KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
13-Jun-2023
Sarbat Khalsa-designated acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Dhian Singh Mand, on June 13 extended an invitation to Giani Harpreet Singh, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) appointed acting Jathedar, to come together for the betterment of the Sikh community. Mand expressed concern over divisions and the deteriorating state of Sikh leadership. In his letter, he emphasized the need to rise above differences and work unitedly.
13-Jun-2023
The Commissioner of Police (CP) Mandeep Singh Sidhu on June 13 revealed that the Police Commissionerate in Ludhiana has been undertaking a sustained campaign against drugs, gangsters and criminals. This campaign has led to the arrest of 519 smugglers in 405 cases registered under various sections of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of nearly 1 tonne of contraband, including 642 kg of poppy husk, 100 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 7 grams of LSD, and 14.5 kg of heroin. Other drugs seized include 243 kg of ganja, 51 kg of opium, 2 kg of hashish, and 25 grams of cocaine. The Police Commissionerate also arrested 158 wanted gangsters from 46 gangs, solved 75 cases, and cracked down on heinous crimes, including murder, kidnapping, and abduction. Additionally, they apprehended 256 proclaimed offenders and recovered stolen property worth Rs 11 crore, including 640 stolen vehicles, 1566 mobile phones, 3kg gold ornaments,2kg silver jewellery and 1.25 crore cash. The operation also targeted illegal gambling, resulting in the arrest of 354 gamblers and the seizure of Rs 41 lakh in cash.The police also arrested 347 liquor smugglers in 219 cases, seizing 76 liters of illicit liquor, 18,028 liters of liquor, 1,647 liters of beer, and 17,050 liters of lahan.
13-Jun-2023
Police on June 13 arrested a smuggler, identified as Gujral Singh, and recovered 6 kg heroin worth INR 3 crore from his possession in Kapurthala district.
13-Jun-2023
Police arrested two drug peddlers, Manoj Kumar and Raj Kumar alias Bardania along with 240 intoxicant tablets and 110 intoxicant capsules in Kapurthala district.
13-Jun-2023
The Khana police on June 13 arrested one suspected arms supplier, identified as Gagandeep Singh in Barnala district of Punjab. Police recovered three .32 bore pistols, one .32 bore revolver, and one country-made .315 bore weapon based on his disclosure. He was already facing trial in 39 cases, including two murder and fourteen attempt to murder charges. Gagandeep is believed to have connections with gangsters in different states and was involved in supplying weapons in Punjab.
12-Jun-2023
Documents have emerged exposing Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)'s involvement in plotting an attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders in New Delhi. The plan involved the participation of a Canada-based terrorist named Arshdeep and another associate affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). It has been revealed that the ISI has established a dedicated desk called 'K2' to pursue their objectives related to "Kashmir and Khalistan".
12-Jun-2023
A Delhi court on June 12 rejected the transit remand request of two alleged operatives of the banned terrorist group Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) by Punjab Police. The court deemed the application to be belated, stating that it was filed late- at 11:55 am, it would not be possible to produce the accused before the Punjab court before 5 pm on the same day. The accused, Amritpal Singh alias Ammy, and Amrik Singh, allegedly associated with Canada-based terrorist Arshdeep Dhalla, are already in judicial custody in a case filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Punjab Police sought their remand in an extortion case registered in Jagraon, Punjab.
12-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on June 12 recovered a Pakistani drone near a Gurudwara in Shaidpur Kalan village in the Amritsar district. The drone was identified as a Quadcopter of model DJI Matrice 300 RTK series and was found in a broken condition based on specific intelligence inputs.
12-Jun-2023
Inspector General of Police (IGP)- Headquarters, Sukhchain Singh Gill on June 12 disclosed that since the launch of their anti-drug smuggling operation in July 5, 2022, the Punjab Police have made significant progress in their anti-drug smuggling operations, resulting in the arrest of 14,952 drug smugglers and the seizure of 1,135.25 kg of heroin. They have registered 11,147 FIRs, including 1,313 related to commercial quantities of drugs. Cordon and search operations, as well as checkpoints, have been instrumental in seizing heroin within the state, while additional seizures of heroin have been made at seaports in Gujarat and Maharashtra. The police have also confiscated 731 kg opium, 840.76 kg ganja, 350.40 quintal of poppy husk, 62.49 lakh tablets/capsules/injections/vials of pharma opioids, cash of INR 11.83 crores from the drug smugglers during these 11 months. The IGP said that the police continue their efforts to combat the drug menace and have initiated measures to forfeit the properties of arrested drug smugglers.
12-Jun-2023
The Punjab Police's Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on June 12 arrested a close associate of gangster Goldy Brar, identified as Harpreet Singh Bhau of Dhapai village in Faridkot, Punjab in connection with the murder of Dera follower Pardeep Singh. Bhau is the twin brother of an accused in the murder case of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala. According to police, Bhau had been absconding since the killing of Pardeep Singh at his shop in Kotkapura town of Faridkot on November 10, 2022. Police have so far arrested 14 persons, including six assailants, in the case.
11-Jun-2023
The Mandoli jail administration on June 11 appealed to a Delhi court to shift Bishnoi to Bathinda jail in order to avert any threats to the law and order situation in the Delhi prison. The court has agreed to the request, pending the completion of his police remand in Delhi. Bishnoi was shifted to the Mandoli jail in Delhi on May 25 of this year.
11-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, in a joint operation, on June 11 arrested one unidentified farmer along with two packets of heroin in Bharopal Village, Amritsar district.
11-Jun-2023
Punjab Police and Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation, on June 11 recovered a DJI Matrice 300 RTK model drone in Rajoke village, Tarn Taran district.
11-Jun-2023
According to reports, Punjab Police has introduced the Drone Emergency Response System (DERS) under the guidance of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh in Pathankot, a border district in Punjab, to combat the smuggling of drugs and arms. The DERS will cover 14 villages within a 2-kilometer radius of the international border, aiming to prevent illicit transportation facilitated by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The police will collaborate with village-level defence committees for coordinated responses to smuggling incidents. The region has been grappling with challenges posed by drones involved in cross-border smuggling, despite efforts by the Border Security Force. The vulnerable Punjab-Pakistan border stretches across 553 kilometres.
10-Jun-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on June 10 installed a hi-tech scanner at one of the entrances to the Golden Temple in Amritsar, due to the recent blasts that occurred in the vicinity of the holiest Sikh shrine in May this year. Plans are underway to install similar scanners at all entry points in the near future.
10-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on June 10 intercepted an incoming drone from the Pakistan side and recovered 5.5 kg of heroin near Rai village in Amritsar sector, Amritsar district.
09-Jun-2023
The Amritsar Police on June 9 arrested three suspected gangsters, identified as Gurmej Singh, Rajwinder Singh and Arshdeep Singh for the murder of Jarnail Singh in Amritsar. Police also recovered a .32-bore pistol and a Swift Dzire car from Gurmej Singh who is suspected to have taken the four shooters to the crime spot in the same car and later dropped them off at different locations.
09-Jun-2023
In an interview, Ajai Sahni, the executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management and the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), outlined the consequences Canada has to face after embracing Pro-Khalistan Elements. According to him, The Khalistan movement, initially fuelled by radical Sikh terrorism in the late seventies, transformed into a political demand for a separate state. However, after its defeat in 1992-93, the movement persisted primarily among Sikhs settled abroad, especially in Western countries and Pakistan. The welcoming approach of Western countries, including Canada, towards pro-Khalistan elements during that time is now resulting in consequences such as the celebration of Indira Gandhi's assassination and ongoing tensions in Canada. Many terrorist mobilizers operate from safe havens in Pakistan or Western countries, coordinating activities and receiving funds. The mainstreaming of the Khalistan discourse in India often diverts attention from other issues in Punjab.
09-Jun-2023
The Union Territory (UT) administration of Chandigarh on June 9, implemented the Chandigarh Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2018, under which All marriages performed according to Sikh rituals in the city can be registered under the Anand Marriage Act 1909, with the UT administration.
09-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on June 9 intercepted a drone and recovered 5.26 kg of heroin near Rai village in Amritsar district.