KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
14-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 14 arrested three suspects after they were found roaming suspiciously in the border village Mode, in Amritsar district. They failed to provide satisfactory answers during initial questioning.
14-Sep-2025
The Government of India denied permission for a Sikh jatha (group of pilgrims) to visit Pakistan for Guru Nanak’s Parkash Gurpurab in November 2025, citing security concerns.
14-Sep-2025
Ferozepur police, on September 14, foiled a cross-border smuggling bid by arresting a youth, identified as Sonu Singh and seizing 15.775 kg of heroin from him in Habibwala, Ferozepur district. Preliminary investigations revealed the network was run by an accused lodged in Kapurthala jail, with the consignment sent by Pakistan-based smugglers.
14-Sep-2025
On September 14, Punjab Police, on day 197 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 71 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 94 drug smugglers and seized 22.2 kg of heroin, 11 kg of ganja, 2125 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 2.01 lakh drug money, across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 29,519 in 197 days.
14-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 14 arrested an unidentified person and seized one pistol with three live rounds, 45 grams of heroin, INR 19,480 Indian currency, one mobile and one bike, in Ferozepur district.
13-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 13 recovered a drone near Hussainiwala barrage in Firozpur district.
13-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 13 arrested two suspected drug smugglers while they attempted to retrieve a drone-dropped consignment near Khalra village in Tarn Taran district.
13-Sep-2025
On September 13, Punjab Police, on day 196 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered of 77 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 99 drug smugglers and seized 2.5 kg of heroin, 1.2 kg of opium, 5 kg of ganja, 65 kg of poppy husk, 1108 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 6770 drug money, across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 29,387 in 196 days.
13-Sep-2025
On September 13, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann opposed the upcoming India-Pakistan cricket match, saying sporting ties overshadow painful memories of terror attacks such as Pathankot and Pulwama.
12-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on September 12 seized 590 grams of heroin near Rattankhurd village in Amritsar district.
12-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 12 arrested an unidentified smuggler and seized 560 grams of heroin near Kalsian Kalan is a village in Tarn Taran district.
12-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 12 seized 600 grams of heroin near Naushera Dhalla in Tarn Taran district.
12-Sep-2025
On September 12, Una Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Yadav confirmed that two accused arrested from Punjab were involved in the July 27 murder of Rakesh Kumar alias Gaggi, who was shot dead inside a salon at Basal village, Una district of Himachal Pradesh. The accused—Rajiv Kaushal, brought from Ferozepur jail on production warrant, and Vipan Kumar from Hoshiarpur—confessed during interrogation. Police said the murder stemmed from an inter-gang rivalry, while a lookout has been issued for a third accomplice.
12-Sep-2025
An arrested Davinder Bambiha gang member, identified as Ramjot Singh alias Jot, was injured in police retaliatory fire when he opened fire during a weapon recovery in an INR 1 crore extortion case in Faridkot district on September 12. Police seized a .32 bore pistol with live cartridges from the spot. Ramjot and Sandeep Singh alias Lovely had been arrested from Kotkapura on September 7, with investigations revealing the crime was ordered by Bambiha gangsters Sema Behbal and Jass Bahibal.
12-Sep-2025
Two unidentified assailants shot Dr. Kulwinder Singh, leaving him critically injured, at his private hospital at Sudhar village in Amritsar district on September 12. He had earlier received extortion calls from foreign-based gangster Jeevan Fauji, who demanded INR 50 lakh. After he refused to pay, bikers opened fire at his hospital on July 11, allegedly at Fauji’s behest, followed by renewed threats.
12-Sep-2025
All India Congress Committee (AICC) Secretary and Jalandhar Cantt Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Padma Shri Pargat Singh, on September 12, accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of presiding over a collapse of law and order in Punjab, citing rising cases of gun violence, bomb blasts, kidnappings, and murders. Highlighting repeated attacks on doctors, he noted that Dr. Kulwinder Singh was shot inside his hospital in Ajnala, shortly after assailants had opened fire outside his home. 'This is not an isolated case—doctors in Moga and Jalandhar have faced similar attacks. Those who save lives now fear for their own,' he said.
12-Sep-2025
The Counter Intelligence (CI), Amritsar, on September 12 busted a cross-border arms and narcotics smuggling module by arresting five persons, identified as Jaskaran Singh, Amritpal Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Amandeep Singh, and Harkeerat and seizing two 9mm Glock Pistols with magazines, two .30 bore Px5 pistols with magazines, and two .30 bore Star Mark pistols with magazines, 1 kg of heroin, and INR 6 lakh in drug money from their possession, in Amritsar. Preliminary investigations revealed the accused were working for Pakistan-based smugglers using drones to drop drugs and weapons.
12-Sep-2025
On September 12, Punjab Police, on day 195 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 79 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 95 drug smugglers and seized 5.4 kg of heroin, 1 kg of opium, 1657 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 5160 drug money, across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 29,288 in 195 days.
12-Sep-2025
Ludhiana police on September 12 registered an FIR over threats to retired assistant inspector general (AIG) Sandeep Sharma from gangsters he had interrogated during his service. Sharma, who retired from the anti-drug special task force (STF) in 2022, said he approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court after his complaint lay pending with the Ludhiana police for over 10 months. He alleged receiving threat calls from Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, noting that during his tenure he had acted against several gangsters, including Bagga Khan alias Buta, Munish Parbhakar, Goru Bachha, Sukh Bhikariwal, and Rajpal alias Raja.
12-Sep-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 12 filed a chargesheet before the special NIA court in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district, against three persons, Vishal Gill alias Chuchi, Bhagwant Singh alias Manna Bhatti, and Diwan Singh alias Sunny for their roles in the March 15 grenade attack on Thakurdwara Sanatan Temple in Chheharta, Amritsar. Gill, one of two bike-borne assailants, was charged for direct involvement, while the second attacker, Gursidak Singh alias Sidki, was killed in police encounter two days after the incident. Bhagwant Singh is accused of providing shelter, grenades, and reconnaissance motorcycles, while Diwan Singh allegedly harboured co-accused and destroyed evidence.
12-Sep-2025
Police on September 12 arrested a Nigerian national, identified as Augustine Okwudili and recovered 255 grams of cocaine, 10.25 grams of MDMA pills, and INR 2 lakh in drug money, in GTB Colony, Kharar, Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district. Preliminary investigation revealed that the drugs were being sold at premium rates in high-profile circles and private parties across Mohali, Chandigarh, and Panchkula, and are suspected to have been smuggled via cross-border parcel routes.
12-Sep-2025
Police on September 12 arrested two arms smugglers, identified as Gurwinder Singh alias Gindu and Sona Singh, and seized 16 pistols, 38 magazines, and 1,847 cartridges, reportedly smuggled from Pakistan via floodwaters, near Theh Qalandar village on the Fazilka-Ferozepur highway in Fazilka district.
11-Sep-2025
The Counter-Intelligence Wing of the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on September 11 arrested two smugglers, identified as Mangal Singh and Gurpreet Singh, and seized a large consignment of 27 pistols along with 470 live cartridges, smuggled from Pakistan via floodwaters, in Mohar Jamsher village of Fazilka district. The consignment, packed in a bag wrapped with plastic tape, was recovered from the village, which is surrounded by Pakistan on three sides and the Sutlej River on the fourth.
11-Sep-2025
Amritsar police on September 11 froze assets worth INR 1.27 crore belonging to four drug peddlers, identified as Varinderpal Singh, Gurmukh Singh, Taljinder Kumar, and Jasvinderpal Singh. Earlier, on May 14, police had seized 500 grams of heroin, a drone, two pistols, and INR 15 lakh drug money from them.
11-Sep-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) recovered three hand grenades and a .30 bore pistol from Bhamri village in Batala, Gurdaspur district, in connection with the March 15 Amritsar temple grenade attack case. The recovered explosives and arms have been sent for forensic and technical examination. Investigations so far have revealed a conspiracy orchestrated by terrorist handlers based in Europe, the US, and Canada behind the attack.
11-Sep-2025
On the night of September 11, multiple shots were fired outside Bollywood actress Disha Patani’s house in Civil Lines, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. No injuries were reported. Soon after, Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar claimed responsibility in a social media post, stating the attack was ‘punishment’ for Patani and her sister over alleged insults to spiritual speakers Premanand Maharaj and Aniruddhacharya Maharaj.
11-Sep-2025
A district court in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district, acquitted Teerath Singh, a resident of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (UP), in a case registered by the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) under the Arms Act on charges of working for the Khalistani terror outfit, Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). Singh, who had been out on bail for five years, was initially booked in 2008 under the Arms Act and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with UK-based Gursharan Singh as a co-accused. Police alleged links with the KLF and plans for anti-national activities, but the court ruled that the prosecution failed to produce ‘concrete evidence’.
10-Sep-2025
On the night of September 10, unidentified miscreants hurled a low-intensity explosive, suspected to be a hand grenade, inside a liquor vend in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district. While no one was injured, the blast shattered a refrigerator glass and triggered panic. An unverified social media post from an unauthenticated Khalistani terror outfit, Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) page claimed responsibility, naming fugitive gangster Gopi Nawashahria along with Mannu Agwan and Zeeshan Akhtar. The post alleged the vend was a public nuisance and warned of future attacks using rocket launchers and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
10-Sep-2025
Amritsar Police on September 10 arrested four drug smugglers, identified as Gurbhej Singh, his son Gurdit Singh, Malkit Singh, and Gurjit Singh, and recovered 12 kg of heroin, a .30-bore pistol, and a magazine, in Amritsar. The arrests followed a probe into an earlier seizure of 8.1 kg of heroin from a notorious smuggler Soni Singh alias Soni and his four associates. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the operation has exposed another node of the trans-border cartel active in Tarn Taran and Amritsar Rural sectors.
10-Sep-2025
Three jailed former police officers, were injured after being attacked by Sandeep Singh alias Sunny, the accused in the murder of Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri, inside Central Jail, Patiala district on September 10. The victims were identified as ex- Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Gurbachan Singh, retired Inspector Subba Singh, and dismissed Inspector Inderjit Singh. A senior jail official said the incident occurred in the high-security barrack where both the accused and victims were lodged separately, as all faced threats.
10-Sep-2025
The Sri Ganganagar district police on September 10 conducted a massive raid operation at the hideouts of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his close associates, located in Sriganganagar, Bikaner (Rajasthan) and Abohar in Fazilka district of Punjab. The investigation focused on tracing the financial trail of criminals, including the transfer and return of extortion money abroad through hawala channels. Police tracked their contacts by examining agricultural land documents, house construction or renovation records, and by questioning locals.
10-Sep-2025
On September 10, A 19-year-old youth, Gurpreet Singh and his father Jagtar Singh were seriously injured in two mysterious blasts at their home in Jeeda village, Bathinda district. The explosions are suspected to have been triggered by picric acid, a highly explosive chemical possibly sourced online, though investigators have yet to confirm the substance or the motive behind its possession.
10-Sep-2025
Amritsar Commissionerate Police on September 10 busted a cross-border organised arms smuggling module, arresting six members, identified as Pargat Singh, Ajaybir Singh, Karanbir Singh, Shri Ram, Mehakpreet Singh, and Dinesh Kumar and seizing a 9mm Glock, three .30 bore PX5 pistols, one .32 bore pistol, one .30 bore pistol, and INR 575,000 in hawala money from their possession in Amritsar. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the syndicate was being operated by the arrested accused, Mehakpreet Singh alias Rohit, under the directions of his foreign-based handlers via social media. During the operation, multiple recoveries were made at different stages of investigation, and the module’s kingpin, Mehakpreet, was arrested from Goa along with three weapons.
10-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 10 arrested an unidentified smuggler and seized 1.433 kg of heroin along with a motorcycle and a mobile phone in Ballarwal village in Amritsar district.
10-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) Punjab Frontier on September 10 arrested five persons and seized seven packets of heroin weighing nearly 4.2 kg from Ferozepur, Amritsar and Tarn Taran border districts.
10-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on September 10 seized three packets of heroin weighing 1.658 kg in Pala Megha area in Ferozepur district.
10-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on September 10 seized a heroin packet weighing 578 grams near Mahawa village in Amritsar district.
10-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 10 arrested an unidentified smuggler and recovered a drone in Khemkaran area in Tarn Taran district.
10-Sep-2025
Punjab government, on September 10, notified that head constables can now serve as investigating officers (IOs) in cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The move, aimed at easing the workload of station house officers (SHOs) and assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) amid a surge in cases following the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign, marks a change from the earlier rule allowing only ASIs and above to investigate such cases.
09-Sep-2025
Police on September 9 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Sukhpreet Singh and Kadar Singh, and seized 12.10 kg of heroin from their possession in Jhariwala village, Faridkot district. Preliminary investigation revealed the consignment was flown in from Pakistan via drone for distribution among local smugglers and peddlers.
09-Sep-2025
According to sources, during a recent interrogation, notorious arms trafficker Saleem Ahmed alias Pistol revealed plans to establish a weapons manufacturing unit near the Pakistan border with the support of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed operatives. The facility was intended to produce counterfeit pistols, including Turkish Ziganas and Chinese Stars, for supply to gangs across Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab. Pistol, one of north India’s leading illegal arms suppliers with links to organised crime syndicates, was detained in Nepal on August 8 and faces charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
09-Sep-2025
Tarsem Singh, father of jailed Khalistani radical and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, on September 9 in Amritsar, stated that Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) boycotted the vice-presidential polls to protest the “injustice” done to Punjab. He alleged that floods in the state were aggravated by government negligence and criticised the Centre for failing to announce timely relief. He further said that Amritpal Singh and MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa abstained from voting as a principled stand for Punjab’s rights, while also highlighting the continued detention of Sikh political prisoners.
09-Sep-2025
Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, officiating Jathedar, Akal Takht, on September 9, called for a special collective meeting of all Sikh organisations, institutions, groups, personalities, and Punjabi artists engaged in flood-relief work at the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) office on September 13. Akal Takht Secretariat in-charge Bagicha Singh further urged each organisation to send only one representative to ensure that relief efforts proceed smoothly, emphasising the importance of planned distribution and long-term service.
09-Sep-2025
On September 9, court sent Gursewak Singh, along with Soni Singh alias Soni, Vishaldeep Singh alias Gola, Gurpreet Singh, and Arshdeep Singh—who were recently arrested with 8 kg of heroin—to three-day police remand in Amritsar. During interrogation, it was revealed that Gursewak supplied heroin in crowded areas to avoid detection, and that the racket had links with Pakistan-based smugglers using drones to push consignments across the border.
09-Sep-2025
India, on September 9, repatriated 67 Pakistani prisoners through the Attari-Wagah joint check-post near Attari village in Amritsar district. The group comprised 53 fishermen and 14 civilians who had completed their sentences in various Indian jails. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that India has urged Pakistan to expedite the release and repatriation of all Indian prisoners, including fishermen, still in Pakistan’s custody.
09-Sep-2025
Faridkot Police on September 9 dismantled an international drug trafficking network linked to Pakistan-based smugglers, arresting two key operatives, Sukhpreet Singh and Kadar Singh, and seizing 12.1 kg of heroin from their possession in Jhariwala village, Faridkot district. Police revealed that the drugs were smuggled via drones from Pakistan and stored at a house in Jhariwala village for further distribution. Investigations are underway to uncover the full extent of the network.
09-Sep-2025
The jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) and radical Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh, on September 9, cast his vote in the vice-presidential election through a postal ballot from Dibrugarh jail, Assam. The Election Commission directed jail authorities to facilitate his voting under Rule 26 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974, and officials ensured the sealed ballot reached the returning officer in Delhi before the 6pm deadline.
09-Sep-2025
The jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) and radical Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh, on September 9, cast his vote in the vice-presidential election through a postal ballot from Dibrugarh jail, Assam. The Election Commission directed jail authorities to facilitate his voting under Rule 26 of the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Rules, 1974, and officials ensured the sealed ballot reached the returning officer in Delhi before the 6pm deadline.
09-Sep-2025
A former village sarpanch and Congress leader, Jugraj Singh alias Jugga, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at his village Cheema Khudi in Batala in Gurdaspur district on September 9. The attackers fled the scene immediately after the shooting. A group claiming allegiance to a faction linked to Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda later took responsibility on social media, alleging Jugraj Singh had acted as a police informant and was involved in drug trafficking.
08-Sep-2025
Since 2023, Chandigarh Police have dismantled more than five major interstate and cross-border drug syndicates, exposing a shift from the traditional Delhi–Nigeria supply route to Pakistan-based handlers who use drones and pipes along the Punjab border. Investigations uncovered direct links to Lahore and Kasur in Pakistan, with local operatives retrieving consignments for hefty commissions. Recent crackdowns on networks tied to handlers such as Zubair Rana and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed cartels have also highlighted the use of social media for coordination. Police are now focusing on financiers and cross-border masterminds, significantly disrupting these trafficking chains.