KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
20-Feb-2023
On February 20, the Counter Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Border Security Force (BSF) troops conducted a search and recovered a drone identified as DJI Matrice 300 RTK (made in China) from the outskirts of New Hasta Kalan village in Fazilka district.
20-Feb-2023
The Punjab Police's state special operations cell (SSOC) has booked nine people, including Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode, allegedly for smuggling arms, ammunition, drugs, and explosives across the Punjab border. According to sources, the Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI and the ISYF has been working together through his associates imprisoned in Punjab.
20-Feb-2023
On February 20, Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, distanced himself from the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, which is leading the protests for the release of Sikh prisoners. Rajoana, asserting to be an Akali, stated that he has nothing to do with the morcha that has been protesting at the Chandigarh-Mohali border for more than a month.
20-Feb-2023
Amritpal Singh, who is the head of ‘Waris Punjab De’ has given a life threatening warning to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on February 20. In his recent address in Budhsingh Wala village of Moga District, Singh said, "We will do the same to Amit Shah as happened to Indira Gandhi." He came to the village to attend the death anniversary program of Punjabi singer Deep Sidhu. He is also facing arrest along with five of his aides on the charges of several crimes, including kidnapping, theft, rioting, causing injury, and unlawful assembly.
19-Feb-2023
On February 19, Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh attended Deep Sidhu's first death anniversary at Budh Singh Wala village in Moga district and talked about his dream of creating Khalistan and stated that neither Indira Gandhi nor Narendra Modi will be able to stop them from doing so. He stated that each and every child in Punjab is raising its voice for Khalistan. He also added that many ancestors have sacrificed their lives to turn Punjab into Khalistan.
19-Feb-2023
Barnala Police on February 19 arrested 10 gang members along with six rifles, two pistols, one revolver, 35 live cartridges from Barnala district. According to police, the gang is involved in murder, burglary and snatching incidents, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in this case. Further investigations are being conducted by police to check into the linkages of the gang with other gangs operating in the state, police said.
19-Feb-2023
On February 19, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel recovered a crash drone with 3 kg of heroin at Zero Line near Ghania-Ke-Bet border outpost in Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district.
19-Feb-2023
The Waris Punjab De president Amritpal Singh gave a call to the 'sangat' to meet at his native village of Jallupur Khera to discuss the future course of action, adding that they would pass a 'gurmata' (resolution in the name of the Guru) against the police action. Also, he has threatened "state-wide action" if the police do not release his two associates and continue to pick up his followers.
19-Feb-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel recovered a drone with around 2.7 heroin from a field near the border fence in Ghaniake village in Gurdaspur district on February 19.
19-Feb-2023
Punjab Police on February 19 carried out a special operation, ‘Ops Seal’ aimed at checking of all vehicles entering the border state of Punjab at 10 inter-state borders. Police arrested three proclaimed offenders and recovered 70 kg poppy husk, 1 kg charas, 110 grams heroin and INR 1 lakh drug money during the operation. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that the objective of this operation was to keep check on illegal drug trafficking and illicit liquor smuggling, besides, movement of gangsters and anti-social elements.
19-Feb-2023
As per sources, the probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed that Pakistan-based Rinda had taught the shooter who has been identified as Deepak Ranga, to use a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) over two video-call sessions before the RPG attack on the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali in 2022. The NIA has also found that Rinda managed to radicalise Deepak with stories of how the police had allegedly tortured the family members of one of Rinda's associates, the sources said. According to sources, Deepak was also allegedly involved in the murder of builder Sanjay Biyani in Maharashtra's Nanded in April 2022 on Rinda's orders.
18-Feb-2023
Police on February 18 arrested gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s accomplice, identified as Vishal Verma alias Shalu along with nine pistols and 20 cartridges in Rupnagar district of Punjab. Ropar Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vivek Sheel Soni said, Verma was planning something big. Bhagwanpuria’s gang was also involved in smuggling of weapons and drugs in the state on a large scale, as per sources.
