Time Line-2018

Pakistan 06-Dec-2018

Pro-Khalistan elements based in Pakistan stepped-up the agenda of “Referendum 2020” influencing Indian pilgrims visiting Sikh-religious sites such as Nankana Sahib, in Nankana Sahib District of Punjab in Pakistan. The Indian pilgrims who arrived on November 23 at Nankana Sahib had spotted the banners featured provocative slogans such as “Referendum 2020 will end India’s occupation of Punjab” and “Referendum 2020 is resistance against Indian occupation of Punjab”. Khalistan flags and life-size images of Sikh terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed during the 1984 Military operation in the Golden Temple in Amritsar [Punjab], were placed on several buildings. Pakistan’s Security establishment keeps very close tabs on pro-Khalistan groups and there is no way that one of such groups—Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) could have gone ahead with these pro-Khalistani activities without the support from Pakistan’s Intelligence agency—Inter-Services Intelligence [ISI], said an Indian official [identity undisclosed].

India 10-Dec-2018

Punjab’s Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh has stated that the opening of Kartarpur Corridor is a conspiracy of Pakistan’s ISI and Pakistan’s Army against India. There are no doubts that Pakistan’s Prime Minister [PM] Imran Khan making efforts to bring peace and harmony with India, but at the same time, he shall overcome the ‘top brass’ of Pakistan’s Army to ensure that killings of India Soldiers at the borders must stopped immediately, said CM Amarinder Singh. "The opening of the Kartarpur Corridor is clearly a game plan of the ISI," he said, adding a bigger conspiracy seems to have been hatched by Pakistan Army against India.He admitted that Pakistan was attempting to revive militancy in Punjab and thus everyone should be wary of all of its overtures, no matter how grand they appear to be, an official release, quoting him, said here.The Sidhu affair was being unnecessarily hyped and those raising it had clearly failed to see the ISI game plan, said Captain Amarinder, lashing out at the Akalis for branding the Punjab minister as stooge of the Pakistan PM.The chief minister hit out at the Akalis and the BJP's central leadership for "indulging" in unwarranted controversy over his (chief minister's) relations with Sidhu.

India 15-Dec-2018

The officials of 136th Battalion of the BSF recovered three packets of heroin weigh 1.5 kg in total, worth INR 2.5 crore, from near the Barreke Border outpost of the India-Pakistan International Border in the Ferozepur Sector of Punjab.

India 18-Dec-2018

The Chief Minister of Punjab Capt. Amarinder Singh said that the statement by the US based pro-Khalistan group—Sikhs For Justice [SFJ] has revealed the relation between the group and Pakistan’s Army and ISI to ‘liberate’ Punjab from India. Pakistan’s decision to open the Kartarpur Corridor was an ISI game-strategy to support anti-India elements which includes SFJ outfit.

India 20-Dec-2018

The Punjab Police arrested Mohin Khan, who was allegedly involved in supporting the pro-Khalistan campaign “Referendum 2020” and was a supplier of arms and ammunition to the terror elements in Punjab. Mohin Khan was arrested with a pistol in his possession, from Fatehgarh Sahib District in Punjab. The preliminary interrogation revealed that Mohin visited Bangalore thrice on the instructions of Gurjit Singh Nijjer via Facebook, who is based in Cyprus and guide Mohin to work for the “Referendum 2020” propaganda

India 23-Dec-2018

The officials of the BSF, has prevented an attempt of intrusion by a Pakistan-based drug smuggler [identity unknown], and recovered 17 kg of Heroin along with arms and ammunition nearby Karma Border outpost of India-Pakistan Border in Ferozepur Sector of Punjab. During a search operation along with the Border fence, the BSF personnel recovered 17 packets, each of a kilogram, of heroin worth INR 85 crore, a Pakistan-made pistol, a modified weapon with three magazines and 26 live rounds.

India 27-Dec-2018

Concerning the efforts of Pakistan-based Sikh extremist elements to revive ‘Khalistan militancy’ in Punjab the Central government, exercising their powers conferred by the Section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UAPA], 1967, added the ‘Khalistan Liberation Force [KLF] and all its manifestations’ as the 40th entry in the First Schedule of UAPA that proscribes terrorist organisations. It is believed that KLF is involved in terrorism as it has committed and participated in various acts of terrorism in India. KLF has also been engaged in radicalisation and recruitment of youth for terrorist activities in India, read the notification released by the UMHA.

India 27-Dec-2018

The BSF recovered 13 packets weighing 5.6 kg of heroin from nearby the Bharopal Border Outpost in Amritsar Sector of Punjab. Reportedly, Pakistan based drug smugglers were trying to slip heroin into the Indian Territory.

India 28-Dec-2018

The BSF and Punjab Police, jointly in an operation, arrested three persons—Sonu Singh, Gurnam Singh, and Gurjeet Singh, and recovered 1.8 kg of heroin from their possession, nearby the India-Pakistan International Border [IB] near Gatti Bisoke of Fazilka District in Punjab. The officials involved in the operations recovered two plastic bags containing 15 small packets of heroin worth INR 9 crore in the international market.

Canada 30-Dec-2018

The Canadian Member of Parliament [MP] from Brampton City—Ramesh Sangha said that the Khalistan extremism in Canada is only propagating through Social-Media platform—Facebook, and has no strong ground. About 1-2 percent of people from Punjabi community who are based in Canada, talks about the Khalistan or its propaganda; and they make a lot noise about it which gives a perception to outer world that the demand of Khalistan emerges from Canada. But, Canada’s internal security mechanism does keep a watch on all such extremist activities and makes sure that these people remain within limits, said MP Sangha. The Canadian MP Sangha is also a Chairperson of ‘Canada-India Parliamentary Friendship Association [C-IPFA]’ Group.