KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
03-May-2025
Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh, while chairing a district-level meeting in Mohali (SAS Nagar) on May 3, announced that the state government would launch 'Nasha Mukti Yatras' from May 7 to transform the anti-drug campaign into a mass movement. He outlined a dual strategy—intensifying action against drug peddlers and focusing on the rehabilitation of addicts through skill development and financial assistance. Singh highlighted that the bed capacity at de-addiction centres has tripled to 5,000 and that skill training is being provided in collaboration with non-governmental organisations. He stressed the importance of public participation in sustaining the campaign's momentum.
03-May-2025
Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, speaking at a district-level meeting at Kingsville Resort in Mullanpur Dakha, Ludhiana district, on May 3, stated that the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign would evolve into a transformative movement to make the state drug-free. He pledged strict action against traffickers, including arrests and property seizures, and introduced the concept of village and ward guardians to combat drug abuse at the grassroots level. Mundian also announced a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly on May 5 to address drug-related concerns. Additionally, officials launched a WhatsApp helpline to encourage the public to report drug trafficking.
03-May-2025
According to reports, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), escalated his efforts by sending pre-recorded calls to residents in Punjab, urging them to support Pakistan and advocate for Punjab's secession, after his social media videos failed to gain traction.
03-May-2025
Ludhiana police on May 3 revealed that five individuals—identified as Manish, Deepak Kumar alias Deepu, Shivam alias Golu, Bablu Verma alias Stay Boy, and Sooraj alias Sexy—who were previously arrested in connection with the April 22 firing that left 19-year-old Tony Chauhan injured in an attack allegedly linked to an Instagram rivalry, were found to have connections with the notorious Canada-based gangster, Devinderpal Singh alias Gopi Lahoria. During a recovery operation, police seized a revolver, two pistols, 29 live cartridges, and a motorcycle from their possession. The gang’s ties to Gopi Lahoria were uncovered through interrogation, revealing that the suspects had been recruited via virtual communication. Further investigations indicated that the illegal weapons had been procured from Madhya Pradesh (MP).
03-May-2025
A Special Court on May 3 sentenced three inter-state drug smugglers, identified as Sona Singh, Chiman Singh and Sumit Kumar to 10-year rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of INR1 lakh each, in Fazilka in Fazilka district. The trio was arrested on April 24, 2022, after 260 grams of heroin was seized from their possession while they were travelling on the Ferozepur-Fazilka road.
03-May-2025
Police on May 3 arrested a key member of the notorious Gopi Lahoria gang, identified as Sumit, and seized an illegal weapon and several live rounds from his possession, in Bagge Kalan village in Ludhiana district.
03-May-2025
The Mohali district court in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar on May 3 issued a production warrant against Jagtar Singh Hawara, a key member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), for failing to appear in a scheduled hearing related to a 2005 case registered at Kharar police station. The court directed that he be produced via video conferencing on May 8 and warned against further delays. Hawara, currently serving a life sentence for the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, is lodged in Mandoli Jail, Delhi.
03-May-2025
Pro-Khalistan slogans were allegedly raised at a rally organised by the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) [SAD(A)] near the cantonment area in Amritsar district on May 3. The party had planned a protest near the International Border but was reportedly denied permission. SAD(A) president Simranjit Singh Mann criticised the Central Government over the Pahalgam terror attack and demanded the opening of border points like Hussainiwala for trade with Pakistan.
02-May-2025
Maharashtra Sikh Association (MSA) on May strongly condemned Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's remarks and reaffirmed the Sikh community's unwavering commitment to India's unity and democratic values. In response to Pannun's claim that Sikhs in the Indian Army side with Pakistan, the MSA labeled the statement as misleading and divisive. The association emphasized that Sikhs across India, including Maharashtra, stand firmly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reject all separatist propaganda.
02-May-2025
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on May 2 revealed that in a four-month-long operation, they arrested fifteen unidentified individuals and seized drugs worth INR 547 crore, including over 1.42 crore tablets of Tramadol and Alprazolam, 2.9 kg of Tramadol powder, and more than 9 lakh bottles of Codeine-based cough syrup across Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. The crackdown uncovered a vast drug diversion racket involving dummy medical setups, fake stockists, and rogue pharmaceutical firms. Specific recoveries included 11,693 bottles of Codeine-based cough syrup and 2.9 kg of Tramadol powder from J R Pharmaceuticals in Haridwar, Uttarakhand; 19.25 lakh tablets from Embit Bio Medix in Himachal Pradesh; and 1.17 crore tablets from Aashi Pharmaceuticals in Delhi.
