KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
29-Dec-2024
Unidentified assailants opened fire on the car of Sikh activist Bakshish Singh near the Patiala South Bypass in Patiala district on December 29. Singh, known for his advocacy on issues concerning Sikh prisoners, escaped the attack unscathed.
29-Dec-2024
Punjab Police on December 29 dismantled a Pakistan-ISI-backed terror module operated by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) under the direction of foreign-based operatives Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia and Shamsher alias Honey, and arrested five operatives, identified as Abhijot Singh, Kuljit Singh, Rohit alias Ghessi, Shubham, and Gurjinder Singh alias Raja and seized one 9mm Glock pistol and one .32 bore pistol in Batala, Gurdaspur district. Investigations are ongoing to trace the network's broader links and activities.
29-Dec-2024
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police on December 29 filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Gursewak Singh, a Sikh man from Haryana's Sirsa, at Nagar Kotwali Police Station in Bijnor district for allegedly posting pictures of himself carrying weapons on social media and expressing support for Khalistan. The action follows heightened vigilance after the killing of three suspected Khalistan supporters in a joint encounter by UP and Punjab Police in Pilibhit. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to taking strict measures against the dissemination of inflammatory content on social media platforms.
29-Dec-2024
Police on December 29 arrested two associates of gangster Prabh Dasuwal, identified as Rajdeep Singh alias Raja and Kajal, for allegedly demanding an INR 30 lakh ransom from goldsmith Lovepreet Singh on behalf of Dasuwal in Amritsar.
29-Dec-2024
Punjab Police, on December 29, arrested two individuals, Anmol Preet and Navjot Singh, in connection with the murder of Jaswant Singh Gill, a murder convict on parole, who was shot dead during an evening walk in Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh (MP), on November 7, in Gwalior in MP. The police revealed that the primary suspect, Satyapal, is currently residing in Canada. The suspects are linked to Canadian gangster Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala. Both individuals are under interrogation by Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to explore further connections and the broader network behind the crime.
29-Dec-2024
According to official sources, the use of drones for trafficking heroin, arms, and ammunition remains a significant challenge for the Border Security Force (BSF) and other intelligence agencies in 2024. The BSF intercepted 286 drones along the 553-km India-Pakistan border in Punjab, with 164 seizures made in Amritsar and 75 in Tarn Taran. The contraband smuggled included 280 kg of heroin, 36 pistols, and explosives intended for attacks on police establishments. Despite the implementation of counter-drone measures, many drones manage to return undetected after delivering their consignments, suggesting involvement from Pakistan-based agencies.
28-Dec-2024
According to Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police, the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) facilitated the stay of three Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) operatives killed in a crossfire in Pilibhit, UP. Acting under the directives of wanted BKI operative Kulbeer Singh, the trio was linked to grenade attacks in Punjab. They reportedly used fake Aadhaar identities for their stay, arranged by a local accomplice, Jaspal Singh alias Sunny, who has been arrested. Investigations are underway to trace their movements, identify the source of their weapons, and ascertain the motive behind their presence in the region.
28-Dec-2024
Punjab police on December 28 arrested two members of a narco-terror module being operated by foreign-based handlers who had also lobbed a hand-grenade at the Islamabad area police station in Amritsar on December 17, identified as Gurjeet Singh and Baljit Singh, and seized 1.4 kg heroin, one hand grenade and two sophisticated pistols - one 9 mm Zigana and one 9 mm Glock pistol along with ammunition from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The module was run by United States (US) based Sandeep Singh alias Seepu and Pakistan-based operatives. Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Jeevan Fauji, based abroad, had claimed responsibility for the attack on social media.
28-Dec-2024
Police on December 28 arrested two unidentified Nihang Sikhs for allegedly attacking an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), near Gurdwara Sheesh Ganj Sahib in Fatehgarh Sahib in Fatehgarh Sahib district. The ASI, Harminder Singh, reported that the accused, while assaulting a boy with kirpans and sticks, turned on him when he intervened to save the boy.
