KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 22-Mar-2025
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on March 22 detained gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, 1988, for one year and transferred him from Bathinda jail to Silchar Jail in Assam. Bhagwanpuria, a key conspirator in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case and an accused in 128 cases, allegedly operated a drug network from prison using encrypted communication and international links.
India 23-Mar-2025
The Amritsar city police on March 23 arrested a woman kingpin along with three drug smugglers identified as Mandeep Kaur, Alam Arora, Manmeet alias Golu, and one unidentified 18-year-old, and seized 5.2 kg of heroin from their possession in Chheharta Sahib in Amritsar district. Mandeep Kaur, who allegedly transported drugs disguised as a police officer, was linked to Pakistan-based smugglers. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered, and further investigations are underway.
India 23-Mar-2025
As part of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign, Punjab Police on March 23 registered 70 First Information Reports (FIR), arrested 109 drug smugglers and seized 8.6 kg heroin, 3.3 kg of opium, 40 kg of poppy husk and INR 2.9 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
India 23-Mar-2025
Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of Amritsar Police on March 23 busted a narco-terror module and arrested four persons, identified as Navjot Singh alias Sahil, Sukhwinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh and Aniket, and seized 4 kg of heroin from their possession, near government hospital at Naraingarh area in Chheharta Sahib in Amritsar district.
Canada 23-Mar-2025
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney announced snap elections for April 28, 2025, aiming to stabilize the country amid economic uncertainty and rising tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump. His predecessor, Justin Trudeau, saw his leadership decline due to ethics scandals, economic struggles, and deteriorating Indo-Canadian relations. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre presents a strong challenge, while smaller parties like the New Democratic Party (NDP) and Greens struggle for relevance. India hopes for a leadership that prioritizes diplomacy over divisive politics, fostering a renewed and respectful partnership between the two nations.
United States 23-Mar-2025
On March 23, the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organized a Khalistan referendum in Los Angeles, California, where over 35,000 Sikhs voted in favor of an independent Khalistan, separate from India.
United States 23-Mar-2025
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), announced that the next referendum would be held on August 17 in Washington, DC, while addressing a crowd in Los Angeles, California on March 23.
United States 23-Mar-2025
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), on March 23, in Los Angeles, California, United States (US) thanked the Donald Trump administration for allowing the Khalistan Referendum despite alleged pressure from India to halt it. During the event, he also labelled Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval as “political targets” facing an impending “political death.
India 23-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 23 announced that, the Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) of the Punjab Police with the support of the central agencies arrested eleven persons and seized 423 grams of heroin, 372 grams of gold and foreign currencies amounting to INR 5.09 crore along with four vehicles from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The crackdown followed an extensive investigation into a narco-terror hawala network linked to a Pakistani drug smuggler.
India 23-Mar-2025
The Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on March 23 busted a major narcotics smuggling network and arrested three Army men, identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, his brother Sukhpreet Singh and Akashdeep Singh, along with two civilians identified as Kulwinder Singh and Arvinder Singh, and seized 135 grams of heroin and one pistol from their possession, in Gokuwal village in Batala in Gurdaspur district. Gopi, was identified as the chief conspirator. Officials stated that the accused were involved in procuring heroin and arms and ammunition from Pakistan-based smugglers. Their financial transactions were under investigation, and more arrests were likely as the probe continued.
New Zealand 23-Mar-2025
New Zealand Prime Minister (PM) Christopher Luxon, in a recent interview, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to free speech while addressing concerns raised by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over anti-India activities. Luxon acknowledged India’s concerns regarding terrorism risks but emphasized that New Zealand upholds liberal democratic values, ensuring lawful protests and free expression. He also highlighted strong bilateral ties and future cooperation, including visa simplifications and business opportunities.
India 23-Mar-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 23 filed a chargesheet against four Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operatives—Pakistan-based Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, US-based Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, Rohan Masih, and Vishal Masih—in connection with the 2024 Chandigarh grenade attack case, before the special NIA court in Chandigarh. The agency alleged that the attack targeted a retired Punjab police officer and was part of BKI’s terror agenda. The accused have been charged under the UAPA, the Explosive Substances Act, and other provisions.
India 23-Mar-2025
According to sources, Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma is actively mobilizing support for the March 28 gherao of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) head office, demanding the reinstatement of the sacked jathedars. Once a pivotal force in Sikh politics, Damdami Taksal lost its influence after aligning with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD-Badal) but is now seeking to reclaim its position. Amid growing discontent within the Sikh community, Baba Harnam Singh Dhuma’s renewed activism signals a shift in the religio-political landscape.
India 24-Mar-2025
The Delhi Police on March 24 informed the Patiala House Court that further investigation is pending in the extortion case against former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer Vikash Yadav, who has been charged by the United States (US) Department of Justice (DoJ) with “murder-for-hire” and money laundering in an alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The Patiala House Court has listed the case for May 22 for arguments on the point of charge. Yadav, previously arrested in December 2023, was granted interim bail on March 22 and regular bail on April 22, 2024.
Pakistan 24-Mar-2025
Wanted Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) militant Mehal Singh Babbar died of kidney failure at a private hospital in Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, on March 24. A proclaimed offender since 1990, he was accused by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of coordinating with gangsters and supplying weapons from Pakistan to India. A former Indian Air Force officer and deputy chief of BKI, Babbar had been living in Pakistan since the early 1990s. He was the brother of Sukhdev Singh Babbar, the 1984 head of BKI, who was killed in 1992.
India 25-Mar-2025
Mohinder Chawla, a member of the Kullu Gurdwara Management Committee, on March 25, in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, expressed regret over the recent incidents between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, attributing them to a handful of miscreants. He emphasized that both states have worked together to restore peace through initiatives such as peace committee meetings in Kullu and Manali. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Kumar Sukhu and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also coordinated to defuse tensions, ensuring swift action against those responsible for vandalizing buses.
Canada 25-Mar-2025
Mark Carney’s appointment as Canada’s Prime Minister marks a significant political shift, coming amid rising tensions over the Khalistan issue. A former Governor of the Bank of Canada, Carney replaces Justin Trudeau, whose handling of the Sikh separatist movement strained Canada-India relations. The Khalistan movement, advocating for an independent Sikh state, remains a divisive issue within Canada’s large South Asian community. Known for his pragmatic approach, Carney is expected to balance Canada’s multicultural commitments while prioritizing diplomatic and economic ties with India. His response to this issue will play a crucial role in shaping his legacy and Canada’s foreign relations.
India 25-Mar-2025
An Ajnala court in Amritsar district on March 25 extended police remand of eight associates of Khalistani radical and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, identified as Basant Singh, Bhagwant Singh alias Pradhan Mantri Bajeke, Gurmeet Singh Gill, Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi alias Daljeet Singh, Gurinderpal Singh Aujla, Harjeet Singh alias Chacha, Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal and Amandeep Singh, for three day.
India 25-Mar-2025
Forty-two members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on March 25 submitted a joint petition demanding the revocation of the decision to remove Takht Jathedars, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The SGPC had previously sacked Jathedars, including Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, leading to political backlash, particularly against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Former SGPC general secretary Kiranjot Kaur stated that the petition rejects new appointments and seeks restoration of previous Jathedars. The members also urged the SGPC to establish norms for appointing Takht Jathedars after consulting the wider Sikh community.
India 25-Mar-2025
A local court in Patiala in Patiala district on March 25 acquitted Jagtar Singh Tara and Ramandeep Singh Goldy in the 2009 murder case of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat chief Rulda Singh, citing a lack of sufficient evidence from the Punjab Police. Rulda Singh was shot outside his residence on July 28, 2009, and succumbed to his injuries on August 15, 2009.