02-May-2025
The Khanna police on May 2 revealed that they arrested 11 persons, including two women identified as Vanshika Thakur and Tanu, and seized 10 grams of heroin, a country-made .32 bore pistol with a magazine, a black Fortuner (registration no. HP-24E-2355), a Swift car, and INR 2 lakh in drug money from their possession, in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district. The investigation began on April 25, when Jagpreet Singh, Gursewak Singh, Jagrup Singh and Jass Singh were arrested with 10 gm of heroin near Hedon village in Samrala tehsil in Ludhiana district in Punjab, and based on their confession, the police arrested the remaining accused involved in the wider drug trafficking network.
02-May-2025
As Punjab’s anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) enters its second phase, the focus has shifted to modernising de-addiction centres and strengthening rehabilitation infrastructure. The state government plans to expand bed capacity, recruit 343 counsellors, and integrate yoga, skill training, and tele-therapy into treatment protocols. Deputy Commissioners (DCs) have been made directly accountable for service quality, while police continue their crackdown on drug trafficking networks. However, persistent staffing shortages and security challenges remain significant obstacles to progress.
02-May-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 2 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 580 grams from fields near Mahawa village in Amritsar district.
01-May-2025
Mohali police on May 1 arrested two individuals, identified as Rohit Kumar and Ravinder Singh, and seized 20 grams of heroin and two vehicles from their possession in Mubarikpur village, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The arrests were made following a complaint received through the anti-drug helpline
01-May-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 1 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 575 grams from agricultural fields near Gatti Rajoke village in Ferozepur district.
01-May-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Counter Intelligence (CI) Jalalabad, on May 1 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 568 grams from agricultural fields near Dhani Foola Singh village in Fazilka district.
01-May-2025
The Gharinda police on May 1 arrested a woman drug peddler, identified as Ranjit Kaur alias Rano, and seized 465 grams of heroin from her possession in Rajatal village, Amritsar district.
01-May-2025
The Amritsar police on May 1 recovered 5 kg of heroin and a cash-counting machine from a hideout of absconding cross-border drug and arms smuggler Jodhbir Singh alias Jodha, located at Varindavan Garden Apartments in the Fatehgarh Churian area of Amritsar district. Jodha, an associate of Abhishek Kumar—who was earlier arrested with seven pistols smuggled from Pakistan and ₹1.5 lakh in cash—was reportedly acting on instructions from Australia-based handler Jassa and his associates linked to Pakistan-based smugglers. According to the police, Jodha was also involved in channeling drug money to Pakistan through hawala networks.
01-May-2025
Police on May 1 arrested a key member of the Landa gang, identified as Sumit, and seized a .32 bore pistol along with several live cartridges from his possession in Sahibana village, Ludhiana district. The arrest followed an encounter in which Sumit was critically injured. He is wanted in connection with the April 20 firing incident targeting the house of gangster Puneet Bains.
01-May-2025
On May 1, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted searches at 17 locations across Gurdaspur, Batala, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, and Faridkot districts in Punjab in connection with a terror conspiracy case linked to gangster Happy Passia and Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda. The agency seized several incriminating materials, including mobile phones, digital devices, and documents.
01-May-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on May 1 recovered a drone from fields near Shahur Kalan village in Gurdaspur district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
01-May-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), on May 1 recovered a drone from fields near Bhaini Rajputana village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
01-May-2025
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a designated Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), on May 1 released a provocative video message urging Sikh soldiers in the Indian Army to refrain from participating in any potential conflict between India and Pakistan. Pannun further claimed that Punjabis would serve langar to Pakistani soldiers and described Pakistan as a 'friendly state,' asserting that it would become a neighbour once Punjab is 'liberated'.
01-May-2025
Following the closure of the Attari-Wagah checkpost after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, the Kartarpur Corridor remains the only functional land route between India and Pakistan. However, pilgrim footfall has dropped sharply—by nearly half—amid heightened tensions and security concerns. Despite this, the corridor providing access to Sri Darbar Sahib, the final resting place of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, continues to operate under the bilateral agreement renewed in 2024.
01-May-2025
On May 1, officiating Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj attended the foundation day event of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) (SAD-A) in Amritsar, where he called for unity among all Akali factions under the spiritual and temporal authority of the Akal Takht.
30-Apr-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in coordination with Punjab Police, recovered two hand grenades, three pistols, six magazines, and 50 live rounds during a joint search operation near Bharopal village in Amritsar district on April 30.
