KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 21-Feb-2025
Punjab Police on February 21 arrested two key operatives of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) with direct links to Pakistan-based BKI terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda and US-based Happy Passia, identified as Jagdish Singh alias Jagga and Shubhdeep Singh Aulakh alias Shubh alias Sunny and seized two .32 bore pistols and five rounds from their possession in Kharar, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Authorities claimed that the duo was involved in the February 10 attack in Nanded, Maharashtra, and was planning targeted killings in Punjab. Further investigations are ongoing.
India 22-Feb-2025
Police on February 22, in a crackdown against unorganised miscreants supplying drugs and narcotics to addicts visiting outpatient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) centres and civil hospitals, arrested 13 unidentified persons, in Malerkotla in Malerkotla district. The operation was conducted following concerns raised by social activists and chemists' associations. Investigations revealed the illegal supply of banned pregabalin 300 mg to addicts, while legally permitted pregabalin 75 mg was used to evade action.
United Kingdom 22-Feb-2025
The Harvard International Review on February 22 removed an article criticizing the Khalistan movement following backlash from Sikh readers and a complaint from Harvard’s Sikh chaplain. The article, published by Zyna Dhillon on February 15, argued that Khalistan lacked broad support and echoed Indian government claims about terrorism. Editors requested revisions, citing neutrality concerns, but Dhillon refused, calling the removal a "knee-jerk reaction."
India 22-Feb-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court is set to hear a petition on February 25 filed by radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, currently detained in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam, under the National Security Act (NSA). Singh seeks permission to attend parliamentary sessions, arguing that his prolonged absence violates his constitutional rights and leaves nearly 19 lakh constituents unrepresented. He has also requested authorisation to meet officials regarding the Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme. The petition will be heard by Chief Justice Sheel Nago and Justice Sumeet Goel.
India 22-Feb-2025
Khalistani terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) on February 22 claimed responsibility for a grenade attack near the Border Security Force (BSF) campus at the Attari border in Punjab via a social media post. The claim, similar to previous ones by gangsters Happy Passia and Gopi Navashaharpuria, alleged the attack was in response to the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur. However, both the BSF and Punjab Police dismissed the claim as fake, stating that no such incident had occurred.
India 22-Feb-2025
The appointment of Rajouri Garden Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Manjinder Singh Sirsa as a Cabinet Minister in Delhi is seen as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) move to consolidate Sikh support in Punjab. Punjab Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for not appointing a Sikh minister during its decade-long rule. While BJP leaders highlighted the party’s initiatives for Sikhs, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) dismissed claims that the move would have any significant impact in Punjab. Sirsa, who previously belonged to SAD, joined the BJP in 2021, leading to a shift in SAD’s leadership in Delhi. Organisational changes are expected in Punjab BJP following state president Sunil Jakhar’s resignation.
India 22-Feb-2025
Amritsar Police on February 22 recovered 2 kg of heroin concealed near a canal in Boparai Baj Singh village in Ajnala, Amritsar district, based on a disclosure statement by accused Harmandeep Singh, who was arrested on February 19. This seizure follows the earlier recovery of 13 kg of heroin, bringing the total to 15 kg. Police stated that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other associates involved in the drug network.
India 22-Feb-2025
Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor on February 22 criticized Canada for allowing elements within its borders to plan and execute violence in India, calling it "unforgivable" while speaking at the ABP Network's Ideas of India 2025 Summit in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He also condemned Canada’s failure to prosecute those responsible for the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing, which killed 329 people, mostly of Indian origin. Tharoor further accused the Canadian government of protecting Khalistani extremists and denying visas to former Indian military and police personnel, calling it an "insulting stand."
India 23-Feb-2025
On February 23 in Amritsar, members of the Akal Takht panel overseeing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) overhaul met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, stating that the party was reluctant to cooperate with them on the membership drive. The meeting lasted an hour, during which they submitted a report on their three meetings held so far. The panel faced setbacks following the resignations of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami and member Kirpal Singh Badungar, though their resignations have not yet been accepted. The Jathedar assured them that the authority of the Akal Takht-constituted panel remains intact and that he would ensure the implementation of the December 2 edict.
