KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-May-2026
On May 6, Punjab Police, on day 431 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 110 drug smugglers, and seized 1.5 kg of heroin, 2321 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 30,088 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
06-May-2026
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on May 6 moved to secure forensic evidence and gather crucial inputs from the May 5 twin blast sites in Jalandhar and Amritsar, joining the Punjab Police investigation into the back-to-back explosions. According to sources, NIA teams were deployed to assist state agencies in examining CCTV footage, debris, and forensic samples to reconstruct the sequence of events and determine the cause of the blasts, which have renewed security concerns in the border state.
06-May-2026
In the aftermath of the May 5 twin blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar, security has been significantly heightened across Jalandhar ahead of the second phase of Bhagwant Mann’s ‘Shukrana Yatra’, scheduled to commence from his Baradari residence in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district on May 7.
06-May-2026
Police on May 6 arrested six alleged shooters and operatives linked to the Rashid Cable Wala gang and Hashim Baba gang, identified as Faiz Qureshi, Maaz, Nawajish, Affak, Imran alias Teli, and Arshad alias Chota and seized 10 illegal firearms and 81 live cartridges, including nine pistols of .30 and .32 bore and a .312 bore rifle, in Karol Bagh, New Delhi. According to Police, the group was planning attacks on rival gang members and was involved in extortion and betting rackets across East and Northeast Delhi.
05-May-2026
A delivery worker for Flipkart, identified as Gurpreet, was injured in a blast near the gate of the Border Security Force (BSF) headquarters in Jalandhar district on May 5. The explosion occurred while he was returning to his scooter after delivering a parcel, destroying the vehicle and damaging nearby electrical equipment, poles, and shop windows. Preliminary reports suggested that explosive material may have been concealed inside a dustbin located between a BSNL box and the scooter. The dustbin was blown apart in the blast, while the BSNL box was severely damaged.
05-May-2026
A low-intensity blast occurred near the boundary wall of the Army cantonment area on Khasa Road in Amritsar on May 5. The exact nature of the explosion was yet to be determined, though the blast damaged a tin sheet installed along the wall to obstruct visibility into the cantonment. Amritsar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sohail Qasim Mir stated that preliminary assessments suggested that an object may have been thrown at the wall, causing the explosion. No major damage or casualties were reported.
05-May-2026
The Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA), through a letter circulated on social media, claimed responsibility for the May 5 IED blast outside the Border Security Force headquarters in Jalandhar. The group stated that the attack was carried out to avenge the killing of Ranjit Singh during a police encounter in Gurdaspur in February. However, the KLA’s statement falsely claimed that two BSF personnel were killed and three others injured in the blast. Official sources have confirmed that these casualty claims are inaccurate.
05-May-2026
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on May 5 arrested three persons, including one injured in an exchange of fire, and recovered a .32 bore pistol from the accused, following a shooting incident in the Verka area of Amritsar district. The arrests followed a violent clash between two groups near the Verka bus stand, during which multiple rounds were fired.
05-May-2026
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that nearly 80–90 per cent of extortion calls received in Punjab are fake and are often made by local criminals impersonating gangsters or members of notorious gangs. He urged the public to immediately report such calls through the Anti-Gangster Helpline, assuring prompt and strict police action. Reiterating the state’s zero-tolerance policy towards organised crime, Yadav warned that stringent action would be taken against anyone involved in criminal activities. He also cautioned youths against falling prey to gangsters operating from abroad.
