KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-Jun-2019
Around 5,000 security personnel have been deployed across Amritsar ahead of the 35th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Also, 500 Policemen would be present inside the Golden Temple during an event to observe the anniversary. Apart from coordinating security arrangements with the Police, the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) will also be keeping a tab on the situation with the help of CCTV cameras. Parallel Sarbat Khalsa JathedarDhian Singh Mand is also expected to reach Akal Takht and read message to the community.
05-Jun-2019
An intelligence report submitted in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) claims that Canada-based Khalistani activists, backed by the Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence(ISI), is planning to target retired Police and Army Personnel to spread terror in Punjab. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh reviewed the state’s internal security and took stock of the law and order. He ordered the police to take all possible steps to verify such reports and check the spread of rumours, which could lead panic among people.
04-Jun-2019
Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar)’s annual ‘Sikh Genocide Remembrance’ march got support from Students for Society (SFS), a left leaning student body. This is the first time SFS has lent support to the march. Punjab University Student council president Kanupriya took part in the march and extended her support to the cause of Dal Khalsa, that raised demand of Khalistan during the march. “It is a time when fascism is in control of power and there is need to stand with minorities. SFS supports demand of self-determination of Dal Khalsa,” said Kanupriya. Activists led by Dal Khalsa youth leader Paramjit Singh Mand were carrying photographs of damaged Golden Temple and Akal Takht and those killed in the army action. Addressing the protest march, Dal Khalsa chief H S Dhami said: “The sentiments of sovereignty that were strengthened by the Army attack have not been buried with the passage of time and change in the political scenario.”
02-Jun-2019
Police recovered two hand grenades from a bag that was hurriedly dropped by two unidentified motorcycle borne youth at a naka (temporary check post) laid on Ajnala- Amritsar road in Amritsar District.
01-Jun-2019
Police arrested Nishan Singh, belonging to a Sikh radical organisation, in Amritsar District and recovered .32 bore revolver from his possession.
31-May-2019
As several Sikh bodies, including separatist outfits, have started preparations for observing the 35th Anniversary of the Operation Bluestar on June 6, authorities are taking all security measures to turn the holy city into a fortress. Besides, 5,000 police personnel from Amritsar and the neighboring districts of Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur and Pathankot were already deployed, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police have called six companies of paramilitary forces to maintain law and order in the city.
30-May-2019
Pro-Khalistan groups like the Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) led by Simranjit Singh Mann will hold ‘genocide remembrance marches’ across the city on the eve of the anniversary. The Dal Khalsa has also given a call for ‘Amritsar bandh’ on June 6 to mark the anniversary.
26-May-2019
Three of the Khalistan accused arrested earlier in separate incidents this year and in 2018 were charge sheeted by National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a special court in Mumbai. Although police had arrested them, identified as Harpal Singh, Mohiuddin Siddiqui and Gurjeet Singh Nijjar at different time in different locations, they were being instructed by a single operative who was working at the behest of his masters in Canada, United Kingdom and Pakistan.
08-May-2019
Amritsar (rural) police arrested a serving soldier of Indian Army named as Malkiat Singh alias Fauji for allegedly spying for Pakistan and recovered sensitive documents from his possession in the area of Khasa cantonment, Amritsar. Police had recovered suspicious photographs, 3 mobile phones, training manual of Indian army, army’s movement details and other sensitive documents having secret information of military areas, etc.
04-May-2019
Police arrested two persons, Arvinder Singh and Jaspreet Singh, allegedly linked to the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and recovered 15 passports, a pistol, six live cartridges and Pakistani currency worth 15,000 from their possession in Nawanshahr District of Punjab.
27-Apr-2019
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh states that the appointment of a wanted Khalistani terrorist to spearhead the ‘Khalistan Referendum 2020’ campaign by ‘Sikhs For Justice’ (SFJ) has exposed the true motive and intent behind the separatist movement. He also urges the Government of India (GoI) and global community to join India in cracking down on this grave threat to its peace and security.
