KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
12-Sep-2024
In a Facebook post on September 12, US-based terrorist Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passian, claimed responsibility for the September 11 blast in Chandigarh. Passian is known to be associated with Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda. CCTV footage identified Rohan Masih, who has a criminal record, as one of the suspects. The attack is believed to be revenge for the 1986 Nakodar firing, in which retired Punjab Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Jaskirat Singh Chahal was involved. Chahal had previously lived in the targeted house but moved out after surviving an assassination plot in 2023.
12-Sep-2024
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Information Technology (IT) Chief Amit Malviya, via the social media site X on September 12, linked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent comments in the United States (US) to a grenade blast in Chandigarh, accusing Gandhi of making 'false and misleading' statements about Sikhs' rights in India. The explosion, caused by a grenade thrown at a house in Chandigarh, is under investigation, with suspected involvement from Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda.
12-Sep-2024
On September 12, during a raid by the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of the Police, drug smugglers identified as Madan Lal, Vijay, and Rohit opened fire on the police but were later arrested, and the .32 bore weapon used in the crime was recovered from their possession near Dhandran village in Ludhiana district. Two people, constable Sandeep and suspect Rohit, were injured during the raid. The operation was conducted after the police received information about a drug nexus in nearby Mehmoodpur village in Ludhiana West tehsil, Ludhiana district.
12-Sep-2024
The recovery of 11 Glock pistols among 29 illegal firearms seized by Punjab Police in August 2024 has raised concerns over sophisticated, foreign-made weapons reaching criminals in the state. The Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in collaboration with central agencies, busted Pakistan-backed arms smuggling networks, recovering several Glock pistols, including one marked 'Made for NATO Army.' Between January and July 2023, Punjab Police recovered 2,608 illegal weapons, including 1,515 pistols, underscoring the growing challenge of cross-border weapon smuggling via drones.
11-Sep-2024
According to reports, Punjab, once known for its vibrancy and resilience, has faced a troubling surge in extortion threats and violence linked to gangsters operating from abroad. Kalwinder Singh, a vocal critic of Canadian-based gangsters, received intimidating calls for two years, forcing him to remove critical videos from Facebook. Since January 2024, the Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (ATGF) has received over 200 complaints related to extortion calls, mostly traced to gang leaders in Canada, resulting in 172 First Information Reports (FIRs) and 174 arrests. Notable incidents include a shooting in Amritsar and attacks in Vancouver, Canada, and Ferozepur, Punjab. Despite measures like deportations and extraditions, the number of extortion calls in Punjab has sharply risen since the assassination of singer Sidhu Moose Wala in May 2022, with local recruitment by criminals further complicating law enforcement efforts.
11-Sep-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD-Delhi) president Paramjit Singh Sarna on September 11 met with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh in Amritsar, Punjab, to address the ongoing crisis within the SAD. Sarna urged the Jathedar to hold former Akali leaders accountable for switching to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and supporting the controversial Dera Sirsa cult. He also expressed support for Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on protecting religious rights in India, citing issues such as Sikh students being forced to remove religious symbols.
11-Sep-2024
Two unidentified men on an autorickshaw hurled an explosive at a house in the Sector 10 area of Chandigarh on September 11. No injuries were reported, but the explosion caused minor damage to the property. Police suspect the target was former Punjab Police Superintendent of Police (SP) Jaskirat Singh, with potential involvement from Pakistan-based Khalistan terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda. A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has also joined the investigation.
11-Sep-2024
Simranjit Singh Mann, chief of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD-Amritsar) and former Member of Parliament (MP), on September 11 in Chandigarh, accused the Narendra Modi-led government of stifling democracy in India and blamed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) under Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD-Badal) for a lack of transparency. He highlighted the killings of Khalistani terrorists Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Paramjit Singh Panjwar and criticized the SGPC for not holding general elections in years and for the mismanagement of 328 swaroops of Guru Granth Sahib.
