KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-Jan-2025
Sources reveal that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government plans to launch a comprehensive anti-drug policy in Punjab within 2-3 months. The policy will focus on prevention, enforcement, de-addiction, and rehabilitation, with a special emphasis on rising drug use among teenagers and women. Plans include revising school and college curricula and setting up two additional de-addiction clinics for women. Drawing inspiration from Manipur's State Policy on Substance Use, the initiative will explore community-based and home detoxification methods for effective intervention.
05-Jan-2025
The Punjab Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF), in coordination with the Tarn Taran police, on January 5 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 562 grams and a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone near Dal village in Patti, Tarn Taran district.
05-Jan-2025
The Punjab Frontier of the Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Tarn Taran police, on January 5 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 632 grams near Dal village in Patti, Tarn Taran district.
05-Jan-2025
According to officials, a Pakistani drone found near Chak 9-F village in Sri Ganganagar district, Rajasthan, on December 2 had made three sorties into Indian territory before crashing due to a technical fault. The Border Security Force (BSF) registered a case under the Indian Aircraft Act and has since intensified security and patrolling along the Pakistan-India border, particularly in the Jalalabad area of Fazilka district, Punjab, to counter anti-national activities and drug smuggling.
05-Jan-2025
The Delhi Lieutenant Governor (L-G), VK Saxena, approved full relaxation of age limits and educational qualifications on January 5 for 88 riot victims and their families seeking government jobs as Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) in New Delhi. This decision, made after appeals from the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee and victims' groups, aims to support rehabilitation efforts. Special camps held in November 2023 identified eligible applicants, many of whom faced barriers due to age or qualifications. The relaxation is in line with a 2006 rehabilitation package sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to assist riot victims.
05-Jan-2025
Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued a fresh threat on January 5 via video message to disrupt the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, scheduled from January 13 to February 26. Pannun called for "Prayagraj Chalo" to oppose Hindutva ideology and urged supporters to raise Khalistani and Kashmiri flags at airports in Lucknow and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (UP).
04-Jan-2025
Border Security Forces (BSF) and Punjab Police in a joint operation on January 4 arrested two unidentified smugglers and seized a packet of heroin weighing 540 grams from their possession, near Attari village in Amritsar district.
04-Jan-2025
On January 4, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, in a joint operation, recovered four packets of heroin weighing 2.12 kg, along with a box containing 40 live cartridges, near Balharwal village in Ajnala, Amritsar district.
04-Jan-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 4 requested the Additional District and Sessions Judge to transfer the case records of the 2022 murder of Dera Sacha Sauda follower Pardeep Singh Kataria from the Faridkot court to the NIA Special Court at Patiala House, New Delhi. Pardeep, an accused in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case, was killed in Kotkapura, with Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar named as suspects. The NIA cited orders from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) linking the killing to the Kala Jathedi gang and associates of Bishnoi and Brar. The agency also sought custody of the original case exhibits and evidence.
04-Jan-2025
Months after announcing plans to launch a new political party, radical Khalistan preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, along with Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, son of one of Indira Gandhi’s assassins, are set to establish a committee to outline the structure of their Punjab-based outfit. An official announcement is planned at the 'Panth Bachao, Punjab Bachao' (Save the Panth, Save Punjab) rally on January 14, during the Maghi Mela festival at Sri Muktsar Sahib in Punjab. With Amritpal detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh jail, Assam, his father Tarsem Singh and Khalsa will lead the rally and initiate groundwork for the new political initiative aimed at addressing Punjab’s socio-political challenges.
03-Jan-2025
Radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, currently in police custody, has announced plans to form a political party on January 14, 2025. He has vowed to establish Khalistan within a year if his party gains power in Punjab, igniting widespread debate. While his supporters hail him as an advocate for Sikh rights, critics denounce his promises as divisive and unrealistic. Political leaders and the Indian government have strongly opposed his agenda, citing security concerns and the risk of polarisation in the state.
03-Jan-2025
Supporters of jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh plan to launch a political party on January 14 during the Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib district, with "Akali Dal" included in its name. Observers view this as an attempt to challenge the Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) dominance in Panthic politics. Former MP Rajdev Singh Khalsa has hinted that Amritpal will likely lead the party, despite being incarcerated. Critics warn that this move could further polarise Punjab, already strained by farmer protests and recent blasts. Meanwhile, the SAD is also hosting a Maghi Mela conference to reclaim its lost Sikh voter base.
