KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
03-Nov-2025
Amritsar police, in coordination with district administration officials, demolished an allegedly illegal property belonging to a known drug smuggler, Rajinder Singh alias Raju, at Thathi Mohalla, Ghanupur, in Chheharta, Amritsar district, on November 3.
02-Nov-2025
According to reports, Ludhiana Police have intensified their investigation into the recent recovery of a Chinese grenade, which exposed a Pakistan-backed Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) plot to disrupt law and order in the city, by invoking sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against six accused. Those booked under the anti-terror law include Kuldeep, from whom the grenade was seized; Shekhar, who fled the scene; Ajay Kumar, who was in contact with them; Parwinder and Ramnik, brought on production warrants from Muktsar jail; and Ajay Malaysia, suspected to be an ISI agent currently hiding in Malaysia. The case highlights the growing involvement of anti-national elements operating from abroad.
02-Nov-2025
Punjab Police on November 2 arrested two persons, identified as Lovedeep Singh alias Love and Tek Chand alias Tinku, and seized three .32 calibre pistols with live cartridges, in Kalanaur in Gurdaspur district. The duo was reportedly being handled by foreign-based radicalized gangsters Gurdev Jassal and Gurlal alias Gullu, linked to the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Preliminary investigations revealed that they were directed by their foreign handlers to carry out targeted killings of rival gang members in Punjab as part of a larger conspiracy to spread terror and unrest in the state.
02-Nov-2025
According to reports, central agencies are assessing potential threats to Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan’s safety following warnings issued by the banned Khalistani group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). A senior official stated that the threats are being evaluated in connection with Bachchan’s recent interaction with singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh. The controversy began after Dosanjh touched Bachchan’s feet as a gesture of respect during his appearance on a TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, which triggered backlash from SFJ.
02-Nov-2025
On November 2, Punjab Police, on day 246 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 63 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 90 drug smugglers and seized 41.4 kg of heroin, 1.5 kg of opium, 1771 intoxicant pills and INR 30,230 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
02-Nov-2025
On November 3, journalist and Washington Post columnist Rana Ayyub filed a complaint at Kopar Khairane police station in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, after receiving multiple WhatsApp threat calls and messages on the evening of November 2. The caller allegedly demanded that she write a column on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots glorifying Indira Gandhi’s assassins and threatened to attack her and her father if she refused. Ayyub stated that the caller knew her address and used a WhatsApp profile featuring gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, currently jailed in Gujarat. The calls reportedly originated from a Canadian number claiming links to a “Khalsa group.”
02-Nov-2025
A youth, identified as Jasdeep Singh alias Deep Cheema, was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants near the grain market on the Dera Baba Nanak road in Gurdaspur district on November 2. Soon after the incident, fugitive gangster Harry Chatha claimed responsibility in a social media post, stating, ‘Anybody who works against us will meet the same fate. Deep Cheema was an acquaintance of Donny Bal, so we killed him.’ Donny Bal is also a gangster active in the area. According to police, the incident stems from ongoing turf wars in Batala, with rising hostility between the Harry Chatha and Donny Bal gangs.
01-Nov-2025
Captain Harcharan Singh Rode, elder brother of Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, passed away at the age of 90 in Moga district on November 1. Then serving as a Subedar Major in the Indian Army’s 61 Engineers Regiment, Rode was summoned to the Golden Temple on June 7, 1984, during Operation Bluestar to identify Bhindranwale.
01-Nov-2025
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with Bathinda Police, on November 1 arrested a wanted gangster, Ranjit Singh alias Sapp, and recovered a .32 bore pistol with four live cartridges in Bathinda district. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations revealed that Sapp is a close associate of gangster Rammi Machana and was wanted in two criminal cases. Earlier, police had seized 130 grams of heroin, a 9 mm country-made pistol with six live cartridges, and a .12 bore pistol from his residence, where his mother, Paramjit Kaur, was arrested while he had managed to escape.
01-Nov-2025
Mansa Police on November 1 arrested the third accused in the October 28 firing incident linked to an extortion attempt at a shop in Mansa, identified as Baljinder Singh, in Rupnagar district. Police said he had provided shelter to the two suspects previously arrested in the case.
