KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
21-Sep-2025
According to reports, after launching the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign in March, the Punjab government is set to roll out another de-addiction initiative, ‘Soorma’. Under the programme, individuals who have successfully overcome substance dependence will serve as community ambassadors. An official communique said nodal psychiatrists in all districts have been asked to identify and orient eligible individuals ahead of the initiative’s launch by Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann.
21-Sep-2025
Punjab Police, with support from central agencies and Nagaland Police, on September 21, arrested two accused in a murder case, identified as Harmanpreet Singh alias Harman and his cousin Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi from New Market in Midland Colony, Kohima, Nagaland. They were wanted in the September 9 Batala murder of Jugraj Singh alias Jugga. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the killing was ordered by foreign-based gangsters Jaswinder Singh alias Manu Agwan, Mohammad Yasin Akhtar alias Jeeshan Akhtar, and Gopi Nawansheharia.
21-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police on September 21 arrested four drug smugglers and seized 10 kg of heroin from their possession, in Thetharke village in Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
21-Sep-2025
On September 21, Punjab Police, on day 204 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 78 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 89 drug smugglers and seized 4.5 kg of heroin, 2.3 kg of ganja, 1524 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 59,810 drug money, across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 30, 440 in 204 days.
20-Sep-2025
Bathinda Police on September 20 arrested a 47-year-old woman, identified as Paramjit Kaur and seized two weapons — a 9mm pistol and a country-made pistol — along with 130 grams of heroin, in Bhagwangarh village, Bathinda district.
20-Sep-2025
Amritsar Police on September 20 dismantled an interstate opium supply network with the arrest of two traffickers, identified as Harwinder Singh alias Harry and Ranjit Singh alias Rana, seizing 12 kg of opium, a Thar Roxx vehicle, and INR 6,000 in drug money, at a checkpoint near Golden Gate, Amritsar district. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Harwinder has been active in narcotics trafficking since 2022, while his brother Gurpreet Singh is on trial in another case involving 7 kg of opium.
20-Sep-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann said the state is grappling with its worst floods in decades and criticised the Centre for inadequate relief funds. He noted that Punjab has suffered infrastructure, agriculture, and livestock losses estimated at INR 13,800 crore, adding that the figure could rise once the water recedes.
20-Sep-2025
On September 20, Punjab Police, on day 203 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 56 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 93 drug smugglers and seized 11.4 kg of heroin, 644 grams of opium, 814 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 4.29 lakhs drug money, across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 30,298 in 203 days.
20-Sep-2025
The special cell of Amritsar rural police on September 20 arrested two drug smugglers, Shankar Singh and Sachin and recovered 6.286 kg of heroin and INR 4 lakh drug money from their possession in Beharwal village in Amritsar district.
20-Sep-2025
The counter-intelligence wing of Amritsar Police on September 20 busted a cross-border narcotics module, arresting one of its operatives, identified as Pawandeep Singh with 5.032 kg of heroin in Amritsar. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said Pawandeep confessed to working under the directions of his United States (US)-based handler, Harpal Singh, a native of Kohala village in Amritsar.
20-Sep-2025
Police on September 20 arrested three persons, identified as Jaswant Rai, Paraminder Singh and Hardev Singh and seized 850 grams of opium from them at a naka (checkpoint) near Dhilwan in Kapurthala district.
20-Sep-2025
Jalandhar Police on September 20 confiscated movable and immovable property worth INR 52.8 lakh belonging to an alleged drug smuggler, Barinder Singh, who had been arrested with 1 kg of heroin on May 20.
20-Sep-2025
According to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) data, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh (UP) ranked joint second in drug trafficking cases in 2024 with 193 each, while Delhi topped with 208. Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh followed with 113, 103 and 102 cases, respectively. Punjab, however, led in heroin seizures with 1,150 kg confiscated in 2024, compared to 114 kg in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and 63 kg in Haryana. Delhi topped the list of cocaine seizures with a record 1,396 kg, while Maharashtra was a distant second with 37 kg.
19-Sep-2025
On September 19, Punjab Police, on day 202 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 76 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 93 drug smugglers and seized 7.6 kg of heroin, 12 kg of opium, 1687 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 15860 drug money, across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 30,201 in 202 days.
