KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
31-Jul-2025
Police on July 31 arrested two smugglers, identified as Gurjant Singh alias Bolla and Kailash Kumar, and seized 1,700 kg of poppy husk, near Bhinder Kalan village in Moga tehsil in Moga district.
30-Jul-2025
Patiala police on July 30 arrested one unidentified man who was secretly sharing sensitive information related to Indian military activities with Pakistan, in Patiala in Patiala district. Police revealed that the accused had come in contact with a woman through a fake Facebook profile and later helped her activate a WhatsApp account on an Indian number, which was then operated from across the border.
30-Jul-2025
On July 30, Punjab Education minister Harjot Bains announced that the Punjab government will organise four major religious yatras and events to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur, while addressing the media in Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district in Punjab. He said a four-day pilgrimage will begin on November 19 from Srinagar to Anandpur Sahib, with parallel yatras from Gurdaspur, Doaba, and Malwa regions covering major districts.
30-Jul-2025
According to sources, the Punjab government will implement a drug prevention curriculum in all government schools across the state starting August 1, targeting students in grades 9 to 12. Developed under the guidance of Nobel laureate Prof. Abhijit Banerjee, the programme aims to equip students with skills to resist peer pressure and understand the risks associated with drug use. A pilot run in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts indicated positive shifts in student attitudes. This initiative complements the state’s ongoing "War Against Drugs" campaign by integrating long-term preventive education with enforcement measures.
29-Jul-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 29 arrested two unidentified smugglers and seized pistol parts along with a bike and two mobile phones near Bhikhiwind in Tarn Taran district.
29-Jul-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) on July 29 launched counter-drone operations during which troops neutralized six drones and recovered 1.73 kg of heroin along with pistol parts and the drones from fields across Roranwala Khurd, Dhanoe Kalan, Bhaini Rajputana, and Daoke villages in Amritsar district. The recovered drones were five DJI Mavic 3 Classic and one DJI Air 3 S models.
29-Jul-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Punjab Police, on July 29, recovered a drone from fields near Dal village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a DJI AIR 3 model.
29-Jul-2025
Faridkot police on July 29 announced the arrest of seven individuals associated with the Bambiha gang identified as Chinki, Gumbar Rajput, Manpreet Singh, Suraj Kumar, Jaswant Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, and Bunty, and the seizure of a total of four pistols (one Glock, one .32 bore, and two .30 bore), 19 live cartridges, and one motorcycle from their possession, Rajpura in Patiala district. The arrests were made in connection with the July 22 murder in Bahmanwala village, which was orchestrated by gangster Gaurav alias Lucky Patial from abroad. The Police arrested Chinki and Sooraj Kumar on July 27 in Sirsa in Haryana, Jaswant Singh alias Mangal, Harmanpreet Singh alias Harman, and Bunty on July 28 in Ferozepur and Gurmeet Singh alias Gumbar Rajput and Manpreet Singh alias Gattari on July 29 in Rajpura in Patiala.
29-Jul-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 29 arrested two unidentified smugglers and seized pistol parts and live ammo from their possession, near Tarn Taran and Amritsar district border in Punjab.
29-Jul-2025
Punjab Police on July 29 arrested an individual, identified as Bharatpreet Singh, and seized two 9 mm pistols, two .30 bore pistols, one .32 bore pistol, and a motorcycle from his possession near the Ibban-Mulechak road in Ibban Kalan village in Amritsar district. According to police, Singh was acting on the directions of a Pakistan-based arms smuggler who used drones to drop weapon consignments across the border.
29-Jul-2025
Punjab Police on July 29 arrested two gangsters of the Fateh gang, identified as Karanpreet Singh alias Giani alias Fateh and Aman alias Amna, and seized four .32 pistols, one .45 pistol and 10 live cartridges from their possession, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district.
29-Jul-2025
Punjab Police on July 29 busted an inter-state racket of drug suppliers, arrested two smugglers identified as Ravi and Harpreet Singh, and seized 1 kg of heroin from their possession, in Sangrur in Sangrur district.
29-Jul-2025
On July 29, Punjab Police, on day 150 of its “Yudh Nashian De Virudh” campaign, registered 53 First Information Reports (FIRs), arrested 72 drug smugglers and seized 3.4 kg of heroin from the possession across Punjab.
