KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
18-Dec-2025
The Supreme Court on December 18 declined to issue specific directions to the Centre to expedite the extradition of Punjab resident Iqbal Singh, who is accused of smuggling and selling heroin to fund the Hizbul Mujahideen, from Portugal. Observing that the government was making all possible efforts to secure his return, the Bench remarked, “They are taking steps and making efforts.” The court was hearing a petition filed by Singh’s brother seeking his early extradition so that he could participate in the criminal trial pending before a Mohali court.
18-Dec-2025
A 40-year-old man, identified as Baljit Singh alias Billa, who ran a motorcycle repair shop, was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants in the Tanda area of Hoshiarpur district on December 18. The attackers arrived on a motorcycle and fired three to four rounds at Singh before fleeing the scene. The motive behind the killing was not immediately known. Police have initiated an investigation and are scanning CCTV footage from the surrounding area to identify and trace the assailants.
18-Dec-2025
On December 18, Punjab Police, on day 292 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 40 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 51 drug smugglers and seized 3.9 kg of heroin, 500 grams of opium, 165 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 8190 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
17-Dec-2025
Police busted an international drug trafficking syndicate involved in smuggling opium to the United States through courier parcels and arrested a key member, Lakhbir Singh of Kot Data village in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, on December 17. Lakhbir, who was carrying a reward of INR 5,000 on his arrest, had been absconding for nearly two years. Police said suspicious financial transactions amounting to INR 66 lakh were detected in his bank account within a single year. Details of the accused have been shared with the Punjab Police’s Anti-Narcotics Department and the Intelligence Bureau.
17-Dec-2025
Amritsar Rural Police on December 17 arrested four persons, identified as Narinder Singh alias Nindi, Jaskaran Singh, Harjinder Singh, and Akashdeep Singh, and seized a .30 bore pistol with a magazine and four live cartridges, two .32 bore country-made pistols with magazines and three live cartridges, along with 40.63 grams of heroin, from Khilchian in Amritsar district.
17-Dec-2025
The Special Cell of the Delhi Police on December 17 arrested five key shooters of the notorious Bishnoi–Harry Boxer gang, who were wanted in connection with three recent murder cases, identified as Piyush Piplani, Ankush Solanki, Kuwarbir, Lovepreet Singh, and Santokh alias Kapil Khatri and seized four firearms and a large quantity of ammunition from their possession in New Delhi. The arrests are linked to the murder of Inderpreet Singh alias Parry, who was shot dead in Sector 26, Chandigarh, on December 1; the killing of Ashu Mahajan in Amritsar, Punjab, on the night of July 31; and the murder of kabaddi player Sonu Nolta, who was gunned down on June 5 in Panchkula, Haryana. The accused were wanted by the police forces of Punjab, Chandigarh, and Haryana.
17-Dec-2025
Three schools in Ahmedabad—Maharaja Agrasen School, Zydus School for Excellence, and Zebra School—received bomb threat emails on December 17, prompting immediate police intervention, in Gujarat. According to officials, the emails contained a message stating, “We will take revenge.” Sources indicated that investigators are probing possible links to Khalistani elements behind the threat emails, though no official confirmation has been made so far. The incident has raised concerns over school safety, and authorities have assured that the situation is under control while the investigation continues.
17-Dec-2025
On December 17, Punjab Police, on day 291 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 83 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 103 drug smugglers and seized 5.03 kg of heroin, 2.7 kg of opium, 1465 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 2.6 lakhs drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
17-Dec-2025
One of the three accused in the murder of kabaddi player and team promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh alias Rana Balchauriya, identified as Harbhinder Singh alias Maddi, was shot dead in a police encounter near Lalru in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district, on December 17. A police official, Gulab Singh, was also injured during the exchange of fire. Police said Maddi was an active operative of foreign-based gangster Doni Bal and was also involved in several firing incidents in Tarn Taran district. The search operation to apprehend the remaining two accused is ongoing.
17-Dec-2025
The alleged mastermind behind the murder of kabaddi player and team promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh alias Rana Balchauriya, identified as Aishdeep Singh, was arrested by the Punjab Police from the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi on December 17 while he was allegedly attempting to flee to Muscat. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), SAS Nagar, Harmandeep Singh Hans said Aishdeep Singh, who had been staying in Russia, returned to India on November 25 on the directions of gangster-turned-terrorist Dony Bal to execute the killing. The SSP further said that another accused, Jugraj Singh, has also been arrested with the assistance of the Amritsar (Rural) Police. “All the accused involved in the case have been identified, and raids are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects,” he added.
