KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
24-Apr-2026
On April 24, the 94th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 602 raids, arrested 288 persons and recovered three weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 87 individuals, while 92 persons were verified and released after questioning. Seven proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
24-Apr-2026
On April 24, Punjab Police, on day 419 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 126 drug smugglers, and seized 992 grams of heroin, 2564 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 23150 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
24-Apr-2026
The arrest of alleged drug peddlers Swaran Singh and Shamsher Singh alias Shera, following the seizure of 64.5 kg of heroin in Mahal village, Amritsar, on April 18, has led investigators to a suspected Pakistan-backed arms trafficking network. During interrogation, the duo reportedly revealed that a weapons consignment—comprising around 20 sophisticated pistols and an AK assault rifle—had been hidden in the Ajnala border area after being smuggled from Pakistan via drones. Joint teams of police and the Border Security Force (BSF) are now conducting search operations in the sector. Investigations indicate that the two were part of a cross-border narcotics and arms smuggling network, with consignments dropped at designated border points using drones. Police sources say they were acting under the direction of Harpartap Singh alias Happo, a Jasraur native currently based in Portugal, who is believed to be linked to Pakistan-based handlers operating under the alias “Moosa.
24-Apr-2026
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on April 24 stated that, following inputs about potential glorification of organised crime, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) directed OTT platform ZEE5 not to release the documentary “Lawrence of Punjab.” He noted that the film’s mix of dramatization and real footage could mislead youth and disrupt the state’s social harmony. Acting on these concerns, Punjab Police had approached the Ministry, the nodal authority for OTT content regulation in India.
24-Apr-2026
According to reports, a surge in cross-border drone activity along the zero line in Ferozepur district has raised serious concerns among intelligence and security agencies. In recent days, eleven drones and over 10 kg of heroin have been recovered, pointing to a rise in aerial infiltration attempts. Inputs suggest that Pakistan-based traffickers, allegedly supported by state-linked elements, are increasingly using drones to smuggle narcotics and arms across the border, posing a significant challenge to existing security and surveillance mechanisms.
23-Apr-2026
On April 23, the 93rd day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 557 raids, arrested 252 persons and recovered three weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 73 individuals, while 85 persons were verified and released after questioning. Six proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
23-Apr-2026
On April 23, Punjab Police, on day 418 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 79 drug smugglers, and seized 2.3 kg of heroin, 3 kg of poppy husk, 3580 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 13000 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
23-Apr-2026
Police on April 23 arrested three members of a cross-border drug and arms smuggling network—Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha, Sola Singh alias Sonu, and Karan Singh— and recovered 915 grams of methamphetamine (ICE), five pistols, and two live cartridges, in Gate Hakima area in Amritsar district. Initial investigations indicate that two of the accused were in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers via social media, with drugs and weapons allegedly delivered by drones and dropped in the forested Mamdot area along the Ferozepur sector.
23-Apr-2026
On April 23, police claimed to have solved an extortion case with the arrest of five gang members who had demanded INR 50 lakh from a sarpanch (village head) in Samrala, Ludhiana district. The victim, Baljit Singh of Manjali Kalan village, had received a threat call on April 18 in which the caller warned of shooting him if the demand was not met.
23-Apr-2026
Police on April 23 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Gurmeet Singh alias Meetu and seized 512 grams of heroin, near Chak Sahu village in Faridkot district. Preliminary investigations indicate he was in direct contact with a foreign-based mastermind and acted as a local handler, distributing drug consignments in the area.
23-Apr-2026
Amritsar Rural Police on April 23 arrested a man, identified as Bikramjit Singh for allegedly spying on Indian Army establishments on behalf of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), from Baba Bakala in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations suggest he had been in contact with an ISI handler via mobile communication and is suspected of sharing photographs and sensitive information related to military installations.
23-Apr-2026
Kapurthala police on April 23 arrested a person, identified as Lovepreet Singh alias Love and recovered 30 grams of heroin along with INR 11,800 in suspected drug money, near Bhano Langah village in Kapurthala district.
23-Apr-2026
Amritsar Police on Apri 23 arrested Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh from Dibrugarh Jail, Assam, in connection with the Ajnala police station violence case after his detention under the National Security Act (NSA) expired. He was produced before the Ajnala Sub-Divisional Court, Amritsar, via video-conferencing, where police sought a 15-day remand, but the court granted two days of police custody. He will remain lodged in Dibrugarh during this period. Earlier, citing security and law and order concerns, the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) permitted the state to keep him in Dibrugarh Jail even after the NSA detention ended and allowed all proceedings to be conducted virtually.
23-Apr-2026
A local court in Patiala has declared Canada-based gangster-turned-designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala, a native of Moga district, a proclaimed offender after he failed to appear in a criminal case, in Patiala district. The FIR, registered on October 4, 2024, at Sanaur police station under provisions of the BNS and the Arms Act, names several accused from Mansa and Muktsar districts. Investigations indicate the group was part of an organised gang involved in extortion, robbery, and intimidation of traders and businessmen using illegal weapons. During the probe, Arsh Dalla’s name also surfaced as a key figure linked to the gang, following which he was formally nominated in the case.
23-Apr-2026
On April 23, four schools in Ludhiana received bomb threat emails, prompting authorities to alert the police in Ludhiana district. The messages also reportedly warned of a blackout in Punjab on April 24. Anti-sabotage checks were conducted and the schools were evacuated as a precaution, with parents asked to take their children home. All premises were later declared safe.
23-Apr-2026
On April 23, India and the United Kingdom (UK) pledged to strengthen cooperation against pro-Khalistan extremism and address threats to maritime trade in the Strait of Hormuz during high-level talks in New Delhi. National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval hosted his UK counterpart Jonathan Powell for the annual India–UK Strategic Dialogue.
22-Apr-2026
On April 22, Punjab Police urged the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to stop an OTT platform from streaming the docuseries “Lawrence of Punjab,” citing concerns it could incite crime. The series, scheduled for release on April 27, reportedly portrays the life and criminal trajectory of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, including references to major incidents such as the murder of Sidhu Moose Wala. In a letter to the ministry, Special Director General of Police (DGP) (Cybercrime) V. Neeraja warned that the content—featuring dramatized portrayals, real footage, and narrative elements—could glorify and amplify organised crime. Police also requested that even the trailer be restricted from global circulation.
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.