11-Sep-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on September 11, intercepted and neutralized a drone, recovering one packet of heroin weighing 6.23 kg along with the drone on the outskirts of Gilpan village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was an assembled quadcopter.
11-Sep-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on September 11 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 520 grams from near Daoke village in Amritsar district.
11-Sep-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on September 11 recovered a China made drone- DJI Mavic 3 Classic model, from the outskirts of Kahangarh village in Amritsar district.
11-Sep-2024
The Kendri Singh Sabha, a central body of Singh Sabha Gurdwara, on September 11 in Chandigarh, praised Rahul Gandhi for supporting the Sikh community's right to uphold their religious and cultural freedoms in India.
10-Sep-2024
On September 10, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh in Amritsar condemned the growing trend of creating social media accounts, particularly on TikTok, under Sikh and Muslim disguises to spread hateful propaganda and incite religious conflicts. He stated that such actions are part of a conspiracy by anti-social elements and urged Sikhs to remain vigilant and respect other religions.
10-Sep-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami, on September 10 in New Delhi, urged the Akal Takht Jathedar to take strict action against Iqbal Singh Lalpura, chairman of the National Commission for Minorities, for his recent remarks in which he distorted Sikh principles by calling Guru Nanak an avatar of Vishnu. Dhami called the statement disrespectful to Sikh ideology and demanded action in accordance with Panthic traditions.
10-Sep-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on September 10 arrested an individual identified as Shinda Singh and seized 1 kg of heroin and INR 4 lakh in cash from his possession near the Green Park area in Jalandhar district. The police are interrogating him to trace the source of the heroin and uncover details of his drug trafficking network.
10-Sep-2024
Uttarakhand Police on September 10 detained a youth for writing "Pakke Khalistani" on his bike's number plate, in Rudrapur in Uttarakhand. The youth, a resident of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh (UP), was interrogated by both the police and the Intelligence Bureau (IB). After being issued a challan, he was counselled and released.
10-Sep-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on September 10 endorsed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's statement that 'the fight in India is whether a Sikh will be allowed to wear a turban, kada, or go to a gurdwara.' Pannun called Rahul's remark on the 'existential threat to Sikhs in India' bold and pioneering, claiming it was grounded in the factual history of Sikh struggles since 1947. He further stated that Gandhi’s comments aligned with SFJ's stance on the Punjab Independence Referendum for the creation of an independent Khalistan.
10-Sep-2024
Bathinda Member of Parliament (MP) and senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Badal, on September 10, via social media platform X, criticized Rahul Gandhi for his remarks about Sikhs feeling unsafe in India. She asserted that both the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are guilty of crimes against Sikhs and demanded that Rahul apologize for his grandmother Indira Gandhi’s actions in 1984, including the attack on Shri Harmandar Sahib and the Akal Takht. Without such an apology, Badal questioned his moral right to speak on Sikh issues.
10-Sep-2024
In Mansa district, Punjab, vigilante groups and self-appointed drug-monitoring committees, such as the Nasha Roko Committee, are combating the growing misuse of pregabalin, a painkiller commonly abused for its euphoric effects. Pregabalin, also known as 'Signature,' has replaced heroin as a popular drug among the youth. These vigilantes search vehicles, seize drugs, and dispense their own form of justice, reflecting public frustration with the government’s slow response. Despite bans and police crackdowns, pregabalin addiction continues to rise, impacting families and communities, with local figures like Parminder Singh 'Jhotha' leading the fight.
09-Sep-2024
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Punjab Police on September 9 announced that it has dismantled 505 gangs and modules in the state over the past two-and-a-half years (2022–2024). During this period, they neutralized 16 gangsters in 107 encounters, recovering 1,332 weapons and 293 vehicles. Additionally, 81 gangsters were injured in encounters, while three police personnel lost their lives and 26 others were injured. The AGTF also blocked 203 social media accounts promoting gang-related content.
