KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
30-Sep-2025
According to official sources, while Canada designated the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity on September 29, India had repeatedly warned Ottawa about the group’s activities in the past. These warnings, conveyed in 2021 and 2022, were largely ignored by the government of then–Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau, which subsequently accused India of using gang members to target pro-Khalistan separatists based in Canada. The issue was first discussed during the 2021 visit of National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials to Ottawa for talks with Canadian counterparts, and was raised again in the summer of 2022, when Indian officials expressed concern about ‘transnational criminal gangs’ exploiting Canada as a base for planning criminal activities in India.
30-Sep-2025
The Global Sikh Council (GSC), an umbrella organisation representing national Sikh bodies from 28 countries, adopted a resolution during its virtual Annual General Meeting (AGM) calling for the restoration of the sovereignty, dignity, and spiritual authority of the ‘Takhats,’ as well as the revival of Sikh heritage sites in Pakistan.
30-Sep-2025
The Counter Intelligence (CI) unit of Punjab Police on September 30 arrested a drug trafficker, identified as Vansh Kumar and seized 4.70 kg of heroin from his possession, in Patiala district. Preliminary investigation revealed that Kumar is closely associated with Dubai-based Amritpal Singh, an aide of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.
29-Sep-2025
According to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, Punjab Police has intensified security across all districts, particularly along the Indo-Pak border, following intelligence inputs about attempts to disturb peace in the region. After chairing a high-level Law and Order Review Meeting in Amritsar on September 29, the DGP stated, "There are specific intelligence inputs suggesting that after Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s ISI is desperately trying to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in Punjab. To counter this, we have deployed 57 additional companies, including seven from the Border Security Force (BSF), across seven border districts."
29-Sep-2025
On September 29, Punjab Police, on day 212 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 39 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 49 drug smugglers and seized 3.2 kg of heroin, 20 kg of poppy husk, 420 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 1210 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
29-Sep-2025
The Amritsar Rural Police Special Cell on September 29 arrested three persons, identified as Karanbir Singh, Husandeep Singh, and Sahilpreet Singh, and seized a Glock pistol (9 mm), a Zigana pistol (.30 bore), 532 grams of opium, a motorcycle, and four mobile phones from their possession, in Amritsar district.
28-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 28 seized a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone near Naushera Dhalla village in Tarn Taran district.
28-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 28 seized 558 grams of heroin along with a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from a field ahead of the border fence near Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar district.
28-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), arrested a smuggler and seized 810 grams of heroin in Lopoke, Amritsar district on September 28.
28-Sep-2025
On September 28, Punjab Police, on day 211 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 53 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 76 drug smugglers and seized 5.8 kg of heroin, 579 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 3160 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
28-Sep-2025
Jailed Khalistani militant Jagtar Singh Hawara’s bedridden mother has appealed to Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Rekha Gupta for his release on regular parole from Mandoli Central Jail in New Delhi, where he is serving a life sentence for the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh. The Delhi CM’s office has forwarded her request to state Home Minister Ashish Sood. Additionally, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, officiating Jathedar of the Akal Takht, has also urged the government to grant parole to Hawara.
28-Sep-2025
Khanna police on September 28 arrested one person, identified as Shubham Kumar along with 70 grams of heroin and a Swift car in Civil Lines, Ludhiana district.
28-Sep-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on September 28 launched a toll-free helpline — 1800-330-1100 — for citizens to anonymously report organised crime, including intimidation, extortion, and gangster-related activities. The initiative, activated by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), provides a confidential channel for the public to assist police efforts against crime. In a video message, DGP Yadav urged people to ‘save the number, report any incidents of organised crime without fear, and join the Punjab Police in building a safer state.
28-Sep-2025
The Amritsar City Police Commissionerate on September 28 busted a terror-gangster network linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and arrested four operatives, identified as Gurwinder Singh, Vishal, Vishal alias Keedi, and Jobandeep Sharma, after a brief encounter near the new Vigilance Office on Airport Road, Amritsar. Gurwinder sustained injuries in the exchange of fire. Police recovered a .30-bore pistol, a spray-paint can, and a motorcycle from the accused. According to officials, the operatives were acting on the directions of Armenia-based BKI operative Shamsher Shera, foreign-based gangster Prabh Dasuwal, and Pakistan-based handler Afridi Toot. They were earlier involved in firing incidents at a doctor’s clinic and a school in Tarn Taran, as well as painting pro-Khalistan slogans on walls and a train coach in Amritsar. The investigation was initiated after Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, designated terrorist and chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), released a video claiming responsibility for the graffiti.
