KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
Austria 01-Dec-2023
According to sources, on December 1, a high-ranking Indian delegation led by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Praveen Sood, which includes National Investigation Agency (NIA) director-general Dinkar Gupta, urged other member countries in the 91st Interpol General Assembly in Vienna, Austria, to deny safe havens to crime, criminals, and the proceeds of crime. The plea follows India's efforts to extradite or deport alleged terrorists, including pro-Khalistan elements, from countries like Canada, the United States (US), and the United Kingdom (UK).
Austria 01-Dec-2023
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on December 1 declared that India has geolocated 184 criminals in various countries and initiated formal proceedings for their return with the help of Interpol and the respective countries’ law enforcement agencies at the 91st General Assembly of Interpol in Vienna, Austria.
India 01-Dec-2023
Sikh organizations worldwide have denounced the heckling of the Indian Ambassador to the United States (US), Taranjit Singh Sandhu, by a group of Khalistan sympathizers at a gurudwara in New York, US. Sikhs of America emphasized that gurudwaras are places of worship and should be free from personal political views, urging strict action against the miscreants. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DGMC) and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) condemned the incident, stating that it tarnished the Sikh community's image. Ambassador Sandhu, a representative of the Sikh community on foreign soil, received support, with calls for gurdwaras to remain free from political disputes.
India 01-Dec-2023
The proposed site for the Sikh Museum and Heritage Centre in Kurukshetra, Haryana, has been changed due to opposition from local residents.
India 01-Dec-2023
According to reports, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director William Burns visited New Delhi in early August to discuss the alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The US uncovered a conspiracy involving an Indian national hiring a hitman to assassinate Pannun, with the alleged involvement of an Indian government official.
Czech Republic 01-Dec-2023
According to sources, Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta, accused by the US of plotting to kill Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was transferred from a high-security prison in Prague to the United States (US) jurisdiction in mid-November, days before the indictment was filed in a New York court. Gupta, who was arrested in Prague on June 30, faced allegations of conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire at the behest of an Indian official.
United States 01-Dec-2023
White House spokesperson John Kirby on November 30 emphasized that charges of Indian involvement in the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on United States (US) soil will not impact Washington's strategic ties with New Delhi.
India 01-Dec-2023
The border district of Punjab is witnessing a concerning transformation in the narcotics landscape as drones from Pakistan deliver black tar heroin into agricultural fields near the international border. The rise of heroin, facilitated by drones, has replaced traditional narcotics like opium and poppy husk, leading to a surge in addiction among the region's youth. Official reports suggest that for every kilogram seized, a substantial amount goes unnoticed, posing a significant challenge to authorities in curbing the influx and distribution of heroin.
India 01-Dec-2023
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with Amritsar Commissionerate police on December 1, arrested two operatives of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang along with their key associate, identified as Sarthak, Anmol Sharma, and Alatmis, and seized a car from their possession. Sarthak and Anmol were arrested from Zirakpur in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, and Alatmis was arrested from Samana in the Patiala district of Punjab.
India 01-Dec-2023
Jagtar Singh Hawara, serving a life sentence for the assassination of former Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, was acquitted on December 1 in a case registered 18 years ago for charges of waging war against the nation by a local court in Chandigarh. The prosecution failed to prove the allegations, which included planning to wage war, conspiracy, and collecting arms for the formation of Khalistan.
India 01-Dec-2023
The Union government defended its decision on December 1 to extend the Border Security Force (BSF) jurisdiction in Punjab from 15 to 50 km along the Indo-Pak border. The government cited concurrent jurisdiction and clarified that local police powers were not deprived. The Punjab Government, alleging a parallel jurisdiction impinging on state powers, argued that the exercise of authority was unreasonable. The Supreme Court, acknowledging Punjab's concerns, scheduled further hearings for January 2024, urging the parties to collaborate on the issues involved.
India 01-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF), on December 1, during a search operation, recovered a Chinese-made drone on the outskirts of Khalra village in Tarn Taran district. The drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic, a Made in China model.
Pakistan 01-Dec-2023
Lakhbir Singh Rode, the chief of banned terror outfits Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), died on December 1 in Pakistan at the age of 72. Rode, a nephew of slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was listed as an 'individual terrorist' by India and had fled to Pakistan from India. Rode, accused of orchestrating terror-related activities, faced charges, including involvement in a tiffin bomb blast in Punjab in 2021. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had confiscated his land earlier this year, and he was under investigation for six cases related to terrorism between 2021 and 2023.
India 02-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 2 recovered two Glock pistols made in Austria on the outskirts of Khalra village in Tarn Taran district.
India 02-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police’s special task force (STF) on December 2 arrested four unidentified drug smugglers and seized a small quantity of heroin and a Quadcopter DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from a house in Pakho Ke Talli village in Gurdaspur district.
India 02-Dec-2023
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami on December 2 objected to the Pakistan Government's plan to allocate 60% of the historic Gurdwara Nankana Sahib's land to another trust. The land was originally donated by Rai Bular Bhatti, a contemporary of Guru Nanak Dev, for the Gurdwara. Dhami expressed deep concern, stating that Bhatti's descendants had informed them of the decision and urged Pakistan to preserve gurdwara properties.
India 02-Dec-2023
According to reports, juvenile crime rates are on the rise in India, with a notable increase in gang involvement among young individuals. Law enforcement attributes this trend to gangs exploiting vulnerable youth through peer pressure and socio-economic challenges. Recent police efforts have uncovered international crime syndicates, led by figures like Goldy Brar, recruiting juveniles for extortion and organized criminal activities. The syndicates target wealthy individuals, using juveniles for surveillance and intimidation. Meanwhile, there is a concerning surge in juvenile crimes reported nationally, with a focus on murder cases, highlighting the need for comprehensive measures to address the issue.
New Zealand 02-Dec-2023
Three Khalistan supporters, identified as Sarvjeet Sidhu, Sukhpreet Singh, and an individual with an interim name suppression, were recently sentenced for the attempted murder of popular Auckland-based radio host Harnek Singh, who opposed Khalistan ideology in Auckland, New Zealand. The attackers ambushed Singh on December 23, 2020, inflicting over 40 stab wounds. Sarvjeet Sidhu pleaded guilty to attempted murder, Sukhpreet Singh was found guilty of being an accessory, while the third unnamed individual planned the attack, harboring resentment against Harnek Singh for his vocal opposition to Khalistan. The court emphasized community protection and deterrence against religious fanaticism in the sentencing.
India 03-Dec-2023
Three people identified as Phool Chand, Arjinder Singh, and Harry were arrested on December 3 for writing pro-Khalistan slogans near Mata Chintpurni Temple in Himachal Pradesh's Una district, from Dhesiya and Surja villages in Jalandhar district of Punjab. The individuals received financial incentives, with INR 25,000 deposited from a foreign source, and further investigation is ongoing.
India 03-Dec-2023
According to reports, India is confronted with the challenge of skilfully managing its relations with the United States (US) following an incident where its Ambassador to the US was heckled by Khalistani supporters, and an Indian government employee, Nikhil Gupta, was implicated in an alleged plot to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India has deemed the allegations concerning and contrary to government policy, emphasizing the necessity for a thorough examination of the matter. Diplomats and experts are recommending a careful and measured response to these incidents to ensure the maintenance of strong ties with the US.