KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
22-Apr-2026
According to reports, charges have been framed against gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and 19 others under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), along with provisions of the Arms Act and Explosives Act, paving the way for a full trial into an alleged interstate crime syndicate. Delhi Police, represented by Advocate Akhand Pratap, argued that the evidence establishes a well-organised network operating across multiple states, justifying prosecution under MCOCA. The FIR was registered by the Special Cell in March 2021 with prior approval under Section 23 of the Act against the Bishnoi–Kala Jatheri gang, which allegedly operated across Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, and other regions.
22-Apr-2026
On April 22, the Supreme Court asked the Union government to respond within two weeks to the mercy plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in the Beant Singh assassination case, seeking commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment on grounds of inordinate delay. Rajoana, a former Punjab Police constable, has been in jail for over 29 years awaiting execution.
22-Apr-2026
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on April 22 filed a public interest petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking to restrain the release and online exhibition of the web series “Lawrence of Punjab,” reportedly based on gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, portrays his rise from a student leader to a criminal syndicate head. Calling himself a public-spirited citizen, Warring urged the court to direct the Union of India and other authorities to stop or ban the series.
22-Apr-2026
On April 22, the 92nd day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 541 raids, arrested 254 persons and recovered six weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 79 individuals, while 61 persons were verified and released after questioning. Three proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
22-Apr-2026
On April 22, Punjab Police, on day 417 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 98 drug smugglers, and seized 1.1 kg of heroin, 67 kg of poppy husk, 514 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 7430 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
22-Apr-2026
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing in Amritsar on April 22 arrested an alleged illegal arms smuggler, Gurmukh Singh and recovered two .30 bore pistols and two 9mm Glock pistols, along with magazines, near Gurdwara Morcha Sahib on the Amritsar–Ajnala road in Amritsar district. Authorities said the accused was involved in arms and ammunition smuggling in collaboration with a Pakistan-based handler, identified as Faizal. Preliminary investigations suggest he had recently procured a consignment from unidentified individuals in Kalanaur, Gurdaspur, and was en route to deliver the weapons when he was apprehended.
22-Apr-2026
Police on April 22 arrested two individuals, Vicky Ram and Vishal Pandey and seized 59 kilograms of poppy husk from their vehicle, in Moga district.
21-Apr-2026
Police on April 21 arrested one person, identified as Deepak Singh alias Deepu, and seized 4.04 kg of heroin from his possession in Amritsar district.
21-Apr-2026
Police on April 21 arrested four persons, identified as Rajinder alias Ghuddu, Randeep alias Dil, Gurpreet alias Gopi, and Prince Singh alias Prince and seized 3.01 kg of heroin from their possession in Chheharta, Amritsar district. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler who was sending consignments via drones and coordinating drug distribution across the state through local handlers. He added that further investigations are underway to establish the forward and backward linkages of the smuggling network.
21-Apr-2026
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on April 21 stated that the state has witnessed a significant decline in gangster-related incidents following a statewide crackdown. He claimed a 100 per cent drop in gangster-linked murders, from four cases in January to none in March. He added that gangster-linked firing incidents declined by 69 per cent, from 29 in January to nine cases reported till April 20, while extortion cases fell by 10.9 per cent, from 110 in January to 98 in March. The DGP said that the police have not only reduced crime but also strengthened public trust through the “Gangsters Te Vaar” operation. “The records speak for themselves in terms of dismantling crime syndicates. This is just the beginning, as Punjab Police is closing in on these gangsters to ensure their complete elimination,” he stated. He added that the operation targets not only high-profile gangsters but also their wider networks across Punjab. “Individuals involved in petty crimes are often recruited by gangs. By cracking down on such elements, we have disrupted their operations and reinforced a zero-tolerance policy towards crime in the state,” he said.
21-Apr-2026
Balkaur Singh, father of slain Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, has called for a ban on the upcoming OTT series “Lawrence of Punjab,” alleging it glorifies crime and risks sending a harmful message to society. The show is reportedly based on gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, an accused in Moosewala’s murder case. He expressed concern that the teaser presents a troubling portrayal of a gangster’s life and also criticised successive governments, claiming politics has increasingly relied on criminal elements.
20-Apr-2026
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) has ruled that Amritpal Singh, currently lodged in Dibrugarh Jail, will appear virtually before a trial court in Amritsar in connection with the 2023 Ajnala police station attack case. The interim order was issued by a Division Bench on a plea by the Punjab Government seeking directions to keep Amritpal in the Assam jail after his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) ends on April 22.
20-Apr-2026
Punjab Police on April 20 busted a narcotics and illegal arms smuggling module with the arrest of four individuals and recovery of 9.925 kg of heroin, two foreign-made pistols, eight magazines, and 40 live cartridges, in Hoshiarpur district. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were acting as local handlers for foreign-based gangsters involved in drug trafficking and the supply of illegal weapons.
20-Apr-2026
The Amritsar Police Commissionerate on April 20 busted a cross-border, Madhya Pradesh-based illegal arms supply module, arresting three accused and recovering six pistols—one PX5 .30 bore, three .32 bore, and two .30 bore—along with seven live cartridges, in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were sourcing illegal weapons from Madhya Pradesh and were in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers through social media platforms. The network is suspected of facilitating cross-border arms smuggling and supplying weapons to criminal elements across Punjab.