28-Sep-2025
Punjab Police on September 28 busted a cross-border narcotics smuggling module linked to Pakistan with the arrest of two operatives, identified as Akashdeep Singh alias Tony and Pawanbir Singh, and recovered 4 kg of heroin near Manu Hospital in Amritsar. Investigations revealed that the duo was working on the directions of Pakistan-based smuggler Rana King, who uses drones to drop narcotic consignments across the border.
27-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 27 seized a packet of heroin weighing 435 grams from fields near Dhariwal village in Amritsar district.
27-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 27 seized a packet of heroin weighing 547 grams from farmland near Naushera Dhalla village in Tarn Taran district.
27-Sep-2025
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab spokesperson Sarchand Singh Khiala ridiculed Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, dismissing his threats as ‘dil behlane se zyada kuch nahi’ (mere distractions with no real substance or impact). He said such statements only expose the hollow nature of Pannun's agenda and fail to intimidate India's resolve. Highlighting the nexus between Pannun, Inderjit Singh Gosal, and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Khiala asserted that the self-styled SFJ leaders were nothing more than puppets of the ISI.
27-Sep-2025
On September 27, Punjab Police, on day 210 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 53 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 66 drug smugglers and seized 431 grams of heroin, 1608 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 42,250 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
27-Sep-2025
The Delhi Police Special Cell on September 27 arrested an alleged Hashim gang member, identified as Rubal Sardar, from Amritsar airport in Punjab in connection with the September 12, 2024 murder of gym co-owner Nadir Shah (35) in Greater Kailash area in New Delhi. Shah was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants, and police had suspected the involvement of associates of jailed gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Hashim Baba.
27-Sep-2025
Mumbai Police arrested a man, identified as Dilip Choudhary for allegedly issuing extortion threats to popular comedian and actor Kapil Sharma, from North 24 Parganas in West Bengal. Sharma reportedly received around seven threat calls from Choudhary on September 22 and 23, during which he invoked the names of gangsters Rohit Godara and Goldy Brar while demanding INR 1 crore.
27-Sep-2025
One person was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on four men outside a flat in Dhanas Colony, Chandigarh, on the night of September 27, in what police suspect was a targeted gang rivalry attack. Sunil sustained a gunshot wound, while Amarjit, believed to be the intended target, escaped unhurt along with his friends Amit and Abhishek.
27-Sep-2025
Police on September 27 killed a gangster, identified as Varinder Singh, wanted in multiple heinous crimes, including the Zadla grenade attack and the murder of former Cheema Khurd village sarpanch Yuvraj Singh, in an encounter near Balachaur in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district. Police recovered a pistol, several empty cartridges and a motorcycle from the site. According to officials, Singh had close ties with the notorious gangster network led by Manu and Gopi and was actively involved in violent crimes across Punjab.
27-Sep-2025
On September 27, unidentified bike-borne assailants fired at Sarpanch Gurinder Singh while he was working in the fields in Happowal village, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district. According to police sources, Gurinder had previously been a sympathiser of a group of gangsters opposed to the notorious Karanjit Singh alias Jassa Happowal. He had already received threats, and the police had issued him a revolver for self-defence.
26-Sep-2025
Police on September 26 arrested a gangster, identified as Inderpal Singh, for attempting to extort ‘gunda tax’ from stone crusher owners in the Nangal and Anandpur Sahib subdivisions of Ropar district. According to the complaint, he allegedly demanded INR 4 per cubic foot as illegal tax, purportedly in the name of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders from Delhi, and claimed the money would be handed over to the party’s central leadership.
26-Sep-2025
Khanna police on September 26 arrested a self-proclaimed leader of the Anti-Khalistan Front, identified as Mahant Kashmir Giri and seized 50 grams of heroin in Ludhiana district.
26-Sep-2025
Khanna police on September 26 arrested three individuals, identified as Dinker Kalia, Vicky, and Gulshan and recovered 30 grams of heroin along with a Tata Tiago car in Khanna, Ludhiana district.
