KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
26-Jun-2025
On June 26, Khalistani supporters reportedly orchestrated a mass reporting campaign that led to the suspension of journalist Sameer Kaushal’s X (formerly Twitter) handle @itssamonline. The move followed Kaushal's podcast featuring Jaspal Atwal, a controversial figure previously convicted in a high-profile attempted murder case. The episode drew sharp backlash from pro-Khalistan circles, who accused Kaushal of providing a platform to anti-Khalistan voices.
25-Jun-2025
On June 25, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, condemned the Haryana government for referring to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur as ‘Veer Banda Bairagi’ in public advertisements, calling it a distortion of Sikh identity. He urged Sikh representatives in Haryana to unite against such narratives. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami also denounced the reference as an insult to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur’s legacy and a deliberate misrepresentation of Sikh history.
25-Jun-2025
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on June 25 arrested former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) minister Bikram Singh Majithia in Amritsar for allegedly laundering over INR 540 crore in drug-related proceeds. Search operations at three locations linked to 22 individuals led to the seizure of over 30 mobile phones, five laptops, three iPads, two desktop computers, property documents, diaries, and extensive financial records connected to Saraya Industries—the firm allegedly used to route illicit funds. Investigators uncovered INR 161 crore in unaccounted cash deposits, INR 141 crore in suspected foreign transfers, and INR 236 crore in unexplained financial entries in the company’s records.
25-Jun-2025
On June 25, Punjab Police, on day 116 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 104 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 153 drug smugglers and seized 1.8 kg of heroin, 2.4 kg of opium and INR 28890 drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
24-Jun-2025
On June 24, Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj summoned the executive committee of the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD), citing multiple complaints regarding alleged violations of Sikh maryada (code of conduct), in Amritsar. The CKD leadership has been directed to appear before the highest Sikh temporal authority within 15 days, with the summon being issued to CKD president Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar, who also serves as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Amritsar South.
24-Jun-2025
On June 24, Punjab Police, on day 115 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 97 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 140 drug smugglers and seized 3 kg of heroin and INR 60500 drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
24-Jun-2025
On June 24, Delhi and Haryana Police shot dead wanted gangster Romil Vohra in a joint operation in Dera Mandi, South West Delhi district. Hours after the encounter, an Instagram post from the handle bhanu_rana61 alleged that Vohra had been picked up two days prior and killed in a staged encounter. The post vowed revenge, stating, “Hamare riwaz mein maut ka badla maut hai” (In our tradition, death is avenged by death).
24-Jun-2025
Interpol on June 24 issued a Blue Corner Notice for Amritpal Singh Mehron, the mastermind behind the murder of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari alias Kamal Kaur Bhabhi.
24-Jun-2025
Gharinda police on June 24 arrested two individuals, identified as Gursharan Singh alias Guri and Amritpal Singh alias Bai and seized three Glock pistols, along with a mobile phone and a bike from their possession, near Gharinda village in Amritsar district. According to police, the weapons were smuggled from Pakistan via drones.
23-Jun-2025
Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of Punjab Police on June 23 arrested two individuals, identified as Lovpreet Singh Lov and Sukhpret Singh Sukh and seized 516 grams of heroin from their possession, in Bhura Kona village in Patti in Tarn Taran district.
23-Jun-2025
Delhi Police on June 23 intercepted an arms consignment linked to Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala, arrested a key gang member identified as Ekamjot Singh Sandhu, and seized four semi-automatic pistols along with three spare magazines in Okhla, South East Delhi. Police disclosed that Sandhu procured the weapons from suppliers in Madhya Pradesh (MP) for delivery to Paramjeet Singh alias Pamma Bhikhi, another gang operative in Punjab. The arms were reportedly intended for a targeted killing in the Delhi-NCR region under Dala’s orders.
23-Jun-2025
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on June 23 paid tribute to the 329 victims of the 1985 Air India ‘Kanishka’ bombing on its 40th anniversary, describing it as a grim reminder of the global threat posed by terrorism. He reiterated India’s call for zero tolerance towards violent extremism. Carried out by Khalistani extremists, the bombing remains one of the deadliest acts of aviation terrorism in history.