28-Dec-2024
The Sadar police on December 28 arrested three individuals, including one identified as Kashori, while the other two remain unidentified, for selling "chitta" (heroin) in Shahbazpur village in Amritsar district. The arrests were made based on a complaint lodged with a video clipping on the state government's anti-drug portal under the "Safe Punjab" campaign.
28-Dec-2024
Ludhiana police on December 28 revealed that Kanwarpal Singh alias Mintu, arrested on December 26 with 5 kg of heroin, had sourced the drug from Pakistan. The consignment was delivered near the Wagah border via a Ludhiana-based intermediary, Sam, who remains at large. A subsequent search of Mintu's residence led to the recovery of an additional 4.755 kg of heroin. Authorities are intensifying efforts to apprehend Sam and trace the broader network involved.
28-Dec-2024
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police disclosed that on December 28, a local businessman, Malkeet Singh, filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Kulveer Singh Sidhu, an operative of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and two associates for making extortion calls in Pilibhit. According to the FIR, Sidhu and his accomplices demanded INR 10 lakh from the complainant, threatening him with violence. Investigations revealed that Sidhu was allegedly involved in arranging a hotel room for the three Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) militants killed in an encounter in Pilibhit on December 23.
28-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on December 28 recovered 534 grams of heroin from fields near Palpate village in Tarn Taran district.
27-Dec-2024
National farmer leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal, on December 27, issued a statement calling for strict action against Khalistani supporters allegedly backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Grewal specifically mentioned individuals such as Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, and Gurdev Singh Jassal. He condemned Pannun, labeling him a "self-proclaimed leader" attempting to disrupt communal harmony in India, particularly after Pannun's video threat to disrupt the upcoming Kumbh Mela. Grewal emphasized that Pannun's divisive tactics would fail and urged India's youth to reject such narratives.
27-Dec-2024
Punjab Jails Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, on December 27 in Chandigarh, announced the establishment of a high-security jail near Ludhiana with an investment of INR 100 crore to accommodate 300 high-risk prisoners. He highlighted enhanced security measures, including AI-based surveillance systems and V-Kavach jammers, alongside the installation of over 750 inmate calling systems and comprehensive CCTV coverage in sensitive areas. Bhullar also noted that 2,200 inmates are pursuing education as part of rehabilitation initiatives, with ongoing recruitment drives and psychological support programs for both inmates and staff.
27-Dec-2024
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, on December 27, mourned the passing of former Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Manmohan Singh, describing it as a significant loss to the nation. Mann lauded Dr. Singh's pivotal role in reviving India’s economy during the 1990s. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and leaders Harjot Singh Bains and Kultar Singh Sandhwan also paid heartfelt tributes, praising Dr. Singh’s humility and his invaluable contributions to the country.
27-Dec-2024
Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Arun Giri Maharaj, head of the Awahan Akhada, was injured in a road accident near Nawabganj, Uttar Pradesh (UP), approximately 25 km from Prayagraj, on December 27 while traveling to the Kumbh Mela. Hospitalized for treatment, the religious leader raised suspicions of a possible conspiracy, alleging that pro-Khalistan elements might have been involved due to his vocal opposition to Khalistani supporters in Punjab and his advocacy for Sanatan Dharma. Authorities are investigating the incident to ascertain the cause of the accident.
27-Dec-2024
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, on December 27, disclosed that a UK-based Haryana youth, identified as Siddhu, had contacted two individuals from Pilibhit, Sunny and Manoj, via the social media platform X on December 20 to arrange accommodation for three suspected militants. These militants, later killed in an encounter in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, were linked to the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and its Pakistan-based leader, Ranjeet Singh Neeta. The suspects had been staying in Pilibhit with assistance from local contacts. Meanwhile, UK authorities denied any connection to British Army soldier Jagjeet Singh, whose name had also emerged during the investigation.
27-Dec-2024
On December 27, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) announced that former Prime Minister (PM) Dr. Manmohan Singh would be accorded a State funeral with full military honours at Nigambodh Ghat in New Delhi. The Congress party criticised the decision, arguing that the site was unsuitable for India’s first Sikh Prime Minister and called for a location where a permanent memorial could be established. In response, the government assured that a separate memorial site would be designated in the coming days to honour Dr. Singh's legacy.
