KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
Canada 14-Jan-2025
Canadian journalist Tahir Gora, in an interview with ANI, criticised outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's diplomatic row with India, calling it a failed bid at vote-bank politics amid his declining popularity over economic and immigration issues. Gora expressed scepticism about India-Canada ties improving, citing entrenched Khalistani influence in Canadian politics. He stressed that the Khalistani issue has become Canada's internal problem, tied to rising crime and the glorification of terrorism.
India 14-Jan-2025
Radical Sikh leaders and supporters of jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) and Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh launched a new regional political party, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), on January 14 during the Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. Amritpal, detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam, was appointed as the party's 'chief sewadar.' A five-member executive committee and a seven-member recruitment panel were established to oversee operations and membership drives ahead of elections on Baisakhi. The party's stated goals include reviving Sikh principles, addressing Punjab's demographic concerns, and combating drug issues.
India 14-Jan-2025
Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on January 14 vowed to make sacrifices for the Panth and Punjab, urging the Sikh community to reconnect with SAD during a rally at the Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. Acknowledging past mistakes, he apologised to the Akal Takht over sacrilege controversies and accepted its punishment. Sukhbir also criticised jailed Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh, accusing him of inciting violence and endangering Punjab’s youth.
India 14-Jan-2025
Sikh passengers flying internationally from Amritsar and Delhi airports have raised concerns over being barred from carrying kirpans and khanda necklaces, despite their small size. United States (US)-based traveller Prabhpreet Singh reported being asked to remove a tiny kirpan during a flight from Amritsar, a first in his decade of international travel. Amritsar Airport officials clarified that the restrictions are in line with Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) guidelines, which prohibit carrying kirpans or metallic items on international flights. Only the government can review or amend these regulations.
India 14-Jan-2025
A Delhi court will resume hearing arguments on January 28 in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler. The case involves the murder of three Sikhs at Gurdwara Pul Bangash, with a witness alleging that Tytler instigated the mob. Charges of murder and rioting were framed against him in September 2024. Tytler, on anticipatory bail since 2023, is prohibited from tampering with evidence or leaving the country without permission.
India 15-Jan-2025
Sources reveal that a security review of former Delhi Chief Minister (CM) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has been initiated following intelligence inputs about a Khalistani extremist outfit’s plot to assassinate him. Kejriwal, who is under Z-Plus security, is protected by a multi-layered team of Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel. The plot, reportedly backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), aims to disrupt law and order. Kejriwal has previously faced threats from Indian Mujahideen and has been a target of physical attacks. The banned Khalistani terror group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) had also targeted him in the past.
India 15-Jan-2025
Former Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal stated on January 15 in New Delhi that 'God will save me' amid intelligence reports of a pro-Khalistan assassination plot allegedly backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Reports suggest a three-member hit squad has been dispatched to target him. Kejriwal’s Z+ security, comprising a 63-member team, is under review as Delhi Police heighten vigilance during the election campaign.
India 15-Jan-2025
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on January 15 announced that the high-powered enquiry committee, established in November 2023 to investigate organized criminal groups, terrorist organizations, and drug peddlers, has submitted its report. The enquiry, prompted by leads from the United States (US), recommended swift legal action against an individual with prior criminal links. It also outlined systemic improvements to enhance India’s security response. The investigation followed allegations by the US Department of Justice against former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) official Vikash Yadav and businessman Nikhil Gupta for their alleged roles in a failed 2023 plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in New York.
United States 15-Jan-2025
Sikh activist Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa passed away at 91 on January 15 in New York, United States (US). Renowned for his dedication to the release of captive Sikh prisoners, he began a hunger strike on January 16, 2015, which continued until January 14, 2023, marking one of Punjab's longest and most significant non-violent protests. The Akal Takht and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami extended condolences, honoring his life as a beacon of sacrifice and his unwavering fight for justice and human rights.
India 15-Jan-2025
Tarn Taran Police on January 15 dismantled a Pakistan-backed drug trafficking cartel, arresting the kingpin, Rashpal Singh, and seizing 5 kg of heroin from his possession in Bhai Ladhu village, Tarn Taran district. Police confirmed that Rashpal was in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers, using drones to smuggle drugs across the border.
India 15-Jan-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 15 recovered heroin gross weight of 8.560 kg containing around 15 small packets, from fields near Balharwal village in Ajnala in Amritsar district.
India 15-Jan-2025
The Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) on January 15 arrested Gurpreet Singh Teetu, the brother of an aide to international drug kingpin Akshay Chhabra, and seized 1.2 kg of heroin from his possession near Radha Swami Road in Ludhiana district. Gurpreet, linked to a global drug network, reportedly continued smuggling operations even after his brother Sandeep Singh's arrest in 2022 for trafficking over 20 kg of heroin. Authorities are investigating his ties to Chhabra's syndicate, which is responsible for smuggling over 1,400 kg of heroin, with further arrests expected.
India 15-Jan-2025
Police on January 15 arrested two key aides of the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang, identified as Balraj Singh and Pawan Kumar, following an encounter, and seized four illegal weapons, including a .32 bore pistol with 12 cartridges and a 9 mm pistol with one cartridge from their possession, near Wadala Chowk in Jalandhar district. Acting on a tip-off, the police tracked the duo, who were planning a major crime in the city. During the attempted arrest, Balraj fired at the police and injured himself in the exchange, while Pawan was apprehended while attempting to flee. Both individuals had multiple criminal cases pending against them.
India 15-Jan-2025
On January 15, three men on a motorcycle hurled a grenade at the house of former Zila Parishad chairman, the late Rajinder Kumar alias Pappu Jaintipuria, at Jaintipur village in Majitha, Amritsar district. No injuries were reported as the family was away at the time. Gangster-turned-terrorist Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia claimed responsibility for the attack. The family had reportedly been receiving threats from foreign-based gangsters, including from Passia's group, which has been active in the region.
India 15-Jan-2025
Police on January 15 arrested two members of the criminal gang run by designated terrorist Lakhbir Singh Landa and Gurdev Singh Jaisa, identified as Avtar Singh and Amarbir Singh, and seized five pistols, 13 live rounds, and a snatched car from their possession in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The accused, involved in robbery and extortion cases, had fired at complainant Ekamdeep Singh Brar on January 8 to steal his car. Earlier, on January 7, they had joined a farmers’ protest at the Shambhu border and snatched a bike after firing at a person on the Rajpura-Ambala highway.
India 16-Jan-2025
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on January 16 in Amritsar expressed strong disapproval over the release of actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency. Dhami urged Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to impose a ban on the movie in the state and warned of a state-wide protest if the ban is not enforced.
India 16-Jan-2025
According to reports, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Punjab’s oldest regional party, faces challenges amidst its revival efforts, including a new rival, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), launched by radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, and Faridkot MP Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of former Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi’s assassin Beant Singh. The new party, citing SAD’s deviation from its panthic path, has raised concerns about further fragmentation of the political landscape. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who resigned last year, remains a dominant figure and is expected to contest for leadership again. Despite its declining electoral fortunes, SAD leaders emphasise the party’s legacy, while Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and other leaders have wished the new party well but warned against sowing division.
India 16-Jan-2025
The Mohali Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on January 16 submitted a challan against nine individuals, including Punjab police constable Gurmeet Singh, along with eight others, under sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, at a local court in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The accused were involved in the drug trade.
India 16-Jan-2025
Police on January 16 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Raviratinder Singh alias Ravi and seized 900 grams of heroin along with a .32 bore pistol from his possession, near Dhone Khurd village in Amritsar district. Both the heroin and the pistol were trafficked from Pakistan through a drone.
India 16-Jan-2025
Outgoing United States (US) Ambassador Eric Garcetti, in an interview with The Times of India on January 16, commended the Indian investigation into the murder-for-hire plot involving Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, calling it a positive step towards accountability and systemic reforms. He highlighted tangible outcomes of US-India cooperation, discussed trade and tariff issues, and emphasized the strong relationship between Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden, while also addressing human rights and geopolitical challenges during his tenure.