09-Sep-2024
Police on September 9 arrested three persons, identified as Gurmeet Singh, Roshan Lal and Ajay Kumar and seized five pistols and two magazines from their possession, in Faridkot in Faridkot district. The accused were involved in smuggling weapons from Madhya Pradesh (MP). Roshan Lal had 14 prior cases, Ajay Kumar faced charges of snatching and weapon possession, and Gurmeet Singh had pending cases related to drug and weapon smuggling. The arrests followed the recovery of weapons abandoned in a briefcase after a police chase near Tehna village in Faridkot district last week.
09-Sep-2024
Amritsar City Police on September 9 arrested five individuals linked to gangster Goldy Brar, identified as Harshdeep Singh, Gursharanpreet Singh, Dharampreet Singh, Manga Singh, and Avtar Singh, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The arrests revealed that the gang, operating under Goldy Brar’s instructions, was involved in extortion and ransom demands. The police discovered that Brar’s associates, Deva and Pritam Singh, are currently abroad using forged documents. Investigations are ongoing, including raids in Haryana to apprehend additional suspects.
09-Sep-2024
According to sources in Central Intelligence agencies, Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, and Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, have parted ways. Rinda has now partnered with Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, who operates from the United States (US), to raise terror modules in Punjab. Between August 2023 and August 30, 2024, Punjab Police busted eight terror modules and arrested 35 individuals linked to the Rinda-Passia network. Landa, residing in Edmonton, Canada, is wanted for his involvement in the 2022 Rocket Propelled Grenade attack on the Punjab State Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali. Rinda, associated with the terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), is currently based in Lahore, Pakistan, under the patronage of cross-border agencies and has been involved in various terrorist activities, particularly in Punjab. Officials noted that Landa and Rinda are no longer collaborating due to differing motives—Landa is more focused on supporting pro-Khalistani activities in India, while Rinda is primarily involved in drug peddling and arms distribution.
09-Sep-2024
Punjab Police on September 9 conducted a special operation, ‘OPS Seal-VIII,’ across ten inter-state border districts, including Pathankot, Muktsar, Fazilka, Ropar, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Hoshiarpur, and Bathinda, aimed at cracking down on drug trafficking and liquor smuggling. The operation led to the recovery of over 71 kg of narcotics, including 1.1 kg of opium, 29 kg of poppy husk, 42 kg of intoxicant powder, and 1,070 intoxicating tablets, along with a significant amount of illicit liquor. A total of 4,245 vehicles were checked, 293 fined, 16 impounded, 26 First Information Reports (FIRs) registered, and 27 individuals arrested.
09-Sep-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on September 9 recovered two packets of heroin weighing 1.180 kg, from farming fields near Daoke village in Amritsar district.
08-Sep-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of Amritsar rural police on September 8 arrested five cross-border smugglers, identified as Sukhchain Singh, Sukhpal Singh, Navdeep Singh, Sukhbir Singh, and Rahul, alias Nikku and seized 160 grams of heroin, two pistols—a .32 bore pistol without a magazine and a .30 bore pistol without a magazine and barrel—along with INR 8.5 lakh in drug money, a car, and a bike from their possession near Khurmania village in Amritsar district. According to police, most of the heroin smuggled from Pakistan via drones had already been sold prior to the arrests.
08-Sep-2024
On September 8, Amritsar Rural Police were put on alert following a bomb threat targeting the Tarsikka police station in Tarsikka village, Amritsar district. The caller, later identified as a jail inmate, made the threat from inside prison. Police stated that a case has been registered, and the inmate will be brought on a production warrant for further investigation. Jail authorities have also been alerted to recover the phone used for the call.
08-Sep-2024
According to sources, Kangana Ranaut's film Emergency received a U/A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) after making a few cuts and adding disclaimers, though the release date remains unfinalized. The film, which portrays former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the 1975 Emergency, has faced backlash from Sikh organizations.
08-Sep-2024
Police on September 8 arrested two members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Rohit Kumar and Sukhpal Singh, and seized four .32-bore pistols and 26 live cartridges from their possession near Sanouri Adda in Patiala district.