18-Feb-2023
The Faridkot police arrested two persons, identified as Jasbir Singh and Jashandeep Singh and recovered three illegal weapons from them in Faridkot district. In the primary investigation, it is revealed that accused had snatched a .12 bore gun from a person in Baghapurana area of Moga district.
18-Feb-2023
The Border Security Forces (BSF) on February 18 foiled a major narco-terror bid from Pakistan's side and recovered 20 packets of suspected drug heroin (approximately 22 kg) wrapped in yellow tapes on international border (IB) in Gurdaspur district. They also recovered two pistols, of which one is Made in Turkey while the other one is Made in China. Six magazines and 242 rounds were also recovered along with one 12-feet long plastic pipe. According to BSF officers, the gunfight began when suspicious movement of smugglers ahead of fencing in the area near Khasawali village in the Gurdaspur district.
18-Feb-2023
Police on February 18, arrested a gangster identified as Rohit Kumar alias Simtu, along with a .32 bore pistol and five live cartridges from an undisclosed place in Punjab. As per sources, he was involved in the Baltana shootout case and also wanted in six criminal cases registered in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
18-Feb-2023
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar during his visit to Australia emphasised the need for vigilance against radical activities. In an interview, on temples attack in Canada, Australia and the UK, he added that these nations have to respond appropriately over the issue.
17-Feb-2023
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on February 17 declared Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, currently based in Pakistan and affiliated to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) as a terrorist and Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) as terrorist organisation. According to intelligence officials, Rinda, who is believed to be living in Lahore, is associated with the banned group BKI and is said to have played a key role in the 2021 attack on the intelligence headquarters of the Punjab Police in Mohali. Rinda hails from Rattoke village in Tarn Taran district of Punjab, and he was previously arrested in 2008 after a scuffle during a family feud. After getting in touch with criminals during his time in prison, Rinda shifted his base to Nanded in Maharashtra. Following his interactions with criminals while serving time in prison, Rinda relocated to Nanded in Maharashtra. Subsequently, he utilized counterfeit travel documents to enter Pakistan in 2020 and established contact with pro-Khalistan terrorist organizations, who reportedly provided him with security. In August 2022, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) offered a cash reward of INR 10 lakh to anyone with information on Rinda. KTF is a militant outfit that seeks to revive terrorism in the state of Punjab and poses a threat to India's territorial integrity, national security, unity, and sovereignty. The organization promotes various forms of terrorism, including targeted assassinations within Punjab. The recent classification of KTF as a terrorist organization brings the total number of designated terrorist groups to 44 under the Schedule of the Act.
17-Feb-2023
Ludhiana police arrested two youngsters, identified as Munish alias Lallu and Aniket Chauhan Talwara, operating on the directions of a notorious criminal Sagar Newton in Ludhiana. Police also recovered six illegal pistols, eight magazines and 12 live cartridges from them. According to reports, these notorious criminals now started using social media platforms from jails to build a network to buy and supply arms.
17-Feb-2023
Police on February 17 arrested a key accused in the RPG (rocket-propelled grenade) attack case, Gurpinder alias Pindu, who have a close tie with Canada-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa from Khem Karan in Tarn Taran district. The RPG attack was carried out at Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali on May 9, 2022. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, on April 25, 2022, Charhat Singh, Nishan Singh and Baljinder Rambo had brought consignment of RPG and assault rifle from Tarn Taran to Amritsar, and kept at Pindu’s house near Alpha Mall in Amritsar. The accused had also harboured the shooters, Deepak and another man, at his house on the same night, he added. Police have so far arrested nine accused in this case.
17-Feb-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) on February 16 foiled a smuggling bid and recovered approximately 2 kg of heroin wrapped in a white cloth from near Dalla Rajput village in Amritsar District.
17-Feb-2023
The Mansa police have booked 50 persons for shouting pro-Khalistan slogans and waving a Khalistani flag in the Mansa city in Mansa district. According to reports, on February 17, the accused held a motorbike and tractor rally from Ralla village to Mansa in support of the demand to free of the "Bandi Singhs". The case was reported at the Mansa Sadar police station under Section 124-A of the Indian Criminal Code (IPC). Nine of the accused have also been identified by the police.
