KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
03-Dec-2023
According to reports, an opium supplier based in Rajasthan is utilizing social media platforms to promise doorstep delivery of contraband. The supplier shares videos of opium preparation, which have been viewed by thousands. Undeterred by the law, the supplier quotes prices and provides delivery details through Facebook Messenger, demanding upfront payment for home delivery. Additionally, several Facebook pages have emerged, showcasing country-made weapons for sale. Taking note of this trend, the Ludhiana police emphasize the role of social media in facilitating illegal activities. The cyber wing is actively monitoring such profiles for verification and potential crackdowns.
03-Dec-2023
Jagtar Singh Tara, serving a life sentence for the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, on December 3, was granted two hours of parole to attend his niece's wedding at the gurdwara in Dekwala village in Rupnagar district of Punjab. The Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed the 'in-custody parole.'
03-Dec-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on December 3 stated that the SGPC has decided not to withdraw the mercy petition for Balwant Singh Rajoana, seeking the commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment. The SGPC executive appealed to Rajoana to abandon his hunger strike in Patiala jail.
02-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 2 recovered two Glock pistols made in Austria on the outskirts of Khalra village in Tarn Taran district.
02-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police’s special task force (STF) on December 2 arrested four unidentified drug smugglers and seized a small quantity of heroin and a Quadcopter DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from a house in Pakho Ke Talli village in Gurdaspur district.
02-Dec-2023
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami on December 2 objected to the Pakistan Government's plan to allocate 60% of the historic Gurdwara Nankana Sahib's land to another trust. The land was originally donated by Rai Bular Bhatti, a contemporary of Guru Nanak Dev, for the Gurdwara. Dhami expressed deep concern, stating that Bhatti's descendants had informed them of the decision and urged Pakistan to preserve gurdwara properties.
02-Dec-2023
According to reports, juvenile crime rates are on the rise in India, with a notable increase in gang involvement among young individuals. Law enforcement attributes this trend to gangs exploiting vulnerable youth through peer pressure and socio-economic challenges. Recent police efforts have uncovered international crime syndicates, led by figures like Goldy Brar, recruiting juveniles for extortion and organized criminal activities. The syndicates target wealthy individuals, using juveniles for surveillance and intimidation. Meanwhile, there is a concerning surge in juvenile crimes reported nationally, with a focus on murder cases, highlighting the need for comprehensive measures to address the issue.
01-Dec-2023
The Union government defended its decision on December 1 to extend the Border Security Force (BSF) jurisdiction in Punjab from 15 to 50 km along the Indo-Pak border. The government cited concurrent jurisdiction and clarified that local police powers were not deprived. The Punjab Government, alleging a parallel jurisdiction impinging on state powers, argued that the exercise of authority was unreasonable. The Supreme Court, acknowledging Punjab's concerns, scheduled further hearings for January 2024, urging the parties to collaborate on the issues involved.
01-Dec-2023
The border district of Punjab is witnessing a concerning transformation in the narcotics landscape as drones from Pakistan deliver black tar heroin into agricultural fields near the international border. The rise of heroin, facilitated by drones, has replaced traditional narcotics like opium and poppy husk, leading to a surge in addiction among the region's youth. Official reports suggest that for every kilogram seized, a substantial amount goes unnoticed, posing a significant challenge to authorities in curbing the influx and distribution of heroin.
01-Dec-2023
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with Amritsar Commissionerate police on December 1, arrested two operatives of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang along with their key associate, identified as Sarthak, Anmol Sharma, and Alatmis, and seized a car from their possession. Sarthak and Anmol were arrested from Zirakpur in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, and Alatmis was arrested from Samana in the Patiala district of Punjab.
01-Dec-2023
Jagtar Singh Hawara, serving a life sentence for the assassination of former Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, was acquitted on December 1 in a case registered 18 years ago for charges of waging war against the nation by a local court in Chandigarh. The prosecution failed to prove the allegations, which included planning to wage war, conspiracy, and collecting arms for the formation of Khalistan.
01-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF), on December 1, during a search operation, recovered a Chinese-made drone on the outskirts of Khalra village in Tarn Taran district. The drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic, a Made in China model.
01-Dec-2023
Sikh organizations worldwide have denounced the heckling of the Indian Ambassador to the United States (US), Taranjit Singh Sandhu, by a group of Khalistan sympathizers at a gurudwara in New York, US. Sikhs of America emphasized that gurudwaras are places of worship and should be free from personal political views, urging strict action against the miscreants. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DGMC) and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) condemned the incident, stating that it tarnished the Sikh community's image. Ambassador Sandhu, a representative of the Sikh community on foreign soil, received support, with calls for gurdwaras to remain free from political disputes.
01-Dec-2023
The proposed site for the Sikh Museum and Heritage Centre in Kurukshetra, Haryana, has been changed due to opposition from local residents.
01-Dec-2023
According to reports, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director William Burns visited New Delhi in early August to discuss the alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The US uncovered a conspiracy involving an Indian national hiring a hitman to assassinate Pannun, with the alleged involvement of an Indian government official.
30-Nov-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President, Harjinder Singh Dhami, on November 30 urged the Indian government to decide on the mercy petitions and release of Sikh prisoners, including death row convict Balwant Singh Rajoana, in Amritsar, Punjab. Rajoana had written to the SGPC seeking the withdrawal of a mercy petition filed in 2012, threatening a hunger strike if not done by December 5.
30-Nov-2023
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on November 30, while addressing the media in New Delhi, expressed concern over the United States (US) federal prosecutors' accusations against an Indian intelligence official allegedly involved in a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Bagchi stated that the matter goes against the Indian government's policy, emphasizing the seriousness of the nexus between organized crime, trafficking, gunrunning, and extremism at an international level.
30-Nov-2023
Allegations of a conspiracy to murder Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun have strained India-United States (US) relations, following the arrest of Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta. Critics suggest that America's stance may reflect a double standard on terrorism, raising concerns about parallels with Canada's approach to the Khalistan issue.
30-Nov-2023
According to sources, two senior Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officers were asked to leave their stations in major Western cities amid allegations of the spy agency's involvement in an assassination campaign targeting Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. RAW's stations in San Francisco and Washington DC in the US were shut down, signaling discontent over perceived violations of operational conventions. US prosecutors claimed that RAW conspired to assassinate Khalistan activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leading to strained relations and concerns about intelligence cooperation.
30-Nov-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) has recovered 90 drones on the Punjab Frontier this year, with 60-65% of heroin seizures attributed to these drones. BSF officials suspect the drone system could be an organized, state-sponsored mechanism deployed by Pakistan for drug delivery across the border. Most recovered drones were identified as China-made DJ Matrix models, leading to suspicions that they originate from near Pakistani Rangers' establishments. The issue has been raised with Pakistan through various channels, including diplomatic meetings and protest notes.