KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
30-Apr-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in coordination with Punjab Police, recovered two hand grenades, three pistols, six magazines, and 50 live rounds during a joint search operation near Bharopal village in Amritsar district on April 30.
30-Apr-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 30 recovered one pistol wrapped in yellow adhesive tape from a farming field adjacent Gatti Rajoke village in Ferozepur district.
30-Apr-2025
A Mohali court in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district on April 30 dismissed the revision petition filed by police personnel who alleged their consent for a polygraph test in the Lawrence Bishnoi TV interview case was obtained under coercion. The court reaffirmed its earlier directive for voluntary tests on six officials—ASI Mukhtiar Singh and constables Simranjeet Singh, Harpreet Singh, Balwinder Singh, Satnam Singh, and Amritpal Singh.
30-Apr-2025
The banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on April 30 released a provocative video from a location near the Army Cantonment in Patiala district, Punjab, displaying slogans such as 'Pakistan – Khalistan Zindabad' alongside the Khalistan flag. SFJ chief and designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun appeared in the video, issuing inflammatory statements against Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, warning students they could be 'orphaned' by his policies, and urging soldiers to question sacrificing their lives for India's political objectives. He accused the Indian government of exploiting tensions with Pakistan for electoral gains and appealed to parents to prevent their children from enlisting. Pannun called on Punjabis to reject the government’s narrative and support the Khalistan movement.
30-Apr-2025
Tarn Taran Police on April 30 arrested a woman drug smuggler, identified as Rupinder Kaur, and recovered 4 kg of heroin from her possession in Sarai Amanat Khan, Tarn Taran district. Preliminary investigations revealed her and her son Gaganpreet Singh’s links to Pakistan-based drug traffickers. Further investigation is underway to dismantle the broader network.
30-Apr-2025
Punjab Police on April 30 foiled a planned grenade attack on a police establishment with the arrest of five members of a Pakistan ISI-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module—Naresh Kumar alias Babbu, Abhinav Bhagat alias Abhi, Ajay Kumar alias Ajju, Sunny Kumar, and a 17-year-old juvenile — and seized a hand grenade, a country-made .32 pistol, and five live cartridges, in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigation linked the accused to foreign-based gangster Jiwan Fauji and revealed their role in retrieving weapon consignments from the Ajnala sector.
29-Apr-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 29 recovered one small drone and 6 pistol magazines from a farming field near Daoke village in Amritsar district.
29-Apr-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 29 recovered one drone in damaged condition from a farming field adjacent to Wan village in Patti in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic- 3 Classic model.
29-Apr-2025
The Chandigarh Police on April 29 revealed that it had dismantled a Pakistan-backed international drug syndicate, with the arrest of its kingpin Gurmeet Singh along with his eight associates, and seized 312.71 grams of heroin, INR 5.12 lakh worth drug money, 2 cars, and one scooter from their possession in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The Police revealed that the syndicate had direct links with Pakistan-based smugglers Riyaz Sarvar and Aabid Ali from the Kasur region in Pakistan, who supplied heroin through cross-border routes using concealed pipelines and weather cover.
29-Apr-2025
On April 29, a gangster-turned-social worker identified as Ravneet Singh alias Sonu Mota was shot dead by two unidentified armed assailants near the Golden Temple in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The Police revealed that the assailants were led by gangster Abhiraj Singh alias Abhi Pehalwan. The police have registered a murder case and are conducting raids to apprehend the assailants.
29-Apr-2025
The prime accused in the April 7 grenade attack at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence, identified as Saidul Ameen, was produced before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on April 29 and remanded to jail in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Punjab Police have linked the attack to a broader conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), with suspected involvement of Zeeshan Akhtar—an associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi—and Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti. The role of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is also under investigation.
29-Apr-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 29 imposed restrictions on farmers in Punjab’s border villages, allowing access beyond the cobra fence only in groups of at least 15 for agricultural activities. This move follows the April 27 directive to clear fields within 48 hours, amid rising tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Farmers expressed concerns over the impracticality of completing harvesting within such a limited timeframe and urged authorities to allow the use of more machines and grant extended access. BSF officials cited national security concerns and the need for visibility during patrols as the reason for the directive.
29-Apr-2025
Counter Intelligence (CI) team of Punjab Police on April 29 arrested an individual, identified as Jodhbir Singh and seized 5 pistols, including two PX5 pistols, one .30 bore pistol (Star marked), and two 9mm Glock pistols from his possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
29-Apr-2025
Police on April 29 arrested an individual, Sunil Kumar, on suspicion of espionage near the Bathinda military cantonment in Bathinda district. Preliminary investigation revealed his contact with a Pakistani woman, indicating a possible honeytrap. The Cantonment Police have registered a case and are probing whether he shared sensitive information. He is currently being interrogated at a secure location.
28-Apr-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on April 28 announced the deployment of anti-drone systems along the 553-km International Border with Pakistan to combat the growing threat of drone-based narcotics and weapons smuggling. The trials have been completed, and the systems will be deployed in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), which has already neutralised 55 drones and seized over 60 kg of narcotics in 2025. The anti-drone systems, equipped with radar, optical sensors, and radio frequency monitoring, offer both soft-kill (jamming) and hard-kill (destruction) capabilities. The drone threat, which began in 2018–2019, has intensified with the use of smaller drones for their stealth features.
28-Apr-2025
Amritsar Rural Police on April 28 arrested two operatives of the Jiwan Fauji terror module identified as Vishal Masih and Lovepreet Singh alias Love, and seized weapons and explosives from their possession, in Ramdas city in Amritsar district. The duo opened fire on the police during a chase and were injured in retaliatory firing.
28-Apr-2025
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while addressing the State Legislative Assembly in Srinagar on April 28, acknowledged the long-neglected plight of Kashmiri Sikhs. He recalled the attacks on Sikh settlements, including the 2000 Chittisinghpora massacre. Even after 25 years, the Sikh community of Chittisinghpora continues to honour the memory of their martyrs and demand justice and accountability.
28-Apr-2025
The Supreme Court (SC) on April 28 directed the expeditious trial of 11 cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Kanpur, expressing concern over the 'inordinate delay' in proceedings. A bench instructed special public prosecutors to ensure early disposal of the cases and ordered the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to promptly submit a report on an old, illegible First Information Report (FIR). The court also permitted victims' families to engage private counsel, with assistance from the Uttar Pradesh (UP) State Legal Services Authority, if required.
28-Apr-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, while addressing the media in Chandigarh on April 28, announced the completion of testing for the anti-drone system, with installation set to begin soon along the second line of defence across the border state. He also highlighted significant action against hawala operators, the establishment of 30 special courts under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and reiterated the focus on achieving a drug-free Punjab without relying on numerical arrest targets.
28-Apr-2025
Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence (CI) unit on April 28 arrested an individual, identified as Balvir Singh, and seized 3 kg of heroin from his possession in Attari village, Amritsar district. Efforts are ongoing to arrest co-accused Harpreet Singh and dismantle the network linked to Pakistan-based smugglers.