23-Jun-2025
An official source on June 23 revealed that an ongoing investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has uncovered a nexus between Khalistani terrorists affiliated with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and gangsters involved in illegal arms supply networks operating in Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Uttar Pradesh (UP). The probe found that BKI operatives, including designated terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, were procuring weapons through a network run by gangster Pavittar Singh alias Batala.
23-Jun-2025
On June 23, Punjab Police, on day 114 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 85 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 126 drug smugglers and seized 5.3 kg of heroin, 200 grams of opium and INR 8850 drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
23-Jun-2025
According to sources, Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar and jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi are actively scouting for new shooters to strengthen their respective criminal networks, following a reported fallout driven by ego clashes. Brar, currently operating from the United States (US), recently released an audio message confirming the split. The rift has triggered heightened gang activity across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi, with virtual networks being coordinated from Tihar Jail, Bathinda Jail, and overseas.
23-Jun-2025
Police on June 23 arrested one drug smuggler, identified as Nirmal Singh and seized 4.916 kg of heroin from his possession, near Ratta Khera village in Ferozepur district.
23-Jun-2025
Khuian Sarwar Police on June 23 arrested one smuggler, identified as Islaudin Illu and seized 800 grams of opium from his possession, in Gumjal village in Fazilka district.
22-Jun-2025
The Amritsar rural police on June 22 arrested two persons, including an Army jawan, for allegedly spying for Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Fauji and Sahil Masih and seized two mobile phones containing virtual numbers used for communicating with their operatives, in Dhariwal village in Ajnala in Amritsar district. Police revealed that Gurpreet, recruited into the Army in 2016, was sharing sensitive military information via pen drives with ISI handler Rana Javed. The espionage network was facilitated by Dubai-based drug trafficker Arjan, originally from Dhariwal village.
22-Jun-2025
Punjab state admitted before the Punjab and Haryana High Court that investigations in 4,591 first information reports (FIRs) have been pending for over three years, out of a total of 6,054 such cases across the state, in Chandigarh. This disclosure follows the High Court's earlier expression of shock over the backlog in Amritsar district alone, where 1,338 FIRs had remained unresolved for over three years. State counsel that senior officials had been appointed to monitor progress and expedite investigations. The Bench sought a fresh status report by July 18.
22-Jun-2025
On June 22, police demolished three illegally constructed houses belonging to drug smugglers—Manjit Kaur, Jaswinder Kaur, and Rani Kaur—in Dhobiana Basti and Bhagta Bhai Ka village in Bathinda district, Punjab. The action was taken after the accused failed to respond to notices regarding encroachment on public land. All three women have multiple cases registered against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
22-Jun-2025
According to officials, Turkiye has emerged as a key link in the growing trend of foreign weapon smuggling into Punjab, with Turkish-made PX5 pistols increasingly being air-dropped via drones from Pakistan. In multiple operations in June 2025, including one on June 22 in Amritsar, Punjab Police recovered several PX5 pistols along with Glock 9MMs, heroin, and narco-funds, exposing a strong arms-drugs nexus. Intelligence suggests the weapons are supplied by Pakistan-based handlers, with Turkish drones and military-grade firearms now featuring prominently in cross-border smuggling operations aimed at destabilising the region.
22-Jun-2025
Amritsar police on June 22 arrested one operative of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as Vishal Singh, and seized two .32 bore pistols smuggled from Pakistan from his possession, in Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar district. Police revealed that Vishal was linked to United Kingdom (UK) based handler Dharam Singh alias Dharam Sandhu and Pakistan based terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, and was part of a terror module using drone-supplied weapons for targeted killings.
22-Jun-2025
On June 22, Punjab Police on day 113 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 98 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 151 drug smugglers and seized 533 grams of heroin, 2.8 kg of opium and INR 5.32 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
21-Jun-2025
Amritsar rural police on June 21 busted a cross-border drug smuggling racket and arrested its two key operatives identified as Lovepreet Singh alias Love and Balwinder Singh alias Bobby, and seized 6.15 kg of heroin, one PX5 pistol (30 bore), four live cartridges (30 bore), INR 10,000 drug money and a mobile phone from their possession, in Brar village in Ajnala in Amritsar district. Police stated that preliminary investigation revealed their direct contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler via WhatsApp, and that the Police are probing both forward and backward linkages to trace the wider network and illicit assets.