23-Apr-2019
A PhD student at the Central University Bathinda (Bathinda District) identified as Hilal Ahmed Mantoo was arrested for his involvement in Pulwama attack.
16-Apr-2019
India and Pakistan reported progress in the talks on construction of infrastructure facilities for Indian Sikh pilgrims looking to visit Kartarpur Pakistan. The meeting was held in Gurdaspur in Indian state of Punjab.The Pakistani committee included Khalistan supporter Gopal Singh Chawla, who is also associated with Hafiz Saeed, the chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). India has stated that it would continue the technical talks on infrastructure but not official level talks on the movement of pilgrims.
13-Apr-2019
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh criticized the Canadian Government’s decision to remove all references to Khalistani extremism in its 2018 report on terrorist threats to Canada. The CM stated that it was clearly aimed at protecting its political interests in a poll year on the pretext of pressure groups in the Sikh community.The Canadian government had removed eight references to Sikh extremism and six references to Khalistan from its terror report.
31-Mar-2019
Punjab Police stated that a militant cell (consisting Harvinder Singh, Sultan Singh, Karamjeet Singh, Lovepreet Singh, and Gurpreet Singh) was busted in an unspecified location in the state in which 32 bore pistol along with a magazine and four live rounds and 15 letter pads of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) were recovered from the arrestees. The accused were planning to kill Hindu leaders and members of Dera Sacha Sauda. They were planning to arrange weapons training in Jammu and Kashmir and were in touch with Khalistani militants including Jagtar Singh Hawara of BKI who is in jail, Ranjit Singh Pakhoke, active member of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), residing in Germany.
29-Mar-2019
Fake Indian currency notes (FICN) of face value Rs 6,500 was seized from two Indian nationals coming from Pakistan via Samjhauta Express were intercepted by the Customs officials at the Land Customs Station (LCS), Attari in Punjab.
28-Mar-2019
Jalandhar Police arrested a militant identified as Amrik Singh alias Manga reportedly belonging to Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) from Jalandhar District. He was wanted in twin blasts case at Jalandhar bus stand carried out by Satnam Singh alias Satta Lasuri on April 28, 2006 and May 24, 2006. Pakistan-based KZF leader Ranjeet Singh Neeta and USA-based Balwinder Singh Possi had masterminded the blasts along with Amrik Singh. Amrik had a close association with infamous terrorists Gurdeep Singh alias Deepa Heranwala of KCF.
19-Mar-2019
Indian and Pakistani experts travelled to the border crossing in Punjab for the proposed Kartarpur Corridor to discuss the coordinates for the “zero point” where Sikh pilgrims will cross over. The two sides will meet next on April 2 2019, to take forward plans to complete the corridor in time for the 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak.
15-Mar-2019
Punjab Police’s state special operation cell arrested an electrician, identified as Ram Kumar, who was working for Military Engineering Service (MES) under the charge of passing on sensitive military information to a Pakistan-based intelligence operative.
14-Mar-2019
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh stated, in connection with Kartarpur Corridor, that India’s agenda may be religious but Pakistan’s is totally disruptive. He further stated, "While Pakistan Prime Minister talks of peace, their Army Chief continues to promote his evil designs". The plan was to complete the project by November 23, 2019, the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.
14-Mar-2019
India did not raise the issue of Pakistan supporting the Khalistani movement during delegation-level talks to discuss the modalities of the Kartarpur Corridor. An official stated that ‘We did not want to give Pakistan an opportunity to deviate from discussing the modalities of the corridor, which is a priority for us. Indian security agencies had raised concerns about Pakistan using the corridor to push the Khalistani agenda of secessionist groups, including Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a U.S.-Canada based group who are planning to organise a convention on ‘Khalistan-Referendum 2020’ at the Kartarpur shrine.
