KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
02-Mar-2023
The police in Delhi and Punjab were warned by intelligence agencies that pro-Khalistan elements may attempt to disturb communal harmony by attacking Amritpal Singh and would try to inflame sentiments in the aftermath. The agencies have also alerted about the terrorist outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), threatening to storm the IGI Airport building in Delhi with Khalistani flags and unfurl one on top ahead of the G20 summit. Also, intelligence agencies have asked that the police to keep a close check on the funds that the Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal is receiving. Security agencies also suspect that Amritpal Singh is receiving financing aid from Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) to be promoted as Bhindranwale 2.0 on social media.
02-Mar-2023
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on March 2 criticized the central government for "taking a U-turn" on Balwant Singh Rajoana's release in the Supreme Court. He also stated that this had hurt the Sikh community's sentiments. He also stated that it was shocking that the central government had turned down its commitment to release nine Sikh prisoners on the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak in 2019.
02-Mar-2023
Police searched some houses of suspected drug peddlers and addicts in Panjpir Colony, Jammu Basti, Dharam Nagari and Seetogunno Road in Abohar in Fazilka district on March 2. However, most of the suspects were not available in their houses during the search. According to reports, Abohar has emerged as a gateway for drug smuggling from the neighbouring state of Rajasthan. Many truck drivers have also been arrested while carrying drugs in the past. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Avneet Kaur Sidhu, who conducted the search, said, “The aim is to eliminate drug trafficking and protect the people.”
02-Mar-2023
Faridkot police on March 2 arrested five alleged drug dealers in Surghuri village of Faridkot district. According to an official, three of the five peddlers were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, while the other two were under investigation.
02-Mar-2023
According to reports, senior police officials from northern states and Union Territories, on March 2, decided to create a special working group so that local law enforcement officials could frequently exchange information and coordinate their efforts to combat the drug problem. In a meeting organized by the Chandigarh Police on March 2, the officials held a thorough discussion on the drug problem and its sources, the substances, the routes, etc., and strategies to combat it.
02-Mar-2023
‘Waris Punjab De’ head Amritpal Singh, in an interview on March 2, said that, "(Our) Ultimate goal is Khalistan. Khalistan is our destination, the struggle for it is our path ahead. Khalistan is the ultimate solution to every problem we have right now.” Speaking out against his allegation of being labeled an ‘ISI agent, he said, "The propaganda to brand anyone who discusses the Panth or Punjab as an Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agent is not new". “Someone who recognizes the issue and attempts to solve it is subjected to this type of blame game when others who should be repairing the societal system fail to do so. I am Sikhi's servant”, he stated.
01-Mar-2023
The foreign secretary of the United Kingdom (UK), James Cleverly on March 1 assured that violent attacks on Indian residents will be closely monitored by UK police and security services, and that appropriate measures will be taken to stop such illegal activity. While addressing the G-20 summit in New Delhi, Cleverly said that "We take the security of people very seriously. Our police and security services always pay close regard to such activities and if it is an illegal activity, we act upon it."
01-Mar-2023
The pro-Khalistani propagator and self-proclaimed leader of ‘Waris Punjab De’ Amritpal Singh on March 1 stated that he will go before the Akal Takht over the issue of carrying the saroop (copy) of Guru Granth Sahib to Ajnala Police Station during the protest on February 23. He also said that there were historical examples and references to back up his claim that their actions at Ajnala as it did not violate the maryada. “If Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar summons us and asks us to clarify the issue, we will surely appear there. We will have no hesitation in doing so. We will go there to present our side,” he said.
01-Mar-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 1 filed a supplementary chargesheet against three operatives of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in a case of seizure of weapons, ammunition, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Haryana in 2022. According to an NIA spokesperson, charges were brought against the accused Akash alias Akashdeep, Sukhbir Singh alias Jashan, and Jarmalpreet before a special court in Panchkula under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act, and the Explosives Substances Act.
01-Mar-2023
According to sources, the Indian army and intelligence agencies conducted tests on recently installed indigenous anti-drone spoofers and jammer systems in Jammu and Punjab bordering areas of Pakistan and it has produced satisfactory results against weapons, explosives, and drug-carrying drones launched by Pakistan terror groups. The army purchased 30 jammer and spoofer devices, each for the Jammu and Punjab sectors, and placed them along the western border for testing. The devices have been working efficiently for more than three months and stopped drones from crossing into Indian border.