21-Jun-2025
Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) Staff of Punjab Police on June 21 arrested three youths identified as Adil Luthra, Surjit Kumar and Pawan Kumar and seized 150 grams of heroin from their possession, in Ramsara village in Abohar in Fazilka district.
21-Jun-2025
According to top government sources, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Canada marked a turning point in India-Canada relations, effectively overshadowing Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s failed attempts to incite unrest. The visit, which focused on strengthening cooperation in trade, clean energy, and security, reflected both leaders’ resolve to move beyond past tensions. Canadian PM Mark Carney’s pragmatic approach, coupled with the low turnout at anti-Modi protests, indicated a broader shift away from legitimising Khalistani separatist narratives.
21-Jun-2025
Punjab Police on June 21 busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module and arrested one operative, identified as Onkar Singh and seized four Glock-make pistols and two PX5 pistols from his possession in Amritsar in Amritsar district. Police revealed that the pistols were smuggled via drones from Pakistan and intended for targeted killings. The module was being handled by United Kingdom (UK) based Dharam Singh alias Dharma Sandhu, a close associate of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda.
21-Jun-2025
The Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, on June 21, gave ex-post facto approval for a high-powered sub-committee to intensify the State’s “Yudh Nashian Virudh” (War on Drugs) initiative, in Chandigarh.
21-Jun-2025
On June 21, Punjab Police, on day 112 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 84 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 117 drug smugglers and seized 7.5 kg of heroin, 500 grams of opium and INR 39,640 drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
20-Jun-2025
Patna Police on June 20 arrested an individual, identified as Rakesh Kumar for issuing death threats to Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) president Upendra Kushwaha in the name of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, and seized a mobile phone, SIM card, and a diary with political contacts , in Patna in Bihar. The accused, a former associate of Kushwaha’s party, confessed he acted out of political frustration and had no real links to the gang.
20-Jun-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 20 filed a chargesheet against a key associate of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa and gangster Pavittar Batala, identified as Jatinder Singh alias Joti, in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district in Punjab. Jatinder was involved in procuring illegal weapons from Madhya Pradesh (MP) for use by Punjab-based operatives. Investigations also revealed links to foreign-based handlers like Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, and the use of encrypted communications.
20-Jun-2025
According to senior police officials, Punjab’s border with Pakistan has witnessed a sharp surge in the trafficking of arms, explosives, and narcotics, with advanced firearms such as Austria-made Glock and Turkey-made Zigana pistols being seized in significant numbers. Since January, 220 weapons have been recovered from Amritsar district alone. The Border Security Force (BSF) has also confiscated 74 pistols and neutralised 129 China-made drones along the Punjab frontier. Officials attribute this spike to a strategic shift by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which is reportedly using drone-based smuggling routes to destabilise India by aggressively pushing in weapons and contraband.
20-Jun-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on June 20 recovered a drone along with a packet containing pistol parts from fields near Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district. The drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
20-Jun-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on June 20 neutralised a drone and recovered a bag containing 7.4 kg of methamphetamine (ICE) along with the drone from fields near Mode village in Amritsar district.
20-Jun-2025
According to officials, the seizure of 7.4 kg of high-purity methamphetamine (ICE) in Mode village, Amritsar district, on June 20 signals a concerning shift in the regional drug trade, with traffickers increasingly prioritising methamphetamine over heroin. The Taliban’s poppy ban has crippled Afghanistan’s opium economy, prompting smugglers to manufacture ICE using ephedra plants in makeshift labs across Afghanistan. This plant-based meth is then routed through Pakistan into Punjab, posing a growing threat to vulnerable youth in the region.
20-Jun-2025
Punjab Police on June 20 carried out a special operation ‘OPS Seal-XV’ as part of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign against drugs, in which 900 personnel were deployed at 93 checkpoints, checking 3,180 vehicles, issuing 367 challans, and impounding 7 vehicles, across 10 inter-state border districts namely Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Rupanagar, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (SAS) Nagar, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Hoshiarpur and Bathinda districts, across Punjab.
20-Jun-2025
On June 20, Punjab Police, on day 111 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 98 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 127 drug smugglers and seized 4.2 kg of heroin, 3 kg of opium, 118 kg of poppy husk and INR 11,170 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab.