29-Jul-2025
Punjab government on July 29 declared a public holiday on July 31, to observe the martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh in Punjab.
29-Jul-2025
The parallel officiating Jathedar of the Akal Takht Dhian Singh Mand, appointed by the 2015 Sarbat Khalsa, on July 29 rejected the authority of Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, who was appointed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in March 2025. Mand questioned Gargaj’s legitimacy and denounced his summons to Sikh individuals, including Minister Harjot Bains. Various Sikh groups, including Damdami Taksal and Sant Samaj, have also opposed Gargaj’s appointment as violating Sikh traditions.
29-Jul-2025
Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, while addressing the media at Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district on July 29, announced that the Punjab government will commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur with a week-long event in Anandpur Sahib from November 19 to 25. The programme will include yatras from Srinagar and across Punjab, the Akhand Path Sahib, and a digital exhibition at Virasat-e-Khalsa. A special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha and various cultural events, including heritage walks and drone shows, are also planned.
27-Jul-2025
On July 27, a video surfaced showing Sikh candidate Gurpreet Kaur being barred from entering the Rajasthan High Court Civil Judge recruitment exam centre in Jodhpur for wearing a kirpan. Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj condemned the incident as a grave violation of constitutional rights and an act of religious discrimination. He called for immediate intervention by Sikh bodies and senior political leaders to address the repeated targeting of Sikh identity.
27-Jul-2025
Special Director General of Police (DGP) (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, on July 27, revealed that since the launch of the anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ on March 1, Punjab Police have registered 14,906 First Information Reports (FIRs), arrested 23,647 drug smugglers, and seized 1,002 kg of heroin, 344 kg of opium, 182 quintals of poppy husk, 14 kg of charas, 365 kg of ganja, 6 kg of ICE, 30.9 lakh intoxicant tablets/pills, and INR 12.03 crore in drug money across the state.
27-Jul-2025
Amritsar police on July 27 busted a Pakistan’s Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) backed cross-border arms and drug smuggling module, arrested five operatives identified as Jobanjit Singh alias Joban, Gora Singh, Shenshan alias Shalu, Sunny Singh alias Ganna and Jaspreet Singh alias Motu, and seized one assault rifle AK Saiga 308 with two magazines, two Glock pistols 9mm with four magazines, 90 live cartridges of an AK rifle, 10 live cartridges (9mm) along with INR 7.50 lakh of drug money, and an I-20 car and three mobile phones from their possession, near Kaler village in Ajnala in Amritsar district. The Police revealed that the group was in contact with Pakistan-based ISI handler Rana and had previously facilitated multiple arms and drug consignments via drones.
27-Jul-2025
On the intervening night of July 27-28, Border Security Force (BSF) troops neutralised drones and recovered 1.150 kg heroin, one pistol along with six drones, from fields near Pulmoran village in Amritsar district. The recovered drones were three DJI Mavic and three DJI Classic models.
26-Jul-2025
The Special Cell of the Delhi Police on July 26 arrested a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative, identified as Karanbir Singh alias Karan, from Gurdaspur district in Punjab. He is a key accused in the April 7 grenade attack on the Quila Lal Singh police station in Batala and is currently under investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to the police, Karanbir was in contact with a BKI handler based abroad and had received funds and instructions to execute the attack. His brother, Gursewak, who is also linked to the conspiracy, has already been arrested.
26-Jul-2025
In a letter dated July 26, the party of jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) and Khalistani radical Amritpal Singh, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), issued a formal clarification denying any association with the Canada-based pro-Khalistani outfit Anandpur Khalsa Fauj International Association (AKFIA). The group, established in Surrey, Canada, in February 2025, has been accused by Punjab Police of recruiting and training Sikh youth for guerrilla warfare. Referring to a March 23 letter by the Punjab Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence), which cited AKFIA’s resolutions as grounds for extending Amritpal’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA), the party stated it had "no type of relation" with the organisation. The statement was also shared on the official X account of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) on July 27.
26-Jul-2025
Punjab Police on July 26 arrested one unidentified smuggler and seized 1 kg of heroin from his possession, near Lopoke village in Ajnala in Amritsar district.
26-Jul-2025
Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains on July 26 issued an apology after a viral song-and-dance performance at a state event commemorating Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom sparked outrage over alleged violation of Sikh maryada (religious code). The Akal Takht had summoned Bains and state language department director Jaswant Singh Zafar to appear before the Takht on August 1. Bains, calling himself a humble Sikh, said he would present himself barefoot at the Takht and obey its command. Singer Bir Singh, who performed at the event, had already apologised, citing miscommunication by his team via social media sites Facebook and Instagram.
25-Jul-2025
Chheharta police on July 25 arrested one smuggler, identified as Sarbjit alias Joban, along with a juvenile and seized 1 kg heroin from their possession, from Chheharta Sahib in Amritsar district. Police revealed that Sarbjit was in direct contact with notorious Pakistani smuggler Rana.
25-Jul-2025
Amritsar police on July 25 arrested two smugglers, identified as Dharam Singh and Kulbir Singh and seized 6.1 kg of heroin and two bikes from their possession, in Ajnala in Amritsar district.
25-Jul-2025
Counter Intelligence Amritsar on July 25 arrested four smugglers, identified as Manpreet Singh and Ajaypal Singh, Ranjit Singh and Karan Masih, and seized 4 kg of heroin from their possession near Kathania village in Amritsar district.
25-Jul-2025
According to reports published across Punjabi vernacular media on July 25, Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Wadhawa Singh Babbar issued a three-page written statement warning individuals against extorting money in the organisation’s name. He emphasised that BKI’s struggle has always been guided by Gurmat (the Guru’s teachings) and sustained solely through Dasvandh (voluntary donations) from the Guru-roop Sangat (the congregation viewed as the embodiment of the Guru).
25-Jul-2025
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Government on July 25 informed the Supreme Court of India that the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) was unable to decipher the contents of a more than 40-year-old illegible First Information Report (FIR) related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Kanpur. Taking note of this submission, the bench observed that if even CFSL experts could not interpret the FIR, no further action could be taken at present. However, the court directed that if a legible copy is found, the matter must be brought to its notice without delay.
25-Jul-2025
The Supreme Court on July 25 directed the Allahabad High Court to expeditiously hear, on an out-of-turn basis, the appeals related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh (UP). The bench stressed that further delays could jeopardise the availability of vital witnesses, noting that the investigations were revived only due to the court’s sustained intervention.
25-Jul-2025
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on July 25 condemned a government-organised event in Srinagar, in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) marking the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur, where attendees were seen dancing to Punjabi songs. Dhami stated that the inclusion of entertainment performances was a serious violation of Sikh principles and disrespected the sanctity of the Guru’s supreme sacrifice. He urged the Punjab Government to issue a public apology and ensure that future events respect Sikh Maryada.
25-Jul-2025
Actress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut, speaking outside Parliament in New Delhi on July 25, claimed that drugs were entering Himachal Pradesh (HP) from Pakistan via Punjab. She warned that without urgent intervention, Himachal could meet the same fate as “some villages in Punjab where only windows and women are left.”
25-Jul-2025
Ropar Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Harcharan Singh Bhullar urged public participation in de-addiction and rehabilitation efforts under the ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nasheya Virudh’, while speaking at Gharuan village in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar on July 25. DIG Bhullar revealed that over 23,000 arrests had been made in the past 145 days and called on citizens to refer affected individuals to Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics and de-addiction centres.
25-Jul-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court, on July 25, criticised the Punjab Government’s implementation of its ongoing 'War on Drugs' campaign, raising concerns over alleged misuse of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The court noted a disturbing trend of inflated arrest figures based on minimal drug seizures and coerced statements, suggesting an attempt to manufacture an image of effective enforcement ahead of upcoming elections.
25-Jul-2025
Punjab Police on July 25 arrested one drug smuggler, identified as Ramesh Kumar and seized 15 kg of heroin from his possession, near Sodhi Nagar village in Ferozepur district.
25-Jul-2025
Punjab Police on July 25 arrested two gangster operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Manav and Sachin, and seized nine pistols, one revolver and 22 cartridges from their possession, in Patiala in Patiala district.
25-Jul-2025
Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Khaalra police, on July 25 recovered a packet containing heroin weighing 467 grams along with a drone from fields near Dal village in Tarn Taran district.