01-Mar-2023
Police arrested two Jalandhar-based drug smugglers along with 100 kg of poppy husk and 600g of heroin at a checkpoint in Sujanpur, close to Pathankot in Pathankot district on February 28. They were identified as Taranjit Singh and Kishan Lal, who smuggle drugs to Punjab from J&K. During this search operation, a Station House Officer (SHO) got injured.
01-Mar-2023
Former diplomat KC Singh on February 28 said that the self-proclaimed Khalistani separatist Amritpal Singh should surrender his passport since he doesn't consider himself as an Indian citizen. KC Singh, chief of the Sunehra Punjab Party, also said that Amritpal should get his identification from United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as a stateless person because “Khalistan exists only in his head.”
28-Feb-2023
According to reports, in the wake of Anjala violence, Punjab police have stepped up their efforts by training their personnel in Gatka, a form of Sikh martial art. Keeping in mind the situation of law and order in the state, the Punjab police began training about two weeks ago.
28-Feb-2023
On February 28, Waris Punjab De head Amritpal Singh visited to honour the death anniversaries of two militants. One was observed at Manochahal village in Tarn Taran district for Bhindranwala Tiger Force (BTF) chief Gurbachan Singh Manochahal, while another was observed in Chabba village in Amritsar district for Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) Sukhdev Singh Chabba. During both gatherings, Amritpal Singh was offered 'siropas' (robe of honour) by the organizers. When addressing the public, Amritpal defended his recent act of carrying the Guru Granth Sahib to Ajnala. "Only Guru Granth Sahib can guide us from darkness to light," he said.
28-Feb-2023
Punjab government on February 28 transferred 18 police personnel, including the Amritsar Commissioner of Police, with immediate effect. According to sources, sixteen of the 18 police personnel are Indian Police Service (IPS) officers and two are Punjab Police Service officers who got the transfer. They were transferred days after the Ajnala police station incident.
27-Feb-2023
On February 27, the Border Security Force (BSF) recovered five packets of heroin, weighing 2.6kg, that had been smuggled from Pakistan, near Mehndipur village in the Bhikhiwind subdistrict of Tarn Taran district.
27-Feb-2023
According to sources, intelligence agencies found that pro-Khalistan entities (PKEs) held several gatherings over the previous two years to campaign for Khalistan among young people in Punjab and other parts of the country. Amritpal Singh, a Khalistani separatist, is alleged to have spoken with several pro-Khalistan entities (PKEs) while residing in Dubai before moving back to India last year. According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is looking into Khalistani entities with ties to Dubai in various terror finance cases. But intel agencies have not yet been able to gather any information on Amritpal.
27-Feb-2023
Mohkam Singh, who was a close associate of Khalistani leader Bhindranwale, on February 27 said that carrying the Guru Granth Sahib to the Anjala protest site was inappropriate and that Sikhs had "condemned" Amritpal for doing so. He also said that "Amritpal is yet to prove his credentials".
27-Feb-2023
The chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in a video posted on social media on February 27 threatened to “storm and target” New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport with Khalistan flags during the upcoming G20 Foreign Ministers Summit in New Delhi. The video also shows slogans written "Punjab is Not India" and "Khalistan Zindabad" by the outlawed pro-Khalistan group at the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Office Complex of Rode village in Moga district of Punjab. Pannun in the video further said that the graffiti is aimed to communicate to the foreign ministers of G20 countries that “Punjab is not a part of India”. “This message is for the G20 foreign ministers. Punjab is not India. SFJ will storm and target the New Delhi Airport with Khalistan flags,” he said.
27-Feb-2023
On February 27, seven prison inmates were booked after two jailed gangsters were killed in a gang fight at Goindwal Sahib Central Jail in Tarn Taran district. During the clash, they used iron strips in which another accused was injured, who was also arrested in connection with the Sidhu Moosewala murder case. These accused have been charged under sections 302 (murder) and 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
27-Feb-2023
According to reports, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation has revealed that the gangsters are using Punjabi singers as a means of terrorism financing. Sources indicate, that gangsters imprisoned in Canada, Punjab, and even inside prisons are allegedly threatening to release exclusive songs on YouTube channels run by their associates so as to use the money from India to buy illegal weapons from other countries for targeted killings. This has been disclosed in the draft charge sheet of NIA.