05-May-2026
On May 5, the 105th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar— the police conducted 586 raids, arrested 249 persons and recovered one weapon from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 77 individuals, while 33 persons were verified and released after questioning. 13 proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
05-May-2026
On May 5, Punjab Police, on day 430 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 126 drug smugglers, and seized 614 grams of heroin, 733 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 1350 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
04-May-2026
On May 4, the 104th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar— the police conducted 589 raids, arrested 350 persons and recovered nine weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 74 individuals, while 43 persons were verified and released after questioning. Eight proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
04-May-2026
On May 4, Punjab Police, on day 429 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 147 drug smugglers, and seized 1.5 kg of heroin, 757 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 4050 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
04-May-2026
Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on May 4 arrested Aditya alias Makhan, the last fugitive in the murder of kabaddi promoter-player Kanwar Digvijay Singh, from Agartala, Tripura. Rana Balachauria was shot dead during a kabaddi tournament in Sohana, Mohali, on December 15, 2025. According to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, Aditya, a resident of Amritsar, carried out the murder on the directions of foreign-based handlers. He faces at least 14 cases, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion, armed robbery, and NDPS violations.
04-May-2026
Police on May 4 arrested a notorious criminal, identified as Happy Singh alias Harpreet Singh and seized two pistols, five cartridges, and 96 grams of heroin from his possession in Amritsar district. He has at least seven cases against him, including murder, attempt to murder, and offences under the NDPS Act.
04-May-2026
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav and Advocate General Maninderjit Singh Bedi have reportedly received fresh death threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Officials said the threat to Bedi followed his appearance in petitions seeking a ban on the docuseries Lawrence of Punjab, based on the life of Lawrence Bishnoi, who is accused of running an extensive criminal network from prison. Both Yadav and Bedi have not publicly responded to the development.
04-May-2026
Former Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia on May 4 said he had received a third death threat in the past seven days, claiming his situation mirrors that of singer Sidhu Moosewala, whose security was withdrawn before he was killed. He alleged that senior police officials require approval from Delhi before providing him security and are awaiting directions.
04-May-2026
According to reports, Punjab is facing a renewed security concern with sophisticated MP5 sub-machine guns being smuggled into Indian territory to arm terror operatives and organised criminal networks, allegedly at the behest of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Punjab Police recently recorded the third recovery of a foreign-made MP5 in just over 90 days, indicating a surge in cross-border trafficking of advanced weapons, alongside Glock, PX5, and Beretta pistols. Notably, all four MP5s recovered in recent operations bore the marking “Ghaffar Security,” which, according to investigators, is commonly linked to illicit firearms manufactured in Pakistan and associated with underground arms networks supplying high-end weaponry.
03-May-2026
According to reports, Punjab Police have deployed the Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS), featuring an AI-powered voice recognition tool to track gangs operating from abroad and recruiting local youth. The system includes a “voice bank” of over 84,000 samples and a database of more than 390,000 offenders with details on gang affiliations. It also offers phonetic search and a gang tree analysis tool, enabling investigators to map criminal networks and link local operatives to foreign handlers.
03-May-2026
On May 3, the 103rd day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar— the police conducted 644 raids, arrested 350 persons and recovered four weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 92 individuals, while 60 persons were verified and released after questioning. Six proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
03-May-2026
On May 3, Punjab Police, on day 428 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 108 drug smugglers, and seized 12.4 kg of heroin, 482 intoxicant tablets/capsules, and INR 2,250 in drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
03-May-2026
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on May 3 busted a cross-border arms smuggling module, arresting four accused, identified as Samarbir Singh, Satnam Singh, Tanupreet Singh, and Karanjot Singh and recovering seven pistols—two Glock 9mm (Austria-made) and five .30 bore (China-made)—in Amritsar district. Investigations found the accused were in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers via social media platforms.
03-May-2026
Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar on May 3 dismantled a drug trafficking module, arresting three operatives, identified as Gurjant Singh, Arvinder Singh, and Jashanpreet Singh, and seizing 12 kg of heroin in Amritsar district. Investigations revealed Gurjant Singh was in direct contact with a Pakistan-based handler, receiving drone-dropped consignments near his village and distributing them on instructions.