27-Dec-2024
Police, on December 27, arrested one individual identified as Lakhwinder Singh alias Lakhi Kabutranwala, and seized 170 intoxicating pills from his possession in Abohar in Fazilka district.
27-Dec-2024
Police on December 27 arrested one individual, identified as Bohad Singh and seized 5 grams of heroin, 300 sedative tablets, and INR 6,800 in cash from his possession, in Abohar in Fazilka district.
26-Dec-2024
Ferozepur Police on December 26 arrested three drug smugglers, identified as Parmjeet Singh alias Pamma, Manish alias Saleem and Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukhha, and seized 400 grams of heroin, three illegal country-made pistols, seven cartridges, and two motorcycles from their possession, in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
26-Dec-2024
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on December 26 confirmed the detention of two suspects who aided three alleged Khalistani terrorists in Pilibhit. The agencies disclosed that the suspects helped the terrorists with fake identities and facilitated their movement using local networks. Investigators are also tracking a bus operator who allegedly assisted the trio's travel from Punjab to Pilibhit via Delhi. Authorities are intensifying efforts to uncover a potential pro-Khalistan network in the Terai region, which has been identified as a safe haven for extremists.
26-Dec-2024
According to sources, Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala and Lawrence Bishnoi share similar criminal origins but have diverged significantly in their operations. Dala (27), based in Canada, allegedly runs his syndicate in collaboration with the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), focusing on extortion, targeted killings, and arms smuggling. On the other hand, Bishnoi (31) has expanded his criminal empire from jail, forging alliances with local and international gangs. Both syndicates reportedly use social media to glorify their crimes, recruit new members, and establish ties with pro-Khalistan groups for weapons and funding. This pattern has drawn comparisons to the notorious underworld operations in Mumbai during the 1990s.
26-Dec-2024
Rakesh Singh, the Inspector-General (IG) of Bareilly Range, on December 26, stated that Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police is strengthening security along the Nepal border following the killing of three Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terrorists in Pilibhit. Singh confirmed that investigations are ongoing and emphasized the implementation of enhanced security measures in border regions to prevent the infiltration of terror elements. He also assured that action would be taken against anyone found aiding the terrorists, signaling a firm stance in addressing security threats in the area.
26-Dec-2024
Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad president Mahant Ravindra Puri on December 26 condemned the threats issued by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to disrupt Mahakumbh and dismissed Pannun’s threats as “delusional” in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh (UP). He emphasised that the Mela is a symbol of unity, where both communities come together and criticised Pannun for attempting to create division between the Sikh and Hindu communities. Puri further warned that Pannun would be “beaten and driven out” if he dared to enter the Mahakumbh, calling the threats baseless and irrelevant.
26-Dec-2024
Amarjeet Singh, the owner of Gill Enterprises, voiced concerns on December 26 about inadequate background verification processes after the arrest of his employee, Jatinder Singh alias Jyoti, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Jatinder, a crane operator at the Mankhurd Metro construction site, was apprehended for alleged links to the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Singh stated that Jatinder had been hired based on his purported experience with Metro projects in Delhi, Lucknow, and Mumbai and noted that there were no prior complaints regarding his behaviour.
26-Dec-2024
Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, emphasized in an interview with Hindustan Times that the majority of Punjabis are non-radical, with only a small number being influenced by Pakistan's divisive agenda. He affirmed that Punjab's law and order situation remains among the best in India, despite challenges posed by external threats. Yadav highlighted the Punjab Police's consistent efforts to dismantle terror modules, curb organized crime, and combat the drug problem. He acknowledged ongoing attempts by Pakistan to revive militancy and disrupt peace in the state but assured that the police force remains vigilant and dedicated to maintaining public safety.
26-Dec-2024
Punjab Police on December 26 arrested three associates of a gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, identified as Manjit Singh, Amandeep Singh and Davinderpal Singh, following a brief encounter, and seized a 9 mm pistol, five .32-bore pistols and eight rounds of ammunition from their possession, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district.
