KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
27-Sep-2023
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), released a video claiming responsibility for defacing walls in Delhi’s ISBT area with anti-India and pro-Khalistani slogans. Pannun also made threats against Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, accusing him of being responsible for the murder of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and vowed to target the ICC World Cup 2023 match to be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on October 6. Pannun also issued threats to Indian diplomats in Canada, including Sanjay Verma, High Commissioner of India to Canada, and advised India to shut down its mission in Ottawa, Canada, and recall the ambassador. These threats come in the wake of accusations against India following the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
27-Sep-2023
Gur Bakshish Singh Sidhu, popularly known as GBS Sidhu, the former secretary of R&AW, revealed in an interview that India's Khalistan problem was manipulated by a small group of politicians for electoral gains, rather than being created by Pakistan. However, he pointed out that Pakistan exploited it. He emphasized the need for truth and reconciliation to address Sikh grievances, suggesting the establishment of a truth commission to tackle the issue and strengthen Sikh moderates in countering extremism.
27-Sep-2023
Republic TV recently uncovered a threatening conversation between Lakhbir Singh Landa, an operative of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and Punjab businessman Gurmukh Singh. In the recording, Landa is heard accusing Gurmukh of involvement in a homicide and issuing menacing threats, vowing not to spare him during their impending encounter. This exchange took place in October 2022. Landa asked Gurmukh why he didn't have others with him during the cremation of Shashi, whom he alleged Gurmukh had killed. Gurmukh denied any involvement in the killing, attributing it to Versa and others. Landa mentioned that he had been called for the cremation by Fauji, indicating a dispute between Landa and Fauji. He warned Gurmukh to be prepared to face the consequences when they meet in the future, emphasizing that he wouldn't spare him.
27-Sep-2023
According to reports, escalating tensions between India and Canada are increasingly worrying Punjabi families whose students are pursuing education in Canada. Indian students constitute a significant segment of Canada's international student community, and recent political developments have cast doubts on their safety and well-being. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's unfounded allegations against India concerning the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar have further exacerbated the situation. Urgent calls are being made to both the Indian government and leaders in Punjab to address these concerns, ensuring the safety and future prospects of Indian students studying in Canada.
27-Sep-2023
According to sources, Indian investigating agencies, particularly the National Investigation Agency (NIA), are uncovering connections between gangsters and Khalistani organizations, leading to a criminal-terror nexus that bears resemblances to the Mumbai underworld. Initially, these gangs formed crime syndicates to pool resources and conduct inter-state operations. As these syndicates expanded, they sought more sophisticated weapons, prompting collaboration with banned terrorist groups supporting Khalistan. In exchange for these weapons, the criminal syndicates carried out extortions and targeted killings to further the Khalistan cause, paralleling the early activities of Mumbai's underworld, which eventually engaged in terrorist attacks. This criminal-terror nexus poses a significant security concern in Punjab.
27-Sep-2023
According to reports, amid the India-Canada diplomatic dispute and potential gang conflicts in Canada, the Pakistani Army and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) are relocating Khalistani militants and gangsters wanted in India to safer hideouts. Several militants and gangsters, including individuals like Ranjeet Singh, alias Neta, from the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF); Lakhbir Singh Rode, associated with the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF); Harvinder Singh Rinda of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI); Ganga Singh Dhillon; and Jagjit Singh, have reportedly been relocated to secure facilities. This operation is being conducted covertly and overseen by a Major General-level officer within the ISI. Pakistan's concern stems from the recent crackdown on Khalistani networks in India, which could potentially expose its ties to these elements.
27-Sep-2023
According to reports, recent gang-related violence involving criminal groups in Punjab has strained Indo-Canada relations. Notably, gangster Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke, was killed in Winnipeg, Canada, allegedly due to inter-gang rivalry, with both Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria claiming responsibility. Duneke's name appeared on a list of wanted gangsters released by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) a day before his murder. He was associated with the Khalistan movement in Canada. This incident parallels the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Additionally, the Bishnoi gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi, and the Bambiha Group, headed by Davinder Bambiha, are key players in this criminal landscape. Other figures involved include Jasdeep Singh of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang and Canada-based Goly Brar, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and a fugitive wanted for murder by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
27-Sep-2023
According to the minutes of a meeting of intelligence personnel accessed by The Free Press Journal, Khalistani terrorists led by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) had reportedly planned to carry out bombings at Delhi airport and several metro railway stations during the recent G20 summit in Delhi to draw global attention to their secessionist demand. Intercepted audio conversations revealed that SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun claimed China's support for Khalistan. The voice messages intercepted by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) on September 1 indicated plans for bombings, hoisting Khalistani flags, and targeting the G20 summit venue and delegate hotels. The National Investigation Agency's (NIA) interrogation of gangster Manpreet Singh alias Peeta, deported from Manila, Philippines, revealed their nexus with Pannun, who had offered a reward for replacing the Indian flag with the Khalistani flag.