03-Jan-2025
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), issued a video on January 3 threatening to disrupt the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event scheduled to begin on January 8 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. In the video, Pannun labelled the city a "terror city" and accused Indian officials, including Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, of heading a "Hindu terror network." He also called on pro-Khalistan activists to sabotage India's efforts to rebuild its intelligence network.
03-Jan-2025
A Pilibhit court on January 3 granted police three-day custody of Jaspal, an alleged accomplice of three Khalistani terrorists killed in a recent encounter in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Police intend to gather information about the terrorists’ mission and their network during the interrogation. The investigation focuses on Siddhu, a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative suspected of guiding the terrorists from abroad. Security measures have been tightened for the questioning.
03-Jan-2025
On January 3, 2025, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) Tribunal upheld the Union Ministry of Home Affairs' (UMHA) July 8, 2024, notification declaring Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), led by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, as an unlawful organization for five years, in New Delhi. The Centre presented evidence of SFJ’s involvement in terror activities, including links with international Khalistani groups, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and efforts to revive militancy in Punjab. The tribunal also considered SFJ’s recruitment of youth, terror financing, and attempts to disrupt critical infrastructure and national events. SFJ did not contest the charges.
03-Jan-2025
Police on January 3 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Ajaypal Singh and Gurjinder Singh and seized 3.2 kg of heroin from their possession, at a checkpoint near Malwal Qadeem village in Ferozepur district.
03-Jan-2025
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on January 3 busted a cross-border drug and weapon smuggling cartel, arresting 12 individuals, including kingpin Manjeet Singh alias Bhola, and seizing 2.19 kg of heroin, three pistols (two automatic), INR 2.60 lakh in drug money, and a Toyota Fortuner, in Jhanjoti village, Ajnala, Amritsar district.
03-Jan-2025
Between January 3 and 10, the Kapurthala police successfully dismantled multiple theft rackets, arresting 11 individuals and seizing several stolen and illegal items, including a .32 bore pistol, a sharp-edged weapon (datar), two fake pistols, 13 motorcycles, and 11 mobile phones in Kapurthala district.
02-Jan-2025
Tasrem Singh, father of Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, on January 2 announced plans to launch a political party in Punjab during the Maghi Mela on January 14 in Sri Muktsar Sahib. He will lead the party until Amritpal's release from prison, with the name and agenda to be unveiled in the presence of the Sikh Sangat.
02-Jan-2025
Leaders of Sikh organisations, including Sikh Youth Federation (SYF)-Bhindranwala, Dal Khalsa, and Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar (SAD-A), on January 2 honoured the families of three Punjab youths killed in the December 23 encounter in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh (UP), at Gurdwara Nanaksar in Kalanuar, Haryana. Alleging the encounter was staged, they contested police claims linking the youths to a grenade attack and Khalistani leaders abroad. The families asserted their innocence, and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has demanded a judicial inquiry.
02-Jan-2025
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), in its recent annual report, noted a decline in counter-terrorist operations in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) since 2018, with 338 security personnel killed in 676 encounters up to March 2024. The report highlighted improved security, reduced stone pelting, and developmental initiatives, including measures to curb cross-border infiltration, providing 5,720 Kashmiri migrants with government jobs, and financial aid for displaced families under PMDP-2015. Efforts to engage youth and enhance services for migrants were also emphasized.
02-Jan-2025
Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar on January 2 flagged off an awareness rally under Operation ‘Sampark’ at DAV College in Amritsar, Punjab, emphasizing public involvement in combating drug abuse. He highlighted the Punjab Police’s significant narcotics seizures, including 129 kg of heroin in 2024, and encouraged individuals to raise awareness and report drug traffickers. Participants pledged to contribute to creating a drug-free society as the rally passed through key city areas before returning to the college.
02-Jan-2025
Jalandhar Rural Police on January 2 arrested four gangsters, identified as Jagjit Singh alias Grewal alias Lovely, Sukhpal Singh alias Sukha, Sunny alias Sunny Deol and Raman Kumar, and seized stolen mobile phones and a motorcycle from their possession, in Phillaur in Jalandhar district. The gang, comprised of drug addicts, targeted victims in Phillaur city and along the main highway using sharp weapons, and has been linked to seven robbery cases traced so far.