20-Apr-2026
On April 20, the 90th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 466 raids, arrested 216 persons and recovered six weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 59 individuals, while 67 persons were verified and released after questioning. Six proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
20-Apr-2026
On April 20, Punjab Police, on day 415 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 95 drug smugglers, and seized 3.9 kg of heroin, 393 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 7760 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
19-Apr-2026
On April 19, the 89th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 564 raids, arrested 245 persons and recovered five weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 82 individuals, while 103 persons were verified and released after questioning. Two proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
19-Apr-2026
On April 19, Punjab Police, on day 414 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 79 drug smugglers, and seized 626 grams of heroin, 287 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 1000 drug money from their possession from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
19-Apr-2026
A 65-year-old travel agent, Atma Singh, a retired employee of Punjab Roadways, was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants outside his house in Gandiwind Dhattal village, Tarn Taran district, on April 19. According to a relative, the attackers called him outside his home and opened fire as soon as he stepped out. He was hit in the forehead and later died in hospital.
19-Apr-2026
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Ferozepur range, on April 19 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Harpal Singh alias Bhala and Shamsher Singh alias Shera and recovered 2.37 kg of heroin from their possession in Ferozepur district.
19-Apr-2026
On April 19, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Ferozepur range, intercepted a drone-linked heroin consignment, and arrested Supanpreet Singh alias Supan, seizing 2.487 kg of heroin, along with packing material and radium strips suspected to be used for night-time drone deliveries, in Pritam Singh Wala village, Ferozepur district.
18-Apr-2026
Police on April 18 arrested two individuals and recovered 64.62 kg of heroin from their possession, in Mahal village, Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed that the smuggling module was linked to foreign handlers, including operatives based in Pakistan.
18-Apr-2026
The Hoshiarpur police on April 18 arrested three alleged gang members, Gurkirat Singh, Babandeep Singh, and Sahilpreet Singh, for vandalising a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar at Nurpur Jattan village in Hoshiarpur district on March 30. During preliminary questioning, the accused claimed they were lured with money by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) to carry out the act.
18-Apr-2026
An NRI, Takdeer Singh, who recently returned from abroad, along with his brother, alleged that Canada-based gangster Arsh Dala targeted their family by issuing threats during a Facebook live session, in Ludhiana district. He later repeated the threats through a WhatsApp call from a foreign number, during which he allegedly warned of killing the entire family. Based on Takdeer Singh’s complaint, an FIR has been registered against Arsh Dala.
17-Apr-2026
On April 17, the 87th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 546 raids, arrested 253 persons and recovered two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 88 individuals, while 135 persons were verified and released after questioning. Three proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
17-Apr-2026
On April 17, Punjab Police, on day 412 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 93 drug smugglers, and seized 4.1 kg of heroin, 5 kg of ganja (marijuana), 2 kg of poppy husk, 3046 intoxicating tablets/capsules, and INR 11,150 in drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
17-Apr-2026
Police on April 17 arrested two alleged aides of Canada-based gangster Davinderpal Singh alias Gopi Lahoria, identified as Harsdeep Singh alias Billa and Kulwinder Singh alias Kida and recovered two .32-bore illegal pistols, four magazines, and four cartridges from their possession in Jagraon, Ludhiana district. During preliminary interrogation, the accused reportedly revealed they had been tasked with carrying out a firing attack at a prominent location in Ludhiana. Police said the duo was acting on Lahoria’s directions from Canada.
17-Apr-2026
The Customs Department on April 17 arrested a suspected passenger and seized 6.270 kg of ganja concealed in his bag at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar district. The accused had arrived from Bangkok via Singapore on flight TR-750. Officials suspect links to an international drug trafficking network, noting that the quantity and concealment method indicate organised smuggling with possible international connections.
17-Apr-2026
On April 17, the Amritsar (City) Police Commissionerate destroyed a substantial quantity of narcotics seized in 249 cases registered under the NDPS Act. The destroyed contraband included 891 grams of heroin, 7,085 capsules and 4,280 tablets, 11.523 kg of narcotic powder, 1.115 kg of poppy husk, 7 grams of smack, 180 grams of charas (hashish), 75 injections, and 325 grams of ganja (marijuana).
17-Apr-2026
According to a senior police official, Amritsar Police have been preparing to arrest Khalistani sympathiser and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh in connection with the February 2023 Ajnala police station clash and were awaiting approval and directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Punjab Government has approached the High Court seeking permission to arrest him after the expiry of his preventive detention under the National Security Act (NSA) on April 22.
16-Apr-2026
According to reports, the recovery of Pakistan-smuggled pistols engraved with specific names and coded numbers—seen as a shift in cross-border arms smuggling tactics—has put Punjab’s security agencies on high alert. Amritsar Rural Police recently seized two sophisticated weapons bearing inscriptions such as “Awan Badshah-222” and “Bhatt-007” from six accused arrested in connection with the March 30 Bhindi Saidan police station grenade attack. In a separate case, Amritsar City Police also recovered a pistol engraved with “Bhatt-007.” Officials believe these markings are deliberate, aimed at creating a distinct identity for suppliers and signalling their presence across illegal networks.