26-Dec-2024
Fazilka district police reported that in 2024, they registered 231 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, arrested 348 individuals, and seized over 48 kilograms of heroin, 86 kilograms of opium, and other narcotics valued in crores. Authorities also attached assets worth INR 7.46 crore, recovered stolen weapons, and intensified efforts to counter smuggling from Pakistan and Rajasthan, underscoring the region’s role as a critical transit route.
25-Dec-2024
Chheharta police on December 25 arrested a drug peddler, Aniket Verma, and seized 192 grams of heroin, INR 10,150 in drug money, and a computer scale from his possession in Chheharta, Amritsar district.
25-Dec-2024
According to sources, following the killing of three Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terrorists—Gurvinder Singh, Jasanpreet Singh, and Varinder Singh—in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh (UP), security agencies have intensified their search for local accomplices in the Terai region of UP.
25-Dec-2024
According to sources, Jatinder Singh alias Jyoti, arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the Punjab terror conspiracy, had been living in Mumbai, Maharashtra, for four years and working as a crane operator at a metro construction site. Singh, an aide of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), is accused of supplying weapons to operatives linked to the group. Investigations have revealed that Singh was receiving cash payments from Khalistani sympathisers and maintaining contacts with known terrorists in Mumbai. Security agencies are probing his network and connections in Maharashtra, particularly in Navi Mumbai, where he had been hiding.
25-Dec-2024
Punjab has experienced a significant rise in militant activity since November 2024, marked by grenade and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks targeting police establishments. Investigations have uncovered a nexus between pro-Khalistan groups such as Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and criminal gangs, many of which operate from abroad. Key figures, including Harwinder Singh Rinda and Arshdeep Singh, have been implicated in orchestrating these attacks, underscoring connections with international operatives and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
25-Dec-2024
Pilibhit Police on December 25 disclosed that three pro-Khalistan operatives killed in an encounter had stayed at a local hotel in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh (UP), using fake Aadhaar cards. Their movements were tracked during an extensive search operation, with efforts underway to identify a fourth individual captured on CCTV with them. Authorities are also probing their possible stay at a local gurdwara and with a relative in Lakhimpur, Lakhimpur Kheri district, UP. Autopsy reports are awaited to further the investigation.
25-Dec-2024
According to sources, security forces have intensified operations to counter attempts to revive the Khalistan movement, driven by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed groups like the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). Intelligence reports indicate that the ISI is exploiting unrest along the Bangladesh and Jammu and Kashmir borders to divert India’s security focus while strengthening Khalistan-related activities in Punjab. Under the leadership of Ranjeet Singh Neeta, the KZF is actively recruiting youth with support from operatives in countries like Germany, the United States, and Canada. The group reportedly plans targeted attacks in Punjab, prompting a coordinated effort by police across states to neutralize the threat.
25-Dec-2024
According to sources, in response to eight blasts targeting police stations, posts, and check posts last month, the Punjab Police is enhancing security measures around its establishments in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts. The measures include raising wall heights, constructing sentry posts, and installing nets on rooftops and boundary walls to mitigate the risk of grenade attacks.
25-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 25 recovered a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from fields near Dhariwal village in Ajnala, Amritsar district.
24-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Punjab Police, on December 24, recovered a packet of heroin weighing 460 grams from fields near Bachiwind village in Ajnala, Amritsar district.
24-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Punjab Police, on December 24, recovered a damaged DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from fields near Khemkaran village in Patti, Tarn Taran district.
24-Dec-2024
The Punjab Police on December 24 revealed that Jagjit Singh alias Fateh Singh Baagi, a Khalistani terrorist and former British Army soldier, was operating his own terror outfit, the Akaljot Khalistan Force (AKF), while also collaborating with the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). Singh, originally from Mianpur village in Tarn Taran, Punjab, had reportedly engaged in radical activities under the pseudonym "Fateh Singh Baagi." However, his father, Joginder Singh, an ex-serviceman, refuted the allegations, stating that his son had no involvement in terrorism and emphasizing the family's history of serving the nation.
24-Dec-2024
A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on December 24 sentenced three former police officers—Gurbachan Singh, the former Station House Officer (SHO) of Tarn Taran Police Station, Sub-Inspector Resham Singh, and Sub-Inspector Hans Raj—to life imprisonment in connection with the 1992 case of kidnapping and a fake encounter in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. In addition to the life sentences, the officers were also fined and ordered to pay INR 2 lakh each in compensation to the families of the deceased.