02-Jan-2025
Indian gangsters are expanding their reach internationally, with fugitive Goldy Brar claiming responsibility for the beheading of Ajay Rana in Russia and the murder of Sunil Yadav in California, United States (US), both alleged informers. The ongoing rivalry between the Bishnoi-Goldy Brar and Bambiha-Lucky Patiala gangs has led to over 20 murders since 2016. The recent acquittal of Neeraj Chaska in the Gurlal Brar murder case, due to a hostile witness, has further intensified tensions. In response, Punjab Police, under the leadership of Inspector General of Police (IG) Dr. Sukhchain Singh, are preparing decisive actions against these international criminal networks.
02-Jan-2025
Moga police on January 2 arrested two youths, identified as Harmandeep Singh and Deshdeep Singh and seized 1 kg of opium from their possession, near Moga in Moga district.
02-Jan-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 2 ruled that appeals filed by accused persons with an inordinate delay in cases involving offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) cannot be entertained. The Division Bench, referencing its previous judgment in "Navish Kumar vs. the State of Punjab," emphasized that appeals beyond the statutory time limit are legally untenable. The court also set aside a prior order that had condoned a delay of 706 days in filing the appeal, stressing the importance of judicial consistency and discipline.The Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 2 ruled that appeals filed by accused persons with an inordinate delay in cases involving offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) cannot be entertained. The Division Bench, referencing its previous judgment in "Navish Kumar vs. the State of Punjab," emphasized that appeals beyond the statutory time limit are legally untenable. The court also set aside a prior order that had condoned a delay of 706 days in filing the appeal, stressing the importance of judicial consistency and discipline.
01-Jan-2025
Jalandhar Rural Police on January 1 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Amarjit Singh alias Pappu and Jaswinder Kaur alias Binder, and seized 250 narcotic pills (Alprazolam IP-0.5), 5 kg of crushed poppy husk, INR 35,000 drug money, and a motorcycle from their possession, in Phillaur in Jalandhar district.
01-Jan-2025
In 2024, the Border Security Force (BSF) successfully thwarted numerous cross-border smuggling operations along the India-Pakistan border, particularly in the Ferozepur and Tarn Taran districts, which emerged as key hotspots. The BSF intercepted 286 drones, with 87 interceptions in the Ferozepur sector, and seized 70.99 kg of heroin, nine firearms, and 158 rounds of ammunition. The force also arrested nine Indian and eight Pakistani nationals. In addition to security operations, the BSF conducted outreach activities, including a 491 km cycle rally to raise awareness about drug abuse and organized 23 medical camps.
01-Jan-2025
Hardline Sikh groups on January 1 praised the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) decision to reverse its December 9 resolution excommunicating ex-militant Narain Singh Chaura, who had attempted to assassinate Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal. Leaders criticized the SGPC for initially acting under pressure to appease the SAD and hailed the reversal as a victory for the Sikh community.
01-Jan-2025
On January 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh at his residence in New Delhi, discussing the contributions of Sikhs and paying tribute to the sacrifices of the Sahibzaades. PM Modi praised Diljit’s global success and humility, describing him as an inspiration for the nation. Diljit, in turn, commended the Prime Minister’s leadership and was deeply moved by his personal reflections on family and faith. PM Modi also shared insights about the restoration of a historic Gurdwara in Kutch, Gujarat, highlighting the importance of preserving Sikh heritage. The meeting reflected mutual admiration for each other’s journeys and contributions.
01-Jan-2025
On January 1, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, presenting him with a bouquet. A video shared on social media captured their brief interaction. Dosanjh is currently touring India for his music concerts.
01-Jan-2025
On January 1, Inspector General of Police (IG) Sukhchain Singh Gill in Chandigarh highlighted Punjab Police's 2024 achievements: solving 100% of high-profile crimes, arresting 66 terrorists, and busting 12 terror modules. Key recoveries included 1,099 kg heroin, 991 kg opium, and INR 14.73 crore in drug money, with 531 properties worth INR 335 crore forfeited. The Anti-Gangster Task Force dismantled 198 modules, arrested 559 gangsters, and seized 482 weapons. In cybercrime, 374 FIRs were filed, INR 73.34 crore in fraud recovered, and 7,500 harmful URLs blocked. Punjab Police also recruited 4,657 personnel and achieved a 15.74% reduction in road fatalities under the Sadak Surakhya Force initiative.