16-Dec-2025
The Attari police on December 16 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Nirvail Singh, and seized 2.948 kg of heroin along with packing material from his possession in Attari, Amritsar district. Preliminary investigation suggests that the contraband was smuggled from Pakistan using drones.
16-Dec-2025
Police on December 16 seized 840 grams of heroin along with packing material from a black polythene bag found lying on the roadside near the border village of Daoke in Amritsar district.
16-Dec-2025
On December 16, Punjab Police, on day 290 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 57 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 76 drug smugglers and seized 2.2 kg of heroin, 10 kg of opium, 36 kg of poppy husk, 1010 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 1520 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
16-Dec-2025
Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans on December 16 said that two of the three motorcycle-borne shooters involved in the firing incident at a kabaddi tournament in Mohali—during which kabaddi player Kanwar Digvijay Singh alias Rana Balchauriya was shot dead on the evening of December 15—have been identified as Aditya Kapoor and Karan Pathak, both residents of Amritsar district. The accused are members of the Lucky Patial gang, which is associated with the Davinder Bambiha gang. While investigations into the motive are ongoing, the SSP ruled out any link between the murder and slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, stating that the killing appeared to be the result of gang rivalry over “dominance in kabaddi.
16-Dec-2025
The jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP), Amritpal Singh, while appearing via videoconferencing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on December 16, said that all work in his parliamentary constituency had come to a standstill and that his continued detention was preventing him from raising key public issues—including floods, drugs, and alleged fake encounters—in Parliament. Choosing to address the court himself due to the abstention of lawyers from work, Amritpal submitted that his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) had completely stalled the functioning of his constituency.
16-Dec-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on December 16 said that there had been no lapse on the part of the state government, asserting that it neither supports nor encourages criminal elements. He said the current wave of gangster violence was the result of “seeds sown in the past” by the Akali Dal and the Congress, leading to internal rivalries among gangs now coming to the fore. Warning gangsters, the CM said no one would be allowed to spread terror in the state. “We are soon coming out with a comprehensive plan to tackle gangsters. We are analysing those involved, identifying their hideouts, and tracing the countries from where they issue threats and operate their networks,” he added.
16-Dec-2025
Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana Member of Parliament (MP) Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on December 16 urged Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to take serious note of the deteriorating law-and-order situation in the state. He said Punjab was turning into “killing fields,” with criminals and gangsters striking with alarming regularity.
16-Dec-2025
According to data shared by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) in response to a question by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Member of Parliament (MP) Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Punjab recorded an overall conviction rate of 83.87% in cases tried under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between January 1, 2022, and November 30, 2025. During this period, courts secured 21,625 convictions out of 25,797 cases, translating to an average of more than 13 NDPS convictions per day across the state. District- and unit-wise data revealed wide variations in performance, with several districts posting conviction rates well above the state average while others lagged behind. Among the top performers, the Punjab Police’s State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Mohali, recorded a 100% conviction rate, securing convictions in all 45 cases it pursued. Nawanshahr followed with a conviction rate of 95.86% (1,391 convictions out of 1,451 cases), while Fatehgarh Sahib reported 95.2%. Barnala also performed strongly, registering a conviction rate of 93.33%. Other districts and units with consistently high conviction rates included Commissionerate Police (CP) Ludhiana at 90.15%, Malerkotla at 89.95%, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) police station at 89.46%, Pathankot at 89.13%, and Mohali at 88.19%.
16-Dec-2025
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Satpal Sharma said on December 16 in Panchkula that the Haryana government has decided to provide a government job to one eligible member of the family of each person killed in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. He said the appointments would be made through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam (HKRN) based on the educational qualifications of the beneficiaries. The benefit will be extended to the families of victims irrespective of whether the incident occurred within Haryana or outside the state. However, all appointments will be made within Haryana, the DC added.
16-Dec-2025
The families of the two Punjabi youths who were shot dead in southeast Edmonton, Canada, on December 12 suspect that the killings may have been a case of mistaken identity, as the car in which the victims were travelling did not belong to them. A relative of one of the victims, Ranvir Singh, said that Ranvir had never had any enmity or even a minor altercation with anyone, leading the family to believe that the attackers may have been targeting someone else.
15-Dec-2025
Khalra police, in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), on December 15 seized 576 grams of heroin from an agricultural field in Dall village in Tarn Taran district.
15-Dec-2025
According to reports, Ludhiana Police have uncovered a major extortion racket allegedly run by gangster-turned-terrorist Goldy Brar. The arrest of two Ludhiana-based youths, identified as Jatin and Jaspreet, led to the identification of 12 more accomplices across the state working for Brar. During interrogation, police also learned that several inmates lodged in Punjab jails were part of the racket and were helping Brar recruit local youths. Based on these disclosures, police brought gangster Shubham Grover from Ferozepur jail on a production warrant. Shubham is believed to be a key handler for Goldy Brar, tasked with recruiting youths into the organised gang.
15-Dec-2025
On December 15, Punjab Police, on day 289 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 7 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 11 drug smugglers and seized 4.5 kg of heroin and INR 3.9 lakhs drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
15-Dec-2025
A 30-year-old kabaddi player and team promoter, identified as Kanwar Digvijay Singh alias Rana Balchauriya, was shot dead by unidentified assailants during a kabaddi tournament in Sector 82, Mohali, in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district on December 15. According to reports, the assailants approached the victim on the pretext of taking a selfie, led him aside near the parking area, and shot him at point-blank range in the head. Soon after the incident, the Gopi Ghanshyampuria gang claimed responsibility for the killing through a social media post. In the post, the gang alleged that Rana Balchauriya was aligned with rival groups and had links with Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Khoti. The gang further claimed that the murder was carried out as retaliation for the killing of singer Sidhu Moosewala and warned kabaddi players against supporting rival factions or interfering in kabaddi-related affairs. The post named Makhan Amritsar and Karan as the shooters.
15-Dec-2025
Punjab Police, in coordination with central agencies, on December 15 arrested two gangster-turned-terrorists linked to the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as Sajan Masih and Manish Bedi, immediately upon their arrival in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said the duo were key operatives of Pakistan-based, ISI-backed terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda and US-based detained gangster Happy Passia. Both accused, who had earlier shifted their base from Dubai to Armenia and subsequently operated from other countries, have a long criminal history, with multiple cases registered against them for murder, attempt to murder, and offences under the Arms Act, Explosives Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) at various police stations in Batala and Amritsar districts of Punjab.
15-Dec-2025
Eleven schools in Jalandhar district on December 15 received bomb threat emails, triggering panic as parents rushed to school premises to pick up their children. According to reports, the emails were sent from a username identified as “Leonila Thompson” and contained references to “Khalistan,” the “Khalistan Referendum,” and slogans such as “Ballot vs Bomb.” School authorities immediately informed the police, who launched search operations. As a precautionary measure, the schools were closed around noon.
15-Dec-2025
Family members of Akash Sharma alias Golu Pandit, who was shot dead by three car-borne assailants in the parking lot of the Abohar court complex in Fazilka district on December 11, blocked the main gate of the civil hospital and raised slogans against the police and the district administration. Golu’s father, Avinash Chander, a priest at the oldest Johari Mandir, alleged that members of the Gaggi gang, who were named in the FIR, were threatening to attack him and his family. He demanded that the police provide security cover to his entire family and issue him an arms license.
15-Dec-2025
Rajasthan Police on December 15 arrested an active member of the Rohit Godara–Mahendra Delana gang, identified as Pradeep Chhimpa alias PC, and seized a country-made pistol from his possession in Bukalsar Phanta area of Churu district, Rajasthan.
14-Dec-2025
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of Punjab Police on December 14 arrested four operatives of a drug supply module, identified as Yuvraj Singh, Varinder Singh, Jagroop Singh, and Jugraj Singh seized 4 kg of heroin, a .32-bore pistol with magazine, five live cartridges, and INR 3.90 lakh drug money from their possession, in the Ajnala sector of Amritsar district. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the module was linked to foreign-based handler Lakhwinder Singh alias Baba Lakha and a jailed associate, Daya Singh alias Preet Sekhon.
13-Dec-2025
Chandigarh Police on December 13 arrested another accused in the December 1 murder of Inderpreet Singh alias Parry, identifying him as Sunny Kumar, from near the cremation ground at Bhagat Ghat Colony in Kharar, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district.
13-Dec-2025
On December 13, Punjab Police, on day 287 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 25 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 27 drug smugglers and seized 725 grams of heroin, 500 grams of opium and 75 intoxicant pills from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
12-Dec-2025
Police on December 12 arrested two persons, identified as Paramjit Singh and Gurwinder Singh, and seized 505 grams of heroin from Rakh Bhuse in Tarn Taran district.
12-Dec-2025
Another youth from Brahampur village in Raikot in Ludhiana district has emerged as the alleged mastermind behind the three firing incidents at comedian Kapil Sharma’s Kap’s Café in Canada. According to Canadian police and central agencies, Sukhwinder Singh alias Seepu of Brahampur, along with two other Punjabi youths—Sharry and Diljot—has been linked to the attacks. Their names surfaced a fortnight after the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested Bandhu Maan Singh Sekhon, an operative of the Goldy Dhillon gang, from Jawaddi village on the outskirts of Ludhiana on November 28.
