KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
19-Sep-2023
Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) General Secretary Gurcharan Singh Grewal, in a video statement on September 19, expressed concern about recent developments concerning the Sikh community in Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom (UK). He highlighted incidents such as anti-India graffiti attacks on Hindu temples in Australia, inquiries into the arrest of Jagtar Singh Johal in the UK, and the competition between Indian and Khalistan flags abroad. SGPC expressed worry over these developments and urged Sikhs to address the labelling of Sikhs as separatists or terrorists.
19-Sep-2023
According to sources, Pavan Kumar Rai, the Indian diplomat expelled by Canada amid tensions over the killing of the Khalistani terrorist and the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Hardeep Singh Nijjar, boasts a distinguished track record from his service in the Punjab Police. As an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the 1997 batch in the Punjab cadre, he achieved recognition during his tenure as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Tarn Taran, particularly for his efforts in probing a drug case involving a local politician. Rai continued to garner accolades during his subsequent posting as the Jalandhar SSP, where he apprehended the son of a powerful vigilance bureau SSP involved in a diamond heist. His integrity was further evidenced in a high-profile suicide case investigation in Amritsar, leading to the conviction of senior officers. Rai, known for his professionalism and effectiveness, has previously served in Dubai and currently holds the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) in Punjab. He is regarded as an exemplary police officer among his batchmates and seniors in the Punjab Police.
19-Sep-2023
According to reports, Canada's swift action in expelling an Indian diplomat following Prime Minister (PM) Trudeau's statement about a 'potential link' between Indian government agents and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar contrasts with its handling of the Air India bombing in 1985. The Air India bombing investigation was marred by errors and incompetence, resulting in denied justice for the victims. Now, Canada must provide irrefutable evidence if it claims Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing and should refrain from jumping to conclusions. New Delhi's expulsion of a Canadian diplomat in response represents a necessary firm stance to ensure that Canada rectifies its actions.
19-Sep-2023
Police on September 19 arrested three individuals identified as Sukhbir Singh, Hardeep Singh, and Jagjit Singh in Dala village, Moga district, in connection with the murder of Baljinder Dala, the Congress Ajitwal block president. According to sources, the motive behind the murder is believed to be a result of a personal feud.
18-Sep-2023
The Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, in an interview held on September 18 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, emphasized the need for countries, especially democracies, to exercise responsibility when dealing with forces that spread vitriol against other nations from their soil. He expressed concerns about countries like Canada allowing activities that directly impact India, specifically referring to Khalistani activities. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi had previously raised concerns with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau about extremist groups in Canada involved in anti-India activities, but Trudeau defended the freedom of expression within the Canadian diaspora. This comes as the banned terror Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) announced a rescheduled Khalistan referendum on October 29 in Canada.
18-Sep-2023
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Member of Parliament (MP) Harsimrat Kaur Badal, on September 18, in New Delhi, called for unanimous condemnation of the 1984 Sikh riots. She described it as a shocking instance where the Congress government in independent India stooped to the level of killing an entire community. She emphasized the need for Parliament to collectively condemn the 1984 Sikh genocide and pay homage to Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh guru known for defending religious freedom.
18-Sep-2023
A local Congress party leader, Baljinder Singh Balli, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants at his residence in Dala village in Moga district on September 18. Baljinder Singh was the Congress party’s Ajitgarh block chief, and the entire incident of the killing was captured on CCTV. Hours later, Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, claimed responsibility for the murder on Facebook. Dalla accused Balli of ruining his future and mentioned a personal vendetta related to his mother's police custody, indicating a motive for the killing. Senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa and Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring strongly condemned the incident.
18-Sep-2023
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi on September 18 filed a plea before a special court in Ahmedabad in Gujarat, asking the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to refrain from using terms like "terrorist" and "gangster" for him without sufficient evidence. Bishnoi is currently in jail for a drug smuggling case investigated by the NIA.
18-Sep-2023
Police on September 18 arrested five individuals, identified as Kashmir Singh, Swaran Singh alias Chapar, Amandeep Singh, Rahul and Atul and recovered 6 kilograms of heroin along with INR 7 lakh cash from their possession near Ramidi bridge in Kapurthala district. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajpal Singh Sandhu, Sukhdev Singh alias Sebi transported the heroin from Delhi and then distributed it to two brothers named Rahul and Atul. The brothers were allegedly planning to pass the heroin to the other three individuals. Police are making efforts to apprehend Sukhdev, who remains at large.
18-Sep-2023
Rajasthan Police on September 18 confirmed that Monu Manesar, a recently arrested cow vigilante, had expressed his desire to join gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's gang during a video chat that took place about a year ago. This conversation occurred while Bishnoi was in Punjab police custody for his alleged involvement in a murder case.
18-Sep-2023
Mohali police on September 18 brought gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria from Kurukshetra jail in Haryana to Mohali, Punjab, on a production warrant for questioning regarding the supply of weapons and ammunition to other gang members. He was presented before the Kharar court and taken into four-day police remand in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, Punjab.
17-Sep-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on September 17, recovered 3.130 kg of heroin airdropped by a Pakistani drone in Amisha village in Tarn Taran district.
17-Sep-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on September 17, recovered a large parcel containing 2.5 kg of heroin from a field after intercepting and shooting down the drone near Gatti Rajoke village in Ferozepur district.
17-Sep-2023
The staff of the Counter-Intelligence (CI) Wing of Punjab Police on September 17 arrested a smuggler identified as Jagdish Singh and seized 1 kg of heroin from his possession in Lakho ke Behram village in Ferozepur district. Jagdish, during interrogation, revealed that he, along with two other individuals named Bittu Singh and Buta Singh, had brought a heroin consignment from Pakistan.
17-Sep-2023
Police personnel at Faridkot Modern Jail on September 17 arrested two women, identified as Preeti and Simran Kaur and seized 30 grams of heroin and 105 grams of sulfa drugs, along with a mobile phone and a sim card from their possession, in Faridkot district. According to Assistant Jail Superintendent Karamjit Singh Bhullar, the women were allegedly attempting to smuggle heroin to their husbands inside the jail with the help of Vishal Singh, an inmate of the jail.
17-Sep-2023
The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (UP-STF) arrested a gangster, identified as Ravi Kumar, who was a sharpshooter affiliated with the Sunny Kakran gang and known to freelance for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, from Incholi region of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. He was arrested following a brief encounter with the police. Kumar had been involved in over a dozen criminal cases and was arrested due to his involvement in a ransom threat case earlier this year.
16-Sep-2023
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), claimed in a video message on September 16 that the killings of Indian soldiers in occupied Kashmir were a result of the conflict with indigenous Kashmiri freedom fighters and not acts of terrorism. He warned of the potential escalation of conflict in Punjab if a peaceful resolution was not pursued and expressed concerns about the situation in Kashmir, suggesting that the conflict might eventually extend to Punjab in an effort to free it from Indian control.
16-Sep-2023
The villagers of Tendi Wala and Jallo Ke villages held a protest on September 16, demanding a thorough investigation and alleging that a recent drug recovery episode in Jallo Ke, Ferozepur district, was staged. This pertains to a case in which the Border Security Force (BSF), along with the Punjab Police, recovered 1.710 kg of heroin from Tendi Wala village in Ferozepur district on September 15. Two Punjab police officials, Sub-Inspector (SI) Nishan Singh and Head Constable (HC) Harvinder Ram, were found in possession of 1.710 kg of heroin and a firearm by the BSF. Questions have arisen about the police's modus operandi and their use of a private vehicle, prompting calls for a high-level probe into the matter.
16-Sep-2023
Jalandhar Rural police on September 16 froze properties worth INR 40.5 crore amassed by six drug peddlers identified as Kulwant Singh alias Kanti, Varinderpal Singh, Sukhpreet Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Dilbagh Singh, and Swaran Singh from Rehrwan village in Jalandhar district. Two more villagers, Avtar Singh and Charanjit Singh, were also named by the police. According to SSP Jalandhar (Rural) Mukhwinder Singh, the properties acquired through drug smuggling in Rehrwan village include a farmhouse (valued at INR 50 lakh), a residential house (valued at INR 2 crore), 255 kanal and 1 marla of land (valued at INR 4.78 crore), 5 cars, 5 motorbikes, 1 truck, 1 combine, 1 JCB machine, 6 tractors, and 2 tippers. The seized assets will be auctioned by the government.
16-Sep-2023
On September 16, members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) removed posters for an upcoming event scheduled for September 23-25, which was set to feature Canada-based singer and Khalistan supporter Shubneet Singh alias Shubh, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The BJYM, the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), protested against the event and demanded its cancellation, asserting that there is no place for Khalistan supporters in India, especially in Maharashtra. BJYM President Tajinder Singh Tiwana warned that if the program proceeds, the organizers will face opposition. Tiwana also accused Shubh of sharing a distorted map of India on social media on March 23, 2023, and demanded legal action against him.