16-Feb-2023
Police arrested two accused, identified as Gurpreet Singh and Amritpal Singh of Patiala, close associates of SK Kharoud gang, and recovered two pistols and ten live cartridges from them at Devigarh Road, Jodian Sadkan in Patiala on February 16. A case has been registered against both under the Arms act at Sanour police station. Also, both the accused have multiple cases registered against them in different police stations.
16-Feb-2023
Police on February 16 booked ‘Waris Punjab De’ head Amritpal Singh among 20 persons on charges of kidnapping, thrashing and snatching, on the complaint lodged by Varinder Singh of the Chamkaur Sahib area in Anjala in Amritsar district. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered against them at the Ajnala police station.
16-Feb-2023
According to police, Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi who was brought to Jaipur from Punjab on a production warrant has been sent on seven-day police remand. The court gave police remand for seven days till February 23 for interrogation. Bishnoi is being interrogated in connection with his involvement in a case of firing outside at a club in Jaipur on January 29. Six members of his gang were arrested earlier in connection with the January 29 firing.
16-Feb-2023
The special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mohali on February 16 convicted Kulwinder Singh Khanpuria of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) for waging a war against the country. He was produced before the court through video-conferencing. The NIA had registered a case against Khanpuria in 2019. He was arrested on November 21, 2022, from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi while he was returning from Bangkok. The NIA had framed charges against Khanpuria for criminal conspiracy and under sections of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The court framed charges against Khanpuria under Sections 121, 122, 123 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act and Sections 17, 18, 18-B, 38 and 39 of the UAPA.
15-Feb-2023
On February 15, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) announced a cash reward of INR 15 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Canada-based gangster-turned-Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, who is wanted in connection with terror cases in Punjab. The NIA said, “A cash reward of Rs 15 lakh is announced for any information leading to arrest of Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias ‘Landa’. Landa, a resident of Tarn Taran in Punjab, believed to be residing in Edmonton in Alberta in Canada, has been an absconder and is wanted by the NIA in a case related to the grenade attack on the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali in 2022. According to reports, In 2022, the NIA initiated a case when it was discovered that terrorist groups and individuals located overseas were collaborating with leaders and members of organized criminal groups in the northern states of the country to carry out specific murders and other violent criminal activities. The NIA spokesperson said, “It had emerged that the terror-gangster-drug smuggler network was also engaged in smuggling terrorist hardware such as arms, ammunition, explosives, IEDs across border through a widespread inter-state network of gunrunners, illegal arms and ammunition manufacturers and suppliers and explosive traffickers.”
15-Feb-2023
Punjab Police arrested one person who has links with gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, identified as Jaipal Singh alias Gumta and recovered 1Kg heroin and INR 27 lakh drug money from his possession in Tarn Taran district.
15-Feb-2023
According to reports, 26 villages of Ludhiana district were declared drug-free by the administration as part of the campaign launched against the drug menace by the state Government. A senior government functionary said on February 15, that 16 villages in the Jagraon sub-division, 6 in Raikot and 4 in the Dakha sub-division had been declared ‘drug-free’. While 11 villages under the Sidhwan Bet police station had become free of drugs, 6 ‘drug-free’ villages fall under the jurisdictions of Raikot City, Raikot Sadar and Hanoor police stations. Among others, 4 villages had become ‘drug-free’ under the limits of Dakha, Sudhar and Jodhan police stations, 3 under Jagraon City and 2 such villages fall under the jurisdiction of the Jagraon Sadar police station had been declared ‘drug-free’ by the government.
14-Feb-2023
Police arrested two persons, identified as Richhpal Godara (21) and Pintu Godara (19) along with 89 kg of poppy husk from their possession at a check-post on the Abohar-Hanumangarh highway in Fazilka district.
14-Feb-2023
The Crime Investigating Agency (CIA) staff conducted a search operation and recovered 24 kg poppy husk from a house in Seeto Gunno area of Khairpur village in Fazilka district.
