KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
10-Aug-2024
On August 10, in a joint operation with central agencies, Punjab Police arrested Simranjot Singh Sandhu, an international drug smuggler and the kingpin of the 487 kg cocaine smuggling case, in Bhaloor village, Moga district. Sandhu played a significant role in drug trafficking between India, Europe, and South America, smuggling large quantities of cocaine, marijuana, and hashish. After being sentenced in Germany in 2022, he fled to Dubai and then to India, evading arrest across multiple locations, including Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Rajasthan.
09-Aug-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on August 9 successfully extradited Tarsem Singh, the brother of Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa and a key Pro-Khalistan Element (PKE) associated with the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to New Delhi. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in coordination with the NIA and Interpol, facilitated the return. Singh, wanted for his involvement in rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) attacks and terror funding, had an Interpol Red Notice issued against him. He is linked to major terror networks and faces charges related to smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and funding terrorist activities in India. Singh's extradition is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to tackle terrorism and organized crime linked to Khalistan movements.
09-Aug-2024
The Supreme Court (SC) on August 9 dismissed a plea challenging the election of jailed radical Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Khadoor Sahib in Punjab. The petitioner argued that Singh, who had stated he did not owe allegiance to the Constitution of India, was not qualified under Article 84 of the Constitution. The Court advised the petitioner to pursue an election petition and noted that Singh's eligibility was subject to procedural and evidential considerations.
09-Aug-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on August 9 changed the color of the Nishan Sahib in the Golden Temple complex from kesri to basanti, in accordance with an edict from the Akal Takht. This decision followed a resolution by Sikh clergy to align with the Panth Parwanit Sikh Rehat Maryada, which permits either basanti or surmai colours.
09-Aug-2024
A recent video featuring Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has raised significant concern by suggesting that India is the next target for balkanization following political unrest in Bangladesh. Pannun's comments, which align with narratives historically promoted by Pakistan, highlight a broader agenda to destabilize India through internal fragmentation. This rhetoric, reflecting both historical and contemporary attempts to weaken India, underscores the need for vigilance and a unified response from the Indian government and civil society to counter such divisive propaganda.
09-Aug-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) Punjab Frontier Chief Inspector General (IG) Atul Fulzele on August 9, while speaking to reporters in Jalandhar district, announced significant security enhancements along the Punjab-Jammu border, including increased manpower and extensive CCTV coverage. This move follows a surge in terrorist activities in Jammu, which has resulted in numerous casualties. He also stated that the BSF is addressing the rising issue of cross-border smuggling via drones, focusing on tracing and intercepting these unmanned aerial vehicles, and that a heightened security alert has been issued ahead of Independence Day celebrations.
09-Aug-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) is offering International English Language Testing System (IELTS) coaching to 50 youngsters from five villages on the Indo-Pak border in Punjab to help steer them away from drug abuse. This initiative, part of the 'Vibrant Village Program,' provides free coaching and transport, targeting youth from landless farming families. Funded by Union government resources, the BSF plans to start a second course for those with degrees or diplomas. Over half of the initial participants were girls, and three successfully passed the exam.
09-Aug-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) Punjab Frontier Chief Inspector General (IG) Atul Fulzele, while speaking to reporters in Jalandhar on August 9, reported that the latest drones from Pakistan are smaller, can fly up to 1 km high, and are harder to detect. He also revealed that these new drones, identified as Chinese Mavic models, have a reduced payload capacity and are almost silent. Since January 1, the BSF has seized 137 drones, 28 weapons, and over 160 kg of heroin.
09-Aug-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on August 9 successfully arrested Tarsem Singh, the brother of Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, and a key Pro-Khalistan Element (PKE) associated with the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), after his extradition from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to New Delhi. Singh, linked to terror funding and criminal activities, was arrested following a red corner notice and a non-bailable warrant. This arrest marks a significant step in the NIA's ongoing efforts against various proscribed terrorist organizations operating in India.
09-Aug-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) team of Jalandhar (Rural) police on August 9 uncovered an inter-state opium racket and arrested three individuals, identified as Usma Khan, Junaid Ansari Ahmid, and Adarsh Kumar, seizing 2 kg of opium from their possession in Lambra village in Jalandhar district. According to the police, the suspects are linked to a broader network operating between Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh (UP), with the seized opium intended for further distribution.