26-Feb-2023
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann stated on February 26 that supporters of Khalistan were receiving funds from Pakistan and other countries. CM, who was in Gujarat, stated that the Punjab Police were capable of handling the issue and only a handful of persons were supporting the pro-Khalistan movement in Punjab.
26-Feb-2023
Two gangsters, who were arrested in connection with Sidhu Moosewala murder case, identified as Mandeep Singh alias Toofan and Mohan Singh alias Manmohan were killed in a clash in Goindwal jail in Tarn Taran district on February 26. Another jail inmate identified as Keshav was critically injured in the clash. Toofan was arrested by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) in September 2022. He was also wanted in the killing of another notorious gangster Ranbir Singh alias Rana Kandowalia in a hospital in Amritsar in August 2021.
26-Feb-2023
Punjab's former Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh on February 26 criticized Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann for failing to keep Punjab’s law and order. He said that the Government of India "would have to step in" if the Mann government is unable to keep the peace.
26-Feb-2023
According to official sources, the Punjab Police was asked by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) to submit a comprehensive report on the Ajnala event. The Ministry is in contact with security agencies over the activities of Amritpal Singh, the leader of "Waris Punjab De," who has returned from Dubai. A thorough report on the Ajnala incidents in Punjab over the past two to three days has been prepared by the Intelligence Bureau (IB). According to sources, it was communicated to the UMHA's top officials.
26-Feb-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) shot down a drone, identified as Chinese made DJI Matrice, along the Indian territory near Shahjada village of Amritsar district on February 26.
26-Feb-2023
The police arrested two persons, identified as Karan and Preet Kamal for allegedly possessing heroin and recovered 15 gm and 20 gm of heroin from each of them in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
26-Feb-2023
The Central government on February 26 suspended the Instagram profile of the Waris Punjab De head, Khalistani sympathizer Amritpal Singh. Notably, Amritpal’s account was a verified account with Blue Tick and used for running his pro-Khalistani agenda.
25-Feb-2023
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh on February 25 condemned supporters of Khalistan sympathiser and Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh's aide, Lovepreet, aka Toofan Singh, for using the Sikh holy book as a "shield" during their recent protest at Ajnala police station. CM tweeted in Punjabi, “Those who take the Guru Granth Sahib to police stations as a shield cannot be called ‘waris (the heirs)’ of Punjab and Punjabiyat in any way,".
25-Feb-2023
Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), criticized Amritpal and his supporters for allegedly committing sacrilege at Ajnala. He pointed out, "This is shocking, unbelievable and unforgivable. Never in Sikh history has anyone ever shown such brazen disrespect to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji as was done at Ajnala". Also, Giani Harpreet Singh, the jathedar of the Akal Takht, constituted a subcommittee on February 25 to examine the dos and don'ts of where the Sikh holy book can be carried in order to preserve its status and honour. According to Sarbat Khalsa's Dhian Singh Mand, the Guru Granth Sahib should not have been taken for personal purposes.
25-Feb-2023
Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), criticized Amritpal and his supporters for allegedly committing sacrilege at Ajnala. He pointed out, "This is shocking, unbelievable and unforgivable. Never in Sikh history has anyone ever shown such brazen disrespect to the Guru Granth Sahib Ji as was done at Ajnala". Also, Giani Harpreet Singh, the jathedar of the Akal Takht, constituted a subcommittee on February 25 to examine the dos and don'ts of where the Sikh holy book can be carried in order to preserve its status and honour. According to Sarbat Khalsa's Dhian Singh Mand, the Guru Granth Sahib should not have been taken for personal purposes.
25-Feb-2023
Amritpal Singh, while addressing the media in Ajnala on February 25 claimed that the Ajnala incident was not violent. He said, "You are counting sloganeering and hoisting the flags (Khalistani), as violence... you have not seen the real violence till now, the real violence is yet to be seen," He also stated that, violence was 'sacred'. "Suppressed people choose violence. People say violence is very bad, but violence is very sacred. Guru Gobind Singh Ji said, when you have no choice, then holding a sword is right," he said.
25-Feb-2023
Amritpal Singh on February 25 said that the Anjala violent incident and subsequent release of Lovepreet Singh will "change the course of the future". He further said that the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) could not claim ignorance of the situation. It wasn't that he was unaware of the situation. He also stated that Punjab Police acted hastily based on incorrect intelligence reports.The incident at Ajnala police station in Amritsar on February 23 could have been prevented if police had been more vigilant and his aide Lovepreet Singh Toofan had not been arrested, he said.