14-Feb-2023
Police arrested two women, identified as Kulwinder Kaur and Manjit Kaur and recovered 10-kg poppy husk from their possession at Sangrur in Sangrur district.
14-Feb-2023
Punjab Police on February 14 launched massive raids on suspected hideouts of persons linked with Gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. According to Police, the simultaneous raids were conducted at the residential and other premises linked to the gangster in all the districts across the state. During the search operation, as many as 409 Police parties, including about 2,863 police personnel searched the premises of at least 2,371 suspected hideouts across the state linked with Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, according to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.
14-Feb-2023
Amritsar Member of Parliament (MP) Gurjeet Singh Aujla on February 14 asked Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to clear his stand on the issue of drug menace and narco-terrorism nexuses in the state. This development comes a day ahead of the hearing on a sealed report related to the issue submitted by the previous Congress-led state government to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
14-Feb-2023
On February 14 , a special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Mohali has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to initiate the proclaimed offender (PO) proceedings against the former assistant inspector general (AIG) of Punjab Police, who is prime accused in the case of alleged disappearance of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar’s mother in 1992.
13-Feb-2023
The Chandigarh police February 13, released pictures of ten more suspected people involved in the February 8 incident on the Sector 52/53 road in which around 40 police personnel were injured. The First Information Report (FIR) mentions seven suspects, including Gurcharan Singh, Jagtar Singh Hawara's foster father, while the other suspects are listed as unidentified persons.
13-Feb-2023
Punjab's Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on February 13 disapproved of the idea of resuming trade with Pakistan, questioning how it could be done with a country that sends narcotics and arms to his country every day via drones. He also asked, “How can we conduct trade with a country with which our relations are not good and which sends slow poison (narcotics) to kill our youth?”
13-Feb-2023
According to sources, while the United Kingdom (UK) has recently warned India about the growing instances of “potentially toxic" pro-Khalistan extremism which is leading to the mobilisation of funds and sympathisers to trigger disruptive and terror activities in India remotely, the Government has already deployed multi-pronged counter strategies in place to counter the menace. According to Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), the pro-Khalistan extremists abroad backed by Pakistan, have been engaging and reaching forging alliances with criminals and gangsters. An officer stated that, “An ecosystem of partnership based on mutual interest has developed between Khalistan extremists, criminals, and drug-traffickers… It is quite a dangerous trend as though most of these local gangsters and petty criminals do not subscribe to the interest and radical ideology of Khalistan, they are being used to providing logistic support to the extremists including foot soldiers, arms-ammunition, shelter etc.” The officer said that most of these local associates of the foreign-based pro-Khalistan operatives and handlers “are petty criminals who pull triggers and indulge in criminal activities just for money and they eventually end up main perpetrators and conspirators of terror plots.”
13-Feb-2023
According to reports, as the protests over the release of Bandhi Sikhs (Sikh prisoners) escalating at the Mohali-Chandigarh border, security agencies are worried over farmer unions lending support to pro-Khalistan radicals spearheading the protests. Despite some differences between the farm unions over the issue of lending support to the radical group, the top leaders have been forced to express their solidarity on the emotive issue of the release of Sikh prisoners.
13-Feb-2023
The Inspector General (IG) (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill said on February 13 that Punjab Police have arrested 10,576 drug smugglers after registering 7,999 first information reports (FIRs), including 915 commercial, under Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances(NDPS) Act across the state in the last seven months. The police have recovered 529kg heroin on vulnerable routes. Also, 147kg heroin was recovered from the seaports of Gujarat and Maharashtra, taking the total effective recovery to 676kg heroin in just seven months. The police teams also recovered 424kg opium.
12-Feb-2023
Rajasthan police launched ‘Operation Hunter’ to identify the henchmen and supporters of gangsters who are active in the neighbouring states. Rajasthan segments share boundaries with Punjab and Haryana. The Superintendent of Police, Sriganganagar, Anand Sharma said that that the operation was being conducted to search for gangsters, their henchmen, supporters and those who like or comment on their photos on social media accounts. Under this, 20 persons have been booked under Section 144 of the CrPC (Code of Criminal Procedure) and five people have been arrested with illegal weapons. According to reports, Police teams are monitoring more than 100 accounts.
