KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
03-Jul-2025
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal on July 3 stated that he had received death threats via email, allegedly from foreign-based Khalistani terrorists Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and wanted terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, with a reference to Arsh Dalla. The threat email was also CC’d to multiple Indian and international media outlets.
03-Jul-2025
The Vice-Chairman of the Jharkhand State Minority Commission, Jyoti Singh Matharu, assured swift action in disbursing long-pending compensation and pensions to the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Bokaro, Jharkhand. The Commission has also directed the district administration to ensure educational and rehabilitation support for the affected families.
03-Jul-2025
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, on July 3, released the list of the party’s 97-member working committee, which includes educationists, Sikh affairs experts, and several young leaders. For the first time, 16 senior women leaders have been inducted into the party’s top decision-making body. Additionally, 22 senior leaders, including Baldev Singh Khehra, Tajinder Singh Sanghreri, and Principal Ranjit Singh, have been named as special invitees.
03-Jul-2025
Official sources on July 3 confirmed that all Pakistani accounts on the social media platform X have once again been blocked in India, following a brief period of restored access. The move is part of India’s broader digital and diplomatic response to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 tourists and was attributed to The Resistance Front, a proxy group of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
03-Jul-2025
The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on July 3 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Balbir Singh, and seized 5 kg of heroin from his possession in the Dashmesh Nagar area of Jalandhar district.
03-Jul-2025
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of Punjab Police on July 3 arrested three individuals, identified as Sushil Kumar alias Sujal, Mandeep Singh, and Gagandeep Singh, and seized 2 kg of opium from their possession in the Transport Nagar area of Jalandhar district.
03-Jul-2025
The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on July 3 arrested an individual, identified as Harjinder Singh, and seized 258 grams of heroin and a country-made pistol from his possession near Maqsudan Road in Jalandhar district.
03-Jul-2025
According to sources, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang’s fearsome reputation is being misused by local criminals in Bihar to issue fake threats and extort money, despite the gang having no operational presence in the state. In Katihar, district police arrested two youths who posed as Lawrence Bishnoi gang members and demanded INR 10 lakh, using the gangster’s photograph as a display picture to appear credible. In Patna, a former party worker of Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) and Rashtriya Lok Morcha president Upendra Kushwaha was found to be behind threatening calls and messages falsely issued in the Bishnoi gang’s name. In another case, an associate of Independent MP Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, was arrested for fabricating threats in an attempt to help the leader secure enhanced security cover. Senior police officials confirmed that all the threats were fake and driven by personal motives, exploiting the Bishnoi gang’s notoriety, even though the gang has no operational footprint in Bihar.
02-Jul-2025
A young man riding a scooter, identified as Navjot Kumar, was gunned down in broad daylight by three unidentified assailants in Gandwa village of Kapurthala district, Punjab, on July 2. According to police, the murder appears to be a targeted killing linked to ongoing gang rivalry, as the victim was recently released on bail in a murder case.
02-Jul-2025
Police on July 2 detained three unidentified members of the notorious Slingshot Gang, also known as the Bala Gang—an interstate criminal group responsible for over 30 violent robbery attempts across Haryana, Punjab, and the National Capital Region (NCR)—in Panchkula, Haryana. The gang, which comprises seven to eight core members, is also linked to a INR 40 lakh dacoity in Faridabad and several attempted robberies in Panchkula. The first breakthrough came on June 24, when a gang member identified as Sujan was arrested, leading to the subsequent arrest of Vishal alias Baua on June 29.
02-Jul-2025
On July 2, Punjab Police on day 123 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 104 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 156 drug smugglers and seized 7.8 kg of heroin, 3 kg of opium and INR1.43 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested reached to 20,206 in 123 days.
02-Jul-2025
According to a report by The Print, Nikhil Gupta, the Indian national accused in a foiled plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States (US), allegedly requested Czech authorities to notify his 'son in Pakistan' of his detention during hearings held on 30 June and 1 July 2023 in Prague, Czech Republic. This statement, recorded in Exhibit 19B of the unsealed court documents, has been strongly disputed by Gupta’s family, who claim it was the result of a mistranslation by a Hindi-speaking interpreter of Pakistani origin. They assert that the reference to a 'son in Pakistan' is not only false but defamatory, maintaining that Gupta has never visited Pakistan and that the claim was a 'deliberate error'.