27-Sep-2023
According to sources, the Indian intelligence dossier on pro-Khalistani terror activities in Canada has highlighted significant Pakistani connections. Individuals such as Arsh Dala, Parry Dulai, Gurjinder Singh Pannun, and Gurjeet Singh Cheema have close ties to Lakhbir Singh Rode, a Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist who leads the banned outfit International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF). Bhagat Singh Brar alias Bhaggu Brar, is a prominent figure in the Canadian Khalistani-terrorist network and actively supports terrorist activities in Punjab. He frequently travels to Pakistan to provide funds to his father, Rode, and has been involved in anti-India activities. Harpreet Singh, who has been residing in Canada for 18 years, has been linked to weapon smuggling activities from Pakistan and has close contacts with Ranjit Singh alias Neeta.
27-Sep-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 27 conducted a widespread crackdown across multiple states, involving 53 locations in six states: Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as Chandigarh. The operation targeted the terrorist-gangster-drug smuggler nexus, resulting in the detention of several suspects and the seizure of weapons, ammunition, digital devices, and incriminating materials. The objective of the operation was to dismantle the network connected with listed terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, and notorious gangsters such as Lawrence Bishnoi, Sukhdeep Singh, Harry Maur, Narender alias Lali, Kala Jatheri, Deepak Tinu, among others.
27-Sep-2023
Police arrested a man, identified as Lakhan Khosla and seized 70 grams of an intoxicating powder, most likely heroin, from his possession in Model Town in Hoshiarpur district on September 27.
27-Sep-2023
Police on September 27 arrested two unidentified individuals and recovered 100 grams of heroin and a stolen car from their possession in Mahilpur in Hoshiarpur district.
27-Sep-2023
Chabbewal Police on September 27 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Vikramjeet and Sahil Bains and seized 260 grams of intoxicating powder from their possession in Chabbewal in Hoshiarpur district.
26-Sep-2023
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on September 26, announced plans to deploy anti-drone systems along India's international border to enhance security measures in Amritsar, Punjab. He highlighted the government's commitment to border security and its success in combating narcotics and terrorism. The meeting addressed various developmental and security-related issues in Northern India.
26-Sep-2023
Nabha Police, on September 26, arrested two individuals, identified as panchayat secretary Deepak Garg and Navpreet Pal and seized around 3.5 kg of opium from their possession in Nabha in Patiala district. Garg is alleged to have smuggled around 60 kg of opium over the last two years, primarily sourced from Rajasthan.
26-Sep-2023
Zirakpur police, along with the Special Task Force (STF) Mohali unit, on September 26 arrested two drug peddlers identified as Arun Kumar and Manjit Singh alias Meet and recovered 50 grams of heroin from their possession in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The arrested individuals disclosed that they sourced the heroin from the Ferozepur border area for INR 2,000 per gram and sold it in Mohali for INR 3,200 per gram.
26-Sep-2023
Police on September 26 arrested an individual identified as Niket Singh and recovered 20 grams of heroin from his possession in Zikapur in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
26-Sep-2023
West Bengal Congress President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on September 26 strongly condemned Khalistani supporters in Canada for their actions, which included burning an Indian flag and protesting against the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He called upon the Indian government to take necessary measures against these anti-India elements.
26-Sep-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 26 conducted a widespread operation, conducting raids in 50 locations across six states - Punjab, Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The operation targeted the Khalistani-gangster nexus. During these operations, the NIA detained Sunder alias Jora, an associate of gangster-turned-terrorist Arsh Dala, in Ferozepur district in Punjab.
26-Sep-2023
The Counter-Intelligence (CI) wing of the Punjab Police on September 26 arrested a drug smuggler identified as Manpreet Singh and seized 4 kg of heroin and a car from his possession near Khurmania village in Amritsar district. Manpreet had been communicating with Pakistani drug smugglers through WhatsApp and was transporting the heroin consignment. Reportedly, it had been delivered by Pakistani smugglers using a drone near Naushehra Dhala village in Tarn Taran district to an unknown recipient.