08-Sep-2024
The Patiala Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff on September 8 arrested a member of the Rajiv Raja gang, identified as Yashraj alias Kaka and seized two .32-bore pistols and 14 live cartridges from his possession, near Deer Park on Patiala-Dakala Road in Patiala in Patiala district.
07-Sep-2024
Police on September 7 arrested a close aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, identified as Javed Jhinjha alias Rativ, in Abohar in Fazilka district. Jhinjha, who had studied with Bishnoi and was wanted in multiple cases across Punjab, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh.
07-Sep-2024
Police on September 7 arrested an individual, identified as Paramjit Singh and seized 50 grams of heroin from his possession, near Mardkhera village in Sangrur district.
07-Sep-2024
According to sources, nearly five months after the firing outside Salman Khan’s Bandra residence, Mumbai police have yet to gain access to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently held at Sabarmati prison in Gujarat. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ (UMHA) restriction on his movement under Section 268 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) has prevented the police from obtaining his custody. The police aim to interrogate Bishnoi to understand his gang's operations, as he remains a key suspect in the attack claimed by his gang. Attempts to secure his custody have been unsuccessful so far, with restrictions set to lift in August 2024.
07-Sep-2024
Raj Singh, founder of Sikh Helpline, raised concerns in a letter to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on September 7 about the upcoming film Emergency, directed by Kangana Ranaut. He criticized the film's portrayal of Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as historically inaccurate and offensive, claiming it falsely depicts him as colluding with Indira Gandhi for political gain. Singh urged the CBFC to review the film with Sikh experts, edit the offensive content, and ensure future films accurately represent all communities to maintain peace and harmony in society.
07-Sep-2024
The Haryana Sikh Ekta Dal (HSED) is set to convene on September 8 in Chandigarh to unite Sikhs across political and caste lines, advocating for a law against sacrilege, the release of Bandi Singhs, and improved representation of Sikhs in Haryana's electoral process. They will also call for the removal of political interference in the state's Gurdwara body, elections for the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC), and the formation of SITs to investigate religious hate crimes. The group has urged political parties to address these issues in their manifestos ahead of the assembly polls.
07-Sep-2024
In a joint operation with Border Security Force (BSF) troops, Punjab Police on September 7 busted a trans-border drug module by arresting four smugglers, identified as Kuldeep Singh, Kirpal Singh, Jatinder Singh, and Gurpreet Singh, and seized 5.54 kg of heroin from their possession in Sahowal village, Ajnala, Amritsar district. The arrests followed a BSF tip-off about a suspected drone drop from Pakistan.
06-Sep-2024
According to a report by The Print, two-thirds of Afghan Sikhs who fled to India after the Taliban takeover in 2021 have now resettled in Canada, with private sponsors and Sikh foundations assisting in their relocation. Out of 350 refugees, approximately 230 have successfully moved to Canada, while others await their visas. The Khalsa Diwan Welfare Society in Delhi has coordinated this process, and organizations like the Manmeet Singh Bhullar Foundation have provided support through stipends and amenities for one year. Many Afghan Sikhs continue to work menial jobs in India while awaiting resettlement.
06-Sep-2024
Punjabi actor Gippy Grewal called for a Sikh representative on the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) to ensure accurate depictions of the Sikh community and its religious aspects in films. This appeal follows the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's (SGPC) push for Sikh representation, particularly after delays in clearing Kangana Ranaut's controversial film Emergency. Gippy emphasized the need for specialized knowledge to review religious nuances in films and shared his own practice of obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from religious authorities for his projects.
06-Sep-2024
The Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) recently released its tenth report in the "State of the Panth" series, titled Caste & Race, which explores caste and race issues from a Sikh perspective. Based on a global survey of Sikhs, the report highlights that the majority view Sikhism as inherently anti-caste and anti-racist. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Harinder Singh, SikhRI’s Senior Fellow, stated that the report emphasizes the disconnect between Sikh ideals and practices regarding caste and race. He called for renewed efforts within the Sikh community to align more closely with the Gurus' teachings on equality, stressing the importance of both individual and institutional action to address these social issues.
