KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 01-Feb-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on February 1 filed a charge sheet against Khalistani terror outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) members, Manpreet Singh alias Peeta and Mandeep Singh, who were deported from the Philippines in 2023, at a special court in New Delhi. They were associated with 'listed individual terrorist' Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla, recruiting youths for Dalla's Terror and Crime Syndicate. Peeta and Mandeep played a significant role in raising funds for KTF through extortions, routing money into drug businesses via hawala networks, and smuggling arms from Pakistan.
India 01-Feb-2024
According to sources, Delhi Police deployed nearly 200 personnel to analyse CCTV footage from over 1000 cameras, leading to the arrest of Jaswinder, a cab driver from Tilak Nagar in West Delhi, for creating pro-Khalistani graffiti in the area. Jaswinder confessed to the act, stating he was promised INR 15,000 by his friend Gagandeep but had not received the payment. Earlier, two individuals from Punjab were detained by the Special Cell for similar graffiti incidents at Delhi metro stations ahead of the G20 Summit.
United States 01-Feb-2024
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in an interview with ARY News in San Francisco, United States (US), stated that he remains undeterred by India's violent tactics. Pannun mentioned that he advocates for Khalistan through democratic means, citing a surge in youth participation observed in recent referendums in countries like the US.
India 01-Feb-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Special Task Force (STF) Amritsar, in a joint operation on February 1, recovered 3.432 kg of heroin wrapped with yellow adhesive tape, and a metal hook was attached to the packet, from a house in Didhowal village in Gurdaspur district.
Canada 01-Feb-2024
Komalpreet Sidhu, an Indo-Canadian driver from Winnipeg, was arrested on January 14 by the Manitoba Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) after border officials found 406.2 kg of methamphetamine in his commercial truck, which marks the largest narcotics seizure in the Prairies. He is set to appear in court on February 1 in Manitoba, Canada, facing charges of methamphetamine importation and possession for trafficking.
India 01-Feb-2024
According to reports, Lawrence Bishnoi, once viewed as an "invincible" gangster, has seen his influence wane, following the high-profile assassinations of prominent figures like Punjabi singer Siddhu Moose Wala and Karni outfit chief Sukhdev Gogamedi. Recent revenge killings by his rivals, including three of his key henchmen, have further weakened his position. This suggests a resurgence of opposing factions. The emergence of a bond between Bambiha syndicate leader Gaurav alias Lucky Patial and Khalistani Tiger Force (KTF) leader Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla indicates a deadly alliance against Bishnoi. Bishnoi's decade-long rivalry with the Bambihas, rooted in territorial disputes and control over criminal enterprises, has escalated. This has drawn alliances with local gangs and raised concerns of increased violence.
India 01-Feb-2024
Fatehgarh Sahib police, on February 1, put Sangrur Member of Parliament (MP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann and his staff under house arrest at Talania village in Fatehgarh Sahib district. The police action was taken in response to Mann's announcement of a demonstration and a planned protest dharna at Dhuri town in Sangrur district, Punjab.
India 01-Feb-2024
Police on February 1 arrested two unidentified persons and seized 20 kg of poppy husk from their truck carrying onions, from Gumjal barrier near Gumjal in Fazilka district.
India 01-Feb-2024
Police on February 1 arrested two unidentified persons, and seized 80 gm of heroin from their possession, in Abohar in Fazilka district.
Canada 01-Feb-2024
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating a shooting at the home of Simranjeet Singh, which took place on February 1 in Surrey, British Columbia province in Canada. Simranjeet was an associate of the late Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a member of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). Simranjeet is known for his involvement in the Khalistan movement and recent protests. The Surrey RCMP deems it an isolated event with no reported injuries.