16-Apr-2026
On April 16, the 86th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 566 raids, arrested 238 persons and recovered two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 68 individuals, while 171 persons were verified and released after questioning. Six proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
16-Apr-2026
On April 16, Punjab Police, on day 411 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 128 drug smugglers, and seized 998 grams of heroin, 12 kg of ganja (marijuana), 21 kg of poppy husk, 616 intoxicating tablets/capsules, and INR 1,840 in drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
16-Apr-2026
On April 16, Sriganganagar Police arrested four operatives of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Sanjeev Chadar alias Sanju, Rahul Michael, Varun Bagal, and Dev Dutt Bishnoi and recovered a 7.62 mm pistol, a .30-bore pistol, 14 live cartridges, a magazine loaded with five rounds, and two empty shells in separate incidents in Sriganganagar, Rajasthan.
16-Apr-2026
On April 16, police arrested a youth, identified as Naresh alias Bablu and recovered 8 grams of heroin from his possession near the Old Civil Hospital in Phagwara, Kapurthala district.
16-Apr-2026
Police on April 16 arrested a woman, identified as Rajni and recovered 7 grams of heroin from her possession near an old police post in the industrial area of Phagwara, Kapurthala district.
16-Apr-2026
The Counter Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police on April 16 busted an Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed cross-border terror module, arresting one accused and recovering four hand grenades, two foreign-made pistols, and ammunition, in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigation indicates that he was acting on the directions of foreign-based handlers and had suspected links to the module involved in the recent grenade attack in Chandigarh.
16-Apr-2026
In a joint operation, the Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) on April 16 recovered 1.02 kg of heroin dropped from across the border by a suspect in Mari Megha village, Tarn Taran district.
16-Apr-2026
Police on April 16 seized 1.08 kg of heroin and a drone believed to have been used for cross-border smuggling in Lopoke, Amritsar district.
16-Apr-2026
On April 16, six private schools received email threats, prompting an anti-sabotage response by the police in Barnala district. Thorough checks were conducted, but nothing suspicious was found.
16-Apr-2026
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on April 16 dismissed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh’s challenge to his continued preventive detention under the National Security Act (NSA). In a related development, it agreed to urgently hear the Punjab Government’s fresh plea seeking permission to arrest him in Assam and keep him lodged in Dibrugarh jail beyond the expiry of his NSA detention on April 23.
15-Apr-2026
On April 15, a 32-year-old man, Manjit Singh, was shot dead by two bike-borne assailants in Bhullar village, Lopoke, in Amritsar district. He was standing at a meat shop when the unidentified attackers arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire. Preliminary investigation suggests an old enmity between the attackers and the victim, though police are also exploring other angles.
15-Apr-2026
On April 15, the 85th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 506 raids, arrested 254 persons and recovered four weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 92 individuals, while 121 persons were verified and released after questioning. Four proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
15-Apr-2026
On April 15, Punjab Police, on day 410 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 76 drug smugglers, and seized 3.3 kg of heroin, 1.1 kg of ganja, 433 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 2.01 lakhs drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
15-Apr-2026
Amritsar Rural Police on April 15 arrested one person, Rohanpreet Singh for his alleged links to a Pakistan-based cross-border drug smuggling network, recovering INR 4,62,600 in drug proceeds, near Attari in Amritsar district. Police said two accomplices remain absconding. The module was reportedly involved in procuring heroin from across the border, distributing it to local peddlers, and routing the proceeds back to handlers in Pakistan via hawala channels.
15-Apr-2026
The family and legal advisor of Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh urged the Punjab Government to shift him back to a state jail following the expiry of his National Security Act (NSA) detention on April 22. He is currently lodged in Central Jail, Dibrugarh, Assam. Reports indicate that the Punjab Government has approached the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) to extend his stay at the same facility under the amended Punjab Prisoner Transfer Act, 1952, citing security and law-and-order concerns.
15-Apr-2026
Two individuals, Pradeep Singh and Ashish, allegedly linked to the Neeraj Bawana gang, were arrested with a foreign-made pistol and ammunition, in Dwarka, New Delhi on April 15.
14-Apr-2026
On April 14, the 84th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 566 raids, arrested 311 persons and recovered six weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 92 individuals, while 126 persons were verified and released after questioning. Two proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
14-Apr-2026
On April 14, Punjab Police, on day 409 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 126 drug smugglers, and seized 1.4 kg of heroin, 5.4 kg of opium, 69 kg of poppy husk, 558 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 4.91 lakhs drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
14-Apr-2026
A 21-year-old gun supplier was arrested after a shootout with the Haryana Police Special Task Force (STF) near Bandhwari in Gurugram district of Haryana on April 14. The accused supplied foreign-made pistols, suspected to have been smuggled through the Punjab international border, to three shooters linked to gangster Deepak Nandal, who had opened fire outside a fashion designer’s office in Sector 26A on February 18 as part of an extortion attempt.