19-Sep-2025
Delhi and Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police on September 19 announced the arrest of the remaining four accused in the firing incident outside actor Disha Patani’s Bareilly home, bringing all six suspects linked to the case into custody. Earlier, on September 17, two gangsters were killed in a police encounter in Ghaziabad, UP.
19-Sep-2025
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on September 19 met a Sikh delegation that submitted recommendations for the safekeeping and public display of the sacred ‘Jore Sahib’—the footwear of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji. The delegation, led by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, included eminent Sikh leaders who presented their proposals to the PM.
19-Sep-2025
According to Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) data for 2024, sightings and recoveries of narcotics dropped from drones across the border saw a sharp increase, particularly in the border districts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Gurdaspur in Punjab. During 2024, Punjab reported 163 cases of drug trafficking via drones, involving the seizure of 187 kg of heroin. Rajasthan followed with 15 such cases, in which 39 kg of heroin was seized.
19-Sep-2025
On September 19, India and Canada took a concrete step towards restoring normalcy in their strained ties, with senior officials meeting in New Delhi and agreeing to revive dialogue mechanisms across trade, defence, energy, civil nuclear cooperation, security, law enforcement, critical minerals, space, science and technology, and agriculture. An Indian readout said both sides also decided to address capacity issues at missions and consulates to strengthen people-to-people links and economic opportunities.
19-Sep-2025
Punjab Police on September 19 busted a drug trafficking network, arrested two drug smugglers, and seized 4 kilograms of heroin from their possession in Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
18-Sep-2025
Khanna police on September 18 arrested three persons, identified as Gurlal Singh alias Gora, Mohammad Irshad, and Davinder Singh, and seized 1.005 kg of heroin in Ludhiana district. Investigations revealed that the drug network was being operated from inside Ropar Jail by Lovepreet Singh alias Lavi.
18-Sep-2025
National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, on September 18 in New Delhi, held talks with his Canadian counterpart, Nathalie Drouin, signalling efforts to normalise ties and resume high-level exchanges after recent tensions. During the meeting, Doval is learnt to have flagged India’s concerns over the activities of pro-Khalistani groups operating from Canada and sought assurances on the security of Indian diplomats and missions, as both countries work to restore full staffing at their respective embassies.
18-Sep-2025
According to police sources, the Turkey-made Zigana pistol is highly popular among gangsters in Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan due to its capacity to fire over 15 rounds, low chance of jamming, and high accuracy. The weapon has been used in the killings of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, Uttar Pradesh (UP) gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, Maharashtra NCP leader Baba Siddique, and in the recent shooting outside Bollywood actress Disha Patani’s residence in Bareilly, UP.
18-Sep-2025
Dal Khalsa, on September 18, announced it will host the “Punjab Summit 2025” in Jalandhar on September 21, bringing together community representatives, activists, and intellectuals to discuss key challenges and draft an action-oriented roadmap. At a press conference, leaders Paramjit Singh Mand, Kanwar Pal Singh, and Paramjeet Singh Tanda said Punjab is “at the crossroads,” facing three acute and escalating threats: alleged extrajudicial killings and custodial torture eroding public trust; “weaponisation of water” through floods and dam mismanagement; and an unchecked influx of migrant labour affecting social cohesion, economic security, and political autonomy.
18-Sep-2025
Punjab Police's Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), in a joint operation with the Border Security Force (BSF), on September 18, busted a drug smuggling module operated by foreign-based gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy Jatt, by arresting a key operative, Sajan Singh alias Billa, and seizing 25 packets of heroin weighing 25.9 kg along with a sophisticated 9mm Glock pistol near Beharwal village in Amritsar district. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said Happy Jatt, a proclaimed offender in at least 21 criminal cases, is facing extradition, adding that investigations are underway to expose the module’s wider nexus and linkages.
18-Sep-2025
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on September 18 busted a narcotic cartel and arrested four drug traffickers, identified as Honey, Parmdeep Singh, Harwinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh recovering a total of 8.062 kg of heroin in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed that foreign-based gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy Jatt of Jandiala Guru, Amritsar, had direct links with Pakistan-based smugglers and operated his network through social media platforms.
18-Sep-2025
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on September 18 arrested two women drug smugglers, identified as Jasbir Kaur and Kulwinder Kaur and seized 1.004 kg of heroin from their possession in Amritsar District.