United States 01-Feb-2024
The Biden administration's proposed major armed drone sale to India, initially blocked by Congress due to allegations involving an Indian government agency in a murder-for-hire plot against a United States (US) national and Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is set to proceed after February 1, following assurances from Senator Ben Cardin, who engaged in discussions with the administration. Cardin, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, raised concerns about the timing of the sale amidst the ongoing plot investigation. The State Department notified Congress of the drone sale just a day after the public disclosure of the Pannun linkage, signalling progress in the clearance process. General Atomics, the drone manufacturer, informed India of Congress's clearance. Cardin emphasized human rights and stressed the importance of accountability in his statement, highlighting the need for mutual trust in the US-India partnership. The case adds complexity to US-India relations, with lingering questions about the Modi government's investigation assurances and demands from the Biden administration.
India 01-Feb-2024
Punjab Police on February 1 arrested Harpreet Singh alias Happy Baba, and seized a .30 bore automatic pistol, along with a magazine and three cartridges, from his possession in Aladinpur village in Tarn Taran district. Happy Baba is one of the biggest weapon suppliers in Punjab and a close associate of one of the most-wanted gangsters, Harpreet Singh alias Happy Jatt. He confessed to being a major weapon supplier in Punjab, sourcing illicit weapons from Madhya Pradesh and selling over 100 such weapons in Tarn Taran and Amritsar since 2020-21.
India 02-Feb-2024
According to reports, in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, heroin addiction among the youth is rampant due to the regular infiltration of narcotics-laden Pakistani drones. This has resulted in an overwhelming workload at the Red Cross De-addiction Centre. Abha Sharma, a dedicated counselor at the center, was recently honored for her pivotal role in rehabilitating addicts. She emphasizes patience and perseverance in overcoming addiction, guiding patients through the challenges of temptation and motivation.
India 02-Feb-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on February 2 recovered 500 grams of heroin in a packet wrapped with yellow adhesive tape along with a drone near Pallopati village in Tarn Taran district.
India 02-Feb-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on February 2 recovered three packets containing 1.6 kg of heroin, wrapped with yellow adhesive tape with a metal hook attached to them, from fields near Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district.
India 02-Feb-2024
The Wahabwala police on February 2 arrested an individual identified as Vijay Kumar and seized 39 kg of poppy husk from his possession at Mehrajpur village in Fazilka district.
India 02-Feb-2024
The police on February 2 arrested an individual, identified as Dilbagh Singh, for supplying 65 gm of heroin to his customers in Malout in Muktsar district.
United States 02-Feb-2024
Members of the Bay Area Sikh community, led by the Jakara Movement, have condemned the recent vandalism targeting Hindu temples in Newark and Hayward, California, in the United States (US). The incidents, involving graffiti referencing Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and the Khalistan movement, are viewed as potential hate crimes. Law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are investigating, but no leads on suspects or motives have emerged. Both Hindu and Sikh community leaders emphasize the need to prevent further escalation of tensions and condemn the vandalism. The Hindu American Foundation calls for swift action to address what they see as a pattern of escalating Khalistan separatist activities, citing previous incidents targeting Hindu institutions.
India 02-Feb-2024
Police on February 2 arrested a sharpshooter from the infamous Neeraj Bawana gang, identified as Aehsaan Ali alias Usman alias Lal Singh, from Karni Singh Shooting Range area in Tughlakabad in South East Delhi in Delhi. Acting on specific intelligence, the police intercepted the duo on a motorcycle around 8:30 p.m. on February 2. Aehsaan attempted to flee but fell after losing control of the bike, while Neeraj escaped into a nearby jungle, leaving his firearm behind. Aehsaan fired at the police, hitting an officer's bulletproof jacket, but was eventually subdued. Interrogation revealed his criminal background and affiliation with the Neeraj Bawana gang.
Canada 03-Feb-2024
According to a report by Global News, declassified documents from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service reveal that India has been designated a 'foreign interference threat' in Canadian elections. Although the report is heavily redacted, it mentions India's engagement in such activities. Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's government, prompted by concerns over Chinese interference, is advised to safeguard democratic institutions. This revelation comes amid strained Canada-India relations following Trudeau's accusation of Indian involvement in the 2023 murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim vehemently denied by India.