KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 06-Jan-2025
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, on January 6 in Amritsar, expressed concern over the worsening health of fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal. While emphasizing that hunger strikes hold no place in Sikhism, he condemned the situation where the "anndata" (food-producing community) felt compelled to fast to secure their rightful demands. Dallewal has been on an indefinite hunger strike for over 40 days at the Khanauri protest site, demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops.
India 06-Jan-2025
According to official sources, police in Uttarakhand have identified six pro-Khalistan suspects in Udham Singh Nagar district following Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's call for "lone wolf attacks" in India. The internal security unit has placed the suspects under surveillance, with heightened alerts issued after a joint operation in Pilibhit eliminated three Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) members. Pannun's attempts to lure youths with cash for attacks have raised concerns, especially given the district's history of Khalistani activity, including arrests of individuals linked to terror outfits in recent years.
Canada 06-Jan-2025
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau resigned as Liberal Party leader on January 6, ahead of an anticipated no-confidence vote, marking a significant fallout from his perceived support for pro-Khalistan leaders. Critics contend that Trudeau's policies, aimed at courting Canada's Sikh diaspora, backfired as Khalistani allies, including Jagmeet Singh’s New Democratic Party (NDP), turned against him. Relations with India and the United States (US) further soured during his tenure, leaving the Liberals vulnerable to a potential defeat in the upcoming elections against Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives. Trudeau’s resignation marks the end of an era amid strained international and domestic ties.
Canada 06-Jan-2025
New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh criticized Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau on January 6, following his resignation as Liberal Party leader, accusing him of failing Canadians on housing, healthcare, and the cost of living. Singh urged Canadians to "fire the Liberals" and reject the Conservatives, accusing both parties of prioritizing corporate interests over public welfare. He called on voters to support the NDP, promising to advocate for affordable housing, lower grocery costs, and improved healthcare. The NDP also confirmed its plan to oppose the Liberal government in any confidence motion.
India 06-Jan-2025
Shiromani Akali Dal Amritsar (SAD-A) President and former Sangrur MP Simranjit Singh Mann announced on January 6 in Amritsar that his party would support jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh's proposed political party if it endorses Khalistan. Mann reaffirmed SAD-A's longstanding advocacy for Khalistan and criticized parties that do not support the separatist cause.
India 06-Jan-2025
Senior police officials confirmed on January 6 that mobile data retrieved from a Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) militant killed in a December 23 encounter in Pilibhit has revealed the group’s movements in Uttar Pradesh's Terai region. The militants stayed in Bareilly for several hours before heading to Pilibhit, using encrypted apps to communicate with local contacts and overseas handlers. Forensic analysis of one operational phone mapped their route from Gurdaspur to Pilibhit. A team has been deployed to identify those who provided logistical support to the militants.
India 06-Jan-2025
Sources reveal that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government plans to launch a comprehensive anti-drug policy in Punjab within 2-3 months. The policy will focus on prevention, enforcement, de-addiction, and rehabilitation, with a special emphasis on rising drug use among teenagers and women. Plans include revising school and college curricula and setting up two additional de-addiction clinics for women. Drawing inspiration from Manipur's State Policy on Substance Use, the initiative will explore community-based and home detoxification methods for effective intervention.
India 07-Jan-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 7 said it had attached five immovable properties belonging to four accused- Surmukh Singh alias Sammu, Dilbagh Singh alias Baggo, Harpreet Singh alias Happy Malaysia and Rajanpreet Singh, in the 2021 Ludhiana court complex bomb blast case. The properties were attached in Lopoke in Amritsar district in Punjab. The explosion, which killed IED bomb handler Gagandeep Singh and injured six others, was traced to Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode. Investigations revealed that Rode conspired with several individuals, including cross-border smuggler Zulfikar, to carry out the blast and smuggle explosives into India. The case was handed over to the NIA in January 2022.
India 07-Jan-2025
Punjab police on January 7 arrested four individuals, identified as Gurpreet Singh, Baljeet Kaur, Maninder Singh and Harpreet Singh, involved in the illegal trafficking operation, and seized 5 kg of heroin and two motorcycles from their possession in Chheharta Sahib in Amritsar district. The Police revealed that the accused were in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers and receiving consignments of drugs from across the border.
India 07-Jan-2025
On January 7, armed protesters from the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (QIM) clashed with police at the Sector 52/43 dividing road in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, as they attempted to march into Chandigarh. Four UT police officers were injured after being attacked with swords. The protesters, demanding the release of Sikh prisoners and action against officials for past incidents, turned violent, vandalized police vehicles, and breached barricades. The protest coincided with the second anniversary of the Morcha’s agitation at YPS Chowk in Mohali.
India 07-Jan-2025
The parents of jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, Tarsem Singh and Balwinder Kaur, were detained on January 7 at their residence in Jallupur Khera village, Amritsar district. The detention aimed to prevent them from participating in a protest organized by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha in Mohali, Punjab. Following the detention, Tarsem Singh released a video urging people to support the Morcha and accused Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann of undermining democracy through oppressive measures.
India 07-Jan-2025
The parents of jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on January 7 of suppressing democratic rights and silencing dissent in Jallupur Khera village, Amritsar district. The Punjab Police placed them under preventive detention to stop them from attending the Quami Insaf Morcha march in Mohali. Their village was heavily surrounded by police, and they were permitted to leave their home only after 5 pm.
Pakistan 07-Jan-2025
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), on January 7 congratulated Pakistan on its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pannun urged Pakistan to support the Sikh community's demand for Khalistan, drawing parallels to Pakistan’s advocacy for Kashmir’s self-determination. He claimed that Pakistan's UNSC position could amplify global dialogue on self-determination and commended its stance on Kashmir as a precedent.
India 07-Jan-2025
Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh on January 7 opposed Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring’s request to confer the ‘Panth Rattan’ title on former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and to install his portrait in the Sikh Museum at the Golden Temple. Dal Khalsa argued that while Singh served the country, he did not prioritize Sikh interests during his tenure. Working president Paramjit Singh Mand suggested the Congress should advocate for Bharat Ratna for Singh instead, asserting that the former PM did not significantly advance Sikh identity or causes.
India 07-Jan-2025
Police on January 7 arrested two members of the Davinder Bambiha gang after an exchange of fire, identified as Sukhjit Singh and Harmandeep Singh, and seized two pistols from their possession, near Bir Sikhan Wala village in Faridkot district. Both suspects are close aides of gangster Harsimranjit Singh alias Sema Behbal.
India 08-Jan-2025
The Punjab Police on January 8 invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh and others accused in the murder of Sikh activist Gurpreet Singh from Hari Nau village in Faridkot district, Punjab. The murder, which took place on October 10, 2024, is alleged to have been part of a conspiracy aimed at creating unrest. Facing challenges in filing a chargesheet within the mandated 90-day period, the police invoked UAPA to prevent the accused from securing default bail. Singh, along with nine associates, is already detained under the National Security Act (NSA).
Pakistan 08-Jan-2025
Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation Pakistan Chairman Imtiaz Rasheed Qureshi sent a legal notice on January 8 to Tariq Majeed, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Metropolitan Corporation Lahore and a retired Pakistan armed forces veteran, demanding INR 50 crore in damages and an unconditional apology. The notice accuses Majeed of defaming Qureshi by alleging he received foreign funding and labeling freedom fighter Bhagat Singh as a "criminal." Qureshi, described in the notice as a patriot working to improve India-Pakistan relations, denied taking foreign funds and referenced Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's praise for Bhagat Singh to refute Majeed's remarks.
India 08-Jan-2025
Fazilka Police on January 8 dismantled a major intoxicating tablet smuggling network arrested four individuals identified as Raju Ram, Amrik Singh, Saroj Rani and Neelam Rani, and seized 2.10 Lakh prohibited tablets of Alprazolam and Clobidol tablets along with INR 1.70 Lakh drug money, a Balero vehicle and a motorcycle from their possession, at a naka (checkpoint) near Lamoochar Kalan village in Jalalabad (West) in Fazilka district.
India 08-Jan-2025
Phillaur police on January 8 dismantled an inter-state poppy husk smuggling racket operating between Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Punjab by arresting two persons, identified as Buta Singh and Kulwant Singh, and seized 1.44 quintal of crushed poppy husk, at a naka (checkpoint) near Lasara village in Jalandhar district. Two accomplices identified as Bir Singh alias Ghona and Surjit Singh alias Jita, are absconding.
India 08-Jan-2025
Police on January 8 busted a module operated by United Kingdom (UK)-based Nishan Singh and arrested two individuals, identified as Jagtar Singh alias Jagga and Jashanpreen Singh alias Jashan and seized a hand grenade, a pistol with four cartridges, and a motorcycle from their possession in Bahadurwala village in Ferozepur district. The operation was launched based on a tip-off, with Jagga arrested at the scene, while Jashan initially escaped but was later apprehended in Maharashtra. The police investigation revealed that the duo had planned to target an officer or police station in Amritsar district under Nishan's instructions.