KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
08-Sep-2025
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on September 8 busted a major heroin trafficking cartel by arresting five smugglers—identified as Soni Singh, Gursewak Singh, Vishaldeep Singh alias Gola, Gurpreet Singh, and Arshdeep Singh—and seizing 8.187 kg of heroin from their possession in Amritsar district. Police stated that the syndicate, operated from Pakistan, used hotels as contraband storage sites, while backward and forward linkages are now being investigated.
07-Sep-2025
Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on September 7 arrested Baljinder Singh alias Rainch, an associate of foreign-based gangster Goldy Brar, and seized five pistols along with 10 live cartridges from his possession, in Malout, Sri Muktsar Sahib district. Police revealed that Baljinder had been supplying illegal firearms to the Brar gang on the directions of jailed associate Malkit Singh alias Kitta Bhani, and that further investigation is underway to expose the entire nexus.
07-Sep-2025
On the night of September 7–8, Chandigarh Police’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) busted an inter-state narco-syndicate operating between Himachal Pradesh and the tricity, arresting five accused, including three Punjab Secretariat contractual employees, and seizing 742 grams of charas, in Chandigarh.
06-Sep-2025
Kotwali Police on September 6 registered a case against United States (US)-based gangster, Vishal Pachar alias Bablu and two others on charges of extortion and issuing death threats, after a businessman in Abohar, Fazilka district, reported receiving a call on August 12 from a foreign number demanding INR 50 lakh. The caller allegedly threatened to burn down the victim’s shops and home with petrol bombs, and two armed men later entered his shop to intimidate him. Police stated that Vishal, a native of Sriganganagar, Rajasthan now believed to be in the US on a fake passport, has been linked to multiple criminal cases, including arms and drug smuggling.
05-Sep-2025
Khalistani group ‘Shaheedi Force Unit One’ of the Punjab Sovereignty Alliance, in a recent open letter, claimed responsibility for the August 10 IED blast at the Gharinda Police Station in Amritsar, describing it as a response to what it called growing repression of Sikhs in India. The group’s commander, Jassa Singh Azad, warned of more such attacks unless the alleged persecution ends, accusing authorities of targeting Sikh youth and families.
05-Sep-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 5 arrested a wanted terror accused in the March 2025 Amritsar temple grenade attack case, identified as Sharanjit Kumar alias Sunny, in Gaya, Bihar. Sunny was allegedly involved in both the conspiracy and execution of the attack, which was carried out by two bike-borne assailants under the direction of foreign-based handlers.
04-Sep-2025
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on September 4 busted a cross-border drugs and arms smuggling and Hawala racket, arrested three individuals identified as Harpreet Singh, Gurpal Singh and Ranjodh Singh, and seized 2.02 kg of heroin, four pistols and INR 3.5 lakh of Hawala money from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had links with Pakistan-based smugglers and used drones to transport consignments across the border.
03-Sep-2025
Islamabad Police on September 3 arrested Manshu Behal and two juveniles for opening fire outside a beauty salon-cum-academy near Khalsa College and seized a China-made Glock pistol, six live cartridges, and a motorcycle were recovered, in Amritsar district. Investigations revealed they acted on the directions of foreign-based handlers, with Behal admitting financial distress drove him to the crime.
03-Sep-2025
The Anti-Gangster Task Force of Punjab, in a joint operation with the Tarn Taran Police, on September 3, arrested two key associates of foreign-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, identified as Vikramjit Singh alias Vicky and Harpreet Singh alias Prince and seized a .32 calibre pistol, a .315 calibre pistol, and nine live cartridges from their possession, in Amritsar district. Both have a history of criminal cases, and further interrogation is underway to trace their network and handlers.
03-Sep-2025
Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora recently revealed that between January 1 and August 31, 2025, the district police registered 730 cases and arrested 861 accused in their intensified crackdown on drugs. The operations led to the recovery of over include 9.19 kg of heroin, 6.91 kg of opium, 234.3 kg of poppy husk, 516 poppy plants, 1.07 kg of intoxicant powder, 1 kg of ganja, 14 grams of ICE, and 63,676 intoxicating tablets. In addition, the police seized INR 6.72 lakh in drug money from traffickers and peddlers.
03-Sep-2025
On September 3, Punjab Police, on day 186 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 56 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 83 drug smugglers and seized 631 grams of heroin, 6082 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 1000 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 28,142 in 186 days.
