KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
Canada 01-May-2023
Satinderjit Singh Brar alias Goldy Brar, a notorious gangster from Punjab and a Canadian fugitive accused of involvement in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala and other crimes in India, has been added to Canada's top 25 most wanted criminals list. A statement issued by the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi said the country’s Be On Look Out (BOLO) Programme, a not-for profit organization that amplifies police fugitive cases to increase public awareness, has updated its list of 25 most wanted criminals on May 1. Brar, who arrived in Canada on a student visa in 2017, is not charged with any criminal offences in Canada, but is under investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). There is no reward for his capture, but the RCMP is working closely with Indian law enforcement to ensure justice is served. Brar is believed to be a risk to public safety and has direct links to a Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operatives.
India 01-May-2023
Pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh, who was arrested on April 23 in Punjab’s Moga district after a month-long manhunt, has refused to disclose his sources of money and poses a threat to peace and security, according to officials. He has pledged to fight against drugs and conversions if released but authorities fear he will resume his previous activities. His arrest has raised concerns about a resurgence of militancy in Punjab.
United Kingdom 01-May-2023
The United Kingdom (UK) government-commissioned "Bloom Review" report on how the government should engage with faith groups in England has sparked backlash from British Sikhs and Hindus. The report's chapter on "faith-based extremism" included Sikh extremism and Hindu nationalism alongside Islamist extremism, white supremacy, black nationalism and Buddhist nationalism. The report calls for a more comprehensive understanding of subversive and sectarian Sikh extremist activity in the UK.
India 01-May-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) seized 2.5 kg of heroin that were dropped by a drone from Pakistan in Setha Wala village in Ferozepur district on May 1. The BSF recovered three packets of heroin, two sparkling balls, and a luminous blue LED bulb with battery attached to the consignment. This is the fifth incident of drug seizure in the past five days along the International Border in Punjab.
India 01-May-2023
A study conducted by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), focused on the drug addiction problem in Punjab and neighbouring states, found that more than 95% of respondents believed that politicians were distributing drugs to woo voters and that some leaders were involved in the drug trade. The addicts also talked about a nexus between political leaders, police officials, and drug smugglers. The study also mentioned media reports that had previously exposed the police-drug-politician nexus. The researchers emphasized that it was impossible to break the supply chain of drugs without punishing the major players involved in it.
India 01-May-2023
Police arrested a drug peddler, Lakhwinder Singh following the recovery of 1 kg of heroin from his fields near the barbed fencing at Kilche village in Ferozepur sector in Ferozepur district on May 1.
India 01-May-2023
Police arrested two associates of gangsters Lakhbir Singh Landa and Satnam Singh alias Satta Naushehra, identified as Jobanjit Singh and Joginder Singh alias Rinku in Amritsar on May 1. The arrests were made in connection with a recent shooting incident in Naraingarh area in Punjab. The suspects were acting on the directions of Ravisher Singh, who is currently in Portugal and is an accomplice of Landa and Satta.
United Kingdom 02-May-2023
The Sikh Group, a UK-based organization, released 'The Sikhs 100' list of influential Sikhs from around the world in various fields. Takht Hazur Sahib Jathedar Giani Kulwant Singh retained the top position, followed by Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh. Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami feature at the third and fourth spot, respectively. Other notable names on the list include former PM Dr Manmohan Singh, Union Minister Hardeep Puri, and actor Diljit Dosanjh.
India 02-May-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 2 arrested two suspected drug smugglers, identified as Harjinder Pal Singh and Lovepreet Singh from near the Kaku Singh Wala border post in Abohar in Fazilka district. According to BSF, they were carrying out a reconnaissance mission to locate a suitable spot to receive a drug shipment from across the border.
India 02-May-2023
The Garhshankar police arrested two smugglers and recovered drugs and liquor from their possession in Hoshiarpur district on May 2.
India 02-May-2023
Tanda police arrested one person, identified as Suraj and seized 58 gm of intoxicating powder from him in Hoshiarpur district on May 2.
India 02-May-2023
Mukerian police arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Sunil Kumar and seized 100 gm of heroin from him in Hoshiarpur district on May 2.
United Kingdom 03-May-2023
A Sikh restaurant owner in London, United Kingdom (UK), Harman Singh Kapoor, received threats to his life after posting a video on TikTok against Khalistan movement. Reports indicate that his restaurant was targeted by supporters of Khalistan and he and his family have been repeatedly harassed and intimidated on social media, including receiving death threats. Harman said that his wife and his daughter received rape threats. Despite reporting the incidents to the authorities, Harman and his family continue to experience a sense of insecurity. Harman has accused the police of stating that they can only intervene if physical harm or loss of life occurs.
India 03-May-2023
Two men, who were arrested in March for allegedly sending pro-Khalistan voice messages ahead of the India-Australia cricket match, have been denied bail by a sessions court in Ahmedabad, Gujrat on May 3. The messages threatened to disrupt the match and were sent using a sim box, allegedly by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
India 03-May-2023
The Uttarakhand special task force has discovered that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a leader of banned pro-Khalistani group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), used a Japanese telecommunications company to make threat calls to recipients in India while sitting in United States (US). The police have written to the company for further action, but are yet to receive a reply. Pannun had made threat calls to police officers, media persons and government employees in the state ahead of the three-day G20 event in Ramnagar near Nainital, a city in Uttarakhand in March.
India 03-May-2023
The Supreme Court (SC) on May 3 denied the commutation of the death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist convicted of assassinating former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. The court has directed the Centre to decide on Rajoana's request for compassion. The decision was made by a panel of three judges who had reserved their decision in March 2023, due to the Centre's delayed decision on Rajoana's mercy petition.
India 03-May-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) has started the ‘Akhand Path’ to celebrate the 300th birth centenary of Sardar Jassa Singh Ramgarhia at the Bunga Ramgarhia in the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab. The main event will be held at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall on May 5, which will be attended by Singh Sahibs, Jathedars of Takht Sahibs, heads of various sects and prominent personalities of the Panth.
India 03-May-2023
According to reports, Chinese-made DJI Matrice 300 RTK drones with advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities have become a popular tool for Pakistani smugglers to drop drugs, arms, and ammunition in Punjab from across the border. Border Security Force (BSF) officials have seized 10 drones in 2023, with eight being Matrice 300 RTK models. The drones are equipped with high-definition cameras that can live record and take pictures, and up to three payloads can be mounted on them simultaneously. They can also be operated with dual remote controls having an HD screen. At least 30 drone intrusions have been reported at the Punjab border this year, with BSF having captured 22 drones last year. The BSF is hopeful of acquiring an effective anti-drone technology soon to combat the threat.
India 03-May-2023
Police on May 3 arrested a man, identified as Gaurav Pandit for allegedly posting objectionable comments on social media against Sikh gurus and the community, in Yamunanagar district of Haryana.
India 03-May-2023
Police and Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 3 arrested two persons from Firozpur in Punjab, when they came to collect heroin smuggled via a drone from Pakistan in Sri Ganganagar district of Rajasthan. The men were found with a country-made pistol and three phones.