05-Mar-2019
National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested an accused suspected, identified as Amir Nazir Mir, to be involved in 2018 Grenade attack on a Police station in Punjab from Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). On September 14, 2018, four grenades were hurled at the building of Maqsudan Police Station in Jalandhar, in which one police personnel was injured. Further, investigation has revealed that the attack was handiwork of Kashmir-based terror outfit Ansar Ghazawat-ul-Hind (AGH).
27-Feb-2019
Police was notified after public noticed pro-Khalistan slogans like ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ and “Referendum 2020” which were painted on the walls of Ridhi Sidhi Colony and on a mile stone in Alamgarh in Ferozpur District.
22-Feb-2019
National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge-sheet against eight people allegedly owing allegiance to the banned Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF), in a case of attempt to murder Shiv Sena leader Amit Arora on February 3, 2016 in Ludhiana. Those charge sheeted include Hardeep Singh alias Shera, Ramandeep Singh alias Canadian, Dharminder Singh alias Guguni, Anil Kumar alias Kala, Jagtar Singh Johal alias Jaggi, Harmeet Singh alias Happy (suspected to be in Pakistan), Gurjinder Singh alias Shastri (suspected to be in Italy) and Gursharanbir Singh alias Pehalwan (suspected to be in UK)
14-Feb-2019
A protest march was taken out at Jalandhar against life imprisonment awarded by the Nawanshahr District Court to three Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) activists for procession of pro-Khalistan literature.
14-Feb-2019
Security has been stepped up for the Additional Sessions Judge Randhir Verma who had sentenced the three BKI activists. Superintendent of Police (SP) Harish Dayama stated that ‘In view of protests in Nawanshahr and around, we have provided more security to the judge’.
12-Feb-2019
Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir states in Lok Sabha that Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) were involved in the November 2018 attack in Amritsar.He also informed that the two people were arrested in connection with the incident and three people residing abroad have been accused in the attack.
12-Feb-2019
Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir states in Lok Sabha that NIA has registered seven cases in Punjab of which five cases were related to murder and two cases related to attempt to murder in Punjab during 2016-17. “The objective of which was to destabilise the law and order situation in Punjab and to revive Khalistan linked terrorism in the state”, he said.
11-Feb-2019
Dal Khalsa announces a sit-down demonstration at the doorsteps of Nawanshahr District Court on February 13 to protest life imprisonment of three youths arrested for processing pro-Khalistan literature. According to the spokesperson of Dal Khalsa, ‘The three youth never indulged in any violent activity neither did anyone else allegedly influenced by them. The court held the trio guilty on mere possession of pamphlets’
07-Feb-2019
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) report state that at least 33 alleged Pakistani terrorists have crossed into India from the Punjab and Samba-Kathua sectors in Jammu &Kashmir since October 2017. According to the report, terrorists may have infiltrated through the same sector that the attackers, who carried out the Pathankot Air Base attack and the Nagrota Army camp attack had used.
05-Feb-2019
Nawanshahr District Court announced life imprisonment to three Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) militants identified as Arvinder Singh, Surjit Singh and Ranjit Singh. They were charged under Section 121 (waging, or attempting to wage war), along with 10 years of imprisonment under Section 121 (a) (Conspiracy to commit offences punishable by section 121) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).
23-Jan-2019
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh protested against Pakistan’s proposal to allow only Sikh pilgrims to visit Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara. He also urged the Union Government to take up the issue with Pakistan when the latter sends its draft agreement for regulating entry into its territory through the Kartarpur Corridor.
14-Jan-2019
Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised in the political conference of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) organised at the Bhai Mastan Singh Road, Amritsar. A number of hoardings and flags with pro-Khalistan messages were also put up at the venue.
06-Jan-2019
An alleged Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative and fund raiser, Bhupinder Singh alias Dilawar, wanted in a May 2017 case in Punjab, has been deported to India by Saudi Arabia. He was produced in the court of a duty magistrate and was remanded to six days in police custody.
