KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
04-Oct-2024
Rahul Gandhi's recent statements during his United States (US) visit have been seized upon by designated Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to further his Khalistani agenda. Pannun has repeatedly cited Gandhi's comments regarding Sikh identity and alleged persecution in India to justify his calls for a Khalistan referendum. These remarks have sparked controversy, with Pannun portraying them as an endorsement of secessionist movements.
04-Oct-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President, Harjinder Singh Dhami, in Amritsar on October 4, objected to the online sale of Sikh scriptures, including Gutka Sahib, by Amazon, stating that it violates Sikh maryada (conduct).
03-Oct-2024
On October 3, Sikh activists from various organizations, including the Baba Makhan Shah Lubana Foundation and Society, approached the Akal Takht in Amritsar and urged Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh to withdraw the notice served to former SGPC president Bibi Jagir Kaur. The notice, issued on September 26, related to a decades-old murder case and alleged 'roma di beadbi' (dishonoring of hair). The activists argued that the notice was based on personal and baseless allegations and should be revoked.
03-Oct-2024
According to reports, the India-United States (US) relationship has seen progress, but two key issues—Bangladesh's regime change and the Khalistan movement—are causing tensions. India’s security concerns and political sensitivities regarding Bangladesh conflict with the US's positive view of the regime change. Similarly, the US's approach to Khalistani elements, based on its democratic principles, has strained trust, particularly given India’s painful history with Punjab's insurgency. Resolving these issues will require deeper dialogue and cooperation to address mutual concerns and prevent further mistrust between India and the US.
03-Oct-2024
Lakhwinder Kaur, the wife of Badal Singh, one of the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, testified in court in New Delhi on October 3 that an eyewitness had informed her that Congress leader Jagdish Tytler incited the mob that killed her husband at Gurdwara Pul Bangash. She cited Granthi Surender Singh as the source of this information, stating that Tytler had provoked the mob to attack Sikhs and set fire to the gurdwara. The next hearing is scheduled for October 15.
03-Oct-2024
Assam Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma, while speaking at a rally in Sonipat, Haryana, on October 3, addressed the issue of drug trafficking, emphasizing that drugs such as heroin and ganja, frequently recovered in Assam, were being transported to Punjab and Haryana. He mentioned that over the past three and a half years, Assam police had arrested more than 200 individuals involved in drug-related activities and urged the public to prevent such individuals from entering politics.
03-Oct-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint operation with Punjab Police on October 3 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 550 grams from fields adjacent to Daoke village in Amritsar district.
02-Oct-2024
The Delhi Police's Special Cell arrested Jatinderpal Singh alias Jassi, an individual based in the United Kingdom (UK), at Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar district on October 2, in connection with the largest-ever drug bust involving 560 kg of cocaine and 40 kg of hydroponic marijuana.
02-Oct-2024
Amritsar Police on October 2 dismantled an interstate weapon smuggling gang with the arrest of five individuals identified as Mohammad Akbar, Javed Khan, Qasim, Mukesh Kumar, and Allmin, seizing three .32 bore pistols and 30 live bullets from their possession in Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Nagar, Amritsar district. During interrogation, it was revealed that Mukesh and Allmin were responsible for supplying illegal weapons, with Mukesh procuring them from Rajasthan and distributing them across other parts of Punjab through his network.
02-Oct-2024
Gurdaspur Member of Parliament (MP) Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, in Amritsar on October 2, expressed concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, claiming that gangsters were influencing voters during the panchayat polls under the patronage of the state government. Randhawa highlighted incidents involving gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s family being honored by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) officials and the free movement of gangster Gopi Goli in Kalanaur, which has terrorized villagers.
02-Oct-2024
Police on October 2 busted an interstate arms smuggling gang and arrested its kingpin, Sunil Kumar alias Jeona, seizing five .32-bore pistols and eight live cartridges from his possession near Adda Nijharan in Jalandhar district. Preliminary investigations revealed that Sunil Kumar was smuggling arms from Madhya Pradesh (MP) to Punjab and had links to high-profile criminals abroad, including members of the Landa Harika gang.
02-Oct-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on October 2 recovered three packets of heroin weighing 1.823 kg from fields near Wan village in Tarn Taran district. Although the suspects escaped before the troops arrived, the heroin, suspected to have been dropped by a drone, was found wrapped in yellow tape with an improvised copper wire loop attached.