20-Jun-2025
A recently released audio clip has revealed a growing rift between jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his former associate, Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar. Intelligence sources suggest the fallout stems from Brar and Azerbaijan-based gangster Rohit Godara’s alleged failure to support Bishnoi’s brother, Anmol, during his detention in the United States (US). In the clip, Brar distances himself from Anmol and claims responsibility for a June 17 shooting in Rajasthan, while denying any links to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Punjab Police are currently verifying the clip’s authenticity, though officials maintain it will not impact ongoing investigations.
19-Jun-2025
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on June 19, in Amritsar, urged the Indian government to act swiftly to ensure the safety of Sikh religious scriptures in Iran and Israel amid escalating tensions. He appealed for the protection of gurdwaras and the sacred ‘saroops’ of Guru Granth Sahib in both countries.
19-Jun-2025
On June 19, Punjab Police, on day 110 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 100 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 132 drug smugglers and seized 1.08 kg of heroin and INR 87,540 drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
19-Jun-2025
Police on June 19 arrested five henchmen of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Tejinder Singh Fauji, Rahul, Vipal Kumar, Sukhchain Singh and Dev Karan, and seized three .30 bore pistols, three .32 bore pistols and one .315 bore country-made pistol, along with 10 magazines and 11 rounds from their possession, in Patiala in Patiala district. Police revealed that the weapons were sourced from Madhya Pradesh (MP) and efforts are underway to arrest the supplier.
18-Jun-2025
On June 18, an individual identified as Yograj was killed after being caught in the crossfire during a violent clash between two rival groups outside a gym in Nakodar, Jalandhar district, Punjab. The shootout, involving occupants of a Toyota Fortuner and a Maruti Dzire, also left another youth, Dilpreet Singh, seriously injured. Police confirmed that Yograj was an uninvolved bystander who was fatally shot when he stepped outside the gym. Authorities are treating the incident as gang-related, though no arrests have been made so far.
18-Jun-2025
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Mohali on June 18 arrested Resham Singh, a key operative of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and a close aide of its chief, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in Kharar, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, Punjab. Resham was wanted for vandalising a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Phillaur and defacing public property with pro-Khalistan graffiti across multiple districts. Acting on instructions from U.S.-based handlers, including Pannun and Surinder Singh Thikriwal, Resham reportedly received INR 8–10 lakh in foreign funding to carry out anti-national activities. Authorities stated he filmed these acts for use in SFJ’s propaganda campaigns abroad.
18-Jun-2025
A recent report by The Wire has revealed deepening divisions within Punjab’s Sikh community following the brutal murder of social media influencer Kamal Kaur, allegedly carried out by a self-styled Nihang group that accused her of 'spreading obscenity.' The killing, which took place on June 10, 2025, has sparked a contentious public debate after senior Sikh religious leaders—including figures from the Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)—appeared to justify the act. The prime accused, Amritpal Singh Mehron, a convert to Sikhism and head of the fringe group Kaum De Rakhe, has reportedly fled to Dubai, even as Punjab Police continue efforts to secure his arrest.
18-Jun-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation with Punjab Police on June 18 arrested three unidentified smugglers and seized 500 grams of heroin, two drones, pistol parts and five mobile phones from their possession, in Raja Rai village in Ferozepur district.
18-Jun-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on June 18 recovered a drone from fields near Kalia village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic Model.
18-Jun-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police, on June 18 recovered a drone from fields near Gendhu Kilcha village in Ferozepur district.
18-Jun-2025
On June 18, Punjab Police, on day 109 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 107 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 151 drug smugglers and seized 3.5 kg of heroin, 1.3 kg of opium and INR 9.59 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
18-Jun-2025
The Amritsar police Commissionerate on June 18 arrested an individual, identified as Jaspreet Singh, in connection with death threats issued to social media influencer Deepika Luthra, in Ludhiana district in Punjab. This follows the earlier arrest of Ramandeep Singh. Luthra was provided armed police protection after she reported the threats.
18-Jun-2025
On June 18, a local court remanded Nimratjeet Singh and Jaspreet Singh to 14-day judicial custody in connection with the murder of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari alias Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, in Bathinda in Bathinda district in Punjab. The police stated that the duo, along with absconding mastermind Amritpal Singh Mehron, strangled her in an act of moral policing.