through social media and indoctrination. Pro-Khalistan groups target Sikh youths, exploiting their vulnerability by showing them footage of the 1984 riots and the Golden Temple operation. Born after 1984, these youths are lured into painting walls and displaying flags for promised rewards of USD 1,000-2,000 per creation. However, as the police swiftly remove the graffiti, the promised payment is withheld, leaving the youths with First Information Reports (FIRs) under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections, including charges of waging war against the nation.
28-Aug-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Punjab Police, on August 28, recovered 520 grams of heroin in a yellow packet with a hook attached to it, likely dropped by a drone, near the International Border (IB) in Amritsar sector in Amritsar district.
28-Aug-2023
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) General Secretary, GS Grewal on August 28 announced that the SGPC plans to expand its guide program at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab, by offering internships to Comparative Studies scholars from universities.
28-Aug-2023
The special investigation team (SIT) on August 28 filed the second supplementary challan (charge sheet) regarding the Kotkapura police firing incident which took place in October 2015, at the court of JMIC in Faridkot in Faridkot district of Punjab. The SIT, led by LK Yadav, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), presented a 56-page charge sheet and 2,446 pages of supporting documents. The case involves former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Parkash Singh Badal, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, and former Director-General of Police (DGP) Sumedh Saini as accused.
28-Aug-2023
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, on August 28 was transferred to the high-security ward at Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad in Gujrat.
28-Aug-2023
On August 28, during a vehicle inspection, drug smugglers assaulted a police party with sharp-edged weapons and stones, resulting in injuries to Inspector Karanveer Singh and Constable Balwinder Singh, in Dhobiana Basti in Model Town locality of Bathinda district. The Civil Lines police station filed a case against individuals identified as Anarjit, Kamal, Shankar Das, Sheela Devi, Pooja Devi, Rahul among others.
28-Aug-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) on August 28 raised strong objection to scenes in the movie "Yaariyan 2," specifically the song "Saure Ghar," where an actor is depicted wearing the Sikh Kakaar (symbol of Sikh faith) Kirpan in an objectionable manner.
28-Aug-2023
Security in Delhi was heightened on August 28 after pro-Khalistan graffiti appeared, although intelligence agencies haven't received any new threats. Additional paramilitary forces have been deployed, and district officers have been asked to patrol to prevent any further incidents. Controversial slogans were discovered at multiple metro stations, raising concerns ahead of the G20 summit, in which global leaders, including United States (US) President Joe Biden, will be in attendance. While specific intelligence was lacking, officials will now increase the sharing and frequency of Delhi-related inputs for the next two weeks.
28-Aug-2023
The radical leaders, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) President Simranjit Singh Mann and Dal Khalsa leader Kanwarpal Singh, held a joint press conference on August 28 in Amritsar to announce a conclave named M&N-20, scheduled to take place on September 7 in New Delhi, coinciding with the G20 Summit. The conclave aims to present the perspective of minorities, particularly Sikhs.
28-Aug-2023
A Mohali court on August 28 ordered the framing of charges against Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Jagtar Singh Hawara under the Explosives and Arms Acts, in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The charges leveled against him include criminal conspiracy, illegal firearm activities, and unauthorized explosives possession. The court has scheduled September 18 as the next hearing date for the case. Owing to his status as a "high-risk prisoner," Hawara's physical appearance was postponed. Hawara is currently imprisoned in Tihar Jail in Delhi.
28-Aug-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) secretary, Partap Singh on August 28 filed a complaint with the Amritsar Police Commissioner against the filmmakers of the upcoming movie “Yaariyan-2, due to actor Meezaan Jafri allegedly wearing a Sikh 'kirpan' in the song "Saure Ghar" of the movie. The SGPC claims the portrayal has hurt Sikh sentiments, while the filmmakers argue that the actor is wearing a 'khukri' and not a 'kirpan,' expressing regret for any misunderstanding.
28-Aug-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) secretary, Partap Singh on August 28 filed a complaint with the Amritsar Police Commissioner against the filmmakers of the upcoming movie “Yaariyan-2, due to actor Meezaan Jafri allegedly wearing a Sikh 'kirpan' in the song "Saure Ghar" of the movie. The SGPC claims the portrayal has hurt Sikh sentiments, while the filmmakers argue that the actor is wearing a 'khukri' and not a 'kirpan,' expressing regret for any misunderstanding.
28-Aug-2023
A Delhi court has scheduled a hearing for September 6 in the Pul Bangash killings case involving Senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, in Delhi. The case pertains to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots where three individuals were killed and a gurudwara was set on fire.
