KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
31-Mar-2023
Indian students studying abroad are reportedly being targeted by Khalistan supporters in response to the nationwide crackdown on Waris Punjab De (WPD) leader Amritpal Singh and his associates.
31-Mar-2023
Giani Harpreet Singh, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, has criticized the Khalistani elements that were targeting the children of Punjab's Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann in response to the police's actions against Amritpal Singh.
30-Mar-2023
The chief of the banned pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, through a pre-recorded phone call, issued a new threat to families with political affiliations and Indian students studying overseas. Pannun warned that their family members studying in the US, Canada, and Europe were at risk and that the SFJ would target them by filing cases against them. He stated that they would be unable to escape, as the group believes that atrocities are being committed against pro-Khalistani families. Pannun claimed that his group had already dismantled Congress and Badals and would now focus on AAP (Aam Aadmi Party), and that they would locate and take legal action against family members abroad, ultimately sending them back to their loved ones.
30-Mar-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 30 confiscated INR 7.80 lakh in cash and a vehicle, which were found to be ‘proceeds of terrorism’, in connection with a case involving the recovery of arms and explosives that were smuggled from Pakistan by the banned terror organization Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in Haryana in May 2022. The NIA stated that the cash and vehicle were seized under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. On May 5, 2022, police recovered arms and ammunition and arrested four terror operatives in this connection.
30-Mar-2023
Anti-Terrorist Front (ATF) president Viresh Shandilya on March 30 burnt a Khalistan flag at Bhagat Singh Chowk in Rohtak district of Haryana. He called Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh “a sleeper cell of Pakistan” and demanded capital punishment for him.
30-Mar-2023
Punjab police recovered a toy drone from the outskirts of Amritpal Singh’s village in Amritsar district on March 30.
30-Mar-2023
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on March 30 stated that the state police were ready to handle any potential situation, including the reported possibility of pro-Khalistani activist Amritpal Singh surrendering at Akal Takht in Amritsar. Punjab CM replied that the police would not engage in torture and would operate within legal boundaries, when asked if Amritpal Singh had set any conditions for his surrender. Meanwhile, the police have deployed drones in a village in Hoshiarpur district, where suspects had left behind their vehicle after a police chase two days prior.
30-Mar-2023
The fugitive leader of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh released an audio message and stated that he is willing to endure any resistance and is not afraid of going to jail or being in police custody. He also mentioned that his health has been deteriorating due to his inability to access food, but he remains resolute. The audio was originally traced back to a Twitter account @theNSYF which is now withheld in India.
30-Mar-2023
Gurcharan Singh Garewal, the general secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), on March 30 acknowledged that Amritpal Singh had expressed a genuine desire for the Jathedar of Akal Takht to convene a Sarbat Khalsa (a meeting of the entire Sikh community). However, Garewal emphasized that it is solely the Jathedar's decision, after consultation with all Sikh organizations, to call for a Sarbat Khalsa.
30-Mar-2023
Ajit Doval, the National Security Adviser (NSA) of India, spoke with Tim Barrow, the NSA of the United Kingdom (UK), on March 30 regarding the increased pro-Khalistan activity in the UK. Barrow was en route to Kerala to participate in the G20 Sherpas’ meeting at the time of the conversation.
30-Mar-2023
The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police on March 30 booked Varinder Singh alias Fauji, suspected to be the bodyguard of the fugitive Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh, under the Arms Act in connection with a gun licence issued to him in Kishtwar district of J&K. The district administration has revoked Varinder Singh's license and will investigate how he, a former army jawan who was dismissed in 2015, obtained the license in 2014 and renewed it in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Varinder Singh was apprehended by the Punjab Police last week, charged with the National Security Act, and is being held in a prison in distant Assam.
29-Mar-2023
The Quami Insaaf Morcha, which is leading a protest for the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their jail terms in terror-related cases, on March 29 announced that they would organize a march on April 1 and also resume sending 31-member jatha (delegation) to Mohali-Chandigarh border.
29-Mar-2023
As per the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Pakistan’s Balochistan-based Poshani sea shore was used to send a foreign boat “AL Soheli”, which was intercepted on December 28, 2022, for delivering a consignment of arms and drugs in India to fund terrorist gangs of Punjab and north India.
29-Mar-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) seized two metal containers carrying about 880 gm of heroin near the International Border (IB) in Amritsar sector in Amritsar district on March 29.
29-Mar-2023
Officials of State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) seized a drone lying abandoned in fields at the Kanwawali border village in Fazilka district on March 29. No narcotics or arms were seized from the area.
29-Mar-2023
The Bhagwant Mann government on March 29 released 348 out of 360 detainees who were detained as part of a crackdown against Waris Punjab De (WPD) leader Amritpal Singh, in an attempt to reach out to Akal Takht. Jaspal Singh, the personal assistant to the Akal Takht Jathedar, stated that a government representative contacted them to inform about the detainees' release. He also claimed that the concerned official promised to release the remaining 12 individuals who were taken into preventive custody under section 107/151 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) soon.