02-Oct-2024
In the past week, the Jalandhar police disposed of seized drugs, including 62.3 kg of poppy husk, 932 grams of heroin, 270 grams of intoxicating powder, 10 grams of ganja, 850 grams of charas, along with 290 tablets and 14 injections, across 68 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, in Jalandhar district. The disposal was carried out at an authorised facility.
02-Oct-2024
According to official data, in the first nine months of 2024 (January-September), the Border Security Force (BSF) seized 153 Pakistani drones, 190 kg of heroin, 29 weapons, and 400 rounds of ammunition along the International Border (IB) in Punjab. Additionally, 153 individuals, including 25 Pakistani nationals, were apprehended for smuggling or infiltration. The BSF has intensified efforts to dismantle cross-border drug and arms smuggling operations.
01-Oct-2024
Police on October 1 arrested four members of a criminal gang, identified as Anwar Singh alias Jambu, Gurpreet Singh alias Kaka, Akashdeep, and Suraj Singh and seized a 12-bore double-barrel gun and a .32-bore pistol from their possession, near Vallah Bridge in Amritsar district. Their accomplice, Sandeep Singh alias Ladi, will be brought from jail on a production warrant.
01-Oct-2024
Punjab Police Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, while chairing a state-level Law and Order review meeting at the PAP Complex in Jalandhar on October 1, announced intensified efforts to curb petty crimes and drug trafficking by increasing CCTV surveillance at crime hotspots across the state. He stated that real-time monitoring would be conducted through newly established control rooms at district and sub-divisional levels and emphasised strict action against drug suppliers, property seizures, and enhanced vigilance ahead of upcoming elections and festivals.
01-Oct-2024
Police on October 1 arrested three drug smugglers identified as Sukhchain Singh alias Kala Suro, Amritpal Singh alias Pal, and Harman Singh, seizing 175 grams of heroin, INR 1.2 lakh in drug money, a Swift car, and a Scorpio car from their possession near the Mor Kale Ghanupur bypass near Chheharta in Amritsar district.
01-Oct-2024
The Chheharta police on October 1 arrested a drug smuggler identified as Narinder Singh, and seized 100 grams of heroin and INR 2,690 in drug money from his possession in Chheharta, Amritsar district.
01-Oct-2024
The police recently took strict action against a drug peddler identified as Meena Saini, sealing a house valued at INR 30,12,500 in the Satnampur locality of Phagwara, Kapurthala district. This followed the arrest of Ram Pal in April 2024, who was caught with 3 kg of opium and implicated Meena during interrogation. The property has been frozen, preventing any sale or transfer.
01-Oct-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami, in Amritsar on October 1, appealed to the Canadian government, Sikh leaders, and India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to address the challenges faced by Indian students, particularly those from Punjab, in Canada. Citing a recent protest by Indian students in Brampton, he urged Canadian Sikh Members of Parliament (MPs) and officials to engage with the government to resolve their grievances.
01-Oct-2024
The Jalandhar rural police on October 1 arrested a man identified as Gurjit Singh and seized a .32 bore pistol along with four live cartridges from his possession after he brandished the weapon and obstructed traffic near a government office in Phillaur, Jalandhar district. The police stated that Gurjit had parked his Scorpio in the middle of the road, causing a disruption, and threatened a local resident when confronted. A case was registered, and the police recommended the cancellation of his arms license.
30-Sep-2024
The Police on September 30 arrested two operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi- Goldy Brar gang, identified as Nitish Kumar alias Nikku Rana, and Gurqirat Singh Bedi, and seized two pistols, nine live cartridges and a jeep from their possession, in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
30-Sep-2024
According to sources, senior Indian and Canadian diplomats recently met twice to discuss pro-Khalistan activities in Canada, including threats against Indian diplomats. One meeting between Jaideep Mazumdar and Weldon Epp took place on the sidelines of ASEAN-related meetings in Vientiane, Laos, in early June 2024. The talks focused on bilateral ties and security issues, including the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
30-Sep-2024
According to top intelligence sources, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), is regarded as a "rogue element," and countries supporting him will face consequences. Pannun recently threatened Canadian-Hindu Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya after Arya condemned the vandalism of a Hindu temple by Khalistan supporters in Canada. In response, Arya emphasized the contributions of Hindus to Canada's socio-economic fabric. Tensions between India and Canada have escalated due to Canada's handling of pro-Khalistan activities and the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
30-Sep-2024
Congress leader Jagdish Tytler approached the Delhi High Court on September 30 to challenge the framing of murder charges against him in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, claiming he is a victim of a "witch-hunt." Tytler argued that the trial court's order was illegal and lacked credible evidence, seeking the quashing of the August 30 order that framed charges for murder, rioting, and other offenses.
