KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
10-May-2023
The president of National Akali Dal, Paramjit Singh Pamma on May 10 accused Pakistan of providing shelter to senior Khalistani militants on their soil while pretending to be friends with India. Pamma attributed the recent killing of Khalistani Commando Force (KCF) chief to Pakistan's efforts to get rid of liabilities and clean its terrorist land. He also alleged that Pakistan is involving youth, including Harvinder Singh Rinda, in sending drugs to India with the help of drones.
10-May-2023
Harjot Singh, a gangster accused of the Nabha jail-break, on May 10 was transferred to Muktsar district jail after a medical examination at the Civil Hospital in Muktsar under tight security.
10-May-2023
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on May 10 arrested two individuals and booked six others for their involvement in preparing fake documentation for passports and visas to help criminals and gang members flee abroad from Gurdaspur district. The group was also involved in cross-border smuggling activities related to drugs and militant hardware.
10-May-2023
A third blast occurred near Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab on May 10. According to sources, the recent explosions are suspected to be the work of two individuals, including a former government employee, who wanted to send a message against alleged anti-Sikh activities in India. The accused is not affiliated with the pro-Khalistani movement but has extreme radical views. The intention behind the blasts was to protest against the use of tobacco near Golden Temple and the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) on Amritpal Singh. Three individuals who sold potash to the accused have been apprehended, but they were unaware of the intended purpose of the purchase.
10-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guards (NSG) have joined the investigation into two low-intensity explosions that occurred in a span of 30 hours near the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the terror angle cannot be ruled out. The Punjab Police are investigating the blasts and are seeking the help of NSG for a second opinion as they have advanced bomb detection expertise. The devices appeared to be crude bombs.
10-May-2023
The two-day special operation 'Ops Vigil' launched in Punjab against drug smugglers and anti-social elements has resulted in the registration of 177 FIRs across the state. Over 17,500 police personnel conducted checks at various locations, including railways stations, bus stands, hotels, and marketplaces, leading to the recovery of narcotics and illicit liquor. The operation also involved the reviewing of security at several places of worship and the setting up of hi-tech nakas to search for suspected vehicles and individuals.
10-May-2023
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who was arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad in connection with a heroin seizure case worth INR 194.97 crore off the Jakhau Coast (Gujrat) in September, has been sent to Sabarmati Central jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in judicial custody after his police remand got over.
10-May-2023
British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, on May 10 condemned the damage caused to the Indian High Commission in London by pro-Khalistan groups in March 2023. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Ellis stated that the vandalism was "not okay" and that he would have been equally angry if a similar incident had occurred at a United Kingdom (UK) mission. He further stated that India and the UK were capable of dealing with disagreements, but in the case of Khalistani extremism, "there was no disagreement". Ellis emphasised that extremism is a risk in any country, including the UK.
09-May-2023
Gursimran Singh Mand, the National joint coordinator of the All-India Congress Committee, was provided with Y-category security on May 9 due to threats received from Canada-based terrorist Goldy Brar and pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla. Mand had earlier requested young police personnel for his security cover.
09-May-2023
According to reports, the killing of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar in Pakistan has made India's most wanted criminals living in Pakistan feel less secure. Panjwar was designated a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) and was responsible for drug smuggling, dealing with fake Indian currency, and many other crimes, including killing 18 students of Thappar Engineering College in Patiala. Other terrorists, such as Bashir Ahmad Peer, Syed Khalid Raza, Aijaz Ahmad Ahanger, Harmeet Singh, and Harwinder Singh Rinda, have also been killed outside India in recent years. Pakistan has been known as a safe haven for these criminals, but this trend of killings shows that it is no longer safe. Pakistan is currently on a "use and throw" policy, and criminals who are no longer impactful or relevant to the ISI's (Inter-Services Intelligence) motives are being shunned.
09-May-2023
Australia reiterated its commitment to take action against those responsible for the vandalism of Hindu temples in the country. The High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell, stated that Australian security forces will track down and prosecute those responsible for the incidents, which have included pro-Khalistan slogans and anti-India graffiti. O'Farrell also emphasized that Australia respects India's sovereignty and rejected any kind of referendum against it.
09-May-2023
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on May 9 stated that the terror angle cannot be ruled out in connection with the recent blasts in Amritsar's heritage street. He also mentioned that a two-day operation vigil has been started in the state to check on anti-social elements and build confidence among the masses. The Punjab police is investigating the incidents in coordination with agencies like NIA, NSG and forensic experts.
09-May-2023
The Punjab Police on May 9 launched a two-day state-wide operation named 'OPS Vigil' aimed at cracking down on drug trafficking, anti-social elements, and criminals. Under the operation, ADGP/IGP (Additional Director General of Police/ Inspector General of Police) rank officers from Punjab Police headquarters were deputed in each police district to personally supervise the operation, which will conclude at 7 pm on May 10.
09-May-2023
A team from the National Security Guard (NSG) on May 9 visited the site of two low-intensity blasts in the Heritage Street of Amritsar. Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) have also inspected the area and collected samples, with results from FSL awaited.
09-May-2023
Lakhwinder Singh Lakha, a life convict in the Beant Singh assassination case, was granted bail by a local court in Chandigarh on May 9. Lakha's sister Sukhwinder Kaur had filed a plea for the acceptance of bail bonds on behalf of the accused through an advocate.
09-May-2023
Lakhwinder Singh Lakha, a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist serving a life sentence for the assassination of former Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995, was granted bail by a local court in Punjab on May 9. The decision was made in accordance with a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to release all prisoners who have completed their life sentence, pending a decision on their permanent release. Lakha was released on bail from Model Jail, Burail, Chandigarh.
08-May-2023
Another blast occurred on Heritage Street on the way to the Golden Temple in Amritsar in Amritsar district on May 8. One person was reportedly injured in the blast which happened near the site of a previous blast of May 6. Police and forensic teams are investigating and waiting for the forensic examination report of the first blast. The Director General of Police (DGP) visited the site and denied any terrorist angle.
08-May-2023
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team on May 8 arrived in Amritsar to investigate the twin low-intensity blasts that occurred near Saragarhi multi-storey parking on Heritage Street near Golden Temple. The team held a meeting with police officials and forensic examination teams.
08-May-2023
Dreaded gangster Sukhpreet Singh alias Sukha Barewalia, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district on May 8. The gangster was ambushed by three assailants who were already waiting for him in Joginder Nagar of Haibowal. The shooters opened fire on him and fled the scene.
08-May-2023
Police on May 8 arrested five persons and recovered over 1 lakh intoxicating tablets in Jalalabad in Fazilka district.