29-Mar-2023
Bathinda police on March 29 arrested two members of the Davinder Bambiha gang, identified as Inderjit Singh alias Baagh and Gurpreet Singh alias Babba and recovered three .32-bore country-made pistols, two .30-bore country-made pistols and 20 cartridges from their possession from Bibi Wala Chowk in Bathinda District.
29-Mar-2023
Police booked three drug peddlers allegedly involved in the smuggling of 2.6-kg heroin found near Muhawa village in the Rajatal area in Amritsar district. According to Police, they have arrested one of the accused, Sewa Singh and raids are being carried out to nab the remaining two associates. Earlier, Border Security Force (BSF) on March 27 recovered 2.6-kg heroin wrapped in yellow adhesive tape and a torch from the bag from Rajatal border outpost area.
29-Mar-2023
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on March 29 demanded that the Punjab Chief Minister (CM) apologize to the Sikh community for insulting the Akal Takht. Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, a senior leader of the SAD, also urged the CM to seek forgiveness from the supreme temporal seat for lodging a complaint to remove a tweet from the Akal Takht Jathedar's social media account.
29-Mar-2023
In the midst of a police crackdown on Amritpal Singh and his organization Waris Punjab De (WPD), the Khalistan sympathizer appeared in a video on March 29, calling for a 'Sarbat Khalsa' (a congregation of the faithful) on Baisakhi to address concerns related to the Sikh community. Singh also mentioned that he was in high spirits (Chardhi Kala). In the undated video, Amritpal Singh stated that if the Punjab government's intention was solely to apprehend him, they could have come to his residence, and he would have surrendered himself. He claimed the police action against him was an "attack" on the Sikh community. "As far as my arrest is concerned, it is in the hands of God," he said in Punjabi.
29-Mar-2023
Meanwhile, some reports have also suggested Amritpal might surrender as the security in Amritsar and Talwandi Sabo area in Bathinda has been tightened.
29-Mar-2023
In the midst of speculations that pro-Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh might surrender before Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, a significant police presence was deployed around the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar on March 29.
29-Mar-2023
The Khanna police in Ludhiana district brought two accomplices of pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh, identified as Harminder Singh and Gurbhej Singh on a production warrant on March 29. The accused were lodged in different jails of Punjab after being arrested in the Ajnala violence case.
29-Mar-2023
Punjab government on March 29 transferred the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Jalandhar (rural) along with other senior police officers in the district in the aftermath of the crackdown against Amritpal Singh.
28-Mar-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on March 28 seized 2-kg heroin in Hardo Rattan village, 3-kg heroin in Bachiwind and 2.6kg heroin in Muhawa village in Amritsar district.
28-Mar-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) on March 28 seized 2 kg heroin in Natha Singh Wala village of Fazilka district.
28-Mar-2023
In a statement to the Lok Sabha (the lower house of parliament) on March 28, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nisith Pramanik, disclosed that security agencies had detected 28 instances of drone recoveries involved in the smuggling of arms and narcotics along the Pakistan border in Punjab over the last three years, until February 28, 2023. These drones were apprehended while attempting to smuggle over 125kg of heroin, 100 grams of opium, seven pistols/revolvers, one 9mm pistol, 14 magazines, 132 rounds of ammunition, six detonators, and 4.75 kg of other explosives from across the Pakistan border.
28-Mar-2023
Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on March 28 alleged that Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh was playing into the hands of the “Badals-controlled” Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) over the crackdown on Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh.
28-Mar-2023
Police recovered around 100 kg of poppy husk from a car during checking at the Gumjal barrier in Abohar in Fazilka district on March 28.
28-Mar-2023
Police on March 28 arrested one person, identified as Jitender and seized 300 kg poppy husk from his car near Dhaba Jhalar village on NH-62 in Abohar in Fazilka district.
28-Mar-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on March 28 night fired 55 rounds at a drone that entered Indian territory from the Pakistan side in the Srikaranpur area of Abohar in Fazilka district, ultimately forcing it to retreat.
28-Mar-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on March 28 recovered two packets containing 2 kg heroin, a Chinese-made pistol, a magazine and eight bullets from border fence near Natha Singh Wala village in Fazilka district. According to BSF, troops fired at the miscreant, but he managed to flee.
28-Mar-2023
Punjab police on March 28 informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) that they were making progress in the apprehension of Waris Punjab De (WPD) leader Amritpal Singh. However, the petitioner's counsel in the habeas corpus plea, seeking his production, alleged that Amritpal was being held in "illegal detention" at the Shahkot police station in Jalandhar.
28-Mar-2023
The general house of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on March 28 appealed to community members to ensure they give their children the second names of Singh and Kaur, saying that not doing so was against the maryada (religious code of conduct).
27-Mar-2023
On March 27, the Border Security Force (BSF) troops stationed along the border in the Rajatal Border Outpost area of Amritsar sector detected a drone intrusion and took action by firing at it. Later, a drone and a bag containing a packet containing 2 kg of heroin and a torch were recovered approximately 700 meters away from the International Border and 350 meters from the border fence.