30-Sep-2024
On September 30, the Bombay High Court in Mumbai, Maharashtra, was informed that Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency and the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had reached an agreement regarding necessary cuts after controversy over the film's portrayal of Sikh history. Initially set for release on September 6, the film faced delays following objections from Sikh organizations. Minor adjustments were proposed, and while Kangana expressed dissatisfaction with some suggestions, she remains committed to preserving the film’s integrity. The certification process is ongoing, with further hearings scheduled for October 4.
30-Sep-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) in Chandigarh on September 30 directed the deployment of drug detection kits in all prisons across Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to curb the rising issue of drug trafficking within jails. The Division Bench expressed serious concerns about the widespread problem, highlighting the threat to inmate rehabilitation and prison security. The court emphasized that drug detection kits are essential to prevent prisons from becoming hubs for narcotics, calling for swift action and compliance reports on the matter.
30-Sep-2024
According to official sources, since the formation of the Anti-Drug Task Force (ADTF) on August 29, the Punjab Police have seized nearly 85 kg of heroin, marking the second-highest monthly recovery this year, after 119 kg seized in April 2024. In September 2024 alone, 908 suspects were arrested, and 661 First Information Reports (FIRs) were lodged, averaging 30 drug smugglers caught and 22 FIRs filed daily. With increased resources and personnel, the ADTF has intensified its crackdown on drug smuggling, dismantling several networks and attaching assets worth INR 49 crore. So far this year, 700 kg of heroin has been recovered, compared to 1,360 kg in 2023.
29-Sep-2024
Tarsem Singh, father of radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, on September 29 in Amritsar, announced plans to form a new political party. He stated that the party would transcend religion and caste, focusing on issues affecting Punjab and aiming to serve as a regional party. Singh emphasized the absence of a strong regional party to advocate for Punjab's interests and criticized decisions made in Delhi that undermine local leadership.
29-Sep-2024
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of Punjab Police on September 29 busted a cross-border drug smuggling racket and seized 6 kg of heroin, 67 live cartridges, 2 magazines, 6 mobile phones in Jaffarpur village in Gurdaspur district. The operation was based on reliable intelligence regarding a local drug peddler's involvement in narcotics and weapons smuggling from Pakistan. During the raid, the accused managed to flee after discarding a bag containing the contraband.
29-Sep-2024
On September 29, the Border Security Force (BSF) arrested two individuals, identified as Sukhdev and Kulwinder Singh and seized 550 grams of heroin along with a China-made pistol, one magazine and four live cartridges from their possession, near Tahliwala village in Fazilka district. The suspects reportedly fired shots at BSF personnel while attempting to pick up a consignment of heroin from near the India-Pakistan border.
29-Sep-2024
Dal Khalsa on September 29 organized a seminar titled “Shahadat, Sangharsh Ate Azadi Da Rah” (Martyrdom, Struggle, and Path to Freedom), dedicated to the memory of its founding member and Khalistani terrorist Gajinder Singh, in Gurdaspur, Punjab.
28-Sep-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of Punjab Police on September 28 arrested two bike-borne persons, identified as Sheesh Pal and Bhim Sain alias Bhim Godara, and seized four .32 calibre country-made pistols and six live cartridges from their possession, at a naka (checkpoint) near Killianwali bypass near Killianwali village in Fazilka district.
28-Sep-2024
The Crime Branch III of Ludhiana Police on September 28 arrested a youth, identified as Ganesh Singh and seized 265 grams of heroin from his possession near Decent School in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district.
28-Sep-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff from Khanna, along with Samrala Police, on September 28 dismantled a drug supply chain by arresting a smuggler identified as Mohammad Ali and seizing 10 bags of poppy husk, weighing nearly 199 kg, from his possession near Urna village in Ludhiana district. The drugs were concealed under apple crates in a pickup jeep, smuggled from Himachal Pradesh (HP).