India 23-Feb-2025
Batala Police on February 23 arrested Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Surjit Singh and his accomplice, Ankush Maini, for their involvement in an extortion racket operated by US-based gangster Gurdev Jassal, which targeted local businessmen and seized INR 82.23 lakh, a high-end SUV, and a .32 bore pistol from their possession in Batala, Gurdaspur district. Authorities stated that Surjit Singh had extorted over INR 2 crore before his arrest. A lookout circular has been issued for his two US-based sons, who are also allegedly linked to the racket.
India 23-Feb-2025
Police on February 23 arrested wanted criminal Maninder Singh Mohali, who was injured in an encounter during a weapon recovery operation, after he opened fire on officers, prompting retaliation, in Nadampur village, Sangrur district.
India 23-Feb-2025
Police on February 23 busted a heroin smuggling network operating along the international border (IB) and arrested Navdeep Singh alias Lovely, seizing 511 grams of heroin from his possession in Peer Ismail Khan village, Ferozepur district. His arrest followed the interrogation of Baljit Singh in Ludhiana, which linked him to a smuggling operation involving heroin drops by Pakistani drones. The Sriganganagar police had been investigating the case since June 15, 2024, after recovering 6 kg of heroin from fields near the IB. Navdeep has been remanded in police custody until February 27.
India 24-Feb-2025
On February 24, police revealed that a major network of agencies linked to Khalistani outfits, including the Khalistani terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), had been uncovered in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Operating in Puranpur, these agencies used fake documents to arrange visas for individuals traveling to Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). Investigations found that fraudsters ran these agencies, which were used by overseas operatives to transfer funds and facilitate illegal immigration. The network was also linked to financing militants and sharpshooters. Over 500 victims have come forward, leading to the registration of 55 First Information Reports (FIRs), 12 arrests, and the recovery of over INR 55 lakh.
India 24-Feb-2025
According to sources, Punjab Police have intensified security measures across Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts following a series of 12 grenade attacks on police stations and posts since December 20, 2024, claimed by Khalistani terror outfits Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). Security enhancements include corrugated metal sheets, barbed wire, armored tractors, barricaded approach roads, and heightened boundary walls. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav recently attributed the attacks to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), alleging an attempt to destabilize Punjab. Investigations have identified the masterminds, and efforts are underway to extradite those based abroad.
Canada 24-Feb-2025
The Canadian government recently reappointed Sikh philanthropist Mandeep Roshi Chadha as Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the National Gallery of Canada for a four-year term, effective March 26, 2025. Chadha is a well-known philanthropist who established a Sikh Gallery in Canada’s largest museum in Montreal in Canada. Her reappointment was approved by the Governor General on the recommendation of the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Former Member of Parliament (MP) Tarlochan Singh described it as a prestigious recognition of a Sikh woman in the arts.
India 24-Feb-2025
Former Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Atishi on February 24 accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of harboring anti-Sikh and anti-Dalit sentiments, alleging that the new government removed portraits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Baba Saheb Ambedkar from government offices. She also criticized Delhi CM Rekha Gupta for failing to implement the Mahila Samman Yojana, calling the Prime Minister’s (PM) guarantee “false.”
India 24-Feb-2025
According to sources, the Border Security Force (BSF) has deployed additional personnel along the Indo-Pakistan border in Punjab and Jammu to strengthen the anti-infiltration grid and counter the smuggling of arms and narcotics through drones. The BSF’s Western Command, based in Chandigarh, has ordered the establishment of nine “strategic” headquarters in these regions, supported by a newly created control room for intelligence and operations. Each headquarters will have a senior commander and the commanding officer of the battalion deployed at vulnerable border posts. Security forces have also been directed to relocate maximum manpower from battalion headquarters to these areas.
India 24-Feb-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 24 directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and police forces of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to cooperate in tackling the drug menace. The court rejected Punjab’s plea to modify an earlier order, stating that the investigation should remain with central agencies due to the severity of the issue.
India 24-Feb-2025
Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar issued an open death threat to Bollywood actor Salman Khan in a TV interview. He also admitted to orchestrating the murder of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, claiming it was necessary to "teach him a lesson." Brar stated that targeting Salman Khan remains a priority for his gang due to past grievances involving the Bishnoi community.
India 24-Feb-2025
Police on February 24 arrested two members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Avtar Singh alias Labba Baba and Ravi Kumar, and seized three foreign-made pistols (an Austria-made 9 mm Glock pistol and China-made Px5 and Px3 pistols), 20 cartridges, and a cellphone from their possession in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. Investigations revealed their direct links to Sachin Charewan, an associate of Lawrence Bishnoi.