KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
29-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 29 arrested three individuals identified as Abhishek, Gurjant Singh and Gursharan Singh and seized 6 pistols- One Glock Pistol 9mm, two .30 bore Pistols, three .32 bore Desi Pistols) and 9 live rounds of .32 bore from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
29-Mar-2025
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on March 29 announced that its organisational elections to elect office-bearers and a new president would begin on April 2, despite a directive issued by former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh. During a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board in Chandigarh, it was decided that in the first phase, district and state delegates would be elected by April 6. Party spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema stated that members who had not submitted enrolment slips have until 5 PM on March 31. A meeting of party observers will be held on April 1 to finalise delegate lists.
29-Mar-2025
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of the Amritsar (Rural) police on March 29 arrested four persons, identified as Jagroop Singh alias Baba, Hardeep Singh, Rajbir Singh alias Gullu and Arsal Singh alias Rasal Singh, and seized four 9 mm Glock pistols along with five magazines and INR 3.05 lakh hawala money along with two mobile phones and a bike from their possession, in Khasa in Amritsar district.
28-Mar-2025
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on March 28 informed Parliament that multiple Hindu temples in the United States (US) have been defaced with anti-India graffiti in recent years. He stated that these incidents have been taken up with the US government through diplomatic channels and that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the attacks while urging local law enforcement to take strict action.
28-Mar-2025
According to ThePrint sources, Gurjant Singh alias Gurjant Jenta, a close associate of gangster-turned-terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, has become a major concern for law enforcement in Delhi and Punjab. Jenta, who accidentally shot Dala in October 2024, is linked to recent grenade attacks in Punjab and an extortion racket in Delhi, expanding his criminal network. He was arrested in Canada alongside Dala last year but later granted bail. Now operating from abroad, he is reportedly working with the pro-Khalistan gangster-terrorist nexus spanning Canada, the United States, and Pakistan.
28-Mar-2025
An investigation by India Today Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) has revealed that the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has launched an online campaign to collect personal data of Sikhs in India ahead of a planned separatist referendum. The campaign, which began in January 2025, gathers sensitive details such as names, WhatsApp numbers, and family information. SFJ, known for its provocative actions, including threats and propaganda, poses a serious security concern as this large-scale data collection could be exploited to radicalize individuals or incite violence. Despite being banned in India since 2019, SFJ continues its activities through online platforms and international referendums.
28-Mar-2025
Former diplomat and a scholar of Sikhism and South Asian religious traditions at Harvard University, KC Singh on March 28 emphasised the need to locate original sources before making any definitive judgement on serious issues of Sikh history, while speaking at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan in New Delhi.
28-Mar-2025
According to sources, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Damdami Taksal, once close allies, are now on a collision course, with the Sikh seminary intensifying its opposition to the SAD-controlled Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) over the ‘unceremonious’ removal of Takht jathedars following the December 2, 2024 hukamnama (Sikh decree). Led by Harnam Singh Dhumma, Damdami Taksal has planned a protest outside the SGPC head office in Amritsar during its budget session on March 28, demanding a reversal of the decision and reforms in the appointment process of jathedars. The rift has deepened as Taksal has previously supported Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led factions, drawing criticism from SAD leaders. Experts believe Taksal is leveraging the controversy to reclaim its influence in Sikh politics.
28-Mar-2025
Police on March 28 arrested two smugglers after a brief encounter, identified as Veerbhadar Singh, alias Kalu and Kewal Singh, and seized a Glock pistol, a .32 bore pistol and a bag of contraband capsules, at a naka (checkpoint) near Barnala in Barnala district. Veerbhadar Singh sustained a bullet injury in his leg during the exchange of fire and was admitted to the hospital, while Kewal Singh was arrested on the spot.
28-Mar-2025
On March 28, as part of Yudh Nashian Virudh (war against drugs) plan, Punjab Police conducted raids at 463 locations, lodged 33 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 56 drug smugglers and seized 1.6 kg heroin, 3046 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 62940 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers across Punjab.
27-Mar-2025
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with the Himachal Pradesh (HP) police on March 27 arrested four members of the Harpreet Happo gang, identified as Amrit, Onkar Singh alias Golu, Prince and Gurpreet Singh, and seized two pistols, 20 rounds, the car from their possession, in McLeodganj in Kangra district in HP. The accused were involved in the murder of Kharar gym trainer Gurpreet Singh alias Guri, who was shot dead on January 31. All four have multiple criminal cases registered against them, including charges of murder, attempt to murder, and violations under the Arms Act.
27-Mar-2025
The Ajnala sub-divisional court on March 27 remanded Varinder Singh Fauji, an aide of jailed Khalistani radical and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, to five-day police custody, in Ajnala, Amritsar district. A former Army personnel and Amritpal’s personal security guard, Fauji was brought from Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam after his detention under the National Security Act ended. He was part of the mob that attacked Ajnala police station in February 2023. The police had sought a seven-day remand, and he will be produced in court again on April 1.
27-Mar-2025
On March 27, in Chandigarh, Neena Singh, a member of Sikh Legal Aid (SLA), urged the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to adopt more proactive methods for religious advocacy amid rising conversions to Christianity in Punjab. She suggested door-to-door preaching, similar to Christian missionary efforts, and called for greater transparency in SGPC's budget allocation for dharam parchar. The SGPC, set to finalize its annual budget on March 28, has earmarked INR 100 crore for religious propagation in 2024-25. Sikh scholars have also emphasized the need for stronger outreach and social welfare initiatives to preserve Sikh heritage.
27-Mar-2025
In a written response to Parliament, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that it has raised concerns with the United States (US) over respecting the religious sensitivities and food preferences of Indian nationals being deported. However, the US authorities denied instructing deportees to remove religious head coverings and confirmed that only vegetarian meal requests were made. The response came following a query by Punjab Member of Parliament (MP) Harbhajan Singh. The MEA also objected to the use of shackles on deportees, particularly women, and noted that the US has used military aircraft for deportations this year.
27-Mar-2025
Punjab Police Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, while addressing a press conference in Chandigarh on March 27, stated that the supply of drugs on the streets has reduced following a crackdown under the ongoing war against drugs. He emphasized that the police are now focusing on dismantling high-level drug networks by targeting key suppliers and kingpins. He also reported that since the launch of the anti-drugs campaign on March 1, 4,142 drug smugglers have been arrested.
27-Mar-2025
The Hoshiarpur police in association with the district administration on March 27 demolished an illegal building constructed on encroached land of a woman drug peddler identified as Gurmeet Kaur, in Nainowal Vaid village in Hoshiarpur district. The demolition was carried out following complaints from the village panchayat, which reported her involvement in drug smuggling.
27-Mar-2025
A submission by the state of Punjab in the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) on March 27 revealed that 971 accused in drug cases registered before August 31, 2024, remain absconding in Punjab. During the hearing before Justice NS Shekhawat’s Bench, the state counsel informed the court that out of 1,846 absconding accused, only 875 had been arrested so far. The court observed that Punjab Police had a legal obligation to arrest the accused, initiate PO proceedings, and attach properties, but such efforts were lacking in several districts.
27-Mar-2025
Amritsar Rural Police on March 27 arrested seven unidentified members of an international drug syndicate and seized 4.5 kg of heroin in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed their links to Gurdeep Singh alias Rano, a key operative of the syndicate currently detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act. Further investigations are underway to dismantle the entire network.
27-Mar-2025
On March 27, Shiv Sena Yuva Sena's (Shinde faction) General Secretary Rahool Kanal accused comedian Kunal Kamra of receiving funding from Khalistani elements to create content against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. In a post on social media platform X, Kanal demanded the demonetization of Kamra’s YouTube channel and claimed to have over 300 screenshots of payments linked to anti-government videos.
26-Mar-2025
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on March 26 criticized the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), stating that it continued its “pattern of issuing biased and politically motivated assessments,” while addressing the media in New Delhi. He accused the commission of misrepresenting isolated incidents to malign India’s multicultural society. The MEA asserted that efforts to undermine India’s status as a “beacon of democracy and tolerance” would fail and suggested that the USCIRF itself should be designated as an “entity of concern.”
26-Mar-2025
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami, on March 26, in Amritsar, criticized the Indian government’s insensitive approach towards the release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners), calling it a violation of human rights. He stated that despite SGPC’s continuous efforts, the central government’s negative stance remains a major obstacle. Dhami expressed disappointment that multiple requests for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including one by the Akal Takht committee, were ignored. He urged the government to ensure justice for Sikh prisoners, warning that further delays could lead to growing distrust among Sikhs.
26-Mar-2025
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema on March 26 announced two initiatives to combat drug trafficking, including deploying 5,000 Home Guards alongside the Border Security Force (BSF) on the Pakistan border and implementing advanced anti-drone systems. Presenting the state budget for 2025-26, he allocated INR 110 crore for these measures, with INR 60 crore designated for Home Guards.
26-Mar-2025
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema on March 26, while presenting the state budget for 2025-26, announced the first-ever census to collect data on drug addiction and de-addiction centres. Cheema reiterated the state’s commitment to combating drug smuggling by enhancing border security and implementing targeted initiatives to curb the menace.
26-Mar-2025
As part of “Yudh Nashian Virudh”, Punjab Police on March 26 raided 483 locations, arrested 77 drug smugglers after the registration of 55 first information reports (FIRs), and seized recovered 1.1 kg of heroin, 301 grams of opium and INR 13570 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers across Punjab.
26-Mar-2025
Police on March 26 nominated two more persons in the Jalandhar grenade attack case, identified as Gaurav Gill and Maninder Bobby, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district. The Police stated that Gaurav Gill, a resident of Canada, was the mastermind behind the attack. The case relates to a grenade being thrown at the house of YouTuber Navdeep alias Rozer Sandhu, in Raipur Rasoolpur village in Phillaur tehsil in Jalandhar district, on March 16.
25-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 25 conducted raids at 452 locations, leading to the arrest of 69 drug smugglers and the registration of 47 First Information Reports (FIRs), and recovered 1.2 kg of heroin, 300 grams of opium, 2,200 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections, 375 kg of poppy husk, and INR 13,000 drug money from the possession of the arrested drug smugglers, across the state.
25-Mar-2025
Mohinder Chawla, a member of the Kullu Gurdwara Management Committee, on March 25, in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, expressed regret over the recent incidents between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, attributing them to a handful of miscreants. He emphasized that both states have worked together to restore peace through initiatives such as peace committee meetings in Kullu and Manali. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Kumar Sukhu and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also coordinated to defuse tensions, ensuring swift action against those responsible for vandalizing buses.
25-Mar-2025
An Ajnala court in Amritsar district on March 25 extended police remand of eight associates of Khalistani radical and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, identified as Basant Singh, Bhagwant Singh alias Pradhan Mantri Bajeke, Gurmeet Singh Gill, Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi alias Daljeet Singh, Gurinderpal Singh Aujla, Harjeet Singh alias Chacha, Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal and Amandeep Singh, for three day.
25-Mar-2025
Forty-two members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on March 25 submitted a joint petition demanding the revocation of the decision to remove Takht Jathedars, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The SGPC had previously sacked Jathedars, including Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, leading to political backlash, particularly against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Former SGPC general secretary Kiranjot Kaur stated that the petition rejects new appointments and seeks restoration of previous Jathedars. The members also urged the SGPC to establish norms for appointing Takht Jathedars after consulting the wider Sikh community.
25-Mar-2025
A local court in Patiala in Patiala district on March 25 acquitted Jagtar Singh Tara and Ramandeep Singh Goldy in the 2009 murder case of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat chief Rulda Singh, citing a lack of sufficient evidence from the Punjab Police. Rulda Singh was shot outside his residence on July 28, 2009, and succumbed to his injuries on August 15, 2009.
24-Mar-2025
The Delhi Police on March 24 informed the Patiala House Court that further investigation is pending in the extortion case against former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer Vikash Yadav, who has been charged by the United States (US) Department of Justice (DoJ) with “murder-for-hire” and money laundering in an alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The Patiala House Court has listed the case for May 22 for arguments on the point of charge. Yadav, previously arrested in December 2023, was granted interim bail on March 22 and regular bail on April 22, 2024.
23-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 23 announced that, the Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) of the Punjab Police with the support of the central agencies arrested eleven persons and seized 423 grams of heroin, 372 grams of gold and foreign currencies amounting to INR 5.09 crore along with four vehicles from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The crackdown followed an extensive investigation into a narco-terror hawala network linked to a Pakistani drug smuggler.
23-Mar-2025
The Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on March 23 busted a major narcotics smuggling network and arrested three Army men, identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, his brother Sukhpreet Singh and Akashdeep Singh, along with two civilians identified as Kulwinder Singh and Arvinder Singh, and seized 135 grams of heroin and one pistol from their possession, in Gokuwal village in Batala in Gurdaspur district. Gopi, was identified as the chief conspirator. Officials stated that the accused were involved in procuring heroin and arms and ammunition from Pakistan-based smugglers. Their financial transactions were under investigation, and more arrests were likely as the probe continued.
23-Mar-2025
The Amritsar city police on March 23 arrested a woman kingpin along with three drug smugglers identified as Mandeep Kaur, Alam Arora, Manmeet alias Golu, and one unidentified 18-year-old, and seized 5.2 kg of heroin from their possession in Chheharta Sahib in Amritsar district. Mandeep Kaur, who allegedly transported drugs disguised as a police officer, was linked to Pakistan-based smugglers. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered, and further investigations are underway.
23-Mar-2025
As part of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign, Punjab Police on March 23 registered 70 First Information Reports (FIR), arrested 109 drug smugglers and seized 8.6 kg heroin, 3.3 kg of opium, 40 kg of poppy husk and INR 2.9 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
23-Mar-2025
Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of Amritsar Police on March 23 busted a narco-terror module and arrested four persons, identified as Navjot Singh alias Sahil, Sukhwinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh and Aniket, and seized 4 kg of heroin from their possession, near government hospital at Naraingarh area in Chheharta Sahib in Amritsar district.
23-Mar-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 23 filed a chargesheet against four Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operatives—Pakistan-based Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, US-based Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, Rohan Masih, and Vishal Masih—in connection with the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack case, before the special NIA court in Chandigarh. The agency alleged that the attack targeted a retired Punjab police officer and was part of BKI’s terror agenda. The accused have been charged under the UAPA, the Explosive Substances Act, and other provisions.
23-Mar-2025
According to sources, Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma is actively mobilizing support for the March 28 gherao of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) head office, demanding the reinstatement of the sacked jathedars. Once a pivotal force in Sikh politics, Damdami Taksal lost its influence after aligning with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD-Badal) but is now seeking to reclaim its position. Amid growing discontent within the Sikh community, Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma’s renewed activism signals a shift in the religio-political landscape.
22-Mar-2025
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on March 22 detained gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, 1988, for one year and transferred him from Bathinda jail to Silchar Jail in Assam. Bhagwanpuria, a key conspirator in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case and an accused in 128 cases, allegedly operated a drug network from prison using encrypted communication and international links.
22-Mar-2025
Unidentified persons vandalized parked buses of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) and spray-painted 'Khalistan' at the Amritsar bus stand in Amritsar district on March 22. The windshields of three buses were also shattered. HRTC drivers reported the incident to the authorities and refused to operate buses in Punjab until their safety was ensured. The police have launched an investigation into the matter.
22-Mar-2025
Himachal Pradesh (HP) Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on March 22 informed the state assembly in Shimla that a decision would soon be taken regarding the growing incidents of attacks on Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses in Punjab. He stated that four HRTC buses were vandalized at the Amritsar bus stand, with Khalistan slogans and posters plastered on them. Agnihotri confirmed that an FIR had been lodged with the Amritsar police and that the Himachal government was in contact with Punjab authorities to address the issue.
22-Mar-2025
The court of an additional district and sessions judge in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, convicted two individuals, Lakhbir Singh and Surinder Kaur alias Sukhpreet Kaur, in a case related to anti-national activities linked to the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), while acquitting a third accused, Surinder Singh. Lakhbir Singh was sentenced to seven years in prison under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, while Surinder Kaur received a five-year sentence.
22-Mar-2025
As part of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign, Punjab Police on March 22 arrested 75 drug smugglers and recovered 5.2 kg of heroin, 10 kg of opium, and INR 2.2 lakh in drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
22-Mar-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint raid with Punjab Police on March 22 seized 1.076 kg of heroin and 2.192 kg of opium, from a house in Gatti Rajoke village in Ferozepur district. The suspected smuggler managed to escape before the raid, and efforts are underway to arrest him. The recovered packets had improvised metal rings, indicating they were airdropped using drones from across the border.
22-Mar-2025
Police on March 22 arrested nine associates of ‘Sonu gang’, an inter-state drug-trafficking syndicate, identified as Adital Rathore, Gagan, Naveen Chauhan, Rajan Mehta, Mohit Agarwal, Ujjwal Pandit, Sanjeev Kumar, Kushal Chauhan and Rajkumar, in Shimla in Shimla district Himachal Pradesh (HP). The accused were involved in the sale and purchase of heroin in the Rampur region in HP. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered, and further investigation is underway.
22-Mar-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court cautioned that evaluating police performance based on arrest targets in the ongoing anti-drug drive could lead to the false implication of innocent individuals. The observation came after the court reviewed a news report quoting Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav’s directive to assess police officials based on arrests and seizures. While emphasizing the need to combat drug-related crimes, the court warned against target-driven policing.
21-Mar-2025
The Directorate of School Education in Punjab recently directed all District Education Officers (DEOs) and school heads to prohibit students from portraying the Sahibzadas, the sons of Guru Gobind Singh, and their family members in stage plays or drama performances. This directive follows a communication from Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, to the Chief Secretary of Punjab. The Commission has formulated a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) stating that Sikh Gurus and their family members can only be represented through narration or animation, ensuring adherence to Sikh religious guidelines.
21-Mar-2025
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on March 21 stated in New Delhi that India expects the United States (US) to take 'appropriate action' on its request to designate the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) as a 'terrorist organization' in the US. The request was conveyed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his meeting with Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence in the US administration.
21-Mar-2025
Police on March 21 conducted a raid as part of Punjab's ongoing 'War Against Drugs' campaign, and arrested a wanted gangster identified as Lavish Grover and seized three weapons from his possession, in Singhpura village in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. During the raid, Lavish Grover opened fire on officers and in retaliation, police shot him in the leg before capturing him.
21-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 21 as part of Punjab's ongoing 'War Against Drugs', conducted raids at 493 locations, arrested 63 drug smugglers after registration of 47 first information reports (FIRs), and seized 573 grams of heroin, 10 kg of opium, 1,470 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections and INR 4,750 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers across Punjab.