03-Sep-2025
On September 3, Gurmel Singh, president of the Patti block of the Congress party, was shot dead by armed assailants in Tarn Taran district. Gangsters Doni Bal, Prabh Dasuwal, Afridi Tut, and Kaushal Chowdhury later claimed responsibility in a social media post, alleging that Singh was a police informer who had provided information leading to Afridi’s arrest and was preparing to share more with their rivals.
03-Sep-2025
A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Mohali on September 3 issued open-ended non-bailable warrants against former Punjab Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Jagdip Singh, who has been declared a proclaimed offender in two disappearance cases. He is accused in the 1992 kidnapping and disappearance of Mohinder Kaur, mother of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar, and in the 1999 disappearance of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) employee Aroor Singh, for which seven people were charge sheeted. A lookout circular was issued against him in 2021.
02-Sep-2025
Former member of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Gurpreet Singh Nihang, in a recent interview with 5WH, revealed that he quit the organisation after nearly two decades, sharply criticising its leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for ego-driven leadership, lack of transparency, and betraying the original spirit of the movement. Nihang accused Pannun of abandoning core Khalsa values, inflating claims about the Khalistan referendum, and running the outfit in a self-serving manner while disregarding the risks faced by others. He emphasised that for him, Sikhi and Khalsa traditions held far greater significance than Pannun’s hollow pursuit of Khalistan.
02-Sep-2025
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on September 2 announced that members of minority communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, to escape religious persecution, will be allowed to stay in the country without passports or other valid travel documents. The order, issued under the newly enforced Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, provides relief but does not guarantee citizenship.
02-Sep-2025
Punjab Police on September 2 unearthed a terror module linked to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and arrested three men from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) who were involved in a cab driver’s murder case, identified as Sahil Bashir, Bashir’s brother Aijaz Ahmed Khan, alias Wasim and Munish Singh, alias Ansh, and seized a .32 bore pistol and a car from their possession, in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district in Punjab.
02-Sep-2025
On September 2, Punjab Police, on day 185 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 64 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 95 drug smugglers and seized 433 grams of heroin, 29 kg of poppy husk, 910 intoxicant tablets or capsules, and INR 3.5 lakh in drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers across Punjab.
02-Sep-2025
Patiala cyber cell on September 2 arrested four members of a local gang linked to an international cyber fraud racket operating in Philippines, identified as Pankaj, Arshdeep, and Manga Singh along with one unidentified person, in Patiala in Patiala district. Police said the gang supplied bank accounts and SIM cards to fraudsters abroad, facilitating scams worth over INR 40 crore.
02-Sep-2025
Sri Mukhtsar Sahib Police on September 2 arrested two associates of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Gurdeep Singh, and Gursewak Singh alias Mota, and seized four .32 bore country-made pistols and one .30 bore country-made pistol, along with 10 magazines from their possession, in Sri Mukhtsar Sahib district. Preliminary investigations linked them to wanted gangsters Harjot Singh alias Neela and Jagdeep Singh alias Jagga.
02-Sep-2025
Since March 1, Punjab Police’s anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ has led to the registration of 17,957 First Information Reports (FIRs), the arrest of 27,796 drug smugglers, and the recovery of 1,129 kg of heroin, 384 kg of opium, 232 quintals of poppy husk, 29 kg of charas, 430 kg of ganja, 6.3 kg of ICE (crystal meth), 33 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets, and INR 12.44 crore in drug money. The six-month drive, launched under the direction of Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann, combines enforcement, de-addiction, and preventive measures with the aim of making Punjab drug-free.
01-Sep-2025
On September 1, the Delhi High Court granted the trial court handling the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases four weeks to submit its report on reconstructing decades-old records concerning the acquittal of five men, including former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar, in the killing of four Sikhs in Ghaziabad’s Raj Nagar. The bench observed that the victims’ and society’s right to a fair trial could not be undermined by missing files or flawed proceedings, and set October 10 as the next hearing date.
01-Sep-2025
According to sources in the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the interrogation of international gangster Sunil Kumar Meena alias Mayank Singh, revealed that sophisticated arms used by the Aman Sahu gang in Jharkhand were smuggled from Pakistan via Punjab. These weapons were linked to several extortion-related crimes, including the March attack on coal trader Bipin Mishra in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
31-Aug-2025
On August 31, a lab technician at SR Government College for Girls, identified as Ashutosh Mahajan, was shot dead by two bike-borne masked assailants near Batala Road in Amritsar district. Police stated that CCTV footage and call records are being examined, while gangster Hari Boxer of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang later claimed responsibility on social media.
31-Aug-2025
Counter Intelligence (CI) Pathankot, CI Ludhiana, and the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) Amritsar, in a joint operation, on August 31, busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)-backed terror module by arresting two operatives, identified as Sarwan Kumar and Balwinder Singh and seizing an Arges hand grenade, a .30 bore star-mark pistol, and three live cartridges, in Pathankot district.
31-Aug-2025
Border Security Forces (BSF) troops on August 31 arrested a smuggler, identified as Sonu, and seized 14 packets of heroin weighing about 7.995 kg, near a naka (checkpoint) near Hazarawala village in Ferozepur district.
31-Aug-2025
Jalandhar police on August 31 arrested one drug smuggler, identified as Manjit Singh and seized 3.5 kg of heroin along with INR 2 lakhs in drug money from his possession in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district.
31-Aug-2025
On August 31, Punjab Police, on day 183 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 46 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 68 drug smugglers and seized 3.9 kg of heroin, 2.5 kg of opium, 962 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 2 lakh drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 27,787 in 183 days.
31-Aug-2025
According to reports, Khalistani radical and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh and his party, Shiromani Akali Dal Waris Punjab De (SAD-WPD), mobilized over 200 volunteers in flood-hit Sultanpur Lodhi and Tarn Taran to carry out relief efforts. The teams set up temporary godowns, distributed dry rations, medicines, and fodder, and arranged boats to reach marooned villagers, with banners displaying Amritpal’s images marking their presence.
30-Aug-2025
Amritsar City Police Commissionerate on August 30 foiled a major target killing plot with the arrest of five Landa Harike gang members, identified as Karandeep Singh alias Karan, Gursewak Singh alias Balli, Arshdeep Singh, Amritpal Singh and a juvenile, and seized a Glock pistol, 13 live cartridges, and two empty shells, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. Police said the accused were acting on instructions from foreign-based handlers who had provided weapons and logistical support.
30-Aug-2025
On August 30, Punjab Police, on day 182 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 53 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 65 drug smugglers and seized 1.2 kg of heroin, 650 grams of opium, 150 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 600 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 27,663 in 182 days.
30-Aug-2025
Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Punjab police on August 30 arrested a shooter involved a recent jeweller attack case, identified as Jagroshan Singh in Chandigarh. Police said he acted on the directions of foreign-based gangster Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, and further investigation is underway to trace the network.
29-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Amritsar, on August 29, arrested one unidentified person and seized 1 kg of heroin and a motorcycle from his possession in Amritsar district.
29-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on August 29 recovered a drone carrying 2 kg of heroin alongside a pistol with its magazine, in Amritsar district.
29-Aug-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Chandigarh on August 29 issued an open-dated non-bailable warrant against Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Shamsher Singh alias Shera in connection with the Sector 10 grenade attack case. The court acted after the National Investigation Agency presented evidence linking him to the conspiracy, including financing and facilitating reconnaissance. Singh, absconding for the past two to three years, is accused of working with United States (US) based Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia and Pakistan-based Harwinder Singh Rinda, named as the masterminds behind the attack.
29-Aug-2025
A report by Khalsa Vox highlighted the plight of Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Bhai Taru Singh in Lahore, a historic 250-year-old shrine now encroached upon and largely erased due to neglect in Pakistan. Once a revered site of Sikh devotion, it now stands hidden behind shops and walls, with only a small portion accessible to devotees. The desecration reflects the broader erosion of Sikh heritage in Pakistan, while Khalistani groups abroad remain silent, allegedly because of their dependence on Pakistani funding.
29-Aug-2025
A recent report by Khalsa Vox revealed that the demand for Khalistan, which originated in the 1970s, is now largely sustained by fringe elements in India and sections of the diaspora, while the majority of Sikhs have rejected separatism and embraced their place within India. The report traced the movement’s trajectory from Jagjit Singh Chauhan to Amritpal Singh, noting its repeated failures and decline after the violent decades of the 1980s–90s. It argued that diaspora-led protests in countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), Canada, and Australia may ultimately harm the cause, as governments prioritize stability and their ties with India.
28-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on August 28 arrested one unidentified smuggler and seized 490 grams of heroin from his possession, near Attari village in Amritsar district.
28-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) on August 28 recovered 536 grams of heroin, near Chak Wazida village in Ferozepur district.
28-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops in a joint operation with Punjab Police on August 28 recovered 6.086 kg of heroin and a drone from fields near JK Singh Wala village in Ferozepur district.
28-Aug-2025
Bathinda Police on August 28 arrested one individual, identified as Rahul Kumar and seized recovered 505 grams of heroin from the possession in Bathinda in Bathinda district. During interrogation, Rahul revealed that he had sourced the contraband from Ishant Kumar, a repeat offender with five drug peddling cases who is currently lodged in Kapurthala prison. Police have also booked Ishant in connection with the case and are investigating the supply chain further.
28-Aug-2025
A report released by Khalsa Vox highlighted the nexus between the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and illicit activities such as illegal migration and drug trafficking. Citing multiple investigations, it alleged that proceeds from narcotics including fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine are being used to finance anti-India militancy, protests, and Khalistan referendums. The report emphasized that while the vast majority of Sikhs lead constructive lives, supporting groups tied to crime damages the community’s reputation. It urged Sikhs worldwide to uphold lawful, transparent, and principled advocacy rather than aligning with extremist factions.
27-Aug-2025
Goa Police on August 27 traced a close aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, identified as Vishnu Bishnoi, along with six of his associates from a hotel in Anjuna in Goa. Vishnu was wanted in several cases, including the murder of Punjab businessman Sanjay Verma in Fazilka on July 7, 2025. Officials confirmed that while Vishnu was handed over to Punjab Police, his six companions were released as no involvement in the crime was found.
27-Aug-2025
Police on August 27 arrested two gang members of the Rohit Godara gang, identified as Kartik Jakhar and Kavish, from New Ashok Nagar area in East Delhi district in Delhi. The two were working for Harry Boxer, a Bishnoi gang member based in the United States (US), who has been issuing threats and extortion demands.
27-Aug-2025
According to sources, the silence of Punjab Police over the improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Amritsar on August 10, which left bomb disposal squad constable Gurpreet Singh grievously injured, has raised concerns and prompted calls for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe. Medical records confirm that Singh lost vision in both eyes, hearing in one ear, and sustained severe hand and leg injuries. Activists allege the incident occurred near the Galiara area close to the Golden Temple, but the police have refused to disclose details, fuelling suspicions of a cover-up.
27-Aug-2025
Patiala House Court in New Delhi on August 27 cancelled the non-bailable warrant issued two days earlier against former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer Vikash Yadav in a kidnapping and extortion case. The court accepted the submission that his lawyers had been unable to appear due to the ongoing strike and restored his bail surety. Yadav, earlier arrested for alleged links with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and also named by United States (US) authorities in the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun plot, has been directed to appear on October 17.
27-Aug-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 27 recorded assurances from both state governments that innocent people would not be falsely implicated in narcotics cases involving non-commercial quantities. The Bench noted that as many as 23,647 arrests had already been made, with over 20,000 First Information Reports (FIRs) involving contraband in the form of tablets without batch numbers or expiry dates. Punjab Advocate-General Maninder Singh Bedi assured that the campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh” would be implemented with safeguards to protect innocents, while Haryana’s counsel also pledged corrective measures. Justice Sandeep Moudgil then disposed of the petitions, observing that no further interference was required at this stage.
27-Aug-2025
On August 27, Punjab Police, on day 179 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 68 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 99 drug smugglers and seized 985 grams of heroin, 21 kg of poppy husk, 1,625 intoxicant tablets/capsules, and INR 9,850 in drug money from the possession of the arrested smugglers, across Punjab. With these arrests, the total number of drug smugglers apprehended has risen to 27,409 in 179 days.
27-Aug-2025
Police on August 27 arrested three individuals, identified as Rohit Bhullar, Arshdeep Singh alias Karan, and Gurjinder Singh alias Gagan, and seized a mobile phone from their possession, in Kalyanpuri, East Delhi district. The accused had allegedly demanded INR 25 lakh from a jeweller by threatening him in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Police stated that the trio was acting on the instructions of a handler named Sheru, currently based in Bahrain. Further investigation is underway to trace other associates and links to Bishnoi’s network.
27-Aug-2025
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of Punjab Police, on August 27, released a statement regarding the bomb blast that reportedly occurred at its Amritsar office on August 10. According to the statement, senior constable Gurpreet Singh, deputed to the Bomb Disposal Squad of Punjab Armed Police (PAP), was severely injured when an IED seized by the SSOC exploded. In addition to the IED, the cell had also confiscated two hand grenades. The statement added that the low-intensity explosion took place while the explosives were being defused as part of standard procedure on August 10.
26-Aug-2025
According to intelligence sources, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is pushing Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) to intensify terror attacks in Punjab and neighbouring states, shifting the focus from civilians to police stations, government buildings, and courts. Security officials stated that the move is intended to revive the Khalistan movement by projecting BKI as targeting the Indian state rather than the public. Investigators further revealed that senior BKI leaders Harvinder Singh Rinda and Harper Singh alias Happy Passia, both ISI assets, are directing operations from abroad.