03-May-2026
Punjab Police and security agencies are on high alert following a purported audio message attributed to Ranjit Singh Neeta, head of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), warning of potential attacks on railway infrastructure in Punjab. The message reportedly threatens explosions on railway tracks and trains over the next ten days. The threat follows the April 27 incident in which Jagroop Singh, a Tarn Taran-based operative, was killed while attempting to plant an IED near a railway track between Shambhu and Rajpura in Patiala district. Neeta, who founded the KZF in 1993, is a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and is among India’s most wanted terrorists believed to be based in Pakistan, with multiple terror-related cases against him.
03-May-2026
According to Indian intelligence sources, Canada continues to level allegations without clear evidence while overlooking concerns that its soil is being used by separatist elements advocating violence against India. They cited the recent report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), made public on May 2, which alleged “Indian interference and espionage” in 2025. The sources argued that activities by pro-Khalistan groups—including campaigns and referendums held in Western countries such as Canada, often linked to gurdwaras—reflect a permissive environment. They further claimed that the latest accusations are influenced by domestic political pressures, particularly from vocal Khalistani separatist lobbies within Canada.
02-May-2026
On May 2, the 102nd day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar— the police conducted 472 raids, arrested 241 persons and recovered eight weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 91 individuals, while 35 persons were verified and released after questioning. Five proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
02-May-2026
On May 2, Punjab Police, on day 427 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 150 drug smugglers, and seized 2.05 kg of heroin, 12.7 kg of poppy husk, 1337 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 5720 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
02-May-2026
Punjab Police on May 2 arrested one more accused, identified as Gurjinder Singh alias Baba Beant in connection with the April 27 Shambhu railway track blast in Patiala, from Amritsar area in Amritsar district. A close associate of the deceased executor Jagroop Singh, he is linked to the Shambhu blast, the January 23 Sirhind railway blast, and a 2025 grenade attack on CIA Moga, all allegedly carried out under foreign handlers. According to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, Gurjinder and Jagroop travelled separately to Rajpura to avoid detection, and Gurjinder—present at the scene—escaped after the premature explosion killed Jagroop. His interrogation indicates that all three attacks were executed by a single module operating under Malaysia-based handlers with links to the United States (US) and Pakistan.
02-May-2026
Police on May 2 arrested two persons, Vishal alias Ghogga and Raman and seized 2.011 kg of heroin and INR 50,000 in suspected drug proceeds from their possession, in Faridkot district.
02-May-2026
Police on May 2 arrested two youth, identified as Ajay Kumar alias Ajay and Sonu Kumar alias Kaku and recovered 7 grams of heroin from their possession, near the old jail area in Phagwara, Kapurthala district.
01-May-2026
Police on May 1 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Davinder Singh and his accomplice Jyoti, seizing 264 grams of heroin, in Jagraon, Ludhiana district.
01-May-2026
Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Nijjar, the last witness in the Sukha Kahlwan murder case, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Dhilwan in Kapurthala district on May 1. He was alone in his car when gunmen approached and fired from the front, fatally hitting him in the chest. Nijjar, known to be close to Kahlwan, had reportedly been warned about threats due to his role in the case. A social media post later claimed that Doni Bal and his associates were responsible for the killing, alleging it was in retaliation for Nijjar’s links with the Lawrence gang, his reaction to Sidhu Moosewala’s murder, and his alleged support to rival criminals.
01-May-2026
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab, in a joint operation with Mohali Police, on May 1 arrested a key associate of foreign-based gangsters and seized a .32 bore pistol with five live cartridges, in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district. Preliminary investigations revealed he was in direct contact with handlers abroad and acting on their instructions. Intelligence inputs indicated he had been assigned multiple targets across the Tricity—Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula—as part of planned criminal operations.
01-May-2026
Punjab Police on May 1 announced a reward of up to INR 10 lakh for credible information leading to the arrest of gangsters. Officials urged public participation in anti-drug and anti-gangster efforts. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said two dedicated helplines have been launched, assuring strict confidentiality of informants to encourage people to come forward without fear.
01-May-2026
A special National Investigation Agency court in Mohali on May 1 convicted Inderjeet Singh and Jaspal Singh, sentencing them to five years and six months in jail for hoisting a Khalistani flag on a government building in Moga in 2020 at the instigation of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Both were also fined INR 16,000 each under provisions of the IPC, UAPA, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act.
