KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
19-Mar-2025
Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), on March 19, suspended bus services on 10 routes to Punjab after its employees refused to operate due to fears of attacks and vandalism in Himachal Pradesh (HP). This followed incidents where HRTC buses were targeted in retaliation for Sikh pilgrims being stopped in HP for carrying flags with Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s image.
19-Mar-2025
The Punjab Government on March 19 conducted a trial of advanced anti-drone technology near the India-Pakistan border near in Naushera Dhalla village in Tarn Taran district. The demonstration aimed to counter cross-border drug smuggling and narco-terrorism, with ministers Aman Arora and Laljit Singh Bhullar in attendance.
19-Mar-2025
As part of Punjab’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, Punjab Police on March 19 conducted raids at 567 locations, registered 74 First Information Reports (FIRs), arrested 111 drug smugglers, and seized 3.5 kg of heroin, 1.6 kg of opium, 2,050 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections, and INR 52,310 in drug money from the possession of the arrested smugglers across Punjab.
19-Mar-2025
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Harbhajan Singh, via social media site X on March 19, retracted his earlier criticism of the Punjab government's demolition drive against drug traffickers and expressed full support for the initiative. Singh had initially, on March 18, opposed the bulldozing of alleged drug peddlers' houses, arguing for arrests instead, but later lauded the government’s commitment to making Punjab drug-free.
19-Mar-2025
The Punjab government on March 19 launched a major crackdown on protesting farmers, detaining several union leaders and using mild force to disperse protesters at the Shambhu and Khanauri sites on the Punjab-Haryana border in Patiala and Sangrur districts. The police action followed a meeting between farm union leaders and central ministers in Chandigarh.
18-Mar-2025
The Police on March 18 arrested a smuggler, identified as Dharminder Singh alias Sonu, and seized 8.08 kg of heroin along with a .30 bore pistol and five bullets from his possession, near Verka bypass in Amritsar in Amritsar district. During a follow-up operation to recover concealed weapons and contraband, he attempted to snatch a constable’s weapon, prompting the police to fire in self-defence, injuring him. Dharminder was in contact with cross-border smugglers and received drug consignments via drones from Pakistan in the Ajnala sector in Amritsar district in Punjab. The investigation to identify his accomplices is ongoing.
18-Mar-2025
Dal Khalsa and Sikh Youth of Punjab operatives, on March 18, plastered state-owned Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HPRTC) buses and private vehicles with posters of slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. This act followed the removal of flags bearing his image from the bikes of Punjab youths in Manali.
18-Mar-2025
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, on March 18, informed the Lok Sabha that the Border Security Force (BSF) seized 294 drones along the Punjab border in 2024. He stated that anti-drone systems had been deployed to counter the threat of drone-based smuggling. Measures include real-time information sharing with security agencies, alerting border outposts, and using surveillance equipment to track unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) movements. Rai also highlighted strengthened intelligence networks and increased monitoring of smuggling routes to curb illegal activities.
18-Mar-2025
According to sources, the grenade attack on a temple in Amritsar district, Punjab, on March 15 has Pakistani links, with authorities suspecting it was an attempt to create unrest in the state. The explosion damaged the temple’s wall and nearby windowpanes but caused no casualties.
18-Mar-2025
Punjab Police, on March 18, as part of the ongoing “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, conducted raids at 539 locations, registering 61 First Information Reports (FIRs), arresting 95 drug smugglers, and seizing 11 kg of heroin, 7.5 kg of opium, and INR 31,000 in drug money across Punjab.
18-Mar-2025
On March 18, during a Sampark meeting organized by Malerkotla Police along with the civil administration in Ferozpur Kothala village, Malerkotla district, 40 panchayats passed a resolution to jointly combat the drug menace.
18-Mar-2025
The Tarn Taran police on March 18 arrested three associates of gangster-turned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh Harike alias Landa, identified as Ajay Mota, Raunak and Deepak, and seized 500 grams of heroin and .30 bore China-made pistols from their possession, in Tarn Taran in Tarn Taran district.
18-Mar-2025
On March 18, seven petitions challenging the detention of radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh's associates—Kulwant Singh Rauke, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala, Papalpreet Singh, Basant Singh, and Bhagwant Singh alias Bajeke—were withdrawn from the Punjab and Haryana High Court after the Punjab government decided not to re-invoke the National Security Act (NSA). Meanwhile, Amritpal Singh’s detention remains, with the next hearing scheduled for March 25.
18-Mar-2025
New Zealand Prime Minister (PM) Christopher Luxon, in an interview with The Hindu in New Delhi on March 18, emphasized New Zealand’s commitment to free speech while addressing concerns over pro-Khalistan activities. He also stressed the importance of security in the Indo-Pacific and reiterated that while New Zealand values multiculturalism, protests must remain within legal boundaries. Luxon further expressed optimism about concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India soon.
17-Mar-2025
The Assam Police, on March 17, handed over seven detainees under the National Security Act (NSA) to a 25-member team of Punjab Police in Dibrugarh, Assam. They are likely to be airlifted to Punjab on March 20. Four detainees—Gurmeet Singh, Bhagwant Singh, Daljit Singh Kalsi, and Basant Singh—were handed over on March 17 and 18, while Kulwant Singh, Harjeet Singh, and Gurinder Pal Singh were handed over on March 19.
17-Mar-2025
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on March 17, raised concerns over the activities of the US-based Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and its links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) during talks with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi. He urged Gabbard to designate SFJ as a terrorist entity and take strict action against its anti-India activities. The discussions also focused on strengthening India-US defence cooperation, including advancements in technology, interoperability, and joint military exercises. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic ties and expanding collaboration in key defence sectors.
17-Mar-2025
Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi met with New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on March 17, where he raised concerns over pro-Khalistan elements carrying out anti-India activities in New Zealand and urged strict action. The two leaders also signed a pact to institutionalize defence collaboration, including joint exercises and naval cooperation. Their discussions covered trade, education, and agriculture, with an agreement to initiate negotiations for a free trade pact. Later, they visited Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi to pay obeisance.
17-Mar-2025
Akal Takht officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, on March 17, took strong notice of a violent clash in Himachal Pradesh between local residents and Sikh Punjabi youth over flags bearing the image of Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to raise the issue with the state government and urged Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu to ensure law and order. He also advised Sikh youth to keep their vehicle documents in order and avoid traveling alone to Himachal Pradesh.
17-Mar-2025
Delhi Police on March 17 arrested a member of the Shibbu-Neeraj Bawana gang, identified as Shubham Kumar, and seized a .52-bore pistol with two bullets from his possession in Pul Prahladpur, South East Delhi. Shubham, who had been evading arrest by hiding in multiple states, was involved in extortion, property disputes, and drug rackets. He later admitted to working closely with key gang members to establish dominance in South Delhi.
17-Mar-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, on March 17, issued a stern warning to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), stating that the Punjab Police will take strict action against the ISI and the terrorists and gangsters it supports, during a press conference in Chandigarh. He alleged that the ISI is attempting to divert attention from the anti-drug campaign by orchestrating attacks in Punjab.