KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 08-Jan-2025
Jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh, on January 8 visited the site of a proposed Maghi Mela conference in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Sri Muktsar Sahib district. The event, organized by Amritpal’s supporters, is aimed at launching a new political party.
Canada 08-Jan-2025
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau has resigned after over nine years in office, citing declining popularity and internal dissent within the Liberal Party. His tenure faced significant challenges, including high immigration levels, housing shortages, and increased reliance on food banks, which strained Canada’s resources. Trudeau drew criticism for his stance on Khalistani elements, internal cabinet resignations, and controversial handling of international issues, notably the Nijjar case. His resignation raises questions about the future of pro-Khalistan separatists in Canada, as his administration’s policies, criticized for harbouring criminal elements, strained relations with India. The Liberal Party is set to choose a new leader to navigate these challenges and prepare for the 2025 federal elections.
India 08-Jan-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a INR 5 lakh bounty on U.S.-based gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, for masterminding grenade attacks in Chandigarh and Punjab. Passia, linked to Pakistan-based Khalistani operative Harvinder Singh Rinda and the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), was involved in the 2022 grenade attack targeting former Jalandhar SP Jaskirat Singh Chahal. He is also accused of arms smuggling and extortion.
India 08-Jan-2025
A Delhi Court on January 8 deferred the verdict in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to January 21. The case involves the killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh in Saraswati Vihar during the 1984 riots. Kumar, currently lodged in Tihar jail, appeared via video conferencing. Earlier, the court found prima facie evidence against him for leading a mob involved in looting, arson, and murder.
India 09-Jan-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached the properties of four accused in the 2021 Ludhiana Courts Complex blast case, according to an official statement. The individuals identified are Surmukh Singh alias Sammu, Dilbagh Singh alias Baggo, Harpreet Singh alias Happy Malaysia, and Rajanpreet Singh. The blast was orchestrated under the directives of Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode and involved an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) smuggled into India via drones across the India-Pakistan border.
Canada 09-Jan-2025
Ann Seymour of the British Columbia (BC) Prosecution Service, on January 9, confirmed that four Indian nationals accused of murdering Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—identified as Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh—remain in custody. The trial will proceed before the British Columbia Supreme Court, with a case management conference scheduled for February 11, 2025. Seymour also clarified that reports claiming the accused had been released on bail are false.
Canada 09-Jan-2025
On January 9, misinformation about the release on bail of Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh—accused in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—spread widely due to misinterpreted court records and unverified social media claims. Ann Seymour of the British Columbia (BC) Prosecution Service refuted these reports, confirming that the accused remain in custody. Their next court appearances are scheduled for February 11, 2025.
India 09-Jan-2025
Damdami Taksal spokesperson Jatinder Singh Khalsa, in an interview with The Times of India, indicated that the organisation might consider an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab, contingent on the release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners). Khalsa acknowledged the apprehensions within the Sikh community regarding the BJP but suggested that resolving pressing Panthic and farmers' issues could open avenues for collaboration. He stressed that addressing immediate concerns, such as the release of Sikh prisoners, could foster trust and help tackle broader legacy issues.
United States 09-Jan-2025
Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national extradited to the United States (US) in June 2023 for his alleged role in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has claimed in an interview with The Indian Express that he has not received consular access from the Indian government since his extradition. Gupta, currently detained at a Brooklyn facility in New York, denies the charges, alleging that the evidence against him has been fabricated. His family has reportedly submitted multiple requests for consular assistance but has yet to receive a response.
India 09-Jan-2025
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, on January 9, described the drug menace as a national crisis, with Punjab being severely impacted, during a dialogue on drug awareness held at Punjab Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh. The event, organised in collaboration with educational institutions and foundations, stressed collective efforts from the government, NGOs, educational institutions, and society to tackle the issue. Kataria underscored the significance of awareness campaigns, social media outreach, and community-driven initiatives to address the growing threat of synthetic drugs effectively.
