KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 30-Aug-2025
Amritsar City Police Commissionerate on August 30 foiled a major target killing plot with the arrest of five Landa Harike gang members, identified as Karandeep Singh alias Karan, Gursewak Singh alias Balli, Arshdeep Singh, Amritpal Singh and a juvenile, and seized a Glock pistol, 13 live cartridges, and two empty shells, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. Police said the accused were acting on instructions from foreign-based handlers who had provided weapons and logistical support.
United States 30-Aug-2025
According to reports, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has drawn sharp criticism for attempting to portray Indian-origin trucker Harjinder Singh—charged with three counts of vehicular homicide in the United States (US)—as a victim. Pannun downplayed the fatal crash as 'a tragic misjudgement' and announced USD 100,000 compensation for the victims’ families, which many condemned as a publicity stunt. Several Sikh organizations in the US distanced themselves from SFJ, stressing that extremist propaganda should not be used to mask criminal negligence.
India 30-Aug-2025
Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Punjab police on August 30 arrested a shooter involved a recent jeweller attack case, identified as Jagroshan Singh in Chandigarh. Police said he acted on the directions of foreign-based gangster Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, and further investigation is underway to trace the network.
India 31-Aug-2025
Border Security Forces (BSF) troops on August 31 arrested a smuggler, identified as Sonu, and seized 14 packets of heroin weighing about 7.995 kg, near a naka (checkpoint) near Hazarawala village in Ferozepur district.
United States 31-Aug-2025
A United States (US) federal judge in New York recently denied Indian national Nikhil Gupta’s request to access communications between the United States (US) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Czech authorities regarding his arrest in Prague, ruling that such records are not subject to prosecutorial discovery. Gupta, who was extradited to the US in June 2024 on murder-for-hire charges linked to a plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has pleaded not guilty and is set to face trial in November 2025.
India 31-Aug-2025
Jalandhar police on August 31 arrested one drug smuggler, identified as Manjit Singh and seized 3.5 kg of heroin along with INR 2 lakhs in drug money from his possession in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district.
India 31-Aug-2025
On August 31, Punjab Police, on day 183 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 46 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 68 drug smugglers and seized 3.9 kg of heroin, 2.5 kg of opium, 962 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 2 lakh drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 27,787 in 183 days.
India 31-Aug-2025
On August 31, a lab technician at SR Government College for Girls, identified as Ashutosh Mahajan, was shot dead by two bike-borne masked assailants near Batala Road in Amritsar district. Police stated that CCTV footage and call records are being examined, while gangster Hari Boxer of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang later claimed responsibility on social media.
Canada 31-Aug-2025
According to data, Indian nationals filed 9,947 refugee claims in Canada between January and June 2025, accounting for over 18% of all claims. However, they also represented a 19% refusal rate and 53% of abandoned cases, raising concerns about misuse of the asylum system. Immigration experts allege that many claims—often citing Khalistan support—are part of a 'fraud industry' driven by unscrupulous consultants.
India 31-Aug-2025
Counter Intelligence (CI) Pathankot, CI Ludhiana, and the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) Amritsar, in a joint operation, on August 31, busted a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)-backed terror module by arresting two operatives, identified as Sarwan Kumar and Balwinder Singh and seizing an Arges hand grenade, a .30 bore star-mark pistol, and three live cartridges, in Pathankot district.
India 31-Aug-2025
According to reports, Khalistani radical and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh and his party, Shiromani Akali Dal Waris Punjab De (SAD-WPD), mobilized over 200 volunteers in flood-hit Sultanpur Lodhi and Tarn Taran to carry out relief efforts. The teams set up temporary godowns, distributed dry rations, medicines, and fodder, and arranged boats to reach marooned villagers, with banners displaying Amritpal’s images marking their presence.