12-Dec-2025
Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Rekha Gupta on December 12 handed over appointment letters to 36 dependants of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims in New Delhi. She said the appointments were not merely jobs but a formal recognition of the rights and identity of families who had waited over four decades for justice and dignity.
12-Dec-2025
An aide of foreign-based gangster Prabh Dasuwal, identified as Gurwinder Singh, was injured in a police encounter near the Kot I Sekha link road in Moga district on December 12. Police said they had received specific inputs that a wanted criminal linked to an extortion module was moving in the area. The gang’s network is suspected of issuing extortion threats to local traders.
12-Dec-2025
On December 12, Punjab Police, on day 286 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 53 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 68 drug smugglers and seized 863 grams of heroin, 352 intoxicant pills and INR 810 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
12-Dec-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), on December 12 arrested a drug smuggler and seized 300 grams of heroin from Bhalla Colony in Amritsar district.
12-Dec-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 12 recovered a DJI Mavic 3 drone and 545 grams of heroin from agricultural fields near Hardo Rattan village in Amritsar district.
12-Dec-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 12 recovered a DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone and 570 grams of heroin from farmland near Raipur Kalan village in Amritsar district.
12-Dec-2025
Police on December 12 arrested two persons, identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi and Sukhdev Singh alias Mani, and recovered 16 grams of heroin from them in Kapurthala district.
12-Dec-2025
Police on December 12 arrested a woman, identified as Veer Kaur, and seized 60 loose narcotic tablets from her possession on GT Road, Hamira, in Kapurthala district.
12-Dec-2025
Fifteen prominent private schools in Amritsar received a bomb threat via a single email on December 12, prompting authorities, on the Deputy Commissioner’s instructions, to order their immediate closure and evacuate students and staff across Amritsar city.
11-Dec-2025
Ferozepur Police late on December 11 arrested gangster-turned-politician Gurpreet Singh Sekhon under Sections 7/51 of the CrPC as a preventive measure to maintain public order and lodged him at the Kulgarhi police station in Ferozepur district. Sekhon, who was released from jail two years ago, had since claimed to have left criminal activities and entered social work before later entering politics. Two of his family members are currently contesting the Zila Parishad elections as independent candidates, reportedly with the support of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
11-Dec-2025
A youth with a criminal background, identified as Akash alias Golu Pandit, was shot dead by three car-borne assailants in the parking lot of the Abohar court complex in Fazilka district on December 11. According to reports, Golu Pandit, who also served as a priest at the Johari Mandir in Abohar, reached the court complex with his friend Sonu in an SUV for a hearing in an Arms Act case. As he walked toward the vehicle after his court appearance, several armed men opened fire on him. Fazilka Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurmeet Singh stated that, prima facie, the killing appears to be linked to an ongoing gang rivalry. Soon after the incident, police arrested the main suspect, identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gaggi Lahoria, along with his three accomplices—Vishu Nadha, Sushil Kumar alias Bhalu, and Aman alias Tota—in connection with the murder. Police further revealed that Sahil Kharbas of Panjkosi had allegedly issued threats to eliminate Golu over the phone.
11-Dec-2025
On December 11, Punjab Police, on day 285 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 74 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 85 drug smugglers and seized 2 kg of heroin, 335 intoxicant pills and INR 800 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
11-Dec-2025
The Amritsar Rural Police on December 11 arrested a key operative of a cross-border arms supply module, identified as Akashdeep Singh, and seized a Star-marked pistol (.30 bore), another pistol (.30 bore), a PX5 pistol (.30 bore), a Glock Gen-19 pistol (9mm), six live rounds (.30 bore), and a mobile phone from his possession, in Amritsar district. However, his co-accused, Sukha Singh, named in the case, remains absconding. According to police, the duo had been procuring large consignments of weapons through drone deliveries and supplying them to gangsters across Punjab.
11-Dec-2025
Police on December 11 arrested a person, identified as Gagandeep alias Ravi, and seized 60 grams of heroin from him in the New Abadi area of Nawanshahr in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.
11-Dec-2025
Police on December 11 arrested a person, identified as Harsdeep Singh alias Gugi, and seized 53 intoxicant tablets from him in Banga in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.
11-Dec-2025
Police on December 11 arrested a person, identified as Mohit Heer, and seized 3 grams of heroin from him near Lattian T-Point on GT Road in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.
11-Dec-2025
Police on December 11 arrested a youth, identified as Joga Singh, and seized 10 grams of heroin from his possession near the Kapurthala railway station in Kapurthala district.