26-Sep-2025
According to official data, Punjab Police seized 1,450 kg of heroin in the first nine months of 2025, marking the highest-ever haul. Of this, 1,338 kg was recovered in the seven months following the launch of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s flagship ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign on March 1, 2025. On average, the campaign has resulted in daily seizures of 6 kg of heroin, along with 96 First Information Reports (FIRs) and 147 arrests. The previous record was in 2023, when 1,352 kg of heroin was seized. Since March 1, the police have registered 20,172 FIRs under various provisions of the NDPS Act and arrested 30,854 accused across the state.
26-Sep-2025
On September 26, Punjab Police, on day 209 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 56 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 83 drug smugglers and seized 854 grams of heroin, 2600 kg of poppy husk, 21 kg of ganja, 1688 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 4010 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
26-Sep-2025
Jalandhar Rural Police September 26 arrested a wanted criminal, identified as Jora Singh, and seized a country-made .32-bore pistol along with live cartridges from his possession, following a brief encounter in Kohar Kalan village, Jalandhar district.
26-Sep-2025
Punjab Police on September 26 successfully extradited Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Parminder Singh alias Nirmal Singh alias Pindi from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to India. Pindi, a known associate of foreign-based Khalistani terrorists Harwinder Singh Rinda and Happy Passia, is wanted in multiple cases involving petrol bomb attacks, violent assaults, and extortion rackets across the Batala–Gurdaspur region of Punjab. The extradition was executed by a dedicated four-member Punjab Police team led by a senior officer travelled to the UAE on September 24, following close coordination with central agencies, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the UAE government. The operation was enabled after Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice on June 13, 2025, at the request of Punjab Police through the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
26-Sep-2025
A group of Nihang Sikhs led by Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwale leader Ranjit Singh on September 26 attempted to disrupt the bhog ceremony of convicted former police officer Suba Singh, who died after a violent attack inside Patiala Jail on September 10. The protesters raised slogans against Suba Singh and in support of Sandeep Singh alias Sunny, the alleged assailant currently lodged in jail for the 2022 killing of Hindu leader Sudhir Suri in Amritsar. The group alleged that Suba Singh was responsible for the massacre of several Sikh youths, and described the holding of his bhog ceremony as an insult to their memory.
25-Sep-2025
Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old undocumented Sikh woman who had lived in the United States (US) for over 30 years, was detained and deported to India by California immigration authorities. A long-time resident of East Bay in northern California, Kaur was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check and deported without being allowed to say goodbye to her relatives, sparking protests and concerns among her family and the local community.
25-Sep-2025
A murder convict out on parole, identified as Dharmjit alias Dharma, was shot dead by three motorcycle-borne assailants at Hukam Chand Colony in Chhehrata, Amritsar district, on the night of September 25. Dharma, convicted in the 2012 killing of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ravinder Pal Singh, had been released on a 14-day parole on September 12. A social media post circulating online claimed that the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang had taken responsibility for the killing, naming several alleged shooters and describing the attack as retaliation against those who sheltered the gang’s rivals. Reports suggest that Dharma and his associates had clashed with Jaggu during their imprisonment in Amritsar jail.
25-Sep-2025
Amritsar Commissionerate Police on September 25 arrested six persons, identified as Jagir Singh, Angrej Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Palwinder Singh, Lakhwinder Singh and Baljinder Singh and seized 4.03 kg of heroin along with a Glock 9mm pistol and a .30 bore pistol from their possession, in Amritsar district. Investigations revealed that they were drawn into drug peddling by the lure of easy money.
25-Sep-2025
Mehta police on September 25 arrested a woman, identified as Jivandeep Kaur and seized 3.044 kg of heroin along with a Zigana pistol (.30-bore) with a magazine and three cartridges in Udhonangal village in Amritsar district.
25-Sep-2025
Jandiala police on September 25 arrested two persons, identified as Satnam Singh and Jagmeet Singh and seized 2 kg of heroin along with an Activa scooter, on the Devidas Pura link road in Amritsar district.
25-Sep-2025
On September 25, Punjab Police, on day 208 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 74 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 91 drug smugglers and seized 8.7 kg of heroin, 13 kg of poppy husk, 5 kg of opium, 21 kg of ganja, 1113 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 8100 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
24-Sep-2025
Amritsar Rural Police on September 24 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Jobanpreet Singh, and seized 6 kg of heroin, a motorcycle, and a mobile phone from his possession, in Khasa village, Amritsar district. The accused, who had links with Pakistani smugglers, was involved in supplying heroin across various parts of Punjab.