06-Sep-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of the Mohali police on September 6 arrested two men, identified as Channpreet Singh and Harpal Singh, and seized 30 grams of heroin from their possession in Kharar, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
06-Sep-2024
Amritsar (Rural) Police on September 6 arrested three drug peddlers, identified as Lovepreet Singh, Jasbir Singh, and Jaskaran Singh, and seized 2.7 kg of heroin from their possession in Dhariwal village, Ajnala, Amritsar district. The police stated that the heroin was likely smuggled via drones from Pakistan, and shifting police checkpoints led to the recovery. The suspects are currently under police remand, and their properties will be identified and frozen.
06-Sep-2024
Amritsar (Rural) Police on September 6 launched a probe into an extortion case involving Portugal-based gangster Manpreet Singh alias Mann Ghanshampuria, and his accomplice Jobanjit Singh, who demanded INR 50 lakh from a local resident with threats of violence in Amritsar district, Punjab. This case is part of a broader pattern of intimidation by the gang, which includes recent extortion threats and shootings. Earlier arrests related to the gang led to the seizure of weapons, mobile phones, a vehicle, and INR 18,000 in cash. The gang is also wanted for various criminal activities, including a fatal shooting in Lakhowal village, Ajnala, Amritsar district.
05-Sep-2024
The Crime Investigating Agency (CIA) staff of Mohali police on September 5 arrested three individuals, identified as Amandeep Singh, Harmandeep Singh, and Gursevak Singh, and seized 80 grams of heroin from their possession in Kharar in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
05-Sep-2024
Police on September 5 arrested one person, identified as Rama Singh and seized 200 grams of heroin from his possession, in Janta Colony in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district.
05-Sep-2024
Ludhiana police on September 5 arrested an individual, identified as Mohit and seized 150 grams of heroin from his possession, in Vijay Nagar in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district.
05-Sep-2024
The Indian government on September 5 repatriated 14 Pakistani prisoners, including two juveniles, after they completed their sentences, at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar district, Punjab. Six were released from Central Jail Amritsar, while eight were freed from a jail in Gujarat. Most of the prisoners were fishermen who had inadvertently crossed into Indian waters, with some urging both governments to expedite the release of detained fishermen. Among those repatriated were four cross-border smugglers arrested for drug and arms possession.
05-Sep-2024
Mandeep Singh Sidhu, brother of the late Waris Punjab De (WPD) founder Deep Sidhu, may contest the Gidderbaha Assembly bypoll following the announcement by Faridkot Member of Parliament (MP) Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa of his candidacy on August 30. Sidhu is currently in discussions with Panthic organizations to consolidate support behind a unified candidate and prevent vote division. The family of radical Khalistani preacher and jailed MP Amritpal Singh also supports Sidhu's potential candidacy.
05-Sep-2024
On September 5, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia appeared before the Akal Takht in Amritsar to submit his explanation letter, following the edict of the highest Sikh temporal authority. The Akal Takht had earlier declared Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and former Sikh ministers 'tankhaiya' for mistakes committed during the party's 2007-2017 rule, requiring them to provide explanations. Majithia stated that he would accept whatever order is issued.
05-Sep-2024
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Director Praveen Sood on September 5 announced that Interpol issued 100 red corner notices in 2023 at India's request, the highest ever in a single year, while speaking at the 10th Interpol Liaison Officers’ Conference in New Delhi. Sood highlighted that 29 wanted criminals were extradited to India in 2023 with Interpol's assistance. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing cross-border crimes in the digital age.
05-Sep-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 5 filed its first charge sheet, naming UK national Inderpal Singh Gaba, in connection with the twin attacks on the Indian High Commission in London, which occurred in 2023. The attacks, organized by Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda, were allegedly in retaliation for the Punjab Police's actions against Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh.