KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
26-Aug-2023
Two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), Parvesh Chopra and Sanjiv Kumar, were transferred on August 26 to Bathinda and Mansa districts, respectively, in Punjab, for attending a birthday party with the alleged gangster Kamal Kumar alias Bori.
26-Aug-2023
The police on August 26 arrested an alleged gangster, identified as Kamal Kumar alias Bori on charges of illegal detention, criminal intimidation, and violating the Arms Act, from Amritsar, Punjab. According to sources, more than 15 cases have been registered against Bori.
25-Aug-2023
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in New Delhi on August 25 ordered the confiscation of property belonging to Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, at his ancestral village of Kirian in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. Landa, a gangster-turned-terrorist, has been residing in Canada since 2017. He had been affiliated with the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and its associate Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, who is a terrorist operative based in Pakistan. Landa is the mastermind behind several terror attacks in India, including the 2022 rocket-propelled grenade attacks on the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters and the Sarhali police station in Punjab. He was earlier declared a proclaimed offender on July 27.
25-Aug-2023
Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh of Akal Takht Sahib on August 25 declared prohibition on administrative meetings of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) due to a recent incident where members exchanged abusive language in a meeting, in Amritsar, Punjab.
25-Aug-2023
According to sources, the Border Security Force (BSF) has contacted Pakistan Rangers to obtain more information regarding alleged Indian smugglers who were arrested between July 29 and August 3, accused of attempting to transport 'narcotics, weapons, and ammunition' into Pakistan. However, as of now, no response has been received.
25-Aug-2023
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on August 25 criticized Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann for the deteriorating law and order situation caused by the rampant drug trade in the state. Purohit also asked the CM to provide a report detailing the actions taken to combat this issue. Purohit's concerns arise from reports of widespread drug abuse, their availability in chemist shops, and even instances of government-controlled liquor vend selling drugs. These incidents have led to public protests and raised concerns about the breakdown of law and order.
25-Aug-2023
Five Punjab Police inspectors identified as Gurwinder Singh, Neeraj Kumar, Gagandeep Singh, Harinder Singh and Dharminder Kalyan, were transferred after videos emerged of them attending a birthday party where gangster Kamal Kumar alias Bori was also present, in Amritsar, Punjab. Two Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSPs) Sanjeev Kumar and Parvesh Chopra, were also present at the party, but no action has been taken against them yet. The videos were allegedly shot at social activist Kumar Darshan’s birthday party, organised at a hotel in Amritsar on August 7.
25-Aug-2023
United Kingdom (UK) Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch on August 25 labelled the incident in March 2023 attack on the Indian High Commission in London as a "disgrace", while attending the B20 Summit in New Delhi, India. "In any country no matter how much of a global superpower there will always be problems and in the UK one of the most interesting things, and I say this as one of the immigrants to the country, is that quite a lot of the times people don't integrate the way we want them to and they bring problems and the same negative attitudes and the same issues from wherever they come from and bring it to the UK," stated Badenoch.
25-Aug-2023
The Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, released a new video in which he threatened Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) staff and expressed his anger over India's moon mission (Chandrayaan-3), referring to it as a ‘blood’ mission. In the latest video, he stated, “In Modi's India, this isn't merely a moon mission; it's a 'blood' mission. Instead of fuel, you've utilized the blood of our Sikhs and the people of Punjab. The attempt to conceal the Sikh genocide under the guise of a soft moon landing won't succeed. Modi's India, SFJ intends to unveil your actions. ISRO, you are within the sights of pro-Khalistani Sikhs. You are marked as a target. In Modi's India, you are ruthlessly exploiting the Sikh community, both economically and physically, resulting in genocide. SFJ will respond, and your celebrations will be short-lived. ISRO, you are the prime target and under the radar of pro-Khalistani Sikhs.”
24-Aug-2023
Madhya Pradesh (MP) Police on August 24 arrested a man, who was previously arrested in Delhi in 2021 for supplying arms to Khalistan supporters, identified as Rajendra Singh Baranwala along with his four accomplices in connection with a series of thefts in different areas of Indore in Indore district of MP. The gang, led by Rajendra Singh Baranwala attempted 15 break-ins in August between August 1 and 20, successfully stealing gold and silver coins as well as cash from three locations. In 2021, Baranwala was arrested in Delhi for supplying arms to Khalistan supporters, and 18 illegal pistols were seized from his possession.
24-Aug-2023
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on August 24 issued a proclamation notice against Ranjit Singh Neeta, the chief of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) who is currently believed to be residing in Pakistan, giving him 30 days to surrender, in Mohali, Punjab. Neeta is wanted for his alleged involvement in multiple acts of terrorism, including bombings and attacks in India. The notice cites various incidents of Neeta's alleged involvement in various bombings, including those on trains like Shalimar Express and Sealdah Express, as well as attacks such as the one on Kailash Guest House in Delhi.
24-Aug-2023
Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Jathedar, Giani Harpreet Singh, expressed concern on August 24 over threatening letters sent to Sikh families in Rawalpindi and Panja Sahib, Pakistan, urging them to convert or leave. He has called upon India and Pakistan to ensure the safety of Sikh families and highlighted a history of targeted violence against Sikhs in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
24-Aug-2023
The Damdami Taksal (Ajnala), a breakaway faction of the prominent Sikh seminary, convened a meeting on August 24 at the Gurdwara Dukh Bhanjansar Sahib in Amritsar, Punjab and decided to escalate their efforts in pressuring the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab due to perceived unfulfilled promises concerning Sikh religious matters. The group, led by Amrik Singh Ajnala, criticized the government's inaction on issues such as the desecration of Guru Granth Sahib, drug abuse, and corruption. They announced a 'Rosh March' scheduled for September 6, with the intention of marching to the residence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and staging a protest.
24-Aug-2023
According to sources, the recovery of weapons used in the assassination of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala remains unresolved 15 months after the incident. While 15 weapons were recovered from the six shooters in separate operations by the Punjab and Delhi Police, including those matching the bullets found at the crime scene, a .30 bore pistol and another 9mm pistol used by other assailants in the Punjabi singer's murder remain unrecovered. Priyavrat Fauji, who led the 'Fauji module' responsible for the shooting, has not yet surrendered the weapons. The alleged main conspirator, Sachin Thapan, recently extradited from Azerbaijan, did not lead to the recovery of the weapons. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) discovered that the weapons were supplied by Pakistan-based arms smugglers, revealing links between Indian gangsters and terror agencies.
24-Aug-2023
Jailed gangster, Lawrence Bishnoi, on August 24 was taken into custody by Gujarat's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) after being granted a four-day police remand by a court Naliya in Kutch district of Gujarat. Bishnoi is implicated in using narcotics to fund terror activities, with ATS claiming to have found a money trail linking him to individuals involved in such activities. This is his second custody, related to a case involving heroin intercepted from a Pakistani fishing trawler in 2022, and he's also accused in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
24-Aug-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, in a joint operation, on August 24 recovered 360 grams of heroin from the outskirts of Rajoke village in Tarn Taran district.
24-Aug-2023
According to reports, flooded rivers along the Indo-Pak border have posed a challenge for the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police in monitoring anti-national activities in the border areas of Punjab. Smugglers are exploiting the situation to transport narcotics. Despite the challenges posed by the flooding, BSF personnel are maintaining constant vigilance, and recent arrests by the Special Task Force (STF) have unveiled smuggling routes and connections with drug smugglers based in Pakistan.
23-Aug-2023
Prior to the visit of the United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to India during the G20 Summit, Alex Ellis, the High Commissioner of the UK to India, in an interview, on August 23, discussed the extensive agenda for their bilateral meeting, including defence cooperation and progress on a free trade agreement as well as security challenges posed by China and Khalistani elements. Ellis acknowledged the Khalistan issue, emphasizing that extremism is not acceptable, and asserted that the UK has increased security, police presence, and cooperation with Indian authorities to address the problem, recognizing it as a shared concern rather than just an Indian one.
23-Aug-2023
A Delhi court on August 23 framed charges against Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a case related to the burning of a gurdwara during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, in New Delhi. The court deemed him the "principal abettor" in the incident, stating that evidence supported his involvement in an unlawful assembly that aimed to burn the gurdwara and destroy Sikh properties as a response to the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
23-Aug-2023
Punjab Police on August 23 shared a video showing a Pakistani drone airdropping a small packet of heroin in the Tarn Taran district of Punjab. According to the police, smugglers from across the border are now resorting to delivering narcotics during the daytime as well, posing a fresh challenge for the security forces. On the same day, Tarn Taran Police arrested an individual identified as Jugraj Singh in the Tarn Taran district and recovered 2 kilograms of heroin along with a drone from his possession. Singh was arrested when his bike was intercepted at a checkpoint, according to Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurmeet Chauhan.
