KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
31-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on May 31 filed a supplementary charge sheet in the 2021 Ludhiana court bomb blast case, naming Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode as the mastermind. Rode, who is based in Pakistan, is the leader of banned terror groups Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF). Another terrorist, Harpreet Singh alias Happy Malaysia, has also been named as an accused in the case. The bomb blast in Ludhiana's district court resulted in one death and six injuries.
31-May-2023
The Punjab and Haryana High Court, while dismissing a regular bail plea, on May 31 acknowledged the serious impact of drug abuse on society. The case involved the recovery of a large quantity of intoxicant tablets from the accused. The court noted that the recovery exceeded the commercial quantity limit and expressed concern over the rising number of deaths caused by drug consumption.
31-May-2023
Punjab Police on May 31 conducted a large-scale crackdown on alleged drug smugglers across the state, involving 650 police teams and over 5,500 personnel. During the operation, raids were conducted at 2,247 locations and searches were carried out at 2,125 houses. The police recovered significant quantities of drugs including 1.8 kg heroin, 82 kg poppy husk, 1 kg opium, INR 5.35 lakh cash and four weapons, besides recovering illicit liquor, lahan (raw material used to make liquor) and some vehicles. Additionally, 78 mobile mobile phones were seized.
31-May-2023
Punjab Police on May 31 arrested three individuals, identified as Rohit Bharadwaj alias Rimmi, Mohit Bharadwaj and Arjun Thakur, involved in an extortion racket allegedly backed by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The accused were operating through an online gambling platform, luring victims with promises of high profits before trapping them in debt and charging exorbitant interest rates. The police seized cash worth INR 14.78 lakh and incriminating evidence from the arrested individuals.
31-May-2023
According to reports, Pathankot Police takes significant steps towards strengthening border security and combating illegal activities by implementing a drone emergency response system. The initiative, supported by the Border Village Level Defence Committee (VLDC) and Border Security Force (BSF), aims to enhance response time and safeguard border regions.
31-May-2023
Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force's (AGTF) on May 31 arrested a member of the Bambiha gang, identified as Gurveer Singh alias Guri in connection with the murder of Jarnail Singh, from an undisclosed place in Punjab. The arrest was made with the recovery of a .32 calibre pistol and seven live cartridges. Preliminary investigations reveal that Gurveer Guri conspired with other gang members, including those presently abroad, to eliminate Jarnail Singh.
31-May-2023
Delhi's Patiala House Court on May 31 sent Lawrence Bishnoi to judicial custody until June 14 after his interrogation in a case related to the illegal arms supply to the Bishnoi-Jathedi Gang. The court decided that further police custody was not required.
30-May-2023
The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on May 30 removed references to the demand for Khalistan, a separate Sikh nation, from its Class 12 political science textbooks. This decision came after a representation from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) expressing concerns about misrepresenting the Anandpur Sahib resolution. The SGPC claimed that the textbook interpreted the resolution as separatist and demanded its removal. NCERT formed a committee of experts, which recommended the removal of the contentious content and subsequently made the necessary changes.
30-May-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on May 30 condemned government's actions against women Olympian wrestlers protesting for justice at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
30-May-2023
Punjab Police on May 30 released pictures of 10 alleged members of the Bambiha gang who are believed to be involved in the murder of gangster Jarnail Singh. Eight of the accused have been identified, while the identity of two others is yet to be determined. The anti-gangster task force has uncovered the conspiracy and raids are underway to apprehend the suspects.
30-May-2023
According to sources, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) plans to exhibit the bullet-riddled copy of the Guru Granth Sahib 'Saroop' on the anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6. The damaged 'Saroop' was installed in the Golden Temple's sanctum sanctorum and retains the original bullet mark. Conservation experts repaired the damaged pages while preserving some marks of damage. The SGPC's executive body decided to display the holy 'Saroop' for public viewing on June 6 at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Gurbaksh Singh.
29-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on May 29 filed a charge sheet against Lakhbir Singh Rode, the Pakistan-based chief of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISFY), for his alleged involvement in the 2021 Ludhiana Court complex blast. The blast resulted in one death and six injuries. According to the NIA, Rode smuggled Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) from Pakistan into India to carry out explosions in Punjab. Another accused, Harpreet Singh alias Happy Malaysia, was arrested in December 2022. Both individuals have been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant acts. The case was initially registered by Punjab Police and later taken over by the NIA.
29-May-2023
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on May 29 discussed with British Minister Lord Tariq Ahmad the need to protect India's diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom (UK) and prevent the misuse of democratic freedoms. The conversation followed the vandalization of the Indian High Commission in London by pro-Khalistan supporters. Jaishankar emphasized these concerns during his meeting and also touched upon various topics such as the Free Trade Agreement, South Asia, Indo-Pacific, and G20.
29-May-2023
The parallel Jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Dhian Singh Mand, on May 29 expressed concern over the declining reverence and sanctity of the Sikh community's supreme temporal seat. Mand, who is not recognized by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), plans to deliver his message from within the Akal Takht complex on June 6. He highlighted issues such as controversial pardons, sacrilege incidents, and allegations of favoritism towards a particular political party, urging the Jathedar to prioritize Sikh principles over political influences.
29-May-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police, in a joint search operation, seized 4.2 kg heroin, near Dal village along the International Border in Tarn Taran district on May 29.
29-May-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel seized a Pakistani drone and recovered 2.7 kg of heroin from the International Border (IB) in Amritsar on May 29.
28-May-2023
Pro-Khalistan posters of Jarnail Bhindranwale were displayed outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar on May 28 ahead of the 39th anniversary of June 1984 ‘Operation Blue Star’. The posters pay tribute to the martyrs of the 1984 operation and invite people to various commemorative events.
28-May-2023
On May 28, a Pakistani drone was shot down, and a packet wrapped in yellow plastic tape was recovered in Amritsar sector in Amritsar district.
27-May-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 27 successfully shot down a Pakistani drone that entered Indian airspace in Amritsar.
27-May-2023
Khanna police arrested a member of an inter-state gang involved in illegal weapons trade, identified as Divesh along with five country-made 315 bore guns in Ludhiana district. Further investigation revealed that Divesh, who is from Haryana, had connections with gangsters in different states and was involved in supplying weapons in Punjab.