08-Aug-2024
Punjab Police’s Special Task Force (STF) on August 8 froze 24 bank accounts linked to Drug Inspector Shishan Mittal, totaling INR 6.69 crore, during raids at eight locations, including Bathinda, Maur Mandi, Gidderbaha, Mohali, Chandigarh, and Fatehabad (Haryana). The raids uncovered cash, foreign currency, and assets such as flats and plots. Mittal, implicated in drug smuggling and money laundering, has not yet been formally arrested, and investigations into his connections with drug networks and financial irregularities are ongoing.
08-Aug-2024
During a joint search operation on August 8, Border Security Force (BSF) troops and Punjab Police recovered 473 grams of heroin wrapped in yellow and black adhesive tape from fields near Kalia village in Tarn Taran district.
08-Aug-2024
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh revealed on August 8 that approximately 1.92 lakh devotees from India visited Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor over the past three years, in response to a question by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Raghav Chadha in the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) in New Delhi. The number of visitors increased from 10,025 in 2021 to 96,555 in 2023. Despite the corridor's high expectations and initial acclaim, issues such as Pakistan's imposition of a USD 20 fee and India's mandatory passport requirement have hindered its potential, resulting in fewer pilgrims visiting than anticipated.
08-Aug-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, recently released a video in which he threatened Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, demanding that he should not hoist the Indian flag on Independence Day (August 15). Pannun also offered a reward of USD 500,000 to anyone who prevents Mann from raising the tricolour and condemned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He vowed to incite violence against Indian embassies worldwide—from Vancouver and Washington DC to Melbourne—and urged supporters to burn the tricolour as a symbolic act against Indian rule and in support of Khalistan. He also stated that Punjab is not part of India and claimed that August 15 is not a day of independence for Sikhs or Punjab.
08-Aug-2024
According to reports, the Akal Takht has recently become a refuge for rebel Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders seeking to regain Sikh support after a series of electoral defeats. Amid controversies surrounding the SAD's handling of blasphemy and sacrilege cases, party president Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders have apologized for past missteps. This crisis highlights the SAD's struggle to distance itself from its controversial past and restore its spiritual and political credibility within the Sikh community, as it faces diminished influence and increasing radicalization in Punjab.
07-Aug-2024
Ferozepur Police on August 7 arrested two drug smugglers, including a woman identified as Simran Kaur alias Indu Bala, and Gurjot Singh, and seized 6.65 kg of heroin and INR 6 lakh in drug money at a checkpoint near Old Mudki Road in Bagha Purana village, Ferozepur district. Simran, who has a history of 15 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Prisons Act, was previously involved in a high-profile sex scandal. The police intercepted the duo with the drugs, reportedly dropped by a Pakistani drone, and have initiated proceedings to forfeit their illegally acquired property.
07-Aug-2024
On August 7, the 13-member presidium of the dissident Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) faction, led by Gurpartap Singh Wadala, called on the global Sikh community for input and guidance. They sought advice on overcoming the party's current challenges and restoring its role as a prominent advocate for the Sikh community.
07-Aug-2024
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has scheduled a meeting of the five high priests on August 30 at the Akal Takht secretariat in Amritsar, Punjab. The meeting will address and decide on the clarifications submitted by the presidents of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC).
07-Aug-2024
Punjab Police on August 7 conducted a large-scale cordon and search operation (CASO) code-named 'Eagle V,' targeting drug hotspots across all 28 police districts in Punjab. The operation resulted in 61 First Information Reports (FIRs), 82 arrests, and the seizure of 270g of heroin, 74kg of poppy husk, 2kg of ganja, 1,868 intoxicant tablets, and a large quantity of illicit and licit liquor and lahan.
07-Aug-2024
Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab State Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on August 7 demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann following revelations that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's interviews were conducted while he was in police custody in Punjab, in Chandigarh. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) report submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court revealed that Bishnoi's first interview took place in Kharar, Punjab, while he was in the custody of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA).