KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
26-Aug-2025
The Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, during a meeting with Punjab Governor Shri Banwarilal Purohit in Chandigarh on August 26, criticized the Punjab Police Welfare Association for supporting convicted officers found guilty of fake encounters of Sikh youths in the 1990s. He told the Governor that victim families had struggled for decades to secure justice, and releasing the officers would undermine court verdicts and deepen their suffering. Gargajj emphasized that such cases involve grave human rights violations and urged that decisions reflect the sentiments of Punjabis, especially Sikhs.
26-Aug-2025
Counter Intelligence (CI) Pathankot on August 26 averted a targeted killing with the arrest of four members of an organized crime syndicate—identified as Vishal Masih alias Dana, Vishal William, and two juveniles—and recovered two .30 bore star-mark pistols along with six live cartridges from their possession in Salimpur Afghana village, Gurdaspur district. According to Punjab Police, the accused were acting on the directions of foreign-based gangsters Nishan Singh, Shamsher Singh alias Shera Mann alias Honey, and Sajan Masih alias Goru.
26-Aug-2025
Police on August 26 arrested one individual, identified as Harjinder Singh alias Ravinder Singh, for making repeated threat calls and WhatsApp messages to Punjabi singer Mankirat Singh Aulakh and his family, from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
25-Aug-2025
Patiala House Court on August 25 issued a non-bailable warrant against former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer Vikash Yadav, named by United States (US) authorities as a conspirator in the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The court noted Yadav’s repeated absence in a kidnapping and extortion case linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and issued notice to his surety under Section 491 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
25-Aug-2025
The Haryana government on August 25 announced jobs for one member of each of the 121 Sikh families who lost relatives in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Chief Minister (CM) Nayab Singh Saini recalled the large-scale violence in which gurdwaras, houses, shops, factories, vehicles, and even railway coaches were set ablaze following the assassination of Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi. The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) welcomed the move as historic recognition, though its president, Jagdish Singh Jhinda, asserted that the actual death toll was four to five times higher than the official figure.
25-Aug-2025
Punjab Police on August 25 unearthed a terror module with the arrest of one individual, identified as Ravinder Pal Singh alias Ravi, and recovered four hand grenades, an RDX-based improvised explosive device (IED), a Baofeng dual-band FM transceiver set, and a D-shaped headset commonly used with walkie-talkie communication equipment, from his possession in Balpura village, Gurdaspur district. Police stated that the consignment had been sent on the directions of United Kingdom (UK)-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Nishan Singh alias Nishan Jodia, who was acting under the instructions of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Another accused remains absconding, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.
25-Aug-2025
On August 25, Punjab Police, on day 177 of its ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign registered 61 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 76 drug smugglers and seized 525 grams of heroin, 2,258 intoxicating tablets/capsules and INR 2,000 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers across Punjab. With this, the total number of drug smugglers arrested during the campaign reached 27,163.
25-Aug-2025
Police on August 25 arrested a wanted criminal, identified as Bhupinder Singh, and seized a .32 bore pistol with live cartridges, narcotics and two cars, from his possession, near Gharuan village in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. He, along with three accomplices from Malerkotla, had carjacked a luxury vehicle at gunpoint from two employees of CGC Jhanjeri on August 17.
24-Aug-2025
Arpit Shukla, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order), stated in Chandigarh on August 24 that information received through the ‘Safe Punjab’ WhatsApp chatbot helpline has led to the registration of 5,562 FIRs since March 1 under the state’s anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’. He added that Punjab Police have, so far, registered 17,373 FIRs, arrested 26,995 drug smugglers, and seized 1,096 kg heroin, 380 kg opium, 23 tonnes of poppy husk, 29 kg charas, 421 kg ganja, 6 kg ICE, 3.3 kg cocaine, 32.91 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets, and INR 12.43 crores in drug money.
24-Aug-2025
Counter Intelligence (CI), Jalandhar, in a joint operation with Nawanshahr Police on August 24, arrested two shooters of the Lucky Patial-Davinder Bambiha gang identified as Karan Ganger and Jaskarandeep Singh, in Mumbai in Maharashtra. Police said the duo was involved in the July 2 murder of Hardeep Singh, alias Deepa Kulpuria, in Pojewal, Nawanshahr district in Punjab. The accused, along with United Stated (US) based Jaskaran Singh, alias Kannu, had killed the victim due to personal enmity.
23-Aug-2025
On August 23, Punjab Police, on day 175 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 95 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 134 drug smugglers and seized 2.9 kg of heroin, 9 kg of poppy husk, 963 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 12,420 from the possession of arrested drug smugglers across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 27,039 in 175 days.
23-Aug-2025
On August 23, unidentified bike-borne assailants shot dead Kartik Baggan, who was facing multiple criminal cases, near Nagar Chowk in Ludhiana district. Police suspect the murder to be the outcome of gang rivalry, as Baggan was linked to the Puneet Bains gang.
23-Aug-2025
Delhi Police on August 23 averted a gang war by arresting three members of the Naveen Bali gang — identified as Anzar Alam, Ritik, and Rajesh Kumar — and seizing a pistol with 11 live cartridges and a country-made katta with three cartridges, from near Bawana in North West Delhi district. The trio was acting on the directions of jailed leader Naveen Bali, with the plot linked to the ongoing rivalry between the Naveen Bali and Rajesh Bawania gangs, and allegedly funded by gangster Himanshu Bhau from abroad.
23-Aug-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, On August 23 in Chandigarh, announced that the Amritsar Commissionerate Police cracked the pro-Khalistan graffiti case within 24 hours, arresting Jashanpreet Singh and a 17-year-old juvenile. The slogans, discovered at three locations in Amritsar on the intervening night of August 20–21, were painted on the directions of banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, relayed through foreign-based operative Shamsher Singh alias Shera Maan. Police registered three FIRs in the case, with Yadav reiterating the state government’s zero-tolerance policy towards anti-national activities.
23-Aug-2025
Chandigarh Police on August 23 arrested one smuggler, identified as Sourav and seized 18 grams of heroin from his possession, in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district. He was wanted in connection with a narcotics case registered on July 15, in which 238 grams of heroin, drug money, and a motorcycle were earlier recovered. Police said Sourav sourced heroin from Vishal, currently lodged in a Punjab jail, and are probing possible cross-border links.
23-Aug-2025
According to sources, more than a month after around 20 threatening emails were sent to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) warning of a blast at the Golden Temple, Amritsar police have yet to make a breakthrough. The emails, reportedly routed through the Dark Net and virtual private networks (VPNs), have made tracing their origin extremely difficult. Police had earlier arrested a man from Faridabad, but forensic analysis of his devices did not yield substantial leads. Meanwhile, similar threats have also been issued to the Punjab and Haryana High Court and Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, keeping security agencies on high alert.
23-Aug-2025
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, while addressing the media in New Delhi on August 23, accused Rahul Gandhi of aligning with anti-India forces, including Khalistan-linked groups abroad and Left-leaning organisations.
23-Aug-2025
On August 23, the ‘parallel’ acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Dhian Singh Mand, announced a foot march from September 20 to demand the release of Sikh prisoners who remain incarcerated despite completing their sentences. The march will begin at the Akal Takht, proceed to Takht Damdama Sahib and Takht Kesgarh Sahib, before culminating back at the Akal Takht. Mand said repeated appeals to governments had failed, leaving the community with no option but protest, and called upon all Sikh organisations to join the cause.
23-Aug-2025
On August 23, gangster Mayank Singh alias Sunil Meena was extradited from Azerbaijan and brought to Ranchi, Jharkhand, by a special team of the Jharkhand Anti-Terrorist Squad. Singh, who faces over 50 criminal cases across Jharkhand, Rajasthan, and Punjab, is a close aide of gangster Aman Sahu and has links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. He was arrested in Datu, Azerbaijan, in October 2024 after being placed on Interpol’s Red Corner Notice and, despite fleeing abroad, continued to run extortion rackets and orchestrate targeted attacks.
22-Aug-2025
On August 22, Punjab Police, on day 174 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 55 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 87 drug smugglers and seized 509 grams of heroin, 1 kg of opium, 4930 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 57,520 from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 26,848 in 174 days.
22-Aug-2025
According to sources, Punjabi singer Mankirat Aulakh has recently received threat calls and WhatsApp messages from unidentified numbers, directed to his management team’s phone. Police officials stated that no formal complaint has been filed so far, though efforts are underway to verify the phone numbers. Aulakh has previously been the target of similar threats from gangsters.
22-Aug-2025
Barnala police on August 22 arrested four members of a group associated with Bambiha gang, identified as Satnam Singh alias Satti, Gurpreet alias Guri, Sarm Singh alias Rinku and Deepak Singh, and seized one Zigana pistol, one .30 bore pistols, two .32 bore pistols with live cartridges, along with a car from their possession, at a checkpoint at Khudi road, near Khudi Kalan village in Barnala district.
21-Aug-2025
Batala police on August 21 recovered four hand grenades at Balpuriyan village in Batala in Gurdaspur district.
21-Aug-2025
Khalistani terrorist and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in a statement, reiterated his separatist demand by declaring that Delhi will become part of Khalistan.
21-Aug-2025
The Khalra Mission Organisation on August 21 in Tarn Taran confirmed that Paramjit Kaur Khalra, wife of late human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, will not contest the Tarn Taran by-election on an Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) ticket. This comes after jailed Khalistani radical and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh, had earlier named her as the party’s preferred candidate, but the organisation unanimously decided against her candidature.
21-Aug-2025
Punjab Police on August 21 arrested a man, identified as Malkeet Singh and seized one hand grenade, a .30-bore Px5 pistol, and 10 live rounds from his possession from near Bachiwind village in Amritsar district. Police said he was in direct contact with UK-based gangster Dharma Sandhu, a close aide of Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda. Acting on intelligence that Malkeet had collected a consignment of weapons and explosives near the International Border (IB) and was on his way to deliver it, the police intercepted him at Bachiwind T-point.
21-Aug-2025
Bibi Amrit Kaur Maloya, daughter of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassin Beant Singh, on August 21, announced her candidacy as an independent for the upcoming Tarn Taran bypolls. She is also the sister of Punjab Member of Parliament (MP) Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, a Shiromani Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) leader from Faridkot.
21-Aug-2025
Giani Harpreet Singh, president of a breakaway Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) faction and former Akal Takht acting jathedar, on August 21, told Sikh bodies at a ‘Sanman Samagam’ in Phagwara, Kapurthala district, that Punjab and the Sikh Panth were facing a “grave crisis.”
21-Aug-2025
Chandigarh police on August 21 unearthed a cross-border narco smuggling racket and arrested six smugglers identified as Pooja, Sameer, Mohd Juned, Nihal Singh, Sahibjeet Singh, alias Sabhu and Amritpal Singh alias Gopi, and seized 654 grams of heroin worth about INR 1 crore and 112 grams of cocaine from their possession, in Chandigarh. Investigations revealed the racket’s links with Pakistan-based handler Zubair Rana of Lahore, who coordinated heroin drops via drones across the border, with Amritpal Singh emerging as the kingpin of the syndicate.
21-Aug-2025
On August 21, Punjab Police, on day 173 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 51 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 70 drug smugglers and seized 5.9 kg of heroin, 5 kg of opium, 2135 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 51,300 from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 26,723 in 173 days.
21-Aug-2025
Police on August 21 arrested one individual, identified as Rachhpal Singh alias PK and seized 5.5 kg of heroin along with INR 50,000 drug money from his possession, in Zira in Ferozepur district.
21-Aug-2025
Bahadurgarh (Jhajjar) Special Task Force (STF) on August 21 arrested two shooters of the Rohit Godara gang identified as Yashpal and Nitin, after a brief encounter and seized two illegal pistols and nine bullet shells from their possession, in Sector 10 in Gurugram in Haryana. Police said the duo was planning to commit a major crime and already faced multiple criminal cases in Rewari and Gurugram districts.
20-Aug-2025
According to police sources, terrorists and criminal gangs in Punjab have increasingly adopted the covert ‘Dead Letter Box’ (DLB) method in recent years to execute terror and criminal operations. Traditionally used in espionage, the technique involves leaving money, weapons, or instructions at pre-determined locations to avoid direct contact and surveillance. Poor and unemployed youth have been the main targets, recruited via social media and lured with small payments to carry out anti-national tasks. Police disclosed that at least 27 incidents over the past 18 months—including the 2022 RPG attack on the Mohali intelligence headquarters and several grenade attacks in border areas—were executed using this tactic. Groups such as Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and international crime networks linked to Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar have all been found employing the DLB strategy to recruit and operate.
20-Aug-2025
On August 20, Punjab Police, on day 172 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 63 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 98 drug smugglers and seized 954 grams of heroin, 81 kg of poppy husk, 497 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 5,770 from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 26,654 in 172 days.
20-Aug-2025
Amritsar City Police on August 20 arrested two operatives of foreign-based gangster Prabh Dasuwal, identified as Ravi and Joban Singh, and seized a .30 bore pistol in the New Amritsar area in Amritsar district. Ravi was injured in the leg during an encounter after attempting to fire at police. The duo had recently opened fire outside a trader’s residence for extortion on Dasuwal’s instructions, with Joban providing logistical support. Police are tracing another accomplice linked to the incident.
19-Aug-2025
Ludhiana Police on August 19 brought jailed gangster Ashu from Faridkot jail on production warrant in a cross-border drug smuggling case. Investigations revealed he had arranged heroin and sophisticated weapons for arrested peddler Mukkal Mattu through Pakistan-based suppliers, using Instagram to connect with both local peddlers and foreign handlers. Ashu’s interrogation is expected to further expose the international network. Mattu was arrested on August 17 with 1.05 kg of heroin, three pistols, and 21 cartridges.
19-Aug-2025
The Counter-Intelligence (CI) team of Jalandhar Police on August 19 arrested two operatives of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as Vishavjit Singh and Jackson, and recovered a hand grenade from their possession in Nakodar, Jalandhar district. Vishavjit was apprehended in Kolkata, West Bengal, while attempting to flee to Malaysia.
19-Aug-2025
According to sources, Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravneet Singh Bittu’s recent support for the release of “Bandi Singhs” is being viewed as the party’s biggest attempt to woo the Sikh electorate. The statement is significant as seven of the 14 prisoners still in jail were convicted for the assassination of his grandfather, former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh. While Sikh groups and rival Akali factions welcomed the remarks, they remain cautious about the BJP’s intent. The issue of Bandi Singhs continues to be a major political and emotional flashpoint in Punjab, with activists, religious bodies, and political parties demanding concrete action from the Centre.
19-Aug-2025
Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, during a visit to Chittisinghpura in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on August 19, reiterated the demand for justice for the families of 35 Sikhs killed in the 2000 Chittisinghpura massacre. He said the victims’ families are still awaiting truth and accountability even after 25 years, holding successive governments responsible for suppressing Sikh rights. Gargaj also praised local community members for preserving the memory of the victims and lauded the resilience of Kashmiri Sikhs who chose not to abandon their homeland despite immense atrocities.
19-Aug-2025
Police on August 19 arrested two unidentified smugglers and seized a pistol and 11 live cartridges from their possession, near the Amritsar-Jalandhar highway near Amritsar in Amritsar district.
19-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation with Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Amritsar on August 19, arrested one unidentified smuggler and seized 1.225 kg of heroin, two mobile phones and a motorcycle from his possession, near Bagrian village in Amritsar district.
19-Aug-2025
On August 19, Punjab Police, on day 171 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 111 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 151 drug smugglers and seized 1.5 kg of heroin, 3122 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 28,990 from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 26,542 in 171 days.
18-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on August 18 intercepted and arrested an unidentified smuggler, along with 560 grams of heroin, a motorcycle, and two mobile phones, near Bachiwind village in Ajnala, Amritsar district.
18-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on August 18 recovered a pistol, two magazines and three live rounds attached to a drone, from fields near Bagrian village in Amritsar district.
18-Aug-2025
On August 18, police revealed that jailed gangster Ashu, currently lodged in Faridkot jail, had arranged heroin and sophisticated weapons for peddler Mukkal Mattu—arrested on August 17—through Pakistan-based suppliers. Investigators suspect the consignment was delivered via drones from Pakistan and collected by local aides in India. Police added that Ashu will be brought on production warrant to further probe the international links of the network.
18-Aug-2025
Punjab Police on August 18 revealed that a Blue Corner Notice has been issued against Canada-based alleged drug smuggler Satpreet Singh Thiara alias Satta. A co-accused in the 2021 drug case against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Thiara has also been linked to the INR 6,000 crore Bhola drug racket. Investigations found that he frequently visited India between 2007 and 2013 and maintained connections with political figures of that period.
18-Aug-2025
On August 18, Punjab Police, on day 170 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 164 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 196 drug smugglers and seized 2.4 kg of heroin, 2 kg of opium, 30 kg of ganja, 13,451 intoxicating tablets/capsules and INR 15,020 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab.
18-Aug-2025
India on August 18 announced the appointment of senior diplomat Dinesh Patnaik as the new High Commissioner to Canada, while Canada named veteran diplomat Christopher Cooter as its envoy to India. The decision followed Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s June 2025 meeting with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, where both sides agreed to take calibrated steps to rebuild trust after last year’s sharp downturn over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
17-Aug-2025
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on August 17 issued a statement criticising officials for stopping Amritdhari sarpanch Gurdhian Singh from entering the Red Fort with his kirpan on Independence Day, August 15. Dhami alleged discrimination against Sikhs on the basis of religious symbols, asserting that the five Kakars are inseparable from Sikh identity and must be respected as a constitutional right.
17-Aug-2025
A recently released report by Khalsa Vox criticised Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for supporting United States (US) President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes on Indian exports, even suggesting a 500 per cent increase. The report stated that such a stance directly harms Punjab’s Sikh farmers and dairy workers, whose livelihoods depend on exports of basmati rice, textiles, and dairy products. It warned that opening Indian markets would allow heavily subsidised American farm and dairy corporations to undercut small Sikh farmers and cooperatives like Amul. Khalsa Vox described Pannun’s position as a betrayal, arguing that his anti-India theatrics take precedence over Sikh well-being.