18-Sep-2025
According to reports, Pakistani smugglers exploited the recent floods in Punjab, using boats and tyre tubes on the swollen Ravi and Sutlej rivers to push drugs and weapons into India. Several consignments were recently intercepted by the state police and Border Security Force (BSF), including a boat-borne cache in Fazilka that led to the seizure of 27 pistols and 470 cartridges near Mohar Jamsher village—the first reported instance of weapons being delivered this way. In another case, 16 pistols and about 1,850 cartridges were seized, while police also recovered 20 kg of contraband smuggled via tyre tubes.
18-Sep-2025
On September 18, Punjab Police, on day 201 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 62 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 85 drug smugglers and seized 30.5 kg of heroin, 150 grams of opium, 766 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 2290 drug money, across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 30,060 in 201 days.
17-Sep-2025
Former Inspector Suba Singh, serving a life term in the Tarn Taran fake encounter case, died at Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, on September 17, six days after being attacked in Patiala Central Jail by inmate Sandeep Singh alias Sunny, accused in the murder of Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri. Sunny had allegedly fashioned spoons into sharp weapons and attacked three inmates on the head and face on September 10.
17-Sep-2025
According to Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials, the recent threat by banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) to lay siege to the Indian Consulate in Vancouver, Canada, is part of a broader psychological warfare campaign driven by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), especially after its diplomatic setback during India’s Operation Sindoor. While SFJ is known for inflammatory rhetoric, Indian agencies are not dismissing the threat. Inputs indicate growing frustration among Khalistani groups in Canada and the United Kingdom (UK), as their repeated attempts to gain traction in Punjab have failed, prompting them to intensify activities abroad.
17-Sep-2025
Two members of the Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar’s transnational gang, accused of opening fire at Bollywood actor Disha Patani’s ancestral home in Bareilly, identified as Ravindra and Arun were killed in a police encounter in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on September 17. One Delhi Police person was also injured during the operation.
17-Sep-2025
In a joint operation on September 17, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police arrested an unidentified drug peddler and seized 25.9 kg of heroin, a pistol, and two magazines from his possession in Amritsar district.
17-Sep-2025
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on September 17 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Yasin Mohammad, and seized 7.122 kg of heroin from his possession in Ajnala, Amritsar district. The investigation revealed that Jagpreet, Yasin’s former jail mate, was also involved in the cartel, which operated through border handovers near Tarn Taran, with Jagpreet handling distribution of the drugs in the Malwa region.
17-Sep-2025
According to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) annual report for 2024, released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on September 16, Punjab topped the country in heroin seizures by drug law enforcement agencies (DLEAs) during 2024. The state accounted for 1,150 kg of heroin out of the 2,596 kg seized nationwide—44.5% of the total—despite having just 2.3% of India’s population. New Delhi ranked second with nearly 234 kg seized, followed by Assam with 186 kg. Punjab also topped in the seizure of habit-forming tablets/pills of all types, with DLEAs confiscating 2.94 crore pills in 2024.
17-Sep-2025
According to intelligence officials, the September 10 blast in Jeeda village, Bathinda district, was a rare case of ‘self-radicalisation’ involving 19-year-old law student Gurpreet Singh, who had been preparing for a suicide attack at an Army establishment in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Gurpreet and his father were injured while allegedly assembling a bomb and are currently admitted to AIIMS Bathinda. Investigations revealed that he had ordered chemicals online through cash-on-delivery, used a fake identity as 'Iqbal' on social media, and had been consuming radical content linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar. Police suspect he planned to travel to Kathua on September 11.
17-Sep-2025
The banned Khalistani outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), on September 17, issued threats to Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring and Amritsar Member of Parliament (MP) Gurjit Singh Aujla for facilitating a siropa (robe of honour) to Rahul Gandhi at Gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib on September 15. In its press release, SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun labelled them “dalal (agent) politicians,” accused the Congress of complicity in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and warned they would be targets of pro-Khalistan Sikhs for honouring a Gandhi family member. Pannun further claimed that SFJ activists defaced the Amritsar–Haridwar train with pro-Khalistan slogans and with the message “From Ayodhya to Haridwar, Diwali 2025 will be blacked out”.
16-Sep-2025
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), in its 2024 annual report released on September 16 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, noted a sharp rise in Pakistan-origin, drug-laden drones entering India across Punjab’s border over the past four years, posing a significant internal security threat. The report noted that replacing traditional methods, drone smuggling has sharply increased, with seizures rising from just three cases in 2021 to 179 in 2024 — including 163 in Punjab, 15 in Rajasthan, and one in Jammu & Kashmir. Border districts of Punjab such as Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Gurdaspur were most affected, with about 236 kg of drugs, mainly heroin and opium, recovered.
16-Sep-2025
Punjab Police on September 16 destroyed a large cache of narcotics, seized by various wings of the police during their anti-drugs campaign in the state, including 380.7 kg of heroin, 38 kg of narcotic powder, 22.5 kg of poppy husk, 220 g of charas, 662 g of ICE, 8.3 kg of ganja, and over 1.27 lakh intoxicating tablets and capsules, at the Khanna Paper Mill incinerator, in Amritsar. The drugs were seized in 357 Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) cases registered with various wings of the Punjab Police.
16-Sep-2025
On September 16, Punjab Police, on day 199 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 75 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 86 drug smugglers and seized 21.1 kg of heroin, 2 kg of opium, 254 kg of poppy husk, 1156 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR500 drug money, across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 29,804 in 199 days.
16-Sep-2025
Police on September 16 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Krishan Singh and seized 5.225 kg of heroin from his possession near Dulchi ke village in Firozpur district.
16-Sep-2025
Rajasthan Police recently arrested four Punjab-based shooters, identified as Jalandhar Singh alias Amritpal Singh, Hardeep Singh alias Deep, Mukhinder Singh alias Lovely Tarkhan and Manpreet Singh alias Mani, for the murder of businessman Vikas Jain at Sangria grain market in Hanumangarh, in Hanumangarh district, Rajasthan on September 12. Hanumangarh Superintendent of Police (SP) Hari Shankar said Jalandhar Singh was also wanted in the Sonu Malta murder case in Panchkula three months ago.
16-Sep-2025
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on September 16 took disciplinary action against four employees for honouring Congress leader Rahul Gandhi with a siropa (robe of honour) during his recent visit to Gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib in Amritsar. SGPC secretary Partap Singh said the action followed an inquiry report that found them guilty of violating the maryada (religious code of conduct).
15-Sep-2025
The crime branch of the city police on September 15 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Ashish Kumar and seized 100 grams of heroin and a motor cycle in Ludhiana district.
15-Sep-2025
Police on September 15 busted a Pakistan-linked cross-border weapons smuggling module, arresting two persons, identified as Surinder Singh and Gurpreet alias Gauri, and seizing five foreign-made pistols with nine magazines near Mandi Ladhuka, in Fazilka district.
15-Sep-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on September 15 demanded the reopening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor and permission for Sikh jathas (group of pilgrims) to visit Kartarpur Sahib and Nankana Sahib, adding that he will soon write to the Centre on the issue.
15-Sep-2025
According to reports, Patiala police have yet to arrest the main accused in the September 10 attack on three former policemen inside Central Jail, Patiala. The assailant, Sandeep Singh alias Sunny, an accused in the murder of Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri, is lodged in the same jail. One victim has undergone brain surgery and remains critical, while the other two are hospitalized with serious head injuries.
15-Sep-2025
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and several political leaders condemned the Centre’s decision to deny permission for a Sikh jatha (group of pilgrims) to visit Pakistan for Guru Nanak’s Parkash Gurpurab in November, citing security concerns. Giani Gargaj argued that if cricket matches can be held between the two countries, Sikh devotees should also be allowed to travel.
15-Sep-2025
A police team from Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on September 15 visited Bathinda, Punjab, to probe a September 10 blast in which law student Gurpreet Singh of Jeeda village was injured while allegedly assembling a bomb. Singh, who had planned to visit Kathua, is undergoing treatment along with his father at AIIMS Bathinda. Officials also inspected the blast site and sought details from Punjab Police about the explosive material used.
15-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on September 15 recovered a one DJI Mavic three Classic drone along with a one packet of heroin weighing 576 grams from a farm field in Nesta village in Amritsar district.
15-Sep-2025
On September 15, Punjab Police, on day 198 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 56 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 74 drug smugglers and seized 606 grams of heroin, 340 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 9720 drug money, across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 29,660 in 198 days.