KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
United States 01-May-2024
According to sources, Indian diplomats who have served in Washington DC believe that the US State Department may have played a role in disclosing information about certain individuals within India's intelligence establishment and their connections with Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, as reported by The Washington Post. They suspect that dissatisfaction within certain sections of the State Department regarding India's treatment may have motivated these leaks.
India 01-May-2024
Former diplomat Bhaswati Mukherjee, speaking with News9 on May 1, dismissed the notion of a Khalistan movement in India, emphasizing it as a Canadian issue, while suggesting that Khalistan sympathizer Jagmeet Singh may be pressuring Prime Minister Trudeau to support the Khalistan movement in Canada.
India 01-May-2024
According to analysts, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's participation in a Toronto rally supporting the Khalistani movement has exacerbated tensions with India. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned PM Trudeau's actions, especially the endorsement of separatist slogans during the event, highlighting Canada's perceived leniency towards separatism and extremism. The issue of Khalistan separatism has been a longstanding sensitive matter between India and Canada, amplified by Canada's sizable Sikh community and historical connections to the Khalistan movement. The persistent presence of Khalistani elements in Canada has additionally strained bilateral relations.
India 01-May-2024
According to security agencies, Khalistani preacher and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) has maintained ties with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) while in jail, with documents suggesting his involvement in a conspiracy to destabilize India upon release. His alleged communication with ISI operatives and attempts to procure weaponry indicate a continued association with the Pakistani intelligence agency. Despite being detained under the National Security Act (NSA), Amritpal is set to contest elections from Punjab's Khadoor Sahib constituency, sparking debate within security circles about the suitability of allowing him to participate.
Australia 01-May-2024
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the country's commitment to democratic principles on May 1 amidst reports of Indian spies being expelled for attempting to access sensitive defense and trade information, while declining to comment on intelligence matters during a press conference in Melbourne, Australia.
India 01-May-2024
A district court in Mansa district, Punjab, on May 1 framed charges against jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and 26 other accused in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case. The prime accused, Canada-based gangster Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar, remains at large. The court scheduled the next hearing for May 20.
United States 01-May-2024
The Fresno Police Department confirmed on May 1 that gangster-turned-terrorist Satinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, is alive, contradicting earlier reports of his death in a shooting incident in Fresno, California, in the United States. The shooting took place following a fight on April 30 at Fairmont and Holt Avenue in Fresno and attracted significant attention on social media, with speculation about Brar's death.
India 01-May-2024
The Range Anti-Narcotics and Special Operation Cell of the Punjab Police on May 1 arrested a woman identified as Salhanta Devi and confiscated 15 kg of marijuana and INR 20,000 from her possession in Sohana village, located in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
India 01-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 conducted a joint operation with the Punjab Police, resulting in the arrest of a drug smuggler identified as Jagroop Singh and the seizure of 500 grams of heroin from his possession near Jathaul village in Amritsar district. The heroin had been smuggled via drone from Pakistan. Singh confessed to being in contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler known as "Shah" and admitted to facilitating around 10 drug consignments in the past.
India 01-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 recovered a pistol without a magazine, found inside a packet wrapped in yellow packing material with a metal ring attached to it, in fields near Kalsian village in Tarn Taran district.
India 01-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 recovered a packet containing about 570 grams of heroin, attached to a small drone, near Dhanoe khurd village in Amritsar district.
India 01-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 recovered a drone near Chauntra village in Gurdaspur district. The recovered drone was a China made drone.
India 01-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 recovered a drone near Dal village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a China made drone.
Canada 01-May-2024
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau, in an interview with Punjabi-language Y Media on May 1, acknowledged the impact of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing on India-Canada ties, emphasizing the need for both countries to “get along." Trudeau stated that while Canada and India are the world's two largest democracies, Nijjar's killing has strained relations. He reiterated Canada's stance on peaceful expression but underscored the importance of addressing concerns seriously, despite ongoing tensions stemming from the murder.
India 01-May-2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, while speaking at an election rally in Himatnagar in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, on May 1, criticized the Congress government for sending dossiers to Pakistan despite knowing the origin of terrorism, contrasting it with India's current strategy of taking direct action against terrorists on their home turf. PM Modi's remarks come in the midst of accusations in the Canadian, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and Australian media, which are part of the Five Eyes Intelligence alliance. These reports alleged the involvement of Indian intelligence agencies in various incidents, including the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and assassination plots in the US and UK. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed these reports, viewing them as attempts by the Five Eyes to rein in Indian intelligence's growing influence, especially considering India's assertive stance on terrorism and national security under leaders like National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and former Secretary (RAW) Samant Goel. Despite efforts to tarnish their reputations, the Modi government remains steadfast in its commitment to combating terrorism and safeguarding India's interests, gaining support from a majority of the electorate ahead of the 2024 elections.
India 02-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, in a joint operation on May 2 recovered five small packets of heroin weighing 5.275 kg and a box containing 37 live cartridges in a bag, near Mode village in Amritsar district.
India 02-May-2024
Police on May 2 arrested four aides of Arsh Dala gang, identified as Himanshu Sekhon, Harmandeep Singh and Gurpiar Singh, along with a juvenile, and seized a .32-bore pistol, four cartridges, five cell phones, a scooter and a car from their possession, in Sri Muktsar Sahib in Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
India 02-May-2024
On May 2, the 'Dilli Chalo' protest at Shambhu and Khanauri borders marked its 80th day, while the 'rail roko' demonstration by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) persisted for the 16th consecutive day at Shambhu railway station near Shambhu village in Patiala district. This protest resulted in the cancellation of 46 passenger trains from May 2 to 4, including major routes such as Jammu Mail and Kalka Express. Moreover, 100 trains were diverted, and four trains were short-terminated due to the ongoing demonstration, leading to logistical challenges and inconvenience for passengers.
United Kingdom 02-May-2024
Sikh Labour councillor Parbinder Kaur is under investigation for allegedly supporting Khalistani terrorist groups, including praising Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and its founders involved in violent acts, in Sandwell, United Kingdom (UK). The Daily Mail reported her sharing posts on WhatsApp and Facebook glorifying militants who assassinated public figures. Sandwell council is aware of the situation but has directed inquiries to the Labour party, which, along with Kaur, has yet to respond. Rami Ranger of the British Sikh Association criticized such actions for damaging social cohesion and the interests of the wider Sikh community in the UK.
Canada 03-May-2024
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on May 3 arrested three Indian nationals, identified as Karan Brar, Karanpreet Singh, and Kamalpreet Singh, suspected of being part of a hit squad