24-Feb-2023
On February 24, in an interview with India Today, Amritpal Singh, who is the head of 'Waris Punjab De', said, "There is no revival but survival. Khalistan is not a taboo and the demand is being made to end suffering. I won’t even call myself a preacher." He said, “Once we will make Khalistan here, we will go to Lahore". He had previously threatened the police to face serious consequences, if the case against his aide was not closed. Based on a complaint filed by Varinder Singh, Amritpal Singh and his five aides were charged with kidnapping, theft, rioting, and other offenses.
24-Feb-2023
The Senior Superintendent of Punjab Police (SSP) Harpal Singh Randhawa stated that, "What happened on February 23 should not have happened. Because Amritpal (Singh) had brought Guru Granth Sahib with him, the Punjab Police did not retaliate. Things would have gone wrong if we had retaliated. We respected Guru Granth Sahib”. The SSP also said that Amritpal had previously stated that he would only hold peaceful dharnas. "But he lied to us. His supporters attacked the Punjab Police, but we did nothing since Guru Granth Sahib was in the midst."
24-Feb-2023
'Waris Punjab De' leader Amritpal Singh stated on February 24 that the goal of Khalistan should not be viewed as evil or taboo. The statement comes after massive protest over his close aide Toofan Singh's arrest. Amritpal Singh openly stated that it was his right to demand the separation of the Sikh homeland from India. "It should be seen from an intellectual point of view as to what could be its geopolitical benefits. It's an ideology and ideology never dies. We are not asking for it from Delhi," Meanwhile, several Sikh leaders have criticized the separatist leader for his divisive agenda and attempts to incite animosity between the Sikh and Hindu communities in Punjab, which have coexisted peacefully for generations.
24-Feb-2023
Two drug peddlers identified as Raj Singh Raju and Amandeep Singh, were arrested along with 75,500 intoxicating tablets on NH 62 in Abohar, Fazilka district on February 24.
23-Feb-2023
On February 23, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav assured Himachal Pradesh DGP Sanjay Kundu of his full support in combating organised inter-state crime, notably the smuggling of drugs and illicit liquor across the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border. He also mentioned that in order to stop the smuggling of illegal narcotics and liquor, it was decided to strengthen the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera network at the entry and exit points across the border.
23-Feb-2023
Amritpal Singh on February 22 released a video claiming that his statements regarding Union Home Minister Amit Shah were twisted and portrayed in the wrong sense. Reportedly, a few days back Amritpal Singh released a video stating Shah will face the same fate as Indira Gandhi if he tries to stop Punjab from turning into Khalistan. On February 21, he did a press conference and said that “I did not threaten the Home Minister in any way. The agencies want to kill me. And my words were twisted and misconstrued by people.” Earlier, during Deep Sidhu’s anniversary, he stated that neither Indira nor Shah or Modi can stop from turning Punjab into Khalistan.
23-Feb-2023
During the recent nationwide raids conducted by National Investigation Agency (NIA) at 76 locations across eight states, it arrested six suspects, including a close associate of designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla, identified as Lucky Khokhar alias Denis, said NIA on February 23. According to the central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency, the other five accused who were arrested in the raid, identified as, Lakhvir Singh, Harpreet, Dalip Bishnoi, Surinder alias Chiku Chaudhary and Hari Om alias Titul. So far, NIA has revealed that they have been involved in smuggling arms, ammunition, explosives etc. across international and inter-state borders in India for several Khalistani terror outfits, including the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF).
23-Feb-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed an application before the Special Judge, NIA court at Chandigarh, for issuing of proclamation proceedings against Jaswinder Singh Multani, one of the key accused of planting a bomb near the Model Jail in April 2022. In regard to the application, the NIA court has fixed the next date of hearing in the case for March 2, 2023.
23-Feb-2023
An associate of the gangster Tajinder Singh alias Teja, identified as Harinder Singh alias Soni, was arrested by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) at Bassi Pathana of Fatehgarh Sahib district on February 23. Six cartridges and a foreign-made pistol were recovered from him. He was arrested after a brief chase and shootout, said AGTF.