01-Nov-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) informed the Chandigarh District Court that 26 witnesses in the 2024 Sector 10 grenade attack case face serious threats to their lives. The NIA stated that the case involves members of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and other high-risk operatives. The court accepted the request, ordering that witness safety be prioritized and their identities kept confidential as the trial proceeds under special supervision.
01-Nov-2025
In the eight months since the launch of the anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh” on March 1, 2025, Punjab Police have registered 23,164 FIRs and arrested 34,727 drug smugglers, leading to the recovery of 1,512 kg of heroin. Additionally, police have seized 533 kg of opium, 260 quintals of poppy husk, 35 kg of charas, 523 kg of ganja, 15 kg of ICE, 39 lakh intoxicant pills and tablets, and INR 13.45 crore in drug money.
01-Nov-2025
On November 1, Punjab Police, on day 245 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 39 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 43 drug smugglers and seized 4.6 kg of heroin, 298 intoxicant pills and INR 12, 700 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
01-Nov-2025
Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana Member of Parliament (MP) Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on November 1 criticized the state government’s handling of law and order, alleging that “gang wars have already started in Punjab,” with criminal groups vying for dominance while the police and government remain “silent spectators.” Expressing serious concern, he said the current atmosphere of fear surpasses that of the state’s militancy era, warning that gangs are killing people “with impunity” and openly claiming responsibility to aid extortion and ransom operations.
01-Nov-2025
On November 1, the officiating Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, paid tribute to the victims of the November 1984 Sikh “genocide,” stating that the Sikh community continues to await justice. He said most of those responsible were never arrested, and several senior Congress leaders remain free even today. Calling the tragedy a “dark blot” on a nation that prides itself on democracy, he emphasized that the victims’ families are still waiting for justice.
01-Nov-2025
Akal Takht’s officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, on November 1, stated that Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan remains “unexonerated” in the eyes of the Sikh community over allegations related to the 1984 Sikh genocide, as the charges were never thoroughly investigated. Referring to the recent controversy over Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh touching Bachchan’s feet during a TV show, Jathedar Gargaj said such actions hurt the sentiments of the Sikh community.
01-Nov-2025
An Italy-based NRI, Malkeet Singh was shot dead by two unidentified assailants while working in his fields with his father in Dhariwal village in Amritsar district on November 1. Police have named Bikram Singh of the same village among two suspects in the case. Bikram, previously arrested for the 2018 grenade blast at Nirankari Bhawan in Rajasansi, was released on bail two years later.
31-Oct-2025
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on October 31 arrested seven arms smugglers, including one juvenile, identified as Shamsher Singh alias Sima, Amandeep Singh alias Bobby, Balwinder Singh alias Kaka, Gurdev Singh, Karanpreet Singh, and Harman Singh, and seized 15 sophisticated pistols — nine Glock 9mm and six .30-bore pistols — from their possession, in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed that the group was in contact with a Pakistan-based handler through social media and was involved in procuring and supplying illegal weapons across Punjab.
31-Oct-2025
The Counter Intelligence wing in Bathinda, in a joint operation with the district police, on October 31 arrested three operatives of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), identified as Navjot Singh alias Jota, Gurpreet Singh, and Harjinder Singh, for writing pro-Khalistan slogans on school walls in Bhisiana and Mananwala villages of Bathinda district. Police recovered four mobile phones and a dongle from their possession. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused painted inflammatory slogans intended to incite public unrest and promote anti-national sentiments. Evidence also suggests they were receiving foreign funding for these activities. The slogans had appeared on the walls of Kendriya Vidyalaya in Bhisiana on the night of October 26-27and another school in Mananwala on the night of October 19–20.
31-Oct-2025
Mansa Police on October 31 arrested two persons, identified as Gursahib Singh and Ramanpreet Singh, for their involvement in a firing incident at a pesticide shop on October 28, and recovered two pistols (.32 bore and .30 bore), nine cartridges, and six bullet shells from their possession, in Mansa district. During the arrest, Gursahib reportedly opened fire at the police team, prompting retaliation in which he sustained a bullet injury to his leg.
31-Oct-2025
On October 31, Punjab Police, on day 244 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 59 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 77 drug smugglers and seized 3.3 kg of heroin, 5 kg of opium and 674 intoxicant pills from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
31-Oct-2025
Investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed that foreign-based operatives of the Khalistani terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) have been exploiting family ties and other vulnerabilities to recruit Punjabi youths into the outfit. “All the foreign handlers of BKI exploit family ties, lure youths with money, and involve them in anti-India activities,” a senior NIA official said on October 31. Over the past 10 months, at least a dozen such cases have surfaced. The revelation emerged during the probe into the BKI-orchestrated rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attack on the Qila Lal Singh police station in Batala in Gurdaspur district. While 11 accused have been chargesheeted, the NIA is still tracking 11 others involved in the case.
