KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
14-Feb-2026
Kulwant Sidhu, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Atam Nagar, reportedly received threatening calls on February 14, allegedly from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), in Ludhiana district. On February 14 night, a suspected recce was conducted outside his residence. A black-tinted i20 car was seen parked outside while he was holding a meeting inside. The occupants reportedly waited for some time after noticing people at the house. When suspicious movement was detected on CCTV, those inside stepped out, prompting the suspects to flee. It is suspected they were attempting to identify the MLA’s residence as a potential target. The family also stated that the MLA has been receiving repeated suspicious international calls over the past week.
14-Feb-2026
On February 14, the 25th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 702 raids, arrested 232 persons. Preventive action was taken against 89 individuals, while 165 persons were verified and released. Seven proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
14-Feb-2026
On February 14, Punjab Police, on day 350 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 96 drug smugglers, and seized 3.1 kg of heroin, 7 kg of poppy husk, 640 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 58,050 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
14-Feb-2026
The Crime Investigation Agency on February 14 arrested four alleged drug peddlers, identified as Jagjeet Singh alias Jagga, Malook Singh, Kirandeep Singh alias Deep, and Partap Singh and seized 22.29 kg of heroin, INR 2.5 lakh in drug money, two pistols, two magazines, and four cartridges from their possession, near Dulchi Ke village in Zira, Ferozepur district.
14-Feb-2026
According to reports, in a first-of-its-kind move, the Punjab Police are seeking Silver Notices from Interpol to freeze the movable and immovable assets of gangsters operating from abroad. The police have prepared a list of 61 “most active” gangsters allegedly involved in issuing extortion threats from overseas, orchestrating attacks on rivals, and carrying out targeted killings of politicians and other prominent individuals in the state. Extradition proceedings against 38 of them are already underway. The process is being handled by the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) of Punjab Police. ADGP L.K. Yadav, Director-BOI, stated that Interpol began issuing Silver Notices in January 2025. Unlike a Red Notice, which seeks the arrest of an individual, a Silver Notice focuses on tracing, identifying, monitoring, and recovering criminal assets—such as properties, vehicles, bank accounts, and businesses—linked to serious offences including organised crime, drug trafficking, fraud, and corruption. The first Silver Notice was issued on January 10, 2025, at Italy’s request to seize assets of a senior mafia figure. By mid-2025, over 50 such notices had been issued during the pilot phase, scheduled to run until November 2025 before full implementation.
13-Feb-2026
On February 13, the 24th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar-2—the police conducted 888 raids, arrested 256 persons and recovered two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 129 individuals, while 239 persons were verified and released. Seven proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
13-Feb-2026
On February 13, Punjab Police, on day 349 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 76 drug smugglers, and seized 3.9 kg of heroin, 7 kg of poppy husk, 526 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 11,500 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
13-Feb-2026
The Punjab Government has announced the establishment of a dedicated Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Police Station in Rajpura, Patiala district, to intensify action against organised crime. The specialised police station will have jurisdiction across the state. Officials said the move aims to strengthen coordinated operations against gangster networks that operate across multiple districts. According to Punjab Police, the AGTF station will serve as a central hub for intelligence gathering, investigation, and enforcement against organised criminal groups, as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to curb gang violence and illegal activities.
13-Feb-2026
On February 13, a Special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in New Delhi recorded the statements of prosecution witnesses in the Punjab targeted killings case involving five accused allegedly linked to Khalistani terror outfits. The case relates to the targeted killings of RSS and Hindu leaders in Punjab during 2016 and 2017. The Supreme Court had transferred the matter to the NIA court in New Delhi. The accused—Hardeep Singh alias Shera, Raman Deep Singh alias Bagga, Jagtar Singh Johal alias Jaggi, Manpreet Singh, and Amninder Singh—were produced before the court under heavy security. They are among 14 accused facing charges of murder, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and are linked to eight cases of murder and attempted murder.
13-Feb-2026
A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on February 13 visited Jeeda village in Bathinda district in connection with the twin blasts that occurred at a house on September 10, 2025, injuring 19-year-old ‘self-radicalised’ law student Gurpreet Singh and his father, Jagtar Singh. Sources said NIA officials questioned the family about Gurpreet’s purchase of a mobile phone and other aspects of the case. Family members reportedly stated that they had given him money to buy the phone after taking an advance from a commission agent. The team also gathered details about his activities prior to the explosions.