31-Dec-2024
On December 31, an individual identified as Nasar Pathan threatened to carry out a blast at Mahakumbh-2025, aiming to kill 1,000 devotees, via a social media post, prompting the Mela police register a First Information Report (FIR) in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh (UP). This marked the second threat to Mahakumbh in two weeks, following a video released by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Security measures, including round-the-clock patrolling, have been intensified.
31-Dec-2024
On December 31, a resolution by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) condemned the encounter in Uttar Pradesh (UP) that resulted in the deaths of three Khalistani terrorists. The SGPC alleged that the encounter appeared to deliberately target Punjab's youth and demanded a judicial inquiry into the matter. The resolution was passed during an executive committee meeting.
31-Dec-2024
On December 31, the Executive Committee of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) rejected its earlier resolution from December 9, which had called for the excommunication of Narain Singh Chaura from the Panth. Chaura, an ex-militant, had attempted to assassinate Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal in Amritsar. The original resolution was passed following the incident, but in a meeting chaired by SGPC Chief Harjinder Singh Dhami, the committee decided to revoke the excommunication decision.
31-Dec-2024
Punjab Police Inspector General (IG) Sukhchain Singh Gill in Chandigarh, on December 31, revealed that in 2024, the Punjab Police had successfully busted 12 terror modules, arrested 66 terrorists, and recovered significant amounts of weapons and explosives, including 2 rifles, 76 pistols/revolvers, 2 tiffin IEDs, 4 hand grenades, 758 grams of RDX, and 257 drones. The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) dismantled 198 gangster modules, resulting in 559 arrests, the seizure of 482 weapons, 102 vehicles, 7 kg heroin, and INR 2.14 crore in drug money. Additionally, the police reported the recovery of 1,099 kg heroin, 991 kg opium, 414 quintals of poppy husk, 2.94 lakh pharma opioids, and INR 14.73 crore in drug money from smugglers. Advanced AI-based CCTV systems were also deployed in 8 central jails, with plans for a new high-security jail near Ludhiana.
31-Dec-2024
In 2024, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) achieved a 100% conviction rate, securing convictions for 68 accused in 25 cases decided by special courts. The agency arrested 210 individuals across 80 cases, with 28 individuals linked to Left-wing extremism and 18 connected to northeast insurgency. Additionally, the NIA conducted 662 raids nationwide, charge-sheeted 408 accused, and attached 137 properties worth INR 19.57 crore.
31-Dec-2024
Police on December 31 arrested two smugglers, identified as Vijay and Malkiat, and seized 30 kg of poppy husk from their possession near Narayanpura village in Abohar in Fazilka district. The duo admitted to smuggling the poppy husk from Rajasthan for retail distribution in rural areas.
31-Dec-2024
Jalandhar Commissionerate police on December 31 arrested four drug peddlers, identified as Karan alias Kana, Prem Singh, Rohit and Jabanpreet Singh alias Jagdeep Singh and seized 1 kg of heroin along with their Verna (PB07-BF-0015) from their possession, near Focal Point in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district.
31-Dec-2024
According to official sources, opioid (pharmaceutical drug) addiction in Punjab spiked over threefold in 2024, with the police seizing 2.94 crore pharma opioid units, a sharp increase from 83.17 lakh last year. However, heroin seizures saw a slight decline to 1,099 kg from 1,161 kg in 2023, attributed to a reduced supply from Afghanistan following the Taliban's heroin ban. Despite this, police registered fewer NDPS Act FIRs (8,935 vs 10,786) and made fewer arrests of smugglers (12,255 vs 14,951). In a significant move, the police forfeited 550 properties tied to drug trafficking and credited the transfer of 200 key smugglers to a Bathinda jail's zero-mobile network area for disrupting trafficking networks.