02-Jul-2025
On July 2, the Counter-Intelligence (CI) unit in Amritsar busted a cross-border narcotics and illegal arms smuggling module with links to Pakistan and arrested three operatives—Sarabjit Singh, Kulwinder Singh, and Ashmandeep Singh and seized 1 kg of heroin, INR 2.9 lakh in drug money, three 9mm Glock pistols, three .30-bore Chinese pistols, two .30-bore PX-5 pistols, a currency counting machine, and a motorcycle from their possession near Tarn Taran in Tarn Taran district. Police officials revealed that the trio was operating under the direction of Pakistan-based smuggler Sikandar Noor, who used drones to drop arms and narcotics across the border. The accused were distributing these consignments to gangsters across Punjab to fuel criminal activities.
01-Jul-2025
On July 1 in Chandigarh, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh held a two-hour meeting with representatives of the Forum of Resident Doctors of Punjab, successfully addressing their concerns. Following the meeting, the forum announced the withdrawal of their proposed strike. Senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Alok Shekhar and Principal Secretary (Health) Kumar Rahul, were also present during the discussions, which aimed to strengthen collaboration between the government and the medical fraternity.
01-Jul-2025
On July 1, 57-year-old Lakhwinder Singh, who was injured by missile debris during a Pakistani aerial strike in May, died after 54 days on ventilator support in Ludhiana district, Punjab. A resident of Khai Pheme Ke village in Ferozepur, Singh had sustained critical injuries on May 9 when debris from the Pakistani missile strike set his house and car on fire. His wife, Sukhwinder Kaur (50), succumbed to her injuries on May 13. Their son, Jaswinder Singh, who also suffered burns in the incident, was treated and later discharged.
01-Jul-2025
Punjab Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order Arpit Shukla on July 1 revealed that Punjab’s anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh” completed four months where Punjab Police registered 12,135 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 19,880 drug smugglers and seized 786 kg of heroin, 301 kg of opium, 158 quintals of poppy husk, 11 kg of charas, 300 kg of ganja, 2.9 kg of ICE, 27.99 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets, and INR 11.58 crore drug money, accross Punjab.
01-Jul-2025
On July 1, Punjab Police, on day 122 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 92 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 128 drug smugglers and seized 4.1 kg of heroin, 3.5 kg of opium, 10 kg of poppy husk, 13667 intoxicant pills and INR 1.25 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
01-Jul-2025
Police on July 1 arrested one individual, identified as Manpreet Singh alias Manna and seized 304 grams of heroin from his possession, near Gurthali pull near Doraha in Ludhiana district.
30-Jun-2025
According to a report by The Wire, newly released defence documents revealed new details about the arrest and initial interrogation of Indian businessman Nikhil Gupta on June 30, 2023, at Prague airport in Czech Republic. The documents show that Gupta was detained in a covert joint operation between Czech authorities and the United States (US) Department of Justice (DOJ), following a sealed indictment issued by a federal court in the Southern District of New York, in the US. He was interrogated inside a police van, strip-searched, and asked to unlock his phones without being properly informed of his legal rights.
30-Jun-2025
On June 30, the X (formerly Twitter) handle of prominent Indo-Canadian journalist Sameer Kaushal was restored, 72 hours after its suspension. The suspension followed Kaushal’s posting of an interview with former Khalistani extremist Jaspal Atwal, in which Atwal alleged that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) maintains multiple covert agents in Canada who collaborate with anti-India separatist elements.
30-Jun-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on June 30 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 460 grams from fields near Chak Bazida village in Fazilka district.
30-Jun-2025
Punjab Police on June 30 busted a major drug racket and arrested Sukhjeet Singh alias Sukha and seized 100 grams of heroin along with three illegal pistols and 6 live cartridges from his possession, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district. The operation, part of an ongoing anti-narcotics drive, brought the total seizure to 13.1 kg of heroin, five illegal pistols, 12 bullets, three magazines, three luxury vehicles, and INR 22,000 in drug money. Earlier arrests included Shivam Sodhi alias Shiva and Barinder Singh alias Babbu, who were held on May 20 and May 22, respectively.