13-Feb-2026
A threatening three-minute audio clip was sent on February 13 to actor Ranveer Singh and filmmaker Rohit Shetty, allegedly by boxer-turned-gangster Hari Chand Jaat alias Harry Boxer. In the clip, he is heard warning of “dire consequences” for their teams if they failed to comply with his demands. According to officers of the Mumbai Police Crime Branch, the threats were issued on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
13-Feb-2026
In a joint operation on the intervening night of February 13–14, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) Amritsar Zonal Unit arrested three individuals, identified as Beeru Singh, Babak Singh, and Karanbeer Singh and seized 8.654 kg of heroin, 630 grams of opium, and a Glock pistol slide from the Ranian border outpost in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations indicate the consignment was linked to a cross-border smuggling network.
12-Feb-2026
On February 12, Punjab Police, on day 348 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 95 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 171 drug smugglers, and seized 8.03 kg of heroin, 500 grams of opium, 617 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 1.27 lakhs drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
12-Feb-2026
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on February 12 dismantled a narco-smuggling network, arresting two operatives and seizing 7.63 kg of heroin along with INR 21,800 in drug money in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations indicated that the accused were acting on the directions of a Dubai-based handler and were using virtual numbers to coordinate cross-border heroin consignments, including pick-up points and local distribution.
12-Feb-2026
On February 12, a court in Sri Muktsar Sahib district rejected the bail plea of Pritpal Kaur, mother of designated terrorist Goldy Brar, who is in judicial custody along with her husband, Shamsher Singh. The couple was arrested on January 26 from Amritsar in connection with a 2024 extortion case registered on the complaint of a schoolteacher in Muktsar.
12-Feb-2026
Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on February 12 termed it unfortunate that the BJP-led Delhi Government had rejected the plea seeking the release of Sikh prisoner Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar. He stated that during a recent meeting at the Akal Takht secretariat with Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Rekha Gupta, Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, and other ministers, he had urged the government to ensure Bhullar’s release. Bhullar is serving a life sentence for his role in the 1993 Delhi car bomb blast that killed nine persons and injured 31 others.
12-Feb-2026
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on February 12 praised the state government’s anti-drug campaign, stating that it had been “100 per cent successful” in curbing substance abuse and that there should be no hesitation in acknowledging the truth. He expressed confidence that the results of the government’s drive would become clearly visible within the next six months.
11-Feb-2026
During the 72-hour second phase of Punjab Police’s statewide “War on Gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar-2—a total of 7,498 individuals were rounded up across the state, of whom 3,260, including 135 proclaimed offenders (POs), were arrested. Police recovered 47 weapons, 4.8 kg of heroin, 3.6 kg of opium, 42,797 intoxicant tablets, 68 kg of poppy husk, and ₹30 lakh in drug money. Additionally, 1,450 preventive arrests were made, while 2,788 persons were verified and released after questioning.
11-Feb-2026
On February 11, Punjab Police, on day 347 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 164 drug smugglers and seized 11.9 kg of heroin, 344 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 4700 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
11-Feb-2026
The State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) Amritsar on February 11 busted a Pakistan-backed terror module and foiled a planned attack by arresting one accused, identified as Shubham Kumar alias Shubham Srivastav and recovering an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and a foreign-made pistol along with ammunition on the Amritsar–Jalandhar GT Road in Amritsar district. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the IED was intended for targeted attacks in Punjab, Delhi, and other states. The accused, believed to be highly radicalized, had travelled from Uttar Pradesh to Amritsar after being promised a large sum by his handler.
11-Feb-2026
Police on February 11 arrested one person, identified as Kuldeep Singh and recovered 102 grams of heroin from him in Cheema Khurd village in Tarn Taran district.
11-Feb-2026
Sixteen private schools in Mohali, Punjab, on February 11, received bomb threat emails. However, Security agencies conducted thorough searches of the campuses, but no suspicious objects were found.
10-Feb-2026
Notorious Rohtak gangster, Sombir alias Motta was arrested by Haryana’s Special Task Force (STF) at Delhi airport on February 10 after being deported from the United States (US). The 39-year-old, a resident of Karor village near Sampla in Rohtak district of Haryana, faces 26 criminal cases, including murder and extortion, across Rohtak, Delhi, and other parts of Haryana. According to the STF, he fled to the US in 2024 using a fake passport obtained with an address in Rajender Nagar, Sahibabad (Ghaziabad), Uttar Pradesh, following which a Red Corner Notice was issued against him.