28-Sep-2024
Kharar police on September 28 booked three men dressed as Nihangs identified as Jaspreet Singh, Gurwinder Singh and Amanjot Singh, for attacking a local Sikh man with swords after he tried to stop them from assaulting shopkeepers selling cigarettes near the busy Kharar bus stand in Kharar in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
28-Sep-2024
The police on September 28 attached properties worth approximately INR 2.23 crore belonging to four drug smugglers, identified as Gurmeet Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Sarabjit Singh, and Amit Sachdeva, in Ludhiana district. Gurmeet Singh's property was valued at INR 1.51 crore, Gagandeep Singh's property at INR 17.20 lakh, along with a Wagon R vehicle, Sarabjit Singh's property at INR 37.57 lakh, and Amit Sachdeva's property at INR 76 lakh.
28-Sep-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami announced on September 28 that the SGPC had unanimously resolved to block the screening of Kangana Ranaut's film Emergency in Punjab, citing alleged character assassination of Sikhs. Dhami urged the state government to ban the movie, claiming it portrayed the Sikh community and its leaders negatively, potentially harming communal harmony.
28-Sep-2024
According to police sources, the investigation into the grenade attack at a house in Chandigarh's Sector 10 revealed that the main accused, Rohan Masih, had been in contact with United States (US)-based Khalistani gangster Happy Passia for two months prior to the incident. Rohan, seeking money, was assigned by Passia—who is linked to Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda—to target the residence of retired police officer Jaskirat Singh Chahal. The attack, carried out on September 11, was foiled due to the poor quality of the grenade, resulting in minimal impact.
27-Sep-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) 2 of the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate on September 27 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Harmandeep Singh and seized 150 grams of heroin and a car from his possession on Kohara-Machhiwara road near Kohara village in Ludhiana district.
27-Sep-2024
Police on September 27 busted a gang involved in duping individuals using fake Canadian visas by arresting two key accused identified as Wajid Ali and Munish Kumar, and seizing INR 26.7 lakh in cash along with five passports from their possession, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district. The Police revealed that the kingpin of the operation, who is currently based in Turkey, was responsible for printing fake visas that were then sent to India.
27-Sep-2024
The Supreme Court (SC) on September 27 sought responses from the Centre and the governments of Delhi and Punjab regarding a petition by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Jagtar Singh Hawara, who is seeking his transfer from Delhi's Tihar Jail to a prison in Punjab. Hawara, serving a life sentence for the 1995 assassination of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, claimed to have maintained good conduct in prison for 19 years and requested the transfer to be closer to his family.
26-Sep-2024
Police on September 26 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Rakesh Mandal and seized 5 kg of ganja from his possession in Phagwara, Kapurthala district.
26-Sep-2024
Police on September 26 arrested two youths, identified as Kulwant Rai and Harish and seized 4 grams of heroin from their possession in Patara village in Jalandhar district.
26-Sep-2024
Special branch of the police on September 26 arrested a Punjab Roadways employee, identified as Aman Kumar, and seized five packets of poppy husk weighing 1.25 kg and opium, from near Bus stand in Hoshiarpur in Hoshiarpur district.
26-Sep-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint operation with Punjab Police on September 26, recovered a packet of heroin weighing 520 grams near Mahawa border village in Amritsar district.
26-Sep-2024
Police on September 26 arrested one person, identified as Pradeep Kumar, and seized 290 grams of heroin, along with a Honda Activa scooter, a mobile phone, and INR 700 from his possession in Ludhiana district.
26-Sep-2024
Police on September 26 arrested one person, identified as Jagmohan Singh, and seized 265 grams of heroin from his possession near Gills Garden Resort in Ludhiana district.
26-Sep-2024
Police on September 26 arrested a man, identified as Varun Sabharwal, and seized three country-made pistols and three live cartridges from his possession in Jalandhar district. His accomplice, Karan from Tarn Taran, managed to escape.
26-Sep-2024
The Central Film Certification Board (CBFC) on September 26 informed the Bombay High Court (HC) in Mumbai, Maharashtra, that its revising committee recommended 13 changes for the Kangana Ranaut-starrer film Emergency to receive a UA certificate. These changes include the deletion of references to 'Bhindranwale' and 'Khalistan.' The modifications were made following objections from Sikh groups, and the film's certification is now pending further responses.