KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
09-Jul-2025
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on July 9 foiled a terror plot orchestrated by Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Harwinder Rinda, and recovered two AK-47 rifles and 16 cartridges, two magazines and two PS-86 hand grenades near Gazikot village in Gurdaspur district.
09-Jul-2025
The Delhi Government announced a grand commemoration of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom at the Red Fort in November, 2025, the first such event at the historic site, in New Delhi. The two-day tribute will include a light and sound show, Kirtan Darbar, exhibitions, and academic outreach.
09-Jul-2025
The Delhi Police have cleared Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a case related to his remarks on the condition of Sikhs in India, made during a speech in the United States (US) in September 2024. After reviewing the content of the speech, police concluded that Gandhi's comments did not target any specific community or constitute a cognisable offence. They further noted that the speech was delivered outside India and thus fell beyond their jurisdiction, effectively closing the case.
09-Jul-2025
Police on July 9 arrested a woman, identified as Kirandeep Kaur and seized 28 grams of heroin from her possession, during a search at Kapurthala Modern Jail in Kapurthala district.
09-Jul-2025
On July 9, Punjab Police, on day 130 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 105 First Information Reports (FIRs), arrested 142 drug smugglers and seized 3.5 kg of heroin, 1.5 kg of opium, and INR 1.19 lakh in drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
09-Jul-2025
Kapurthala police on July 9 arrested a woman, identified as Meeko and seized 40 grams of heroin from her possession, near Lakhan Kalan village in Kapurthala district.
09-Jul-2025
Subhanpur police on July 9 arrested two individuals, identified as Varinder Singh alias Mangli and his associate Ravipal, and seized 40 grams of heroin from their possession, near Subhanpur chowk in Subhanpur village in Kapurthala district.
09-Jul-2025
According to police sources, extortion in Punjab is being driven by organised crime networks led by gangsters such as Lawrence Bishnoi, Satinderjit Singh Brar alias Goldy Brar, and Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala. These groups operate through encrypted communication apps, hawala channels, and international safe havens, and are involved in extortion, contract killings, and drug trafficking—often in collaboration with banned terrorist organisations. A series of recent high-profile cases has underscored the surge in gang-related violence, prompting Punjab Police and the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) to intensify enforcement operations.
09-Jul-2025
Jaipur Police on July 9 busted an international gold smuggling network, and arrested three operatives identified as Suraj Gurjar, Imran, and Bhawani Singh, and seized crucial evidence linking the network to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, including details of a 12.467 kg gold consignment smuggled through Jaipur Airport, in Jaipur in Rajasthan. The accused used extortion funds to purchase gold abroad, smuggled it into India, and sold it at inflated prices to finance criminal activities across multiple Indian states and foreign countries, with proceeds used to acquire weapons, fund fugitives, and buy benami properties.
09-Jul-2025
Kap’s Café, a newly opened restaurant owned by popular Indian comedian and actor Kapil Sharma, came under gunfire attack on July 9 in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. At least eight shots were fired at the premises while staff were inside; however, no injuries were reported. A Khalistani terrorist identified as Harjit Singh Laddi—an operative of the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)—claimed responsibility for the attack, citing alleged remarks by Sharma about Nihangs as the motive.
08-Jul-2025
Police on July 8 revealed that two accused facilitators in the murder of Abohar businessman Sanjay Verma—identified as Jaspreet Singh and Ram Rattan—were killed in cross-firing during a weapon recovery operation near Peer Tibba in Abohar, Fazilka district, Punjab. A .30 bore pistol and several empty shells were recovered from the scene.
08-Jul-2025
Delhi Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa accused former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of operating on a foundation of 'lies and corruption' and alleged that the party has links to banned separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in an interview with IANS on July 8. Referring to Pannun’s public claims of having provided large sums of money to Kejriwal, Sirsa criticised the AAP leader’s failure to issue any denial or clarification.
08-Jul-2025
Police on July 8 arrested a key operative of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Himanshu Sood, and seized a .30 bore PX3 pistol with four live cartridges and a .32 pistol with three live cartridges from his possession in Amritsar district. Acting on the directions of Dubai-based handler Namit Sharma, Sood was allegedly involved in a recent firing incident in Haridwar and had been tasked with carrying out further attacks in Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Kapurthala.
08-Jul-2025
Punjab Police on July 8 busted an international drug cartel by arresting six drug smugglers—identified as Lakhvir Singh, Rohit Kumar, Gurcharan Singh, Akash Marwaha, Ranjodh Singh, and Prabhjot Singh—and seizing 40 kg of heroin and a car from their possession near Mehna Chowk in Bathinda district. Preliminary investigations suggest the consignment was sent by Pakistan-based handlers for distribution across Punjab.
08-Jul-2025
On July 8, Punjab Police, on day 129 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 84 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 111 drug smugglers and seized 41.3 kg of heroin, 1.7 kg of opium and INR 23,980 drug money from their possession, accorss Punjab.
08-Jul-2025
Police on July 8 arrested a youth, identified as Mohit, and seized 500 grams of heroin from his possession near Mubarikpur in Dera Bassi in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district in Punjab. Police revealed that Mohit was residing as a tenant in Zirakpur and allegedly involved in heroin supply across Zirakpur and Dera Bassi areas.
08-Jul-2025
Member of Parliament (MP) Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa marked his first year in the 18th Lok Sabha with what he described as mixed feelings, stating in an interview with Hindustan Times that some members appeared reluctant to allow him to speak, fearing he would raise only radical issues. Khalsa expressed dissatisfaction with the limited number of Lok Sabha sittings, arguing that important public concerns often go unheard. Emphasising the need for systemic reform, he asserted that every MP should be guaranteed time to speak.
07-Jul-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) on July 7 recovered a pistol with a magazine from a farming field near Daoke village in Amritsar district.
07-Jul-2025
Former Congress Member of Parliament Sajjan Kumar on July 7 recorded his statement before a Delhi court in connection with two cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Janakpuri and Vikaspuri, in New Delhi. Denying all charges, Kumar claimed he was being falsely implicated and accused investigation agencies of bias.
07-Jul-2025
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, in an interview with ANI, described Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun as a Pakistani agent funded by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), alleging that Pannun thrives on media attention and that Pakistan sponsors anti-India protests abroad. Responding to political questions, Sirsa dismissed the claim that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lacks Sikh support, citing his own electoral victory as evidence. He also criticised the Congress for its role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.