30-Apr-2026
On April 30, the 100th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar— the police conducted 635 raids, arrested 334 persons and recovered six weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 118 individuals, while 85 persons were verified and released after questioning. Seven proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
30-Apr-2026
On April 30, Punjab Police, on day 425 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 109 drug smugglers, and seized 11.4 kg of heroin, 2.5 kg of opium, 58 kg of poppy husk, 115 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 24010 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
30-Apr-2026
Police on April 30 arrested two individuals, identified as Arshdeep Singh and Tarsem Singh and seized 4.108 kg of heroin, two 9mm Glock pistols, two China-made .30 bore pistols, and five live cartridges, in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations indicate they were in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers via social media, with consignments delivered by drones and later collected and distributed by the accused.
30-Apr-2026
Police on April 30 arrested two individuals, identified as Arshdeep Singh and Tarsem Singh and seized 4.108 kg of heroin, two 9mm Glock pistols, two China-made .30 bore pistols, and five live cartridges, in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations indicate they were in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers via social media, with consignments delivered by drones and later collected and distributed by the accused.
30-Apr-2026
Amritsar Rural Police on April 30 arrested two individuals, identified as Sucha Singh and Gurjit Singh and seized 2 kg of opium near a degree college in Amritsar district.
30-Apr-2026
Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence wing on April 30 arrested a man, identified as Lovepreet Singh and seized 6 kg of heroin from a car he was using to transport the contraband, in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations indicate he was acting on the directions of a Dubai-based handler, Antarpreet Singh, a native of Sultanwind, Amritsar district with multiple narcotics cases against him. Lovepreet was part of a larger supply chain, sourcing heroin from various locations and distributing it further on the handler’s instructions.
30-Apr-2026
Punjab Police on April 30 busted two Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed espionage modules using high-tech equipment to transmit sensitive information, arresting three individuals in two separate cases in Punjab. In the first case, Counter Intelligence, Jalandhar, arrested Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha and recovered a Chinese-made CCTV camera and a USB-connected solar panel with 4G connectivity from Sahanke village in Ferozepur district. In a separate operation, Kapurthala police arrested Sona and Sandeep Singh alias Sonu, seizing four mobile phones linked to foreign handlers, along with a SIM-based CCTV camera and a WiFi set, in Ferozepur district. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the modules were using Chinese-made, SIM-enabled and solar-powered CCTV cameras to relay live feeds of sensitive military and defence installations to Pakistan-based handlers via mobile applications, enabling off-grid surveillance without conventional wiring.
30-Apr-2026
According to reports, investigations into the April 27 IED blast on railway tracks at Shambhu in Patiala district have led Punjab Police to United States (US)-based fugitive Surinder Singh Thikriwal alias Baba, now identified as a key link in a transnational network involving Malaysia-based handlers and Pakistan-backed operatives. He has been classified as a “Category-A” criminal, with efforts underway to secure a Red Corner Notice for his extradition. Following the blast, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) and Patiala Police busted a pro-Khalistan module. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the main handler, Malaysia-based Jujhar Singh, was in direct contact with Thikriwal, who is believed to have provided strategic direction and financial support for recent attacks, including the April 27 railway incident in which Jagroop Singh was killed while planting the IED. Thikriwal is also suspected to be linked to the Sirhind railway blast in January 2026 and a grenade attack on CIA staff premises in Moga in November 2025, both targeting critical infrastructure and security establishments. Thikriwal has a decade-long record with Punjab Police—flagged in 2013 for reviving militancy, arrested in 2015 under UAPA (later bailed), and absconding by 2022 with over 15 cases. He reportedly fled via the “donkey route” to the US and is now suspected of remotely coordinating modules and lone-wolf attacks in Punjab. Investigators link him with Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and Pakistan-based Ranjeet Singh Neeta in a layered network.
30-Apr-2026
Punjab Police on April 30 filed a chargesheet against Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh in connection with the February 2023 Ajnala police station attack case. He was formally arrested after his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) ended on April 23. Amritpal was produced before the Ajnala sub-divisional court via video conferencing, following which the case was transferred to the Amritsar Sessions Court, in Amritsar district. Trial proceedings are set to begin on May 2, and he remains in judicial custody till then.
30-Apr-2026
Amid rising gang violence in Punjab, Multani Amandeep—once associated with gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar—has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking security, citing a serious threat to his life. In his petition, he claimed danger from rival groups led by Lucky Patial and Donny Bal, alleging that he has been receiving continuous death threats over phone calls. Multani told the court his links with Bishnoi and Brar began in his student years, leading to multiple cases, though he claims he has since been acquitted in all and faces no pending charges. He added that after spending years in the United States (US) rebuilding his life, he returned to India this year and is now active in social and political work with the National Students' Union of India, where he holds a leadership role.
29-Apr-2026
Police on April 29 recovered a cache of sophisticated arms including an rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), a 2.296-kg metallic IED, three detonators with wiring and battery, 1.456 kg of RDX, a P-86 hand grenade, and three pistols, along with magazines, 84 live cartridges, wireless sets, a headphone, and timer switches, from Panjwarh Khurd village in Tarn Taran district. The recovery followed the interrogation of Satnam Singh alias Satta—brother of Jagroop Singh, who was killed while planting an IED near Shambhu on April 27—which helped foil another terror plot. Arrested on April 28 with three others, Satta revealed that much of the consignment had been concealed in a stable and car at the village. Investigations indicate the module was backed by a Malaysia-based handler using the name Jujhar Singh, with financial channels routed through Malaysia, and links to United States (US)-based Surinder Singh Thikriwal and Pakistan-based Ranjeet Singh alias Neeta, a designated terrorist.
29-Apr-2026
On the morning of April 29, several schools in Gurugram, Haryana, received hoax bomb threat emails allegedly sent by a group calling itself the “Khalistan National Army,” prompting police searches across campuses. The email also threatened Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Nayab Singh Saini, demanding April 29 be declared the “40th Khalistan Declaration Day,” and warned of an attack on Red Fort in New Delhi. Police later confirmed the threat was a hoax, as no suspicious items were found after extensive checks.
29-Apr-2026
A local court in Bathinda on April 29 extended the judicial custody of Amritpal Singh Mehron—a Nihang from Mehron village in Moga district and the prime accused in the murder of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari alias Kamal Kaur Bhabhi—by 14 days, till May 13. He was produced via video conference. Amritpal had fled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after the alleged killing in June 2025 and was deported to India on April 10, 2026.
29-Apr-2026
Punjab Police have installed over 2,291 CCTV cameras at 585 locations along the border belt, creating a high-tech second line of defence against organised crime. While the BSF continues to guard the international boundary, police aim to ensure that any contraband that slips through is intercepted before reaching the interior. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, this layer is reinforced by bringing 41 police stations in border districts under comprehensive CCTV coverage, forming a wider real-time monitoring and response network. He added that anti-drone vigilance has also been intensified, particularly in districts prone to repeated arms and narcotics smuggling.
29-Apr-2026
Marking the 40th anniversary of the 1986 declaration, hundreds of activists from various Sikh organisations, led by Simranjit Singh Mann, Daljit Singh, Kanwar Pal Singh, and Narien Singh, marched on April 29 from Burj Akali Baba Phoola Singh to the Golden Temple in Amritsar district. Participants included members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Dal Khalsa, Panch Pardani Jatha, Akal Federation, and the Jathedar Hawara Committee. A policy document was released outside the Akal Takht Secretariat, stating that their struggle was rooted in the Gurmat ideal of “Sarbat da Bhala.” It emphasised that the Khalsa Panth seeks to achieve its objectives through love, compassion, and the Guru’s grace. Young leaders also underlined their opposition to disorder and called for similar restraint from others.