KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
27-Dec-2019
The SAD (Amritsar) held a conference to pay tributes to Mata Gujri and younger sons (Sahibzades) of Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh in which representatives of Dal Khalsa also participated. During the conference, the speakers demanded the withdrawal of CAA and NRC and also criticized that the present-day government for dragging the situation leading to another Emergency.
27-Dec-2019
Balwant Singh Rajoana, convicted for the assassination of the then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995, announced that he would sit on hunger strike from January 11, 2020 to protest against non-action on his appeal against his sentence which is pending with the President for the last eight years. Rajoana’s sister Kamaldeep Kaur alleged that both SAD and SGPC were not taking up his issue seriously though they have assured her brother a number of times that they will help him.
27-Dec-2019
The NIA filed a charge sheet in the special NIA court at Mohali against 11 accused including six absconders, and four companies in the case related to the seizure of 532 kg of heroin and 52 kg of mixed narcotics on June 29 at Integrated Check Post (ICP), Attari. The investigation has established that the accused formed a terrorist gang to smuggle narcotics into India.
26-Dec-2019
Jalandhar district rural Police arrested two drug peddlers and recovered a pistol, two live cartridges and 70,000 liters of alcohol from their possession near power station in Kartarpur .
26-Dec-2019
After the Intelligence inputs which said that Pakistan’s ISI has planned on unleashing Khalistani terrorists to strike in various places in Punjab, the border areas of Punjab have been placed in a state of very high alert. Earlier, the intercepts picked up on the air waves suggested that the ISI has tasked the Babbar Khalsa to carry out the attack and there are attempts to smuggle the arms into Punjab.
26-Dec-2019
According to reports, concerned over the recent incidents of Pakistani drones airdropping arms and ammunition along the border areas of the state, Punjab Police is planning to buy anti-drone equipment from Israel to detect such devices and jam communications between them and their operators. Though the proposal to buy this technology is in its initial stage, the provisioning wing of Police department, has zeroed in on some of Israel-developed latest technologies, especially the new optical detection system, report said.
25-Dec-2019
A drug peddler, identified as Lalit Kumar was arrested along with 18 gm heroin at a naka set up near Logarh T-point in Zirakpur in Mohali District.
25-Dec-2019
Police arrested a drug peddler, identified as Lakhwinder Singh alias Lucky and recovered 5 gm of heroin from his possession during a routine checking at Basant Avenue in Ludhiana.
25-Dec-2019
Intelligence agencies sources claim that the Khalistani terrorists have escalated their efforts to smuggle weapons from Pakistan to Punjab to carry out terror attacks in Punjab. Sources also revealed that terror groups like Babbar Khalsa and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) are in contact with their Pakistani handlers to smuggle weapons across the India-Pakistan border.
25-Dec-2019
Based on the intelligence input, Government of India ordered the BSF, NIA, RAW and IB to monitor the activities of these Khalistan-backed terrorists and surveil the bordering areas of Punjab to prevent the smuggling of weapons in the state
24-Dec-2019
Police arrested a Rajasthan resident, identified as Kishan Lal along with 180kg poppy husk and 1kg opium from the Jandiala-Jalandhar road in Jalandhar. The truck carrying the contraband was also impounded. According to Police, the contraband was meant to be delivered in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Jagraon.
01-Oct-2019
One militant of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), Sajan Preet Singh, was arrested near Khalsa College in Amritsar, Punjab along with two pistols retrieved from a consignment of large arms from Pakistan. He was sent to five-day police remand.
30-Sep-2019
According to senior officials in the government, the decision to release eight Sikh prisoners and commute the death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana, the main conspirator in the 1995 assassination of former Punjab CM Beant Singh, is the culmination of various key steps taken by the Union Government to assuage the sentiments of the Sikh community and derail Pakistan’s “K2” (Kashmir & Khalistan) plan. According to them the main objectives of these decisions are “heal the wounds of the Sikh community”, and “wean away hardliners living abroad” from a conspiracy by Pakistan’s spy agency, ISI, to revive militancy in Punjab.
30-Sep-2019
Former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh's family threatened to move the court after the union government decided to commute convicted Khalistani terrorist Balwant Singh Rajaona's death sentence into life imprisonment. Beant Singh's grandson and Member of Parliament(MP) Ravneet Singh Bittu said "We will fight on every platform. Be it Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Amit Shah or their government. We will fight every war. We have lost whatever there was. How can we push people of Punjab towards Rajaona? Once released they will come and kill more people in the future. We know how to chain people like Rajaona." Bittu expressed the apprehension that Rajaona was a dreaded terrorist. He said that if his sentence is commuted, he will come out of jail and will indulge in bloodshed by getting parole.
30-Sep-2019
A five-member panel constituted by Sarbat Khalsa Jathedar Jagtar Singh Hawara demanded to release the Sikh prisoners who have completed their life sentences. The panel said that there are 22 such prisoners lodged in different jails across the country, including ten of them in Punjab jails and five in Chandigarh's Burrail Jail.
30-Sep-2019
Special Task Force (STF) arrested three persons, identified as Sukhraj Singh, Bhupinder Singh and Rajpal Singh, following an encounter near Jandiala in Amritsar District. Two of their accomplices managed to flee. STF has recovered 2 pistols, 3 magazines and 64 rounds from their possession.
29-Sep-2019
Police recovered missing parts of drone from the Dode-Chhapa canal near Chabhal town, around 35km from Tarn Taran district headquarters. Earlier, Police busted a Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) module that had weapons smuggled to it through a drone.
28-Sep-2019
India announced on September 28 that eight Sikh prisoners housed in Indian jails – Lal Singh, Davindar Pal Singh Bhullar, Harjinder Singh, Gurdeep Singh Khera, Waryam Singh, Subheg Singh, Nand Singh and Balbir Singh – would be prematurely released in a special exemption coinciding with the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. It also said that the death sentence handed to Rajoana, of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) outfit, was being commuted to a life sentence.
28-Sep-2019
Police searched the Amritsar Central jail, where three of the accused, Maan Singh, Akashdeep and Gurdev Singh, had hatched the conspiracy to receive weapons from across the border. “A search operation was launched in the barracks where Maan Singh was lodged. The barracks of Akashdeep and Gurdev Singh were also searched,” said a Police officer. Police seized three mobile phones found abandoned in the jail complex.
27-Sep-2019
According to reports, Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) militant Aashiq Nengroo, originally hailing from Kakapora in Pulwama, along with Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) was instrumental in transporting consignments of arms, ammunition and explosives from Pakistan to Tarn Taran District of Punjab through drone.
27-Sep-2019
The state special operation cell (SSOC) of Punjab Police, based on a tip-off from arrested Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) members, recovered a drone from Mahawa village near Attari on the Indo-Pak border in Amritsar. The SSOC officials claimed that two KZF members,Akashdeep and Subhdeephad hid the drone in the bushes on the defense drain near the village.The Police have arrested seven members of the KZF terror module till now.
26-Sep-2019
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) has reportedly arrested another member of the module identified as Shudhdeep Singh alias Shubh from an undisclosed place in Punjab. With his arrest, the Punjab Police have arrested seven members of the terror module till now. Sources said that Shubhdeep accompanied Akashdeep, Balwant Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Balbir Singh while retrieving the consignment of arms, ammunition, explosives and fake Indian currency notes smuggled to Indian side of border with the help of drones.
26-Sep-2019
A five-member NIA team visited the spot where a China-made drone was destroyed by the alleged Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terror module members. The interrogation of arrested persons revealed that they had also thrown several parts of the drone into UBDC canal near Dhode village near Jhabalin Amritsar district.
25-Sep-2019
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of the Punjab Police arrested a Khalistani terrorist, Gurdev Singh, brother of Germany-based Gurmeet Singh Bagga alias Doctor, for his alleged involvement in the dropping of arms and ammunition by drones from across the border in Punjab from PAP Chowk in Jalandhar. FICN with a face value of three lakh was also recovered from his possession. Gurdev is the sixth person to have been arrested in connection with Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terror module in Punjab so far.
24-Sep-2019
Intelligence agencies sounded an alert in the northern region, cautioning against a terror attack aimed at high-profile military targets following an influx of infiltrators from across the border with Pakistan. Sources said the input came from technical surveillance and consequently, all stakeholders in the northern region, particularly Punjab and adjoining districts of Rajasthan, have been notified about the need for extra security.
23-Sep-2019
The Amritsar judicial magistrate court sent five members of a Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terror module busted by Punjab Police to 10-day Police remand. Punjab Police on September 22 arrested four KZF members from Chola Sahib village in Tarn Taran District. Police investigation revealed that one Maan Singh of Samurai village in Gurdaspur District, currently lodged in Amritsar jail in an Arms Act and UAPA case, had recruited Akashdeep when they were lodged together in the Amritsar jail. The four arrested accused and Maan Singh, who was brought on production warrant, were presented in the court which sent them to police remand till October 3.