23-Aug-2023
The Anti-drug Special Task Force (STF) of Punjab Police on August 23 arrested three members of a cross-border drug smuggling module, identified as Agyapal Singh, Ranjodh Singh alias Rana and Sandeep Singh and recovered 41 kilograms of heroin and four mobile phones from their possession, in Mehmed Mandara Wala village in Amritsar district. The heroin was found concealed under the brick floor of a cattle shed.
23-Aug-2023
On August 23, the families of two Indians, Ratanpal Singh and Harvinder Singh, who were arrested by Pakistan Rangers for allegedly trying to smuggle narcotics into Pakistan, denied their involvement in the drug trade. The families claimed that the youths were swept away towards the Pakistan side during floods on July 27, 2023, while trying to help a relative. They believe the allegations are false. The families have sought assistance from various authorities to safely bring back their sons.
23-Aug-2023
Police on August 23 arrested two persons, identified as Lovepreet Singh alias Sonu and Akashdeep Singh and recovered 1.290 kilograms of heroin along with INR 30 lakh drug money, one .32 bore pistol with two magazines and 8 bullets from their possession near Bhuse village in Tarn Taran district.
23-Aug-2023
Punjab Police, along with the Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation on August 23, recovered a broken drone and 3.5 kilograms of heroin from the outskirts of Hazara Singh Wala village in Ferozepur district.
23-Aug-2023
The Gujarat Police on August 23 took custody of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently jailed in Bathinda, Punjab. The Gujarat Police took his custody to investigate his potential involvement in a drug smuggling case that involved the seizure of 34 kilograms of heroin, worth around INR 200 crore, from a Pakistani fishing boat off the Gujarat coast in September 2022. Bishnoi is suspected of orchestrating the cross-border drug smuggling operation.
22-Aug-2023
Punjab Police, on August 22, in partnership with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Central Board of Direct Taxation (CBDT), organized a one-day workshop at Amity University in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The workshop aimed to sensitize participants to FATF provisions and Income Tax regulations concerning charitable institutions, ensuring protection from misuse by terrorist organizations for funding terror activities.
22-Aug-2023
A joint team of Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, on August 22 recovered 450 grams of heroin in a bottle from a farming field near Roranwala village in Amritsar district of Punjab. The BSF troops detected a buzzing sound from a suspected drone entering Indian territory on August 21 night in the same area, and a subsequent search of the area on August 22 morning led to the recovery.
22-Aug-2023
Heavy police force was deployed on August 22 in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district in Punjab, in anticipation of a farmers' protest rally in Chandigarh seeking compensation for flood-related crop losses.
22-Aug-2023
On August 22, a police officer named Bhushan Kumar from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, issued an apology after a video of him calling the deceased Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala a 'terrorist' went viral on social media. Kumar stated that he didn't know much about Moose Wala and that his comments were a result of a 'slip of the tongue.' He expressed remorse, apologized to Moose Wala’s parents, and pledged support for their pursuit of justice
21-Aug-2023
A Delhi court on August 21 adjourned the case related to the Pul Bangash killings during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, in which Senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler is an accused. The next hearing is scheduled for August 29, following a request from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for more time to respond to Tytler's application for certain documents.
21-Aug-2023
In a joint operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police on August 21 arrested two Pakistani smugglers and recovered 29.26 kilograms of heroin from their possession near Gatti Matar village in Mamdot Tehsil in Ferozepur district. The smugglers were apprehended after troops challenged them and fired upon them, with one of them sustaining a hand injury.
21-Aug-2023
According to Narinder Bhargav, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the border range in Amritsar, the Punjab Police has commenced the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) for all cases involving the movement of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones along the Pakistan border. These drones are increasingly being employed to smuggle arms, ammunition, explosives, and drugs from across the border. Previously, only cases resulting in recoveries were registered during joint operations with the Border Security Force (BSF). This change facilitates investigations into drone activities and focuses on disrupting the supply links between Indian and Pakistani smugglers.