31-Oct-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on October 31 arrested an arms smuggler and seized a pistol along with six live rounds from his possession near Dana Mandi in Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur district.
31-Oct-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on October 31 seized 16 live rounds and a sword in Maboke village in Firozpur district
30-Oct-2025
On October 30, Punjab Police, on day 243 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 68 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 76 drug smugglers and seized 2.3 kg of heroin and INR1.51 lakhs drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
30-Oct-2025
On October 30, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Rajasthan Police arrested six members of the Rohit Godara and Virender Charan gangs, identified as Vikas alias Raju alias Pawan alias Shooter Jat, Rajesh Jat, Raju Ram Jat, Parth Rathore, Rupinder Jat, and Mukesh Nayak and seized three foreign-made pistols with magazines, two empty magazines, and 70 live cartridges from their possession in the Gogamedi area of Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan.
30-Oct-2025
On October 30, gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria was brought to Batala from Silchar Jail in Assam and remanded to three-day police custody by a local court in connection with the May 26 murder of rival Gurpreet Singh Gora alias Gora Bariar outside a fuel station at Ghuman on the Sri Hargobindpur Road in Gurdaspur district. He was transported from Amritsar airport to Batala under heavy security to prevent any attack by rival gangs.
30-Oct-2025
Gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) seeking directions for enhanced security during his imprisonment, police custody, and transfers. Citing an “extreme” threat to his life, he named rival gangsters, Dilpreet Baba, Lawrence Bishnoi, Neeta Deol, and Gurpreet Sekhon as potential threats. He requested the court to direct authorities to keep him in an area with continuous CCTV surveillance and video recording.
30-Oct-2025
A day after receiving a threat from the US-based pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh on October 30 reaffirmed his commitment to promoting love and unity. In an Instagram video, he said in Punjabi, “Always talk about love. For me, this earth is one — my Guru says, ‘Ik Onkar.’ I was born from this soil and will one day return to it. There is only love from my side for everyone, even if someone envies or trolls me. I will always spread the message of love. I have always done so. I don’t care how anyone feels about it. Punjabi aa gaye oye.”
30-Oct-2025
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of Amritsar Police on October 30 arrested three members of an illegal arms smuggling module, identified as Davinder Singh, Paramjit Singh alias Pamma, and Harmeet Singh alias Meetu, and seized nine sophisticated pistols with magazines from their possession near Gurdwara Baba Mohri Ji in Chogawan, Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed that the trio was working under the directions of a Pakistan-based smuggler, and the weapons were meant for Sherpreet Singh alias Gulaba, a close associate of gangster Jobanjit Singh alias Billa Manga, to support criminal activities in Punjab.
30-Oct-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on October 30 arrested a Pakistani intruder, identified as Imtiyaz Ahmed in the Dona Raja Dina Nath border outpost area of Fazilka district.
30-Oct-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on October 30 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 660 grams from a farming field near Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar district.
30-Oct-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on October 30 seized a DJI Mavic 3 drone and a packet of heroin weighing 525 grams from a field near Ranian village in Amritsar district.
30-Oct-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on October 30 seized 2.654 kg of heroin and 15 live cartridges near Daoke village in Amritsar district.
30-Oct-2025
According to reports, the arrest of a man carrying a hand grenade on October 26 led Ludhiana Police to uncover an international gang operated by mastermind Ajay alias Ajay Malaysia, from abroad. Police have arrested five suspects, including two lodged in Muktsar jail, and have sought assistance from central agencies for a joint probe into the cross-border smuggling of explosives. Investigations revealed that the gang’s members hailed from different states. Ajay’s parents from Badhayia village have publicly disowned him for his involvement in antisocial activities.
29-Oct-2025
The banned Khalistani outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), on October 29, issued a threat against Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh for touching Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan’s feet during an episode of television show “Kaun Banega Crorepati.” SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun claimed that Dosanjh had “insulted every victim of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi,” alleging Bachchan’s involvement in the violence. Pannun also threatened to disrupt Dosanjh’s upcoming show in Australia on November 1.