10-Feb-2026
The Khalra Police and the Border Security Force (BSF), during a joint search operation on February 10, recovered 1 kg of heroin from a field in Wan Tara Singh village, Tarn Taran district.
10-Feb-2026
The Government Railway Police (GRP) on February on February 10 arrested one person, identified as Jagdish, and seized 1.25 kg of opium from his possession at Ludhiana railway station in Ludhiana district.
10-Feb-2026
The State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, on February 10 foiled an alleged Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed terror plot with the arrest of one accused, identified as Rahul Kumar alias Gaju, and recovered an RDX-based Improvised Explosive Device (IED) from his possession on Chamrang Road in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations indicated that the accused, who works as a salon assistant in Amritsar, was in contact with a foreign-based handler allegedly acting under the instructions of Pakistan-based operatives.
10-Feb-2026
On February 10, a Bathinda court declared Amritpal Singh Mehron, the main accused in the murder of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari alias Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, a proclaimed offender, in Bathinda district. Kumari’s decomposed body was recovered on June 11, 2026, from a car parked outside Adesh University at Bhucho Kalan on the Bathinda–Chandigarh highway. Mehron, a resident of Moga, allegedly fled to the UAE after committing the crime.
10-Feb-2026
On February 10, the second day of the second phase of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar-2—the police conducted 2,706 raids, checked 2,596 individuals, and arrested 1,634 persons, including 53 proclaimed offenders. Preventive action was taken against 534 individuals, while 1,015 persons were verified and released.
10-Feb-2026
On February 10, Punjab Police, on day 346 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 215 drug smugglers and seized 2.7 kg of heroin, 863 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 12,040 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
10-Feb-2026
A migrant labourer, Ashok Kumar, was injured after three bike-borne assailants opened fire at a group of migrant workers in Khosa Jalal village, Moga district on February 10. The attackers, identified as associates of the Davinder Bambiha gang, claimed the shooting was a protest against migrants “spoiling Punjab’s atmosphere” and sarpanches who support them.
09-Feb-2026
On February 9, the first day of the second phase of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar-2—the police conducted 2,760 raids, checked 1,895 individuals, and arrested 1,250 persons, including 40 proclaimed offenders. Preventive action was taken against 298 individuals, while 666 persons were verified and released.
09-Feb-2026
On February 9, Punjab Police, on day 345 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 72 drug smugglers and seized 26.4 kg of heroin, 772 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 12.17 lakhs drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
09-Feb-2026
On February 9, nine schools in the national capital received bomb threat emails purportedly sent by the Khalistani outfit Khalistan National Army, triggering immediate action by the Delhi Police and emergency response agencies in New Delhi. The email, in which the sender identified himself as Engineer Guranakh Singh Rukan Shahwala of the Khalistan National Army, contained threats and slogans such as “Delhi will become Khalistan,” “Schoolan vich aaj dhamaka 1:11 pm hovega” (there will be a bomb blast in schools at 1:11 pm), claims that a bomb would explode in Parliament on February 13 at 1:11 pm, and assertions that “Punjab has already become Khalistan” (“Punjab hui Khalistan”). The email also termed Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar as “enemies of Khalistan” (“Modi–Shah–Jaishankar walian de dushman”), the message alleged.
09-Feb-2026
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on February 9 dismantled a cross-border arms and narcotics smuggling module, arresting five accused and seizing six sophisticated pistols, 10 live cartridges, 115 grams of heroin, and INR 11.90 lakh drug money in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested individuals were actively linked to a cross-border smuggling syndicate involved in the illegal trafficking of arms and narcotics. The module was allegedly facilitating the movement of weapons and drugs into the region.
09-Feb-2026
Police on February 9 arrested a person, identified as Balveer Singh alias Vicky, and seized 4 kg of poppy husk from his possession in Nawanshahr in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.
09-Feb-2026
Police on February 9 arrested a person, identified as Kulwinder Kumar alias Gaggi, and seized 2.35 grams of heroin from his possession in Rahon in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.
09-Feb-2026
Police on February 9 arrested one person, identified as Dalbir Singh, and seized 100 intoxicant tablets from him near Subhanpur in Kapurthala district.
09-Feb-2026
Police on February 9 arrested a youth, identified as Mangal Singh, and seized 40 capsules of Pregabalin, a banned psychotropic substance, from him near Sadar Kapurthala in Kapurthala district.
09-Feb-2026
Police on February 9 arrested two persons, identified as Amandeep Singh and Harmanjeet Singh, and seized 10.20 grams of heroin and INR 10,000 in drug money from them at Nijjer Chowk in Kharar, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district.