24-Dec-2024
According to Indian intelligence sources, the December 20 attack at a Christmas market in Germany underscores the dangers of granting asylum to fugitives under the guise of activism. Taleb Abdulmohsen, a Saudi Arabian fugitive, exploited Germany's asylum system before orchestrating the attack. Officials compare this pattern to Khalistani terrorists like Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who misuse asylum protections to advance anti-India agendas. Experts caution that Europe’s liberal immigration policies risk enabling similar incidents, urging stricter vetting measures to prevent misuse by individuals posing national security threats.
24-Dec-2024
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leader of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), issued a video threat on December 24 to disrupt the Mahakumbh Mela 2025. In the video, Pannun declared that the 2025 Mahakumbh Mela will be the last one, and incited violence against Hindus on key dates, including January 14, 2025, January 29, 2025, and February 3, 2025 citing retaliation for the deaths of three Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) members in the recent Pilibhit encounter (Uttar Pradesh). Reiterating his demand for a separate Khalistan state, he urged his supporters to target the religious gathering, escalating concerns about security at the event.
24-Dec-2024
An investigation by ThePrint has revealed that Jagjeet Singh, a British soldier suspected of leading the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) module responsible for the December 18 grenade attack in Punjab, was formerly a member of the Indian Army. His elder brother remains in service with the Indian Army, while their family resides in Tarn Taran, Punjab. Singh is alleged to have collaborated with Pakistan-based KZF chief Ranjeet Singh Neeta and Greece-based operative Jaswinder Singh Mannu. Authorities are also examining connections between the KZF and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), with a focus on shared suppliers of weapons and explosives.
24-Dec-2024
Gurdaspur Member of Parliament (MP) Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, in a letter dated December 24, urged Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah to initiate a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the recent spate of bomb blasts in Punjab. Randhawa highlighted security concerns following the December 12 explosion at the Ghanian Ke Bangar police station in Batala, claimed by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). He emphasized the need for the NIA's involvement to ensure a coordinated and effective response to these escalating threats.
24-Dec-2024
The police on December 24 arrested four members of the Landa Harikey gang, identified as Kuldeep Singh alias Ladu, Yadwinder Singh alias Yada, Prabhdeep Singh alias Judge and Pawandeep Singh after a brief encounter, and seized one .32-bore pistol and live cartridges from their possession, in Johal Dhai village in Tarn Taran district. Investigations revealed that the seized weapon belonged to Pawandeep Singh, a serving Punjab Police officer, who had mortgaged it for drugs.
23-Dec-2024
The families of Gurvinder Singh, Jasanpreet Singh, and Varinder Singh, alleged operatives of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) killed in a police operation in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh (UP), on December 23 raised questions about the circumstances surrounding their deaths in Gurdaspur in Gurdaspur district in Punjab. The families asserted that the men were innocent labourers and expressed scepticism about official photographs, which purportedly show the deceased in the same outfits as during the encounter. These allegations have sparked controversy and calls for a thorough investigation into the incident.
23-Dec-2024
In November and December 2024, Punjab experienced eight blasts involving RDX and Pakistan-supplied Austrian-made Arges grenades, linked to ISI-backed terror groups Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). Police traced five cases, arrested several suspects, and dismantled 11 other modules. The grenades, likely from old Pakistan Army stock, were delivered via drones and deployed by handlers recruited through gangsters and drug smugglers. Investigations are ongoing in the remaining cases.
23-Dec-2024
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Special Task Force (STF) and Punjab Police on December 23 killed three pro-Khalistan terrorists, identified as Gurwinder Singh, Virendra Singh alias Ravi, and Jasan Preet Singh alias Pratap Singh, in retaliatory firing, and seized two AK-47 assault rifles, two Glock pistols, and a large cache of ammunition from their possession in Pilibhit district, UP. The terrorists, linked to the Khalistani Zindabad Force (KZF), were reportedly involved in a recent grenade attack on a police outpost in Gurdaspur, Punjab.