04-Jan-2019
The BSF arrested a Pakistan national, Riasat Ali resident of Sardakot, for intruding into the Indian territory at India-Pakistan International Border (IB)’s Mullekot Border Outpost.
02-Jan-2019
The Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir said in Rajya Sabha that in the recent grenade attack on a Nirankari mission in Amritsar, the involvement of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), and the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) has emerged; and in last two years, 18 Khalistan-inspired outfits were busted with arrests of 95 Khalistani operatives.
28-Dec-2018
The BSF and Punjab Police, jointly in an operation, arrested three persons—Sonu Singh, Gurnam Singh, and Gurjeet Singh, and recovered 1.8 kg of heroin from their possession, nearby the India-Pakistan International Border [IB] near Gatti Bisoke of Fazilka District in Punjab. The officials involved in the operations recovered two plastic bags containing 15 small packets of heroin worth INR 9 crore in the international market.
27-Dec-2018
Concerning the efforts of Pakistan-based Sikh extremist elements to revive ‘Khalistan militancy’ in Punjab the Central government, exercising their powers conferred by the Section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UAPA], 1967, added the ‘Khalistan Liberation Force [KLF] and all its manifestations’ as the 40th entry in the First Schedule of UAPA that proscribes terrorist organisations. It is believed that KLF is involved in terrorism as it has committed and participated in various acts of terrorism in India. KLF has also been engaged in radicalisation and recruitment of youth for terrorist activities in India, read the notification released by the UMHA.
27-Dec-2018
The BSF recovered 13 packets weighing 5.6 kg of heroin from nearby the Bharopal Border Outpost in Amritsar Sector of Punjab. Reportedly, Pakistan based drug smugglers were trying to slip heroin into the Indian Territory.
23-Dec-2018
The officials of the BSF, has prevented an attempt of intrusion by a Pakistan-based drug smuggler [identity unknown], and recovered 17 kg of Heroin along with arms and ammunition nearby Karma Border outpost of India-Pakistan Border in Ferozepur Sector of Punjab. During a search operation along with the Border fence, the BSF personnel recovered 17 packets, each of a kilogram, of heroin worth INR 85 crore, a Pakistan-made pistol, a modified weapon with three magazines and 26 live rounds.
20-Dec-2018
The Punjab Police arrested Mohin Khan, who was allegedly involved in supporting the pro-Khalistan campaign “Referendum 2020” and was a supplier of arms and ammunition to the terror elements in Punjab. Mohin Khan was arrested with a pistol in his possession, from Fatehgarh Sahib District in Punjab. The preliminary interrogation revealed that Mohin visited Bangalore thrice on the instructions of Gurjit Singh Nijjer via Facebook, who is based in Cyprus and guide Mohin to work for the “Referendum 2020” propaganda
18-Dec-2018
The Chief Minister of Punjab Capt. Amarinder Singh said that the statement by the US based pro-Khalistan group—Sikhs For Justice [SFJ] has revealed the relation between the group and Pakistan’s Army and ISI to ‘liberate’ Punjab from India. Pakistan’s decision to open the Kartarpur Corridor was an ISI game-strategy to support anti-India elements which includes SFJ outfit.
15-Dec-2018
The officials of 136th Battalion of the BSF recovered three packets of heroin weigh 1.5 kg in total, worth INR 2.5 crore, from near the Barreke Border outpost of the India-Pakistan International Border in the Ferozepur Sector of Punjab.
10-Dec-2018
Punjab’s Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh has stated that the opening of Kartarpur Corridor is a conspiracy of Pakistan’s ISI and Pakistan’s Army against India. There are no doubts that Pakistan’s Prime Minister [PM] Imran Khan making efforts to bring peace and harmony with India, but at the same time, he shall overcome the ‘top brass’ of Pakistan’s Army to ensure that killings of India Soldiers at the borders must stopped immediately, said CM Amarinder Singh. "The opening of the Kartarpur Corridor is clearly a game plan of the ISI," he said, adding a bigger conspiracy seems to have been hatched by Pakistan Army against India.He admitted that Pakistan was attempting to revive militancy in Punjab and thus everyone should be wary of all of its overtures, no matter how grand they appear to be, an official release, quoting him, said here.The Sidhu affair was being unnecessarily hyped and those raising it had clearly failed to see the ISI game plan, said Captain Amarinder, lashing out at the Akalis for branding the Punjab minister as stooge of the Pakistan PM.The chief minister hit out at the Akalis and the BJP's central leadership for "indulging" in unwarranted controversy over his (chief minister's) relations with Sidhu.
26-Nov-2018
The NIA will be investigating the case of four alleged members—Karam Singh, Gurjant aka Jenta, and Amreet aka Amrit, of pro-Khalistan group [unidentified], involved in the conspiracy to kill former Punjab Chief Minister—Prakash Singh Badal, and his family member. Till now, Uttar Pradesh’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) was probing the case.
24-Nov-2018
A Sikh seminary—Damdami Taksal-Ajnala located in Ajnala town of Amritsar district has been put under surveillance of security agencies as almost every Khalistan terror module cracked in Punjab has shown links to the seminary. Avtar Singh, ‘president’ of Sikh Youth Federation-Bhinderanwale (SYF-B) who was arrested on November 24 in the Amritsar grenade attack case, is disciple of Amrik Singh Ajnala, who heads the Damdami Taksal Ajnala. Also, at least five other Khalistan terrorist who were arrested in the past two months were disciples of the same seminary.
24-Nov-2018
Acting upon the information provided by arrested Bikramjit Singh, the Punjab Police arrested Avtar Singh (32)—the prime accused of recent grenade attack in Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar, from Khiala village in Lopoke in Amritsar district of Punjab. Avtar Singh is a graduate and had no criminal history. Avtar Singh’s link with Harmeet Singh Happy aka PhD— self-styled ‘chief’ of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) based in Pakistan has been traced where Harmeet Singh has been emerged as most active pro-Khalistan leader of an outfit supported by Pakistan’s ISI, said Punjab DGP Suresh Arora. Upon disclosure by Avtar Singh, the Punjab Police recovered two pistols of .32 bore (one of the pistols is US-made), four magazines, and 25 live rounds of ammunition, said DGP Arora.
22-Nov-2018
Bikramjit Singh—an accused arrested in Amritsar grenade explosion case was produced before the Court, and sent to five days of Police remand.
21-Nov-2018
Speeding up on the action in the Nirankari Bhawan grenade attack case, Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, has claimed that the Police has arrested—Bikramjit Singh, an alleged member of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) from Loharka Village, Amritsar District, while search in on-going for Bikramjit’s associate. The grenades were dumped from across the fence by Pakistan's ISI. These were made by Pakistan Ordnance Factory. Bikramjit has provided information which indicates that the grenade was provided by “Happy” based in Pakistan. “Happy” is suspected to be the Pakistan-based KLF ‘chief’—Harmeet Singh Happy aka PhD.
20-Nov-2018
The NIA will be interrogating arrested ISI-supported Khalistani terrorist —Shabnam Deep Singh, for further leads in the Nirankari Bhawan blast case. Shabnam Deep Singh was arrested by the Patiala Police on November 1. The modus operandi of the grenade attack at the Nirankari Bhawan is similar to what Shabnam Deep Singh had planned to attack any crowded place in Patiala, said Patiala SSP M.S. Sindhu. Shabnam Deep Singh’s close aid—Jatinder Singh, who was arrested on November 19 in Sangrur, has confessed that Shabnam Deep Singh and others [unknown] were getting instructions from their handlers based in Pakistan and floated a new Khalistani outfit—Khalistan Gadar Force (KGF) to revive the militancy in Punjab.