KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
20-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted nationwide raids which named as ‘Operation Dhvast’, targeting a dangerous nexus of criminals involved in terrorism and organized crime. Raids conducted across eight states aim to dismantle networks associated with targeted killings, terror funding, and extortion. The operation results in arrests and seizures, demonstrating the NIA's commitment to national security. The successful execution of Operation Dhvast sends a strong message to criminals, emphasizing the authorities' determination to eliminate threats and ensure the safety of the nation.
20-May-2023
Amritsar Central Jail authorities confiscated four mobile phones from four inmates on May 20.
20-May-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) shot down a drone and seized 3.3 kg of heroin along the International Border in the Amritsar sector in Amritsar district on May 20 night. This marks the fifth drone interception in Punjab this week, resulting in a total seizure of around 23 kg of narcotics.
19-May-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) shot down two drones and recovered 2.6 kg of heroin along the International Border in the Amritsar sector in Amritsar district on May 19.
19-May-2023
The killing of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) leader Paramjit Singh Panjwar in Lahore has brought attention to a list of 20 wanted criminals and terrorists that India submitted to Pakistan in 2002 for extradition. The list includes prominent figures such as Masood Azhar, Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, Syed Salahuddin, Dawood Ibrahim, and Chhota Shakeel. The list also features Khalistani exponents like Wadhawa Singh Babbar, Lakhbir Singh Rode, Gajinder Singh, and Ranjit Singh Neeta.Despite some developments, most of the individuals remain elusive, with many operating from Pakistan.
19-May-2023
Police arrested a proclaimed offender (PO), identified as Veeru, who was wanted in a drug peddling case, in Phagwara in Kapurthala district on May 19.
19-May-2023
Punjab Police conducted large-scale raids across the state, targeting individuals with criminal records on May 19. Directed by the Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, a force of 3,000 personnel carried out synchronized operations. A total of 4,171 people with criminal records were targeted, with 450 police parties deployed for the raids. The purpose of the operation was to track their whereabouts and assess their reintegration into society. Police also questioned family members, investigated properties, and checked bank transactions and vehicle registrations.
19-May-2023
The banned Khalistan terror outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), through a pre-recorded video clip, on May 19 issued assassination threats against Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, and Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij. The SFJ, known to be backed by Pakistan's ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence), aims to revive the Khalistan movement in India following recent arrests of alleged Khalistani leaders.
19-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two associates of designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh Dhalla of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), identified as Amritpal Singh alias Ammy and Amritk Singh, after they arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi from Manila in Philippines on May 19. They were involved in a criminal conspiracy to raise funds for the KTF and smuggle weapons from Pakistan. The two accused were produced before a special court that sent them to NIA custody till May 27. The NIA has been cracking down on individual terrorists and outfits involved in smuggling arms and raising funds for terrorist activities in India. Arshdeep Singh Dhalla, based in Canada, has been declared a terrorist and is accused of various offenses, including targeted killings and extortion.
19-May-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) shot down two Pakistani drones and foiled another attempt by Pakistan to smuggle drugs into Amritsar on May 19.
18-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on May 18 arrested three individuals, Parveen Wadhwa alias Prince, Irfan alias Chenu and Jassa Singh, in connection with the terrorist-gangster-narcotics smuggler nexus from Haryana. Wadhwa was associated with gangsters, including Lawrence Bishnoi, while Irfan was involved in a terror conspiracy. Jassa Singh was linked to Arsh Dalla and had a role in the Khalistan terror conspiracy. The NIA conducted country-wide raids and recovered weapons during the operation. The investigations revealed connections to targeted killings, terror funding, extortion, and other criminal activities. Additionally, Haryana Police arrested four gangsters in separate operations.
18-May-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 15.5 kg of heroin after intercepting three drone sorties in Ramkot village of Amritsar sector in Amritsar district on May 18.
18-May-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police launched a search operation and recovered two packets of narcotic substances weighing 2.1 kg along with a pistol from the outskirts Bamba Battu Hittar village in Fazilka district on May 18.
18-May-2023
The parents of Amritpal Singh, a pro-Khalistan preacher, recently visited him at the Central Jail in Dibrugarh in Assam on May 18. During the meeting, they expressed gratitude towards the jail administration for their treatment and hoped for his early release. The family discussed personal matters and ongoing legal proceedings, preparing for the legal battle ahead. Amritpal's mother voiced concern over the invocation of the National Security Act (NSA) against him, while asserting his innocence.
18-May-2023
Pro-Khalistan graffiti and anti-government slogans were discovered on the walls of a Hindu temple in Maisar Khana village in Bathinda in Bathinda district on May 18. Security has been heightened in the area, and police are conducting an investigation to identify the culprits.
18-May-2023
The Special Task Force (STF) arrested two drug traffickers, identified as Gurvinder Singh Nikka and Jashanpreet Singh along with 150 gm of heroin, a country-made pistol, and live bullets from the Tarn Taran Road in Amritsar on May 18.
17-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested Jassa Singh, who was allegedly working at the behest of Canada-based designated terrorist Arsh Dalla, from Moga district on May 17. The arrest took place during country-wide raids conducted by the NIA under 'Operation Dhvast'. Jassa Singh's role in the Khalistan terror conspiracy has been established, as he is believed to have delivered a pistol on behalf of Arsh Dalla. Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala, a listed Individual Terrorist is an operative of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).
17-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on May 17 conducted searches at 324 locations in six states and two Union Territories (UTs) in coordination with Punjab and Haryana police departments as part of its crackdown on the alleged nexus between gangsters, drug smugglers and terrorist groups based in foreign countries, including Pakistan and Canada. The operation called ‘Operation Dhvast’ resulted in the seizure of a significant amount of arms, ammunition, and incriminating materials. Several suspects are detained, and the raids aim to dismantle criminal syndicates involved in organized crime, drug smuggling, and terrorism. According to NIA, their teams raided a few houses in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh and Delhi and Chandigarh (UTs). While the NIA conducted searches at 129 locations, Punjab Police conducted searches at 143 places in 17 districts and Haryana Police raided 52 locations in 10 districts. The NIA official said the raiding parties have seized a pistol, assorted ammunition (both live and used cartridges), 60 mobile phones, five DVRs, 20 SIM cards, a hard disk, a pen drive, a dongle, a WiFi router, a digital watch, two memory cards, 75 documents and over INR 39.60 lakh. Meanwhile, the Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that Punjab Police also simultaneously carried out cordon and search operation (CASO) at hideouts of gangsters and anti-social elements across the state. He said 125 units, involving over 1,200 police personnel, conducted searches at 143 locations in all 28 police districts of the state.
17-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on May 17 announced the arrest of three individuals in connection with the extensive raids conducted during 'Operation Dhvast'. The arrested individuals are identified as Parveen Wadhwa from Haryana, Irfan from Delhi, and Jassa Singh from Punjab. The NIA alleges their involvement in various criminal activities, including liaising with notorious gangsters and participating in terror conspiracies. The raids took place across 324 locations in eight states and one Union Territory, targeting the nexus between terrorists, gangsters, and drug smugglers in the country.
17-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on May 17 conducted a raid at a house in Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand as part of its investigation into a case involving drug smugglers, gangsters, and terrorist groups. The search was carried out at over 100 locations across six states. The targeted house was linked to Gurvinder Singh, a Canadian resident who was visiting his family in India. However, Gurvinder Singh was not present during the raid, and NIA officials questioned his family members about the Khalistan terror-gangster network.