08-Feb-2026
The Amritsar Rural Police, in a joint operation with the Border Security Force (BSF), on February 8 arrested two persons and recovered 25 kg of heroin, two pistols, and 60 live cartridges during a targeted operation in the Ghogha area under the Bhindi Saidan police station in Amritsar district. According to senior police officials, the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs regarding a cross-border smuggling attempt. Preliminary investigations suggest that the consignment was smuggled into Indian territory from Pakistan using drones, indicating the involvement of an organised cross-border smuggling module.
08-Feb-2026
The Kapurthala City Police on February 8 arrested two youths, identified as Prince and Virinder Singh, and seized 14 grams of heroin from their possession in Kapurthala district.
08-Feb-2026
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on February 8 announced the launch of a 72-hour “Operation Prahar 2.0” against gangsters, beginning February 9. Highlighting the success of the first phase, the DGP said that more than 5,000 gangsters and their associates have been arrested since January 20. During the first phase of the campaign—dubbed ‘Gangster te War’ (war against gangsters)—Punjab Police conducted 17,603 raids across the state, arresting 5,290 individuals, including gangsters and criminals, and recovering 128 weapons. Preventive action was taken against 2,973 persons, while 5,413 individuals were verified and released after questioning. Police also arrested 344 proclaimed offenders (POs), he said. The DGP, however, noted that despite some cases dominating headlines, Punjab’s crime rate per lakh population remains significantly below the national average. “The national average crime rate is 450 per lakh population, while Punjab’s is 227. Similarly, the national average for heinous crimes is 31.2, compared to 21 in Punjab,” he asserted.
08-Feb-2026
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on February 8 said that the Punjab Police have made extradition or deportation requests for 38 gangsters operating from different countries. He said the action has been initiated through the Centre under the prescribed legal procedure. The DGP added that these 38 individuals are part of a list of 61 gangsters who have been orchestrating criminal activities in Punjab from abroad, and action is being initiated against the remaining accused as well. “We will arrest wanted gangsters from any corner of the country,” Yadav said after chairing a meeting of senior police officials and district police chiefs.
07-Feb-2026
Patiala police on February 7 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Harpreet Singh alias Happy, and seized 1 kg of heroin from his possession in the Rahon Road area of Ludhiana district.
07-Feb-2026
Police on February 7 arrested an operative of an organised narcotics network, identified as Harshdeep alias Harsh, and recovered 8 kg of heroin and INR 3.5 lakh in drug money from his possession near Chitti village in Gurdaspur district.
07-Feb-2026
Police on February 7 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Wasim, and seized 3 kg of heroin and INR 2.25 lakh in drug money from his possession at a naka near the Paniyar sugar mill in Dinanagar in Gurdaspur district.
07-Feb-2026
According to reports, the role of an employee of local Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) functionary Satwinderpal Singh alias Lucky Oberoi, who was gunned down outside a gurdwara in Jalandhar district on the morning of February 6, is under the scanner. When police officials reached the residence of Joga Pholriwal, they found him missing, and his family claimed to be unaware of his whereabouts. Police sources said there is strong suspicion that one of Oberoi’s workers may have provided details of his movements. It also emerged that the worker had allegedly been beaten by Oberoi a few months earlier after being found consuming drugs.
07-Feb-2026
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on February 7 criticized the Punjab government, saying criminals no longer fear the law, with gangster-related incidents occurring on a daily basis. He stated that gangsters are willing to go to any extent to take revenge on their rivals and are operating fearlessly across the state.
07-Feb-2026
The wife of a retired Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), identified as Rachna Devi, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants under mysterious circumstances at Mehandwani Gujran village in the Garhshankar subdivision of Hoshiarpur district on February 7. Police recovered three empty and four live pistol cartridges from the spot. According to the FIR, retired ASI Sham Lal stated that his wife left home around 5 am for a nearby religious place, Kutiya Bhuriwale, as part of her daily routine. The couple’s son, Amandeep, later received a call informing him that his mother was lying unconscious near the shrine and that gunshots had been heard. The police complaint further alleged that a youth sitting along the route to the shrine fired at Rachna Devi without provocation and fled the scene on a motorcycle along with another assailant.
07-Feb-2026
On February 7, the 19th day of Punjab Police’s statewide ‘war on gangsters’ (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar—police conducted 584 raids, arresting 180 persons and recovering two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 112 individuals, 266 persons were verified and released after questioning and 7 proclaimed offenders were also arrested.