KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
08-May-2024
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, while addressing the media in Moscow, Russia, on May 8, dismissed allegations by the United States (US) regarding India's involvement in a foiled assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. She stated that the US has failed to provide any credible evidence implicating Indian citizens in the case.
01-May-2024
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the country's commitment to democratic principles on May 1 amidst reports of Indian spies being expelled for attempting to access sensitive defense and trade information, while declining to comment on intelligence matters during a press conference in Melbourne, Australia.
30-Apr-2024
Recent reports from Australian media have accused Indian intelligence operatives of espionage activities, resulting in the expulsion of two officials. However, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) chief Mike Burgess did not confirm the allegations. India refuted these claims as speculative.
09-Apr-2024
According to sources, as a result of India's outreach efforts, the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan are working to restore private land to Hindu and Sikh minorities. Indian officials view this development as a positive gesture towards India, underscoring India's role in advocating for the rights and interests of Hindu and Sikh communities in Afghanistan.
20-Mar-2024
Samar Kohli, a Sikh community leader in Sydney, Australia, disclosed information about his interactions with ASIO (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) officers, highlighting concerns regarding Sikh separatist activities and the involvement of the Indian government. ASIO's engagement with Sikh activists coincided with escalated tensions following the death of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, Canada.
14-Mar-2024
The Government of New Zealand on March 14 reached out to Canada and reaffirmed its stance on the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, emphasizing the need for evidence before drawing conclusions. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters' comments, which suggested a lack of substantial evidence, sparked concerns but were later clarified as being taken out of context.
13-Mar-2024
Khalistan terrorist and chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on March 13 issued threats against New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, following Peters' challenge to claims linking India to the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Peters' remarks questioning the "Indian link" to Nijjar's killing marked a departure from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's narrative. This incident represents the first open contestation of Canada's assertions by a Five-Eyes partner.
01-Mar-2024
Nidan Singh Sachdeva, a Sikh community leader from Afghanistan who was kidnapped in Paktia province last month, was released from captivity on March 1, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Concerns persist regarding the targeting and persecution of minority communities by terrorists with external support. India has decided to assist members of the Afghan Hindu and Sikh communities facing security threats by facilitating their return to India.
16-Feb-2024
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on February 16 during the Munich Security Conference in Germany, held a bilateral meeting with his Canadian counterpart Mélanie Joly, marking their first formal engagement since tensions escalated over allegations linking Indian agents to the killing of Khalistani terrorist figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Described by sources as 'frank,' the meeting addressed current bilateral ties and global issues, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
05-Feb-2024
The Czech Justice Ministry spokesperson, Vladimir Repka informed the Times of India that the Czech Republic has suspended extradition proceedings for Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who was indicted by the United States (US) for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, pending a Constitutional Court decision. Gupta, detained in Prague, alleges human rights violations and faces extradition requests from both the US and India.
19-Jan-2024
Gurpal Singh, a Pro-Khalistan activist and coordinator for the Khalistani terror outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ), plans to organize a Khalistan Freedom Rally on January 26 in Rome, Italy. Singh recently reported receiving a threatening call, allegedly from individuals linked to the Indian High Commissioner in Italy, warning him to stay home with his children and cease advocating for the Khalistan Referendum.
19-Jan-2024
A Czech appeals court in Prague, Czech Republic, has approved the extradition of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, accused of orchestrating an unsuccessful plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on United States (US) soil, to the US. The US Department of Justice indicted Gupta in November 2023, alleging that he paid an undercover agent for the assassination attempt, funded by an Indian government agency. While the Czech High Court dismissed the idea of direct government involvement, it approved extradition. Gupta's lawyers plan to appeal to the Czech Constitutional Court.
16-Jan-2024
Gurpal Singh, the coordinator of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in Italy and a close associate of SFJ chief and Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, claims to have received a direct threat on January 16 from Indian state agents warning him to cease Khalistan advocacy or face consequences in Rome, Italy. Singh alleges the involvement of individuals linked to the Indian High Commissioner in Rome in setting up a spy network in Italy. He filed a complaint with Italian law enforcement on January 18 and remains steadfast in organizing the Khalistan Freedom rally in front of the Indian Embassy in Rome on January 26, the Indian Republic Day.
07-Jan-2024
Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national arrested in Prague, Czech Republic based on United States (US) intelligence for an alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has been moved to solitary confinement in Pankrác prison due to a credible threat on his life. This information was revealed in an email from the head of the prison guard department to the municipal court in Prague, Czech Republic.
31-Dec-2023
According to sources, a Prague court ruled against Nikhil Gupta, currently detained in Prague, Czech Republic, over a plot to kill Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, based on United States (US) inputs. Despite Gupta's lawyer arguing for extradition denial to the US due to the alleged mix-up, the court ruled against him, stating that specific and accurate details shared by the US matched Gupta's identity, including birth details, photographs, and passport number. The court rejected claims of antedated metadata, asserting that events followed a logical sequence, and emphasized that Gupta's facial features in shared photos matched those in monitored video calls with a DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) undercover agent. Gupta can appeal the ruling in higher courts before a final decision on extradition.
24-Dec-2023
Petr Slepicka, the lawyer of the Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who was arrested in the Czech Republic at the request of the United States (US) and currently faces charges of attempting to hire a hitman to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, revealed in an exclusive interview with India Today that the only evidence provided by the US is an agent's statement and that Gupta's last visit to the US was in 2017. Despite Gupta's appeal in the Czech Republic, Slepicka believes extradition to the US is inevitable due to the strong partnership between the two countries.
19-Dec-2023
Vladimír Repka, spokesperson for the Czech Ministry of Justice, stated to The Indian Express that Indian judicial authorities have 'no jurisdiction' in the case of Nikhil Gupta, who is accused by the United States (US) of plotting to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Gupta's family filed a habeas corpus petition in the Indian Supreme Court, alleging procedural failures in the extradition proceedings. Currently detained in Prague's Pankrac prison, Gupta's case is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court on January 4.
16-Dec-2023
Petr Slepicka, the lawyer representing Nikhil Gupta, accused by United States (US) authorities of planning to kill Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is currently in Prague's Pankrac prison, said that despite a municipal court favoring extradition, Gupta can appeal in higher courts, including the High Court and Constitutional Court, before the Ministry of Justice makes the final decision. Slepicka stated that he believes the second US indictment, providing more case details, strengthens his client's position. Earlier, Gupta's family approached the Supreme Court in India, alleging illegal detention, religious rights violations, and denial of consular access.
13-Dec-2023
According to sources, the United States (US) is seeking the extradition of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who is allegedly linked to the supposed assassination plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Gupta is currently in custody in Prague, Czech Republic, and the US has submitted an extradition request.
05-Dec-2023
David Shoebridge, a member of the upper house of Australia’s parliament, on December 5 called for the Australian government to ensure the safety of Sikhs in the country. This request follows the United States (US) thwarting an alleged Indian plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on US soil.