23-Sep-2019
STF has recovered five AK 74 rifles, ten magazines, 200 rounds, 1 Austria made Glock pistol, 2 magazines and 20 rounds from Mamdot area near International Border with Pakistan in Firozpur District.
22-Sep-2019
Punjab Police busted a terror module of the revived Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), that was conspiring to unleash a series of terrorist strikes in Punjab and adjoining States, by arresting four suspects along with a huge cache of arms, including five AK-47 rifles, pistols, satellite phones and hand grenades from Tarn Taran District. Those arrested were identified as Balwant Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Balbir Singh. The module was backed by the Pakistan-based ‘chief’ of the KZF, Ranjeet Singh alias Neeta, and his Germany-based associate, Gurmeet Singh alias Bagga. The module was planning to carry out multiple terrorist strikes in J&K, Punjab and other States.
22-Sep-2019
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh decided to transfer the ‘KZF terror module’ case to NIA for further investigation. A statement released by the Punjab CMO stated, "Module was conspiring to unleash series of terror strikes in Punjab and/or adjoining states. Police seized huge cache of arms including 5 AK-47 rifles, pistols, satellite phones and hand grenades. Further investigations in the case handed over to NIA." Punjab CM also urged the Central Government to direct the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Border Security Force (BSF) to launch necessary counter-measures to check for any possible threats.
18-Sep-2019
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal sought intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure “expeditious and across-the-board release of all Sikh prisoners languishing in different jails in the country even after serving the full term of their sentence”.
18-Sep-2019
An alleged Pakistani spy, identified as Vipin Singh, was arrested from Gurdaspur cantonment area on charges of passing vital information regarding Kartarpur Corridor construction work to Pakistan's ISI. Officials recovered a mobile phone from his possession and they claimed that the mobile phone was used by Vipin Singh to communicate with Pakistan-based handlers and share photographs of the Kartarpur Corridor construction site.
17-Sep-2019
Police, on the basis of disclosure made by a man arrested for drug peddling last week, recovered 13.72 kg heroin buried in a field across the barbed fence on the India-Pakistan border near Daoke village in Amritsar District. The accused, Samsher Singh, alias Shera, was arrested with 7.5 kg heroin and ₹28 lakh drug money in Ajnala’s Poonga village on September 13. Police had also recovered 1kg heroin from at Bhaini Rajpootan on Shera’s disclosure on September 15. The contraband was pushed into the Indian territory by Pakistan-based smugglers, the Police said.
17-Sep-2019
After intelligence warning about the ISI network's nefarious design to revive the pro-Khalistan elements and whip up passions for separatist movement, the Central Government is planning to have a joint counter operation centre in Punjab involving NIA, external spy agency R&AW, counter-terror unit of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Punjab Police.
17-Sep-2019
Punjab Police procured five-day remand of seven persons arrested in connection with the September 4 Tarn Taran blast.Those arrested include Harjit Singh, Maandeep Singh alias Massa, Amritpal Singh Randhawa, Manpreet Singh, Channdeep Singh, Armarjit Singh and Malkit Singh. Harjit is considered to be the kingpin.The investigation revealed the close relations of the arrested persons with foreign-based pro-Khalistan leaders. Sources said that the suspects confessed their links with Khalistani elements, who were providing them funds.
16-Sep-2019
The Madras High Court in Tamil Nadu received a bomb threat from a person claiming to be a member of ‘International Khalistan Support Group’. In a five-line letter addressed to the registrar general of the High Court, Hardarshan Singh Nagpal, claimed he was a resident of Sudershan Park in Moti Nagar in New Delhi, and said he along with his son “will do multiple bomb blasts inside the high court buildings on September 30”.
16-Sep-2019
The Punjab Police detained 10 persons allegedly belonging to a Khalistani terror module for questioning in connection with the September 4 Tarn Taran blast. Police said, on the basis of strong leads, 10 persons had been detained, who were being questioned on the probable target of the bomb they were making. Officials also confirmed there was no trace of RDX from the blast site.
15-Sep-2019
Police arrested a Tanzanian woman, identified as Rehma and recovered 2 kg heroin from her at Dainwind village in Kapurthala of Kapurthala District. Kapurthala SSP, Satinder Singh said that she was visiting India on a business visa and living with her relatives. She had earlier supplied drugs five times in other cities in Punjab and was caught supplying drugs in Kapurthala District.
15-Sep-2019
Sikh hardliners praised Narendra Modi led Union Government for scrapping the black list that will allow many Sikhs to visit their motherland, meet relatives and celebrate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. While expressing gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, informal Sarbat Khalsa-appointed parallel acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Dhian Singh Mand said, “It is a highly commendable act of Indian government and deserves acknowledgement.”