24-Sep-2025
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), issued threats against Hindus and migrant workers in Punjab through a video message. In the video, Pannun warned that only those boycotting Diwali and observing Deepmala on Bandi Chhor Divas would be allowed to stay in Punjab, and ordered migrants to leave by October 19 or face dire consequences. Pannun further claimed that Punjab is not part of India and threatened raids at Batala railway station, displaying visuals of Khalistani slogans painted on signboards and electricity boxes. He also mentioned the Achleshwar Dham temple while issuing threats against Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav and the state government.
24-Sep-2025
The Supreme Court (SC) on September 24 observed that the Centre alone was responsible for the delay in deciding on the mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) sympathiser sentenced to death for the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh. The bench reminded the government that the decision on his execution rested with the executive, not the judiciary, and directed the Centre to explain why it had neither acted on the mercy plea nor proceeded with the execution.
24-Sep-2025
Pakistani underworld don Shehzad Bhatti allegedly threatened prominent rappers and social media influencers in Punjab. In a viral audio message, Bhatti referred to the recent Tarn Taran double murder as ‘just a trailer,’ warning that those who insult Sikh religious symbols such as the pagri (turban) and kes (uncut hair) would face dire consequences. He further declared, ‘No matter how many gangsters they bring in, we will end their gangsterism.’ The threat followed a recent gang clash in Tarn Taran in which two persons were shot dead.
24-Sep-2025
On September 24, Punjab Police, on day 207 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 36 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 52 drug smugglers and seized 321 grams of heroin, 13 kg of poppy husk, 320 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 73,100 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
23-Sep-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a fresh case against Khalistani terrorist and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for declaring an INR 11 crore reward to stop Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi from hoisting the Tricolour on Independence Day. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Pannun also unveiled a so-called ‘map of Khalistan’ covering Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Uttar Pradesh (UP). The case was filed last month after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) alerted the NIA about his virtual address from Washington DC, United States (US) to a press conference at Lahore Press Club, Pakistan on August 10, where he allegedly announced the reward. Based on UMHA’s disclosure, the NIA booked Pannun and unknown others under Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This is the seventh FIR by the NIA against Pannun and his outfit, SFJ. According to state police and NIA records, 96 cases have been registered against him and SFJ.
23-Sep-2025
On September 23, Punjab Police, on day 206 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 54 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 78 drug smugglers and seized 3.6 kg of heroin, 1.25 kg of ganja, 20 kg of poppy husk and 624 intoxicant tablets/capsules from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
23-Sep-2025
Punjab government officials said on September 23 that over 30,500 drug smugglers have been arrested in the last 205 days under the state’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign, which marked 205 days on September 22. CM Bhagwant Mann has directed top police and civil officials to intensify efforts to make Punjab drug-free. The government has also set up a five-member Cabinet sub-committee, headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, to monitor the campaign.
23-Sep-2025
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on September 23 condemned the misuse of AI technology to create a false video related to Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple), calling it an affront to Sikh sentiments. He urged governments to act immediately to curb such practices, saying AI-generated videos not only distort Sikh principles but also hurt global religious sensitivities.
22-Sep-2025
Amritsar Police on September 22 busted a cross-border arms and hawala racket, arresting three persons, identified as Amarjeet Singh alias Bau, Manbir Singh, and Mohammad Tofiq Khan alias Babblu and recovering 10 pistols, including three .30 bore PX5 pistols, three 9mm Glocks, one 9mm Beretta, and three .30 bore pistols, along with INR 2.5 lakh in hawala money, in Amritsar district. Police said the accused were in touch with Pakistan-based handlers via social media to procure weapons and disrupt peace in the state.
22-Sep-2025
On September 22, Punjab Police, on day 205 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 59 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 81 drug smugglers and seized 922 grams of heroin, 4 kg of poppy husk, 336 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 980 drug money, across the state.
22-Sep-2025
Two gang members, identified as Samarbir Singh and Saurav Singh, were shot dead in a clash between rival armed gangs near Kairon village in Tarn Taran district on the night of September 22. Police cordoned off the area and arrested four accused shortly after the incident, though the exact number of assailants remains unclear. The Gopi Ghanshyampuria gang later claimed responsibility for the killings.