KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-Dec-2023
The police on December 6 arrested three individuals, identified as Pawanjot Singh, Major Singh, and a juvenile and seized 4.155 kg of heroin worth over INR 20 crore in the international market from their possession near Mauzewala village in Fazilka district. The heroin was reportedly smuggled from Pakistan through a drone in two 2 kg consignments on December 5.
06-Dec-2023
Christopher A Wray, the Director of the United States (US) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is scheduled to visit India next week to discuss key issues, including the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The plot involves an Indian citizen, Nikhil Gupta, and an unnamed official. This marks Wray's first visit to India since 2017, and he is expected to address concerns related to Khalistan terrorism, the gangster nexus, and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
06-Dec-2023
According to sources, Lakhbir Singh Rode, the self-styled head of the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and nephew of the slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, played a significant role in reviving militancy in Punjab. He reportedly died due to a heart attack in Pakistan recently. Rode was involved in coordinating with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to smuggle arms and ammunition into Punjab. He had joined the Khalistan movement in 1982 and fled to Pakistan in 1991, participating in various terror activities against India.
06-Dec-2023
Official sources on December 6 revealed that Punjab Police had previously shared intelligence with Rajasthan, warning of a threat to Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi's life and linking it to plans by gangster Sampat Nehra to instigate religiously motivated riots in Rajasthan. Gogamedi was shot dead on December 5 by two individuals in the living room of his house in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and Rohit Godara of the Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder.
06-Dec-2023
Security agencies on December 6 arrested two unidentified smugglers and seized approximately 1 kg of heroin from their possession near Nihale Kilcha village in Ferozepur district.
05-Dec-2023
Amritsar City Police on December 5 busted an interstate gang of arms smugglers run by gangster Simranjit Singh alias Jujhar, and arrested its key associate identified as Manak Singh alias Sunny Welding and seized four .32 bore pistols, four magazines, and seven live rounds from his possession in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
05-Dec-2023
The Punjab Police on December 5 conducted a special operation to combat drug trafficking, liquor smuggling, and monitor gangster activity by checking vehicles entering and exiting the state. Directed by the Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, the operation spanned from 8 am to 2 pm and involved checkpoints at 131 entry and exit points across 10 border districts. Approximately 1,200 police personnel were deployed, resulting in the checking of 3,760 vehicles, fines for 271, impounding of 46 vehicles, and legal action against 23 individuals, including 26 arrests and 211 for questioning.
05-Dec-2023
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on December 5 conducted searches at 13 locations in Haryana and Rajasthan as part of a crackdown on gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and the Khalistani terror network. The focus was on Surender Singh Chiku, a close associate of Bishnoi, who operated through shell companies to launder proceeds of crime in mining, liquor, and toll businesses. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been investigating these networks since 2018 for extortion, murder, and kidnapping, leading to the seizure of electronic devices, documents, cash, and the identification of 60 bank accounts and 13 benami properties.
05-Dec-2023
An associate of Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode, identified as Paramjit Singh Dhadi, was arrested on December 5 at Amritsar airport in Punjab. Dhadi, based in the United Kingdom (UK), is accused of involvement in terror funding and other subversive activities in Punjab. The arrest follows the recent death of Rode in Pakistan, who was the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF).
05-Dec-2023
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in an online video, threatened to attack the Indian Parliament on or before December 13, coinciding with the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack. The video features a poster of the 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru with the caption 'Delhi Banega Khalistan' (Delhi will turn into Khalistan). Pannun, the chief of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), claimed a foiled plot against him and vowed retaliation. Security agencies are on high alert, suspecting Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) involvement.
05-Dec-2023
The White House on December 5 confirmed that Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jonathan Finer had discussions about the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun during his meeting with Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on December 4, as stated in a released readout. The White House noted that Finer acknowledged India's establishment of a committee to investigate the alleged plot in the United States and emphasized the importance of holding anyone responsible accountable. The meetings also addressed bilateral issues and regional developments, including those in the Middle East.
05-Dec-2023
The Immigration Department in India has issued look-out circulars (LOCs) against four people from Punjab after a vehicle with a fake embassy number plate was spotted at IGI airport in New Delhi, according to reports. The Singapore High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, had previously warned about the fake embassy car. Investigations revealed that someone in the car had gone to the airport to meet individuals on two separate occasions, leading to the issuance of LOCs against the four individuals, two of whom are women, from Punjab.
05-Dec-2023
Punjab recorded the highest number of drug overdose deaths in India in 2022, with 144 fatalities, according to the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) report. Additionally, the state registered the third-highest number of cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, with 12,442 cases. Punjab also reported the third-highest number of deaths in the country, with 90 fatalities attributed to the consumption of illicit or spurious liquor.
04-Dec-2023
The Principal Deputy National Security Advisor of the United States (US), Jonathan Finer, met with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on December 4 in New Delhi. This marked the first meeting between Indian and US officials since US federal prosecutors accused an Indian official of plotting to kill a Khalistan separatist in the US. The visit included consultations with Deputy National Security Adviser Vikram Misri, focusing on a mid-term review of the India-US Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). The Deputy NSAs expressed satisfaction with ongoing collaborations in areas such as semiconductors, quantum, AI, and defence innovation. They affirmed their commitment to expanding iCET to include biotechnology, critical minerals, digital connectivity, and advanced materials. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of easing regulations to facilitate high-tech collaborations and technology transfer.
04-Dec-2023
The Counter Intelligence (CI) unit of Bathinda Police on December 4 arrested two unidentified operatives of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for writing pro-Khalistan slogans in various places in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan, in Bathinda in Punjab. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed the arrests and mentioned that further investigation is underway.
04-Dec-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on December 4 intercepted and recovered a drone, along with a hold and release mechanism, from fields near Chan Kalan village in the Amritsar district.
04-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, on December 4, in a joint search operation, recovered 300 grams of heroin in a plastic bottle with a ring and luminous stick attached to it on the outskirts of Rajoke village in Tarn Taran district.
03-Dec-2023
On December 3, an 'ardas' (prayer) for the release of Bandi Singhs and Waris Punjab De (WPD) head, Amritpal Singh, was held at Takht Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo in the Bathinda district of Punjab. Amritpal Singh's mother expressed concerns about the unjust treatment of those who have completed their jail terms, calling for the release of individuals in Dibrugarh and other jails.
03-Dec-2023
Three people identified as Phool Chand, Arjinder Singh, and Harry were arrested on December 3 for writing pro-Khalistan slogans near Mata Chintpurni Temple in Himachal Pradesh's Una district, from Dhesiya and Surja villages in Jalandhar district of Punjab. The individuals received financial incentives, with INR 25,000 deposited from a foreign source, and further investigation is ongoing.
03-Dec-2023
According to reports, India is confronted with the challenge of skilfully managing its relations with the United States (US) following an incident where its Ambassador to the US was heckled by Khalistani supporters, and an Indian government employee, Nikhil Gupta, was implicated in an alleged plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has deemed the allegations concerning and contrary to government policy, emphasizing the necessity for a thorough examination of the matter. Diplomats and experts are recommending a careful and measured response to these incidents to ensure the maintenance of strong ties with the US.