25-Jul-2025
Jalandhar rural police on July 25 arrested four members of a gang of criminals involved in cases of murder, attempt to murder, robbery, dacoity, loot, snatching and drug peddling, identified as Joginder Pal alias Sunny, Mandeep Kumar alias Mani, Deepak Saroye and Gurmukh Singh, and seized two pistols, four cartridges, one cartridge shell, three sharp-edged weapons (datar) and two stolen bikes from their possession, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district. Two other gang members, Ranveer Singh and Baljinder Kumar Talli, are still absconding.
25-Jul-2025
Ropar police on July 25 arrested three gangsters, after a brief exchange of fire, identified as Gurvinder Singh alias Bhola, Navtej Singh alias Teji, and Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, and seized one 9 mm Glock pistol along with a magazine, one live cartridge and three shells from their possession, in Bhindran Nagar near Rupnagar in Rupnagar district. The accused were wanted for the July 4 murder of Jugraj Singh in Amritsar (Rural) and had been hiding in a dilapidated building near the Sutlej River.
24-Jul-2025
Punjab Police on July 24 arrested two unidentified drug smugglers and seized 15 kg of heroin and illegal firearms following an encounter near Kapurthala in Kapurthala district. Police indicated possible links to a Pakistan-backed international drug trafficking syndicate.
23-Jul-2025
The Special Cell of the Delhi Police on July 23 arrested a Khalistani terrorist linked to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as Akash Deep alias Akash Singh in New Delhi. Akashdeep had been evading arrest by frequently changing locations and was finally traced while working as a crane operator at a construction site. He is accused of facilitating a recent grenade attack near Qila Lal Singh police station, for which BKI claimed responsibility. Police say he was in direct contact with BKI handlers abroad and played a key role in the group's logistics.
23-Jul-2025
A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on July 23 sentenced former Beas Station House Officer (SHO) Paramjit Singh to ten year imprisonment for abduction in the 1993 fake encounter case of two Punjab Police constables, in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Constables Surmukh Singh and Sukhwinder Singh were abducted, illegally detained, and later killed in a staged encounter, with their bodies cremated as unclaimed. The court also imposed a fine of INR 50,000 on him.
23-Jul-2025
In a challan submitted in an Ajnala court, two associates of Khalistani radical preacher and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, identified as Varinder Singh Fauji and Bhagwant Singh Bajeke, alleged that Amritpal consumed drugs while lodged in Dibrugarh Jail in Assam. Amritpal Singh’s legal adviser and Shiromani Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) spokesperson, Imaan Singh Khara, dismissed the claim as an attempt to malign him ahead of the Tarn Taran Assembly bypoll. Khara alleged that police coerced the accused into signing pre-drafted statements and pointed to discrepancies in the documents. He also stated that the third extension of the National Security Act (NSA) against Amritpal would be challenged in the Supreme Court.
23-Jul-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 23 neutralised five drones and recovered four packets containing 1.07 kg of heroin, three pistols and three magazines, near Mode village in Amritsar district. The drones were China made DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
23-Jul-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation with Punjab Police on July 23 recovered parts of pistols including upper slide and a magazine from fields near Dal village in Tarn Taran district.
23-Jul-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 23 intercepted and neutralised a drone and recovered a packet containing a pistol and two magazines from fields near Attari village in Amritsar district.
22-Jul-2025
The officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, during a meeting in Amritsar on July 22, directed all members of the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) to become Amritdhari (initiated Sikhs) by September 1 or face termination of their membership. Citing violations of Sikh maryada, he declared the requirement “non-negotiable” and warned that non-compliance would not be tolerated. Gargaj also announced that Panj Piaras would be sent to conduct Amrit Sanchar for those willing to undergo initiation. CKD members absent from the meeting have been summoned to appear at the Akal Takht secretariat on August 1.
22-Jul-2025
On July 22, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami accused the Punjab government of creating a confrontational atmosphere by announcing separate events to commemorate Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom. Dhami asserted that only the SGPC is authorised to organise such Panthic commemorations, alleging political interference in Sikh religious affairs. Responding sharply, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann questioned the SGPC’s silence during the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) regime, while Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders accused the SGPC of functioning under SAD's influence. The row has reignited tensions over control of Sikh religious institutions.
22-Jul-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 22 recovered two packets of heroin weighing 1.130 kg along with two drones from fields near Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar district. The recovered drones were DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
22-Jul-2025
On July 22, Punjab Police, on day 143 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 74 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 103 drug smugglers and seized 544 grams of heroin and INR 11,860 drug money from their possession, across Punjab.