India 09-Jan-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 9 recovered a 520-gram packet of heroin from a sugarcane field near Khanwal village in Ajnala, Amritsar district.
India 09-Jan-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 9 recovered a PX5 Storm .30 bore pistol with an empty magazine from a field near Rajatal village in Amritsar district. The pistol, wrapped in yellow tape and blue polythene, was found with an iron ring and two illumination strips, indicating it was likely dropped by a drone.
India 09-Jan-2025
On January 9, an explosion outside the Gumtala police chowki in Amritsar caused initial panic among residents. However, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar later clarified that the noise resulted from a damaged radiator in a policeman's car and not a bomb blast. Bhullar assured the public that there was no cause for concern.
India 09-Jan-2025
According to sources, the Faridkot police have requested an additional three months from the trial court to complete their investigation into the murder case of Gurpreet Singh, which involves jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, along with four foreign-based accused—Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala and Karambir Singh in Canada, Gurjant Singh in Australia, and Jatinder Singh in the United Kingdom (UK). The police cited the need to obtain transaction records related to funds and weapons sent by the foreign-based accused, as well as pending analysis reports of weapons, ammunition, blood samples, and technical devices.
India 09-Jan-2025
The counter-intelligence wing of the Punjab Police on January 9 busted a Pakistan-backed arms smuggling module with the arrest of Gurpreet Singh alias Kaka, and seized two Glock pistols and a .30 bore China-made pistol from his possession at a naka (checkpoint) near Khurmanian village in Amritsar district. Singh, an operative of Dubai-based smuggler Manjot Singh, was arrested while delivering a weapon consignment. He was involved in retrieving drone-dropped arms from across the border and supplying them to gangsters in Punjab.
India 09-Jan-2025
Jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh, on January 9 criticised the imposition of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) on his son, calling it a “conspiracy” to hinder their plans of launching a political party, while speaking to ANI. He also accused Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann of harbouring an anti-Sikh mindset and claimed that actions against Amritpal were being taken without evidence or investigation.
United Kingdom 09-Jan-2025
British Sikh Labour Member of Parliament (MP) Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi on January 9 renewed his demand in the House of Commons for an independent inquiry into the Margaret Thatcher-led Conservative government’s alleged involvement in Operation Blue Star, in London in the United Kingdom (UK). Commons Leader Lucy Powell acknowledged the concerns and promised further ministerial updates.
India 10-Jan-2025
According to sources, Punjab Police investigations into recent grenade attacks and other acts of violence have revealed links to a second British Army soldier allegedly involved in terror activities. Previously, police had named Jagjeet Singh of the British Army, associated with the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), and now have evidence connecting another British soldier to Harwinder Singh Rinda of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The role of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in recruiting British soldiers for the Khalistan cause is also under investigation. Additionally, police are tracing the money trail linked to KZF members killed in a December encounter.
India 10-Jan-2025
On January 10, Punjab police and Maharashtra Police, in a joint operation, arrested a trained Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) terrorist identified as Jashanpreet Singh from Ghugus town in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. Singh, accused of masterminding a grenade attack on Amritsar's Islamabad police station in December 2024, had been evading arrest. He was tracked using mobile surveillance. Security agencies seized firearms, grenades, and heroin from his accomplices. Singh allegedly provided logistical support for terror activities. He was taken into custody under heavy security and transported to Punjab for further investigation.
India 10-Jan-2025
According to the government, the banned Khalistani terrorist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has compiled a list of children of Indian police officers and politicians studying abroad as an intimidatory tactic, detailing its anti-India activities, including threats to Indian leaders, diplomats, and security officials, often with Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) support, as revealed in its submission before the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal. Furthermore, SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun allegedly raised funds for terrorist acts and announced rewards for assassinating Indian officials. The tribunal upheld the extension of SFJ's ban, citing 104 cases registered against the group across India.