27-Mar-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on March 27 detected the intrusion of another drone near the Attari joint check post. The troops fired at the drone and later found a packet believed to contain 2 kg of heroin at Hardo Rattan village in Amritsar district during a subsequent search in the area.
27-Mar-2023
During the night of March 27-28, a drone intrusion was detected by Border Security Force (BSF) troops in the Ramtirath area of the Amritsar sector. A subsequent search operation resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of three packets containing 3.22 kg of heroin near Bachiwind village in Amritsar district.
27-Mar-2023
The Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on March 27 served a 24-hour ultimatum on the state government for the release of the detainees.
27-Mar-2023
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on March 27 criticized the deployment of a substantial number of paramilitary forces in Punjab for the ongoing operation against pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh and his supporters. The SAD questioned the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's decision, suggesting that the government was exaggerating the separatism issue to conceal its failures.
26-Mar-2023
Some media personnel and government officials on March 26 received pre-recorded threatening calls of the chief of banned pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in Uttarakhand. In the audio message, Pannun threatened to raise Khalistani flags during G-20 summit at Nainital’s Ramnagar and warned Uttarakhand Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami against taking action against Sikhs in the state. Pannun said, “G-20 delegates….Ramnagar is not India. Ramnagar is Khalistan. Sikhs for Justice is going to raise Khalistani flags during G-20 summit at Ramnagar, at airports and at railway stations to show and internationalise that Ramnagar will be part of Khalistan once we liberate Punjab from Indian occupation through Khalistan Referendum. And if chief minister Dhami tried to file cases against Sikhs in Uttarakhand, you will be held accountable for each crime you are committing. Message is from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJ general counsel.”
26-Mar-2023
According to the Sikh coordination panel, which is headed by ex-militant leader Daljit Singh Bittu, the Jathedar is holding a meeting to address the state forces' excesses, but simultaneously requesting protection from these same forces.
26-Mar-2023
The Dal Khalsa wrote a letter to the Jathedar with its president Harpal Singh Cheema saying, “Our complaint is that you have shown laxity in fulfilling responsibility twice in the matter of the recent incidents. As the time passes, such decisions become a mere formality and bear no impact.”
26-Mar-2023
The Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the Punjab police have set free 197 individuals out of the 353 who were arrested under preventive sections of the law on account of apprehension of breach of peace and disturbance in law and order since March 18. The DGP mentioned that apart from 353 persons, 40 persons had been arrested under substantive criminal offences and seven had been detained under the National Security Act. He also said that directions had been issued to all SSPs and Commissioners of Police to ensure that no innocent person was harassed or arrested.
26-Mar-2023
Punjab Police on March 26 arrested two wanted criminals and recovered 4 kgs heroin, 2 pistols, 18 live cartridges, INR 2.6 lakh drug money, and a car from them in Tarn Taran district.
26-Mar-2023
Balkaur Singh, the father of the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, claimed on March 26 that he had received an email threatening his life. He alleged that "I've received threats on email from Rajasthan saying that I'll be killed soon, so don't take Lawrence Bishnoi's name". The police have registered a case against unidentified individuals who made threats against Singh. Earlier also, Balkaur Singh alleged that he was threatened and said that he would be killed before April 25.
26-Mar-2023
The Udham Singh Nagar police in Uttarakhand on March 26 announced that they have identified around 150 followers of the Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh on social media. Police sources said, "Our social media vigilance team has compiled a list of Singh's district-specific followers on social media and is counselling and challaning them. 150 people have been recognized thus far." Meanwhile, Uttarakhand police have increased vigil on the Nepal and Uttar Pradesh (UP) borders after a lookout notice was issued by the Punjab police against Amritpal Singh and his aides.
26-Mar-2023
India on March 26 summoned Canadian High Commissioner Cameron MacKay to express its strong protest against the activities of the Khalistan supporters in Canada and also asked for an explanation for breaching the security of the Indian diplomatic mission and consulates last week.
26-Mar-2023
According to reports, Police officials and investigative agencies are at odds over the whereabouts of fugitive Waris Punjab De (WPD) leader Amritpal Singh, even after CCTV footage allegedly showed him wandering in Patiala in Punjab. One faction claims that he is still in Punjab, while another suggests that he has escaped into a district of Uttar Pradesh (UP) that shares porous border with Nepal. They argued that the blurry image of Amritpal was not conclusive evidence but a tactic to mislead the police who were pursuing him.
25-Mar-2023
The Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) following an anonymous warning that the Indian flag may be replaced with a Khalistan banner at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, the venue for the upcoming high-profile G20 meeting in September. According to police sources, an investigation was initiated after an individual received an audio recording from an unknown number two days ago, which referred to the police crackdown against the radical preacher Amritpal Singh in Punjab.
25-Mar-2023
As per reports from intelligence agencies, Amritpal Singh, the absconding pro-Khalistan preacher and leader of the Waris Punjab De (WPD), allegedly kept his wife captive and subjected her to frequent physical abuse, while also maintaining relationships with multiple other women. The central intelligence agencies further disclosed that Amritpal was leading an extravagant lifestyle in Dubai that was not in line with the tenets of Sikhism, and he was not even an Amritdhari Sikh.