12-Feb-2023
Members of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, on February 12 were once again stopped by police from entering Chandigarh and to undertake a march towards Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann’s official residence. Chandigarh and Mohali police had made elaborate security arrangements at the border to prevent the protesters from heading towards Chandigarh. After they were stopped by police, the 31 protesters sat on the road which divides sectors 52 and 53 near the Chandigarh-Mohali border.
11-Feb-2023
According to reports, Delhi Police on February 11 identified Gagandeep and his father Jasbir Singh, associated with the Khalistani terror outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ), accused of funding their sleeper cell members in Delhi to put up anti-India posters ahead of India’s 74th Republic Day. Reports said that the duo, believed to be residents of California in the United States (US), conspired with the SFJ head Gurupatwant Singh Pannun. They funded their sleeper cell members, along with Pannun, to put up posters to further Khalistani propaganda, threatening terrorist attacks at 12 places across the national capital.
11-Feb-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami on February 11 said that the campaign for the release of Sikh prisoners (Bandi Singhs) will be taken to people at the village level. He said more than 16 lakh forms have been filled so far as part of the signature campaign launched by the SGPC for the release of Sikh prisoners in December. The campaign will now be intensified and taken to people at the village level from February 18, he said, adding that meetings will be organised in at least four places in every assembly constituency.
11-Feb-2023
Police arrested a person along with 18 gram of heroin in Fazilka in Fazilka district.
11-Feb-2023
Moga police on February 11 brought gangster Sukhpreet Buddha on production warrant from the jail and a Moga court sent him to 10 days in police custody. Buddha, a native of Kussa village, had been acting as the self-styled head of the Davinder Bambiha gang after Bambiha’s death in 2016.
11-Feb-2023
The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, that is spearheading the Sikh activists protest, on February 11 blamed the state government for provoking the protesters who clashed with police forces near the Chandigarh-Mohali border on February 8. Gurcharan Singh, foster father of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Jagtar Singh Hawara, who was convicted of assassinating former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, alleged that with the aim to remove the morcha from YPS Chowk, Punjab Police was harassing the kin of the protesters and threatening them.
10-Feb-2023
Police on February 10 arrested a member of the Davinder Bambiha gang, identified as Tejinder Singh alias Gullu and seized five pistols from his possession in Shambhu barrier in Patiala district. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Varun Sharma said that the accused had international links and they prevented a major crime.
10-Feb-2023
Delhi police special cell arrested a person for his alleged links with Khalistan terror suspect Jagjeet Singh alias Jagga from Bazpur town of Udham Singh Nagar District of Uttarakhand on February 10. Jagga, also a resident of the same district, was arrested from Delhi last month.
10-Feb-2023
According to the Chandigarh Police’s First Information Report (FIR) into the violence at the Chandigarh-Mohali border on February 7, the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, which was leading the protests for the release of Sikh prisoners languishing in jails after completing their sentences, is a pro-Khalistan organisation. The FIR stated that the protesters snatched a tear gas handgun and its ammunition and attempted to kill policemen amid raising of pro-Khalistan slogans during the clash with the police on the road dividing sectors 52 and 53. Police named seven persons in the case and charged different sections of the law, including of attempt to murder, robbery, dacoity and rioting and under Sections of Arms Act and Prevention of Damaging Public Property Act. Meanwhile, the Mohali police also registered an FIR at Mataur police station against unknown persons for rioting and attempt to murder.
10-Feb-2023
According to reports, Nihangs, members of several Sikh bodies and others are supporting the demands of the ‘Quami Insaaf Morcha’, which launched their protest march from Mohali on January 7 for releasing Sikh prisoners, including Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh’s assassination. Report said that, in a span of one month, supporters from across the state thronged the protest venue and set up tents, first-aid kiosks, and community kitchen (langar) on the border.