21-Aug-2023
According to reports, amid flooding along the Sutlej River in Ferozepur district in Punjab, cross-border smugglers are taking advantage of the situation to push contraband, arms, and ammunition into Indian territory. The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing has seized over 132 kg of heroin in the past month, with smugglers leveraging their diving skills during floods to facilitate smuggling operations along the river, which crosses into Pakistan multiple times before draining into the neighbouring country.
21-Aug-2023
The Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), on August 21 arrested a key operative of the Bambiha gang, identified as Simranjit Singh alias Simmi and recovered a pistol along with four live cartridges from his possession, near Dara Studio in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. He was en route to deliver a consignment of weapons when he was arrested.
21-Aug-2023
According to sources, Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi allegedly tasked his brother, Anmol Bishnoi, to carry out the contract to kill Bollywood actor Salman Khan, after earlier attempts by other gang members failed. Lawrence's gang has reportedly shifted to using Germany-made PS 30 pistols instead of Turkish-made Zigana ones and is obtaining these weapons through foreign associates, including Ranjit Dupla in the United States (US). The gang has expanded its network in southern states, with support from individuals like Kala Jathedi, Naresh Sethi, and others. Anmol Bishnoi has recruited new members, including Akshay Bishnoi, and is believed to be responsible for extortion and shootings, with ties to a London-based criminal.
21-Aug-2023
According to sources, Vikas Singh, a former gangster turned politician from Ayodhya, played a significant role in providing shelter to members of Lawrence Bishnoi's criminal syndicate, including Sachin Bishnoi, the key accused in the murder of rapper Siddhu Moose Wala. The gang stayed at Singh's farmhouse in Devgarh Village, Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh (UP).
21-Aug-2023
According to reports, hybrid warfare - a blend of conventional tactics, cyber warfare, irregular forces, and disinformation campaigns - has emerged as a new menace in the modern era of global connectivity. The Indian state of Punjab has become a battleground for such strategies, exemplified by the Twitter account @NationGazette. This account poses as a proxy for the Khalistan movement, spreading disinformation, impersonating individuals, and aiming to destabilize India by undermining its unity and integrity through a network of deception and influence. Vigilance against such divisive agendas is crucial in this digital age to safeguard the truth and counter hybrid warfare tactics.
20-Aug-2023
Various Sikh organizations, on August 20, held a prayer meeting urging the Indian government to waive the passport requirement for travel to Pakistan through the Kartarpur corridor. They proposed issuing special passes instead to facilitate pilgrims, particularly those without passports. The groups also called for efforts to prevent drug smuggling across the border and advocated for free trade between Indian and Pakistani Punjabis.
20-Aug-2023
A group of politicians in Punjab has advocated for the legalization of opium sales as an alternative for drug users, following a series of suspected drug overdose deaths. Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sikander Singh Maluka and former Patiala Member of Parliament (MP), Dharamvira Gandhi, support this idea, believing that legalizing opium sales could undermine the drug mafia and provide users with a safer option. They highlight that opium has a historical presence in Punjab without causing fatalities. Their argument is that legalizing opium could generate revenue, reduce harmful drug use, and disrupt criminal networks. However, there are concerns about the potential impact and feasibility of such a move.
20-Aug-2023
Security has been heightened along the Punjab-Kathua district border in response to an alert from Punjab Police about a planned operation against drug peddlers near the border. The Kathua police have intensified naka checking and increased vigilance by deploying police teams in various locations along the border. The specific details of the operation and the reasons for the heightened security measures have not been publicly disclosed.
19-Aug-2023
The self-proclaimed head of Damdami Taksal, identified as Barjinder Singh Parwana, has been accused of targeting Hindu shop owners in Rajpura in Patiala district. He is also alleged to have been involved in the attack on a Kali Mata Temple in Patiala and to have caused the arrest of two Hindus for selling 'Gutka Sahib' alongside other books. Parwana has a history of promoting enmity and is associated with Sikh radicalism, having participated in protests and delivered provocative speeches on social media.
19-Aug-2023
The banned Khalistani terror outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), in a video released on August 19, declared that they have reached out to Chinese President Xi Jinping via a letter, advocating for the annexation of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh and seeking support for a Khalistan Referendum for an independent Sikh nation. In the letter, SFJ draws parallels between Punjab's occupation by India as perceived by SFJ and Arunachal Pradesh's territorial dispute with China. The letter suggests that China should pursue a secessionist referendum for Arunachal Pradesh.
19-Aug-2023
The Punjab Police on August 19 carried out a special operation named 'OPS Seal-III' in collaboration with the police forces of neighboring states, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. This operation resulted in the arrest of 49 individuals, the issuance of fines (challans) to 329 vehicles, the impoundment of 25 vehicles, and the seizure of INR 45 lakh in cash, 30 kilograms of poppy husk, 374 grams of heroin, 500 grams of charas, and 263 liters of illicit liquor. The operation involved 1,500 personnel and covered 10 inter-state border districts of Punjab- Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Ropar, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (SAS) Nagar, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Hoshiarpur and Bathinda.
19-Aug-2023
A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court on August 19 convicted a man, named Navdeep Singh for money laundering charges related to drug smuggling in Jalandhar, Jalandhar district. Singh has been sentenced to 3.5 years of imprisonment and fined INR 50,000. If the fine is not paid, he will face an additional three months of imprisonment. The court has allowed the confiscation of assets worth INR 9 lakh that were earlier seized by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This case stems from a 2017 Punjab Police FIR related to drug smuggling.
18-Aug-2023
Investigating agencies on August 18 revealed that Sachin Bishnoi alias Sachin Thappan, who was extradited from Azerbaijan in connection with the Sidhu Moosewala murder case, was staying with gang members at a farmhouse, in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh (UP), before the murder took place. He, along with other Bishnoi gang shooters, had been practicing firing at the farmhouse, which belongs to a man identified as Vikas Singh. Sachin Bishnoi is wanted in five criminal cases, including violations of the Arms Act, murder, and attempted murder, all of which are related to the Lawrence Bishnoi crime group.
18-Aug-2023
Punjab’s Special Director General of Police (Law and Order), Arpit Shukla, along with Inspector General (IG) of Frontier Headquarters, Border Security Force (BSF) Jalandhar, Dr Atul Fulzele, on August 18, held a meeting with BSF officials to strategize against the drug supply chain. This initiative follows Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's pledge to make Punjab drug-free by the next Independence Day. Proposed measures include enhancing CCTV coverage along the International Border, upgrading police facilities in border areas, and seizing properties of smugglers. The Chief Minister has sanctioned INR 20 crore for CCTV installation and the strengthening of police infrastructure.
18-Aug-2023
In a video shared on August 18, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), labelled Canada-based Punjabi singer AP Dhillon as a Khalistan supporter. AP Dhillon recently faced controversy as pro-Khalistan groups claimed he supported their agenda due to his choice of Tricolour-themed footwear, sparking a debate on social media. Intelligence agencies are investigating whether this is a smear attempt against the singer or if there is any truth to the claim made by Pannun.
18-Aug-2023
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, on August 18, was declared ‘Tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) by Akal Takht's 'parallel' Jathedar, Dhian Singh Mand, at Akal Takht in Amritsar. This declaration follows Mann's alleged interference in Sikh matters and his introduction of an amendment Bill in the Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925. Despite being given opportunities to clarify his stance, Mann did not appear in person before Akal Takht.
18-Aug-2023
Punjab's Special Director General of Police (Law and Order), Arpit Shukla, on August 18, instructed police commissioners and district police chiefs to identify and seize properties of major narco-smugglers arrested along with significant drug quantities. This year, the Punjab Police have already seized and forfeited 30 properties valued at INR 12.99 crores. Shukla also highlighted the collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF) to disrupt the drug supply chain and counter-drone operations used for drug smuggling across the border. The aim is to make Punjab drug-free, as stated by Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann.
18-Aug-2023
The investigation into the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, who was shot dead on May 29, 2022, has revealed that the plot was hatched in Uttar Pradesh (UP) by the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Some photographs show gang members, including Sachin Bishnoi, who is accused in the murder case, in various locations in Ayodhya and Lucknow in UP prior to the assassination. These images also depict the presence of internationally-sourced weapons believed to have been used in the attack. Delhi Police are planning to collaborate with UP authorities to conduct a further investigation into the case.