30-Jun-2025
According to Border Security Force (BSF) sources, over 130 drones were recovered along the International Border (IB) with Pakistan in Punjab between January 1 and June 30, 2025. During the same period, the BSF also seized approximately 135 kg of narcotics, including heroin, and 79 weapons of various types. The Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur regions remain major hotspots for drone-based smuggling, with China-made Mavic series drones frequently used to drop drug consignments from across the border.
30-Jun-2025
On June 30, Punjab Police, on day 121 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 56 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 83 drug smugglers and seized 65.4 kg of heroin, 1.2 kg of opium and INR 1.04 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
30-Jun-2025
On June 30, Australia-based associate of the Lucky Patial–Davinder Bambiha gang, Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal, who was earlier linked to the murder of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s mother Harjit Kaur and cousin Karanvir Singh through a viral social media post, denied any involvement in the killings. Speaking to freelance journalists on YouTube, Dhaliwal claimed that the post circulating in his name was fake and that he had no role in the incident.
29-Jun-2025
On June 29, under the patronage of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) held a special religious function to mark the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, at the historic Hawa Mahal in Rambagh in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The event featured recitations, Kirtan, and performances highlighting Sikh history and heritage. Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj emphasised the importance of preserving Sikh heritage sites and announced plans to hold annual commemorative events at Rambagh.
29-Jun-2025
On June 29, Punjab Police, on day 120 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 77 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 114 drug smugglers and seized 4.1 kg of heroin and INR 9.6 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
29-Jun-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police, on June 29 recovered a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from fields near Kalash village in Tarn Taran district.
29-Jun-2025
On June 29, Inder Mohan Singh, President of Dashmesh Sewa Society and former member of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), welcomed the official inclusion of Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, as the fifth Sikh Takhat under the Delhi Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1971. He noted that the President of India’s assent was received after a delay of over three and a half years, with the Delhi Government issuing the official Gazette notification on June 24, 2025.
28-Jun-2025
On June 28, family members of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria staged a protest at the Batala bypass in Gurdaspur district, blocking the Amritsar-Pathankot national highway by placing the bodies of his mother, Harjit Kaur, and cousin, Karanvir Singh, on the road. The demonstration, which lasted nearly four hours, was triggered by allegations of political involvement in the killings, with accusations directed at a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) and a local liquor contractor. The protest was called off after police assured the family of a thorough investigation within a week.
28-Jun-2025
Punjab Police on June 28 announced the formation of multiple teams to identify and apprehend the assailants involved in the fatal shooting of Harjit Kaur, mother of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and his associate Karanvir Singh, in Batala in Gurdaspur district. Karanvir Singh succumbed to his injuries at Batala Civil Hospital, while Harjit Kaur died later at a hospital in Amritsar. Although a social media post by the rival Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for the attack, police have yet to officially confirm the gang’s involvement.
28-Jun-2025
Senior police officers on June 28 confirmed escalating tensions between rival gangs following threats of retaliation from jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s group over the murder of his mother, Harjit Kaur, and cousin, Karanvir Singh, in Batala, Gurdaspur district. The Davinder Bambiha gang, which initially claimed responsibility, later posted on social media that Harjit Kaur was killed accidentally. Officers expressed serious concern, noting that this marks the first instance of a gang targeting a rival’s family members in Punjab, and warned that the incident could trigger a dangerous new cycle of gang violence in the region.
28-Jun-2025
The Government of India on June 28 appointed Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Parag Jain as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for a two-year tenure. A 1989-batch officer of the Punjab cadre, Jain currently heads the Aviation Research Centre (ARC) and will assume charge from incumbent chief Ravi Sinha on July 1. Known for his operational acumen during Operation Sindoor and significant experience in Pakistan-related intelligence, Jain's appointment comes at a crucial time following recent intelligence lapses, including the Pahalgam terror attack.
28-Jun-2025
On June 28, Punjab Police, on day 119 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 78 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 101 drug smugglers and seized 3.5 kg of heroin, 4.1 kg of opium and INR 1.83 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
28-Jun-2025
On June 28, Jalandhar Municipal Corporation (MC), in coordination with the police, demolished an illegal construction belonging to a drug smuggler identified as Vishal, in Basti Gujan area in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district.
28-Jun-2025
On June 28, two police constables sustained injuries after being attacked with a sword by a Nihang identified as Amandeep Singh, during an attempt to arrest him in connection with a June 26 armed robbery case in Himachal Pradesh (HP), near Nijjher Chowk in Kharar in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district in Punjab. Singh, who was accompanied by two women, assaulted the officers when asked to step out of his vehicle. A case of attempt to murder and obstructing a public servant has been registered against all three.