28-Aug-2023
Khanna Police on August 28 arrested two individuals, identified as Sukhwinder Singh alias Laddi and Gurpreet Singh alias Sodhi and recovered 248 kilograms of poppy husk and 500 grams of opium from their possession, near Dehru in Khanna tehsil of Ludhiana district.
27-Aug-2023
Ahead of the G20 Summit in Delhi, the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) activists on August 27 defaced at least five Metro stations in New Delhi: Shivaji Park, Madipur, Paschim Vihar, Udyog Nagar, and Maharaja Surajmal Stadium, with pro-Khalistan graffiti. The graffiti included slogans such as "Delhi Banega Khalistan" and "Khalistan Zindabad." Meanwhile, a video featuring SFJ's chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, emerged on social media, where Pannun stated that the Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is the target of the "battle of G20 Pragati Maidan." He also mentioned that during the G-20 summit in Delhi on September 10, they intend to conduct a Khalistan referendum in Canada. In response, Delhi Police have taken legal action and registered a case under relevant sections.
27-Aug-2023
The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) has come under scrutiny for not including the Punjabi language in its official press releases, which are solely in Hindi. This has sparked concerns among pro-Punjabi activists, journalists, and Sikh intellectuals in Haryana, who question the committee's intentions.
27-Aug-2023
Slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala’s father Balkaur Singh on August 27 accused Punjab Police of providing VIP treatment to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, the mastermind behind his son's murder, while addressing a gathering at Moosa village in Mansa Tehsil in Mansa district of Punjab.
27-Aug-2023
According to sources, the Delhi Police's Special Cell is set to investigate the pro-Khalistan graffiti incident at multiple metro stations in Delhi, invoking legal sections including Indian Penal Code (IPC) 153, 153A, 505, and Defacement Act's section 3. The suspected involvement of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) activists is being probed, with the Special Cell already looking into SFJ-related cases. The pro-Khalistani graffiti challenging India's sovereignty was found at over seven metro stations on August 27, along with a government school - Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya Nangloi.
27-Aug-2023
Khanna Police on August 27 arrested two persons, identified as Yousuf Masih and Gogo Devi and recovered 150 kilograms of poppy husk from their possession near Maloud in Ludhiana district.
27-Aug-2023
Khanna Police on August 27 revealed that they have secured approval to freeze properties valued at INR 4.74 crore linked to drug peddlers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, in Khanna in Ludhiana district of Punjab. The properties of 13 individuals will be seized.
27-Aug-2023
Police arrested siblings, identified as Karanvir Kaur and Gurpreet Singh for allegedly selling heroin to Manpreet Singh, who died of drug overdose on August 25, and recovered 5 grams of heroin and Rs 25,000 drug money from them, in Bhaloor village in Moga district. Based on the investigation, it was found that Manpreet obtained drugs from the siblings residing in the same village, who are also involved in selling heroin.
27-Aug-2023
Punjab Police’s Special Task Force (STF) on August 27 arrested an alleged drug smuggler, identified as Partap Singh, and recovered 350 grams of heroin from his possession near Rayya in Amritsar district. The STF received intelligence about his smuggling activities and attempted to apprehend him at a checkpoint near Dunial village in Baba Bakala tehsil of Amritsar district. The suspect fired at the police, prompting them to return fire and injure him. According to Jagjit Singh Soroa, Assistant Inspector General (AIG), STF, Jalandhar, Singh has been hospitalised and will be quizzed after discharge.
26-Aug-2023
Five farmer organizations, Bharatiya Kisan Union (Rajewal), All India Kisan Federation, Kisan Sangharsh Committee (Punjab), Bharti Kisan Union (Mansa), and Azad Kisan Sangharsh, on August 26 held a meeting in Chandigarh to plan mass dharnas on September 4 at district headquarters in Punjab, demanding fair compensation for flood-affected individuals. The groups will submit memorandums to deputy commissioners during the protests.
26-Aug-2023
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on August 26 criticized Governor Banwarilal Purohit for sending a letter warning of potential President's Rule and alleging a failure of the constitutional machinery in the state. Mann stated that law and order are under control, addressing concerns raised about the state's condition. He accused the Governor of displaying hunger for power and emphasized that the state government is actively addressing flood relief and challenges in releasing funds from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Mann urged Purohit to prioritize addressing the state's concerns instead of pursuing power.
26-Aug-2023
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal on August 26 opposed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s attempts to control gurdwaras and expressed its disagreement with the imposition of President's rule in Punjab. He also emphasized the need for Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to respect constitutional authorities.