30-Apr-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 30 recovered one pistol wrapped in yellow adhesive tape from a farming field adjacent Gatti Rajoke village in Ferozepur district.
30-Apr-2025
A Mohali court in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district on April 30 dismissed the revision petition filed by police personnel who alleged their consent for a polygraph test in the Lawrence Bishnoi TV interview case was obtained under coercion. The court reaffirmed its earlier directive for voluntary tests on six officials—ASI Mukhtiar Singh and constables Simranjeet Singh, Harpreet Singh, Balwinder Singh, Satnam Singh, and Amritpal Singh.
30-Apr-2025
The banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on April 30 released a provocative video from a location near the Army Cantonment in Patiala district, Punjab, displaying slogans such as 'Pakistan – Khalistan Zindabad' alongside the Khalistan flag. SFJ chief and designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun appeared in the video, issuing inflammatory statements against Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, warning students they could be 'orphaned' by his policies, and urging soldiers to question sacrificing their lives for India's political objectives. He accused the Indian government of exploiting tensions with Pakistan for electoral gains and appealed to parents to prevent their children from enlisting. Pannun called on Punjabis to reject the government’s narrative and support the Khalistan movement.
30-Apr-2025
Tarn Taran Police on April 30 arrested a woman drug smuggler, identified as Rupinder Kaur, and recovered 4 kg of heroin from her possession in Sarai Amanat Khan, Tarn Taran district. Preliminary investigations revealed her and her son Gaganpreet Singh’s links to Pakistan-based drug traffickers. Further investigation is underway to dismantle the broader network.
30-Apr-2025
Punjab Police on April 30 foiled a planned grenade attack on a police establishment with the arrest of five members of a Pakistan ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module—Naresh Kumar alias Babbu, Abhinav Bhagat alias Abhi, Ajay Kumar alias Ajju, Sunny Kumar, and a 17-year-old juvenile — and seized a hand grenade, a country-made .32 pistol, and five live cartridges, in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigation linked the accused to foreign-based gangster Jiwan Fauji and revealed their role in retrieving weapon consignments from the Ajnala sector.
29-Apr-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 29 recovered one small drone and 6 pistol magazines from a farming field near Daoke village in Amritsar district.
29-Apr-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 29 recovered one drone in damaged condition from a farming field adjacent to Wan village in Patti in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic- 3 Classic model.
29-Apr-2025
The Chandigarh Police on April 29 revealed that it had dismantled a Pakistan-backed international drug syndicate, with the arrest of its kingpin Gurmeet Singh along with his eight associates, and seized 312.71 grams of heroin, INR 5.12 lakh worth drug money, 2 cars, and one scooter from their possession in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The Police revealed that the syndicate had direct links with Pakistan-based smugglers Riyaz Sarvar and Aabid Ali from the Kasur region in Pakistan, who supplied heroin through cross-border routes using concealed pipelines and weather cover.
29-Apr-2025
On April 29, a gangster-turned-social worker identified as Ravneet Singh alias Sonu Mota was shot dead by two unidentified armed assailants near the Golden Temple in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The Police revealed that the assailants were led by gangster Abhiraj Singh alias Abhi Pehalwan. The police have registered a murder case and are conducting raids to apprehend the assailants.
29-Apr-2025
The prime accused in the April 7 grenade attack at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence, identified as Saidul Ameen, was produced before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on April 29 and remanded to jail in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Punjab Police have linked the attack to a broader conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), with suspected involvement of Zeeshan Akhtar—an associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi—and Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti. The role of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is also under investigation.
29-Apr-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 29 imposed restrictions on farmers in Punjab’s border villages, allowing access beyond the cobra fence only in groups of at least 15 for agricultural activities. This move follows the April 27 directive to clear fields within 48 hours, amid rising tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Farmers expressed concerns over the impracticality of completing harvesting within such a limited timeframe and urged authorities to allow the use of more machines and grant extended access. BSF officials cited national security concerns and the need for visibility during patrols as the reason for the directive.
29-Apr-2025
Counter Intelligence (CI) team of Punjab Police on April 29 arrested an individual, identified as Jodhbir Singh and seized 5 pistols, including two PX5 pistols, one .30 bore pistol (Star marked), and two 9mm Glock pistols from his possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
29-Apr-2025
Police on April 29 arrested an individual, Sunil Kumar, on suspicion of espionage near the Bathinda military cantonment in Bathinda district. Preliminary investigation revealed his contact with a Pakistani woman, indicating a possible honeytrap. The Cantonment Police have registered a case and are probing whether he shared sensitive information. He is currently being interrogated at a secure location.