29-Oct-2025
On October 29, Punjab Police, on day 242 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 71 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 87 drug smugglers and seized 2.4 kg of heroin, 1.8 kg of opium, 31 kg of poppy husk and INR 2120 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
29-Oct-2025
Police on October 29 arrested three suspects, identified as Baljinder Singh alias Gora, Vanspreet Singh, and Arshdeep Singh alias Gora, for a petrol bomb attack on a local shop in Moga district. Sources said the trio were allegedly recruited by foreign-based handlers Sandeep Singh alias Sunny and Dharmpreet Singh alias Dharma, who directed them to carry out the October 25 attack in Mari Mustafa village, where three unidentified men on a motorcycle hurled an explosive bottle at a shop.
28-Oct-2025
On October 28, a Jalandhar court acquitted Jagtar Singh Tara in a 16-year-old case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act at Bhogpur, Jalandhar district. However, Tara, who is serving a life sentence in Burail Jail for the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, will remain imprisoned. The judgment noted that the prosecution failed to prove Tara’s association with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) or that BKI was a terrorist organisation. It further stated that no evidence linked him to any conspiracy, terrorist act, or fund collection, and no incriminating material was recovered from him. The court acquitted Tara citing lack of evidence.
28-Oct-2025
Officials from state and Central security agencies have warned that the recent surge in the smuggling of firearms from Pakistan into Punjab — particularly AK-47 rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers (RPGs) — points to renewed attempts to foment unrest in the state. A senior police official said that vigilant Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and the Punjab Police’s counter-intelligence unit have so far thwarted these efforts. “These weapons are not random recoveries; they reflect a sustained attempt to arm radical and criminal elements to destabilize the region,” he said, adding, “In several incidents last year, grenades were hurled but missed their targets. RPGs, however, can fire grenades with accuracy and from a distance, making them far more dangerous.”
28-Oct-2025
According to the Border Security Force (BSF), as of October 23, the force has recovered 215 drones, 325 kg of narcotics including heroin and ICE, 180 weapons (mostly pistols), 12 grenades, and 10 kg of high explosives in Punjab alone. Additionally, BSF personnel have neutralized three cross-border intruders and apprehended 210 Indian nationals and 16 Pakistani nationals suspected of smuggling. Officials noted that these figures are in addition to the seizures and arrests made separately by the Punjab Police.
28-Oct-2025
On October 28, Punjab Police, on day 241 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 48 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 58 drug smugglers and seized 10.6 kg of heroin and 1 kg of ganja from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
28-Oct-2025
Punjab Police on October 28 busted a cross-border drug cartel with the arrest of one operative, identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gora, and recovered 5 kg of heroin from his possession in Hassan Dhut village, Ferozepur district. Preliminary investigation revealed that the consignment was smuggled from Pakistan, and the accused was on his way to deliver it to a local smuggler under the directions of a Pakistan-based handler.
28-Oct-2025
Punjab Police on October 28 arrested two persons, identified as Jaswinder Singh and Arshdeep Singh, and seized 2.8 kg of heroin from Kallar Wala village in Ferozepur district.
28-Oct-2025
Jalandhar Police on October 28 arrested three close associates of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, identified as Mankaran Singh Deol, Simranjit Singh, and Jaiveer Singh, and seized eight .32-bore pistols from their possession in Rama Mandi, Jalandhar district. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused had received the consignment from Madhya Pradesh and were involved in supplying weapons to criminal gangs.
28-Oct-2025
Two unidentified gangsters opened fire at three locations, a pesticide shop and two grocery stores, in Mansa’s busy market area in Mansa district on October 28. The assailants fled the scene, abandoning their motorcycle and CCTV footage reportedly showed a policeman assisting the gangsters in their escape.
28-Oct-2025
On October 28, the Border Security Force (BSF) arrested a drug smuggler and seized 1.652 kg of heroin, packed in three packets, near Wan village in Tarn Taran district.
28-Oct-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on October 28 seized a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from fields near Dhanoe Khurd village in Amritsar district.
28-Oct-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on October 28 seized a DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone near Khemkaran village in Tarn Taran district.
28-Oct-2025
On October 28, the Border Security Force (BSF) seized a packet of heroin weighing 1.227 kg near Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district.