23-Feb-2023
Supporters of pro-Khalistan idealogue and the 'Chief' of Waris Punjab De, Amritpal Singh, armed with swords, guns, and sharp weapons on February 23 clashed with roughly 600 Punjab Police officers, injuring several persons. According to sources, two senior policemen were injured, and a police vehicle was damaged. The protest occurred in response to the arrest of Lovepreet Singh aka Toofan who was allegedly accused in a kidnapping and assault case. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Amritsar, Satinder Singh, stated that Lovepreet would shortly release on February 24, after the completion of formalities "as per the evidence submitted before the Punjab Police" according to media reports.
22-Feb-2023
Three gangsters, identified as Teja Mehandpuria and two of his associates were shot dead in an encounter with Anti- Gang Task Force (AGTF) near the Bassi Pathana bus stand in Fatehgarh Sahib district on February 22. Two police personnel, Sub-Inspector (SI) Gurpreet Singh and constable Sukhraj, were injured in the gunfight. Police also recovered six pistols from the gangsters. Teja, who is facing around 35 cases including murder and robbery, and his accomplices were allegedly involved in the January 8 killing of constable Kuldeep Singh Bajwa in Phillaur. The policeman was part of a team chasing gangsters who had robbed a car at gunpoint in Kangjagir village. According to sources, AGTF’s operation was code-named “Fast-track” after ‘Teja’ (fast) to arrest him.
21-Feb-2023
Punjab Police on February 21 conducted a cordon and search operation (CASO) at several locations across the state and arrested 205 persons and recovered 2.8 kg of heroin and INR 2.20 lakh drug money while registering 187 cases in this connection. According to sources, the operation was conducted simultaneously in all 28 police districts of the state and targeted the ‘notorious/infamous mohallas/villages’ where drugs are prevalent or certain areas which have become shelter/safe haven for criminals and anti-social elements. Police searched 324 hotspots and questioned 5,781 people during the operation.
21-Feb-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on February 21 conducted raids on gangsters, working in tandem with terrorist groups and drug smugglers based in foreign countries such as Pakistan and Canada, at 76 locations in Punjab, Haryana, and six other states and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition and cash amounting to Rs 2.3 crores. It was the fifth raid by the NIA against the nexus. In Punjab, the raids were conducted in Bathinda, Muktsar, Moga, Fazilka, Ludhiana, Mohali, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Faridkot, Sangrur and Jalandhar districts. In Haryana, the raids covered Gurugram, Yamunanagar, Rohtak, Mahendragarh, Sirsa and Jhajjar districts. According to reports, the NIA also raided places linked to Canada-based Arshdeep Singh Dalla alias Arsh Dalla who was declared a terrorist by the Union Ministry of Homa Affairs (UMHA) on January 9. Dalla’s native house, which situated in Dalla village in Moga district, has been closed for a long time as his family had already migrated from India. Earlier, the NIA had raided the dens of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi at Duttaranwali village in Fazilka district and gangster Goldy Brar at Muktsar. A senior Punjab Police officer said the NIA had not shared the details of its raids.
21-Feb-2023
Police February 21 conducted a cordon and search operation across Jalandhar district and recovered 50 intoxicating capsules, five injections, 18 gm heroin in two different cases, a total of 4-kg poppy husk and 12 bottles of liquor. Police team raided the houses of drug peddlers and also questioned suspicious persons.
21-Feb-2023
The National Investigation Agency's (NIA) continued crackdown on the gangster-terror funding case and on February 21 conducted a raid at the house of Akali leader Lakhvir Singh from Punjab and seized several weapons from him. However, Singh said that he and his kin have licensed weapons that the central agency took for verification. "The arms licences are renewed up to 2025. The NIA is the country's big agency. Whether they call us in day or night for the investigation, we will cooperate," he said.
21-Feb-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on February 21 conducted simultaneous searches at 76 locations in eight states to dismantle the nexus between terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers and traffickers based in India and abroad. About INR 1.5 crore cash, 11 pistols and rifles with ammunition and incriminating material, including documents, hard drives and mobile phones, were recovered by NIA during search. As per the sources, preliminary investigations have revealed that the gangs were carrying out targeted killings and were also raising funds to carry out such criminal activities through hawala network and smuggling of drugs and weapons.
21-Feb-2023
Punjab police on February 21 conducted a cordon and search operation (CASO) across the state aimed to identified safe haven of criminals and anti-social elements in the state. The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) said that police teams cordoned off over 324 hotspots and 5,781 persons were frisked of which 205 persons have been arrested. The police have also registered 187 first information reports (FIRs) and arrested nine proclaimed offenders. Police teams also recovered 2.8 kg heroin and 2.20 lakh drug money.