KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
22-Apr-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on April 22 seized 5 kg of narcotics that appears to be dropped by a drone near the International Border in Daoke village in Amritsar district.
22-Apr-2023
Police arrested gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria's two associates, identified as Sandeep Kumar alias Ravi Balachoria and Rohit along with six pistols and 25 live cartridges in Ropar in Rupnagar district on April 22.
22-Apr-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) troops apprehended a 75-year-old Pakistani national, identified as Hakim Ali, after he crossed over into the Indian territory in the Ferozepur sector on April 22 evening. He was later handed over to the Pakistani authorities.
22-Apr-2023
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah on April 22 stated that there was no Khalistan movement happening in Punjab, and that the government is closely monitoring the circumstances in the state. The Home Minister pointed out that Punjab government had done good work and that the Centre had cooperated.
21-Apr-2023
The Dal Khalsa made the decision to conduct an ardas at the Akal Takht on April 29. The group asserted that the current government, led by Narendra Modi, was attempting to portray Sikhs as ‘villains of peace’. “While observing the day, we would reiterate that the Sikhs are neither against peace nor any religion and that they love to take Hindus of Punjab along with them in their struggle for Punjab’s sovereignty,” it said.
21-Apr-2023
The Akal Takht on April 21 strongly criticised the interception of Kirandeep Kaur, the wife of pro-Khalistan activist Amritpal Singh, at the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar on April 20. Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said that they consider this act by the authorities unjustified and urged the government to refrain from causing unnecessary panic and to take action against those spreading false information about the Sikh community on social media. Additionally, the Akal Takht has called on the government to take measures to prevent such incidents from recurring in the future.
21-Apr-2023
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the Punjab Police on April 21 recovered 4 kg of heroin while two smugglers managed to flee from the spot after entering into a scuffle with the police in Harike in Tarn Taran district.
21-Apr-2023
During his visit to India, Australian Member of Parliament Michael Sukkar denounced the recent acts of vandalism and violence against the Hindu community by Khalistan sympathizers in his country. In his statement, Sukkar, who is a migrant himself with a Lebanese background, emphasized the importance of not bringing domestic issues and conflicts to Australia. He firmly stated that violence and vandalism should not be tolerated under any circumstances and that his stance is very clear on the matter.
20-Apr-2023
Police on April 20 arrested three persons, identified as Gurpal Singh, Harjot Singh and Jagga Singh, and seized 1,200 kg poppy husk from their possession in Dhanaula in Barnala district. The accused were allegedly taking the drug in a truck.
20-Apr-2023
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab chief spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang on April 20 said that due to the political protection of criminals, people’s tax money was misused and it also gave rise to gangsterism. Kang reiterated that those who made prisons ‘safe houses’ for gangsters have now been uncovered and the nexus of some uniformed persons involved in crime and drug trafficking has also been broken by the government. He added that anyone involved in any activity that is harmful to Punjab would face consequences.
20-Apr-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel intercepted a Pakistani drone near Bhariyal village in Gurdaspur district on April 20. BSF in a statement said, “The drone kept flying inside the Indian border for 5 minutes, during which 3 rounds of firing were done by BSF and an Ilu bomb was also fired, after which the drone flew back to Pakistan.”
20-Apr-2023
The wife of pro-Khalistani fugitive Amritpal Singh, Kirandeep Kaur was prevented from boarding a London-bound flight at the Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport in Amritsar on April 20. Immigration authorities, police, and intelligence officials interrogated her for almost four hours before instructing her to return home with some of her family members who had accompanied her to the airport. Kirandeep, who is a British citizen, married Amritpal in his native village of Jallupur Khera in February 2023. Police had previously interrogated her regarding alleged foreign funding for the Waris Punjab De (WPD) organization, which is led by Amritpal.
20-Apr-2023
Daljit Singh Kalsi's wife on April 20 met him in jail and has clarified that her husband is in good health and is being looked after by jail authorities in Assam. “I along with my son met him for one hour. He is being looked after and getting to eat whatever he wishes. He is getting very good treatment,” said Kalsi's wife while interacting with the media in Dibrugarh.
20-Apr-2023
The nine supporters of Pro Khalistan leader Amrit Pal Singh, who were lodged at the Dibrugarh central jail in Assam were questioned by a five-member team of Advisory board under National Security Act (NSA). The members arrived at Dibrugarh and had a discussion with detainees on April 19.
19-Apr-2023
Police on April 19 arrested a supporter of pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh, identified as Gurbhej Singh in Amritsar district, in relation to the Ajnala clash that occurred on February 23. During the incident, Amritpal Singh and his armed supporters attacked the Ajnala police station, causing injuries to six police officials. Police have arrested over 20 persons since the crackdown was launched against Amritpal and his supporters on March 18.
19-Apr-2023
Punjab Police have begun the extradition process for Pavitar Singh and Husandeep, two fugitive gangsters from Gurdaspur and Batala respectively, who were among the 17 Sikhs arrested by US Police. These arrests were made as part of a multi-agency operation related to 11 instances of shootings, including one that occurred at a gurdwara in Sacramento. Pavitar Singh, who was heading the Pavitar-Chaura gang, has been wanted by the Punjab Police in eight criminal cases, including murder, attempted murder, and smuggling of weapons under the Arms Act. The Pavitar-Chaura gang is a rival of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang.
19-Apr-2023
Police recovered four weapons from a Bambiha group Category-A gangster, identified as Daljeet Singh Jeeta who was earlier arrested along with 60 gm of heroin in Faridkot. According to police, he is facing 23 criminal cases in different parts of the state.
19-Apr-2023
The J&K State Investigation Agency (SIA) has attached property of a terror-financier, identified as Amarbhir Singh alias Gopi Mahal at Ram Tirath Mahal in Amritsar in Punjab. A spokesperson stated that the SIA, along with the assistance of the Punjab Police, carried out the proceedings in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and other reputable individuals from the area.
18-Apr-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on April 18 requested custody of the mobile phones and laptops belonging to two Punjab Police officials from the Chandigarh District Court in order to investigate their alleged involvement with entities engaged in smuggling arms and narcotics from Pakistan.
18-Apr-2023
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on April 18 directed Gaurav Yadav, the head of Punjab Police, to investigate all officers, regardless of their seniority, who may have aided drug trafficking, including those who supported the dismissed inspector, Inderjit Singh. This action is related to the police-drug mafia nexus case.