28-Apr-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on April 28 announced the deployment of anti-drone systems along the 553-km International Border with Pakistan to combat the growing threat of drone-based narcotics and weapons smuggling. The trials have been completed, and the systems will be deployed in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), which has already neutralised 55 drones and seized over 60 kg of narcotics in 2025. The anti-drone systems, equipped with radar, optical sensors, and radio frequency monitoring, offer both soft-kill (jamming) and hard-kill (destruction) capabilities. The drone threat, which began in 2018–2019, has intensified with the use of smaller drones for their stealth features.
28-Apr-2025
Amritsar Rural Police on April 28 arrested two operatives of the Jiwan Fauji terror module identified as Vishal Masih and Lovepreet Singh alias Love, and seized weapons and explosives from their possession, in Ramdas city in Amritsar district. The duo opened fire on the police during a chase and were injured in retaliatory firing.
28-Apr-2025
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while addressing the State Legislative Assembly in Srinagar on April 28, acknowledged the long-neglected plight of Kashmiri Sikhs. He recalled the attacks on Sikh settlements, including the 2000 Chittisinghpora massacre. Even after 25 years, the Sikh community of Chittisinghpora continues to honour the memory of their martyrs and demand justice and accountability.
28-Apr-2025
The Supreme Court (SC) on April 28 directed the expeditious trial of 11 cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Kanpur, expressing concern over the 'inordinate delay' in proceedings. A bench instructed special public prosecutors to ensure early disposal of the cases and ordered the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to promptly submit a report on an old, illegible First Information Report (FIR). The court also permitted victims' families to engage private counsel, with assistance from the Uttar Pradesh (UP) State Legal Services Authority, if required.
28-Apr-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, while addressing the media in Chandigarh on April 28, announced the completion of testing for the anti-drone system, with installation set to begin soon along the second line of defence across the border state. He also highlighted significant action against hawala operators, the establishment of 30 special courts under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and reiterated the focus on achieving a drug-free Punjab without relying on numerical arrest targets.
28-Apr-2025
Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence (CI) unit on April 28 arrested an individual, identified as Balvir Singh, and seized 3 kg of heroin from his possession in Attari village, Amritsar district. Efforts are ongoing to arrest co-accused Harpreet Singh and dismantle the network linked to Pakistan-based smugglers.
28-Apr-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 28 recovered eight small packets of heroin, weighing a total of 8.6 kg, from fields near Rattar Chattar village in Gurdaspur district.
27-Apr-2025
On April 27, the sarpanch of Bhagsar village in the Balluana constituency, identified as Sudhir Kumar, was shot and injured by masked assailants in Bhagsar village, Abohar, in Fazilka district. He was attacked while returning to his Dhani (a cluster of houses) and sustained a bullet injury to his right arm after stopping his car when signalled by the attackers. Sudhir was initially taken to the Civil Hospital in Abohar and later referred to Faridkot for advanced treatment. A police team from Wahabwala police station is investigating the incident, and further details are awaited.
27-Apr-2025
Punjab Police on April 27 arrested one smuggler, identified as Abhishek Kumar and seized seven pistols (including 5 pistols of .30 bore and 2 Glock 9mm pistols), 4 live cartridges of.30 bore, and INR 1.5 lakh from his possession, in Meerankot Kalan village in Amritsar district. The police revealed that Abhishek was involved in supplying sophisticated weapons to criminals, had direct links with Pakistan-based smugglers. He was collaborating with his Australia-based handler, Jassa, and local associate Jodhbir Singh alias Jodha, along with other foreign smugglers, to orchestrate illegal arms trafficking across the India-Pakistan border.
27-Apr-2025
Amritsar (Rural) police on April 27 arrested two smugglers, identified as Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh, and Simranjit Singh alias Simmu, and seized 500 grams of heroin along with three pistols of .30 bore calibre along with magazines from their possession, in Tarn Taran in Tarn Taran district. The Police revealed that they were linked with Paksitan-based smugglers pushing in drugs and weapons.
27-Apr-2025
The Special Task Force (STF) of Haryana Police, in a joint operation with Jhajjar Police, arrested gangster Kunal Joon on April 27 at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Wanted in over 15 criminal cases, Joon had fled abroad using a fake passport and was allegedly operating his gang from Dubai, with plans to shift to the United States.