27-Jun-2025
Ludhiana Rural police on June 27 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Sajan and seized 2.5 kg of heroin, an empty kit bag, an electronic weighing scale, and a motorcycle from his possession near Sidhwan Bet village in Ludhiana district.
27-Jun-2025
Punjab Police on June 27 busted a terror module run by the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and arrested three individuals Sehajpal Singh and Vikramjit Singh, along with a juvenile, and seized two hand grenades, a 9MM Glock pistol, and live cartridges from their possession, in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Police revealed that the module was being operated by United Kingdom (UK) based handler Nishan Singh, under the direction of designated terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, and was planning targeted killings and attacks on police infrastructure in Amritsar.
27-Jun-2025
Punjab’s former Director General of Police (DGP) Siddharth Chattopadhyay while talking to reporters in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district on June 27 stated that there was “100 per cent evidence” linking former state minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia to drug traffickers and illicit financial gains. Chattopadhyay was DGP when a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS), and provided the Punjab Vigilance Bureau with documents and background information.
27-Jun-2025
On June 27, the Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police arrested two unidentified smugglers and seized a packet of heroin weighing 313 grams, two mobile phones, a motorcycle and a car from their possession near Khasa village in Amritsar district.
27-Jun-2025
On June 27, the Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Punjab Police, arrested a proclaimed offender along with his two unidentified associates near the Ajnala grain market in Ajnala, Amritsar district.
27-Jun-2025
On June 27, Punjab Police on day 118 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 84 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 125 drug smugglers and seized 710 grams of heroin, 1 kg of opium and INR 1.22 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
27-Jun-2025
On June 27, a five-member panel of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) met with Tarsem Singh, father of jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) and radical Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh, along with his associates, in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar district. The meeting, part of SAD’s broader effort to revive its panthic relevance, focused on uniting Sikh political voices and reconnecting with the youth to rebuild the party’s traditional support base.
26-Jun-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 26 charge sheeted seven accused, in the December 2024 case related to the grenade attack on Gurdaspur police station by Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, Shamsher Singh alias Shera alias Honey, Kuljit Singh, Abhijot Singh, Gurjinder Singh and Shubham, before a court in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
26-Jun-2025
Harjit Kaur, mother of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and his cousin and close aide Karanvir Singh were shot dead near their residence in the Urban Estate area of Batala in Gurdaspur district, Punjab on June 26. A viral social media post by gangsters Prabhu Dasuwal and Kaushal Chaudhary, affiliated with the Bambiha gang, claimed responsibility for the killings. The post alleged that Karanvir was specifically targeted for handling Bhagwanpuria’s criminal activities in his absence. A high-level investigation has been launched into the double murder.
26-Jun-2025
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, on June 26 in New Delhi, stated that India seeks to strengthen its bilateral partnership with Canada across trade, energy, mobility, and student exchange. His remarks came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis. Jaiswal described the meeting as 'productive and positive,' noting that both leaders agreed to take constructive steps to restore stability in ties, including the early return of envoys and the resumption of senior-level engagements.
26-Jun-2025
On June 26, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at 18 locations across Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh (UP) as part of an ongoing probe into the Khalistani terror network. The operation targeted individuals linked to the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), including BKI operative Kulbir Sidhu, currently based in Germany, and U.S.-based gangster Manish alias Kaka Rana. Authorities seized various incriminating materials, including mobile phones, digital devices, and documents during the searches.
26-Jun-2025
On June 26, former Punjab Minister and senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia was remanded to seven days’ custody by a Mohali court in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged laundering of over INR 540 crore in drug proceeds.
26-Jun-2025
On June 26, Punjab Police, on day 117 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 103 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 155 drug smugglers and seized 1.09 kg of heroin, 64 kg of poppy husk and INR 5410 drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
26-Jun-2025
The Supreme Court (SC) on June 26 raised serious concerns over prison security protocols after questioning how a journalist was able to access jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi for an interview. The observations came during a hearing on a petition filed by dismissed Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gursher Singh Sandhu, who sought to quash proceedings against him related to the same incident. The SC permitted Sandhu to withdraw his plea, noting that the matter is already scheduled for hearing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 3.