30-Dec-2024
On December 30, an audio clip surfaced featuring a conversation in which a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, Goldy Brar, threatened Punjab’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bikram Singh Brar for deploying informers against the gang. In his reaction, DSP Brar dismissed the threats, asserting that the police will continue to take lawful actions and emphasized Goldy Brar's involvement in criminal and terror activities, including the 2022 Mohali RPG attack.
30-Dec-2024
On December 30, a state-wide bandh called by kisan unions in support of farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who had been on a hunger strike for 35 days demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) on crops, resulted in a complete halt of road and rail traffic across Punjab. The bandh, which lasted from 7 am to 4 pm, saw significant disruptions, with key roads and toll plazas blocked, affecting daily life in the Malwa, Doaba, and Majha regions.
30-Dec-2024
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced on December 30 in Chandigarh that all eight bomb blast cases targeting police installations in the state have been solved, with fourteen members of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) arrested. The attacks were orchestrated by terror modules linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and handlers based in the United States (US), Canada, and Europe, involving the use of grenades and RDX. The ISI-backed BKI module was operated by Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia and Shamsher alias Honey, with mastermind Abhijot Singh among those apprehended.
30-Dec-2024
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, on December 30, revealed the existence of a nexus involving drug smugglers, terrorists, and gangsters, supported by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which is actively recruiting unemployed youth for criminal and terror activities. In 2024, Punjab Police dismantled 13 terror modules and 200 gangster modules, leading to 559 arrests and 64 encounters, marking significant strides in countering organized crime and terrorism in the state.
30-Dec-2024
According to official sources, an intensified crackdown on drug peddlers in Punjab's Ferozepur district in 2024 resulted in a notable reduction in cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The police arrested 317 individuals in 244 cases, recovering significant quantities of narcotics, including 63 kilograms of heroin. Compared to the previous year, the district witnessed a decline in arrests and drug seizures, attributed to a comprehensive strategy employing special teams, advanced technology, and preventive actions. Authorities also reported progress in curbing illegal liquor trade and mining activities, further enhancing the district's law enforcement efforts.
30-Dec-2024
Police revealed that Gurjeet Singh and Baljit Singh, the main suspects in the December 17 hand grenade attack on the Islamabad police station, are relatives of US-based drug smuggler Sandeep Singh alias Seepu. Initially involved in cross-border drug trafficking, the suspects were recruited for the attack by terrorist Jeevan Fauji. After the blast, they hid at a house in Khasa, where a hand grenade was subsequently recovered. Investigations further revealed that the duo planned to receive payment for the attack through the sale of 1.4 kilograms of heroin.
30-Dec-2024
The Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, a central body of Singh Sabha Gurdwaras, on December 30 demanded the installation of a statue of General Zorawar Singh in Ladakh to honour his significant contributions during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's military campaigns.
29-Dec-2024
Farmer unions, including the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM-Non-Political), have called for a Punjab Bandh on December 30 to protest against the rising issue of farmer suicides. The bandh, scheduled from 7 AM to 4 PM, will involve blocking roads and halting the supply of milk, vegetables, and other essentials to cities. Government and private institutions will remain closed, except for emergency services. The protest has garnered support from various unions, including the All India Kisan Congress (AIKS), to bring attention to the plight of farmers.
29-Dec-2024
Police on December 29 arrested five members of the notorious gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, identified as Gurmeet Singh alias Rawal, Harpal Singh, Lovepreet Singh alias NP, Shamsher Singh alias Shera Passian and Sandeep Singh alias Goli and seized one 9mm Glock pistol, two .32 bore pistols and one country-made pistol along with 15 live cartridges and three magazines, along with their Hyundai Creta car from their possession, in Khabbe Dogran in Tarn Taran district. The gangsters were planning targeted killings, with weapons supplied by Bhagwanpuria. Investigations are ongoing to trace further connections and crimes linked to the group.
29-Dec-2024
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police revealed on December 29 that Kulveer Singh Sidhu, an operative of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) with a INR 10 lakh bounty from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), was the primary financier of the three Khalistani terrorists killed in an encounter in Pilibhit on December 23. Sidhu, who fled India in 2018, is accused of arranging fake Aadhaar cards and facilitating the militants' stay at a Pilibhit hotel. Authorities are now probing the broader network supporting Khalistani activities in the region.