15-Sep-2019
Former Khalistan ideologue Wassan Singh Zaffarwal also hailed Narendra Modi Government. “Now those Sikhs can come to their motherland, meet their relatives and participate in the celebration functions of 550th birth anniversary of the first Guru,” he said.
13-Sep-2019
One person, identified as Shamsher Singh Shera was arrested along with a cache of 7.5 kg of heroin and INR 28 lakh drug money from Amritsar in Punjab. SPS Parmar,IG, Border Range said that "We are interrogating the cross-border angle in this matter. We are also probing into the forward and backward linkages of the matter".
13-Sep-2019
A blacklist of Sikh foreign nationals who have been barred from travelling to India for decades has been reduced from 314 to just 2, a senior UMHA official said. The 312 nationals removed from the blacklist, formally called the ‘Central Adverse List’, will be “eligible to get Indian visa and the Overseas Indian Card” in due course, the official said. The decision to whittle down the list was taken after a ‘review’ of threats posed by these people to India. These blacklisted Sikhs have been mostly living in the US and Canada in North America; and the UK, France and Germany in Europe. It has included Sikh community leaders who had promoted the cause of Khalistan, former militants, those connected to the ideology without a criminal record, and those who sought political asylum contending threat to their lives from the Indian authorities.“This review is a continuous and dynamic process and is a part of a regular exercise. Such a review will afford an opportunity to such Sikh foreign nationals to visit India, meet their family members and reconnect to their roots, “the official said.
13-Sep-2019
The Punjab Government has decided to distribute religious literature in all prisons in the state to mark the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikh religion, Guru Nanak Dev. On the eve of the Sikh Guru's birthday celebrations, the Punjab Government has also proposed to release 550 prisoners on account of good conduct.
13-Sep-2019
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) condemned the Pakistan Government’s decision to charge INR 1,400 per pilgrim as service charge for using the upcoming Kartarpur corridor, saying the neighbouring country is trying to impose ‘jazia’ (a tax non-Muslims pay under Sharia law) on Indian devotees.
12-Sep-2019
India urged Pakistan to show ‘some flexibility’ on the Kartarpur Corridor to ensure the celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev is conducted smoothly. Earlier in the day, Pakistan said that pilgrims will be charged $20 as service charge for visiting the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara.
11-Sep-2019
Police arrested six more suspects in connection with the explosion which took place near Kaler village in Tarn Taran District on September 4. The arrested suspects belong to Gurdaspur, Patti and Amritsar and were being interrogated. Two persons were killed and another one was injured in the blast that took place in an agriculture field.
11-Sep-2019
According to sources, the interrogation of 32 people in connection with Tarn Taran blast has provided important leads about the motive behind the explosion."The accused wanted to cause a blast at a public place. Investigation is on to find out who these people were working for", an unnamed senior police official said. Sources also said that the Police suspect the hand of ISI and Khalistani terror groups in the explosion. Traces of foreign funding have also been found. Tarn Taran District was a hotbed for terror activities during the Khalistan militancy days.
11-Sep-2019
The Punjab Police, in a move to restructure its Intelligence Department, formed a separate ‘internal security wing’ to specifically focus on anti-terrorism and anti-internal insurgency operations. Under this new administrative arrangement, three major wings of Intelligence Department, Counter Intelligence (CI), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Organised Crime Control Unit (OCCU) will now be supervised by ADGP (internal security) — a new post created recently. 1993-batch IPS officer RN Dhoke was transferred to the post on September 9. Earlier, functioning of these three wings (CI, FIU, OCCU) which are headed by IG, used to be directly supervised by the intelligence chief.
11-Sep-2019
Baldev Kumar, a former lawmaker of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who has sought asylum in India, said that he has been receiving threatening phone calls from across the border. Baldev Kumar has sought political asylum in India for himself and his family, citing atrocities against minorities in Pakistan.
11-Sep-2019
The Special Task Force (STF) Ludhiana Ferozepur range arrested a drug peddler, identified as Ravinder Singh Nikka along with 1kg heroin and 100 gm of expensive ice drug from Chimney road in Shimlapuri in Ludhiana District.
11-Sep-2019
In a joint operation conducted by the health officials and the district administration, an illegal drug de-addiction centre, which was running under the name of ‘Khalsa Welfare Foundation’, was busted in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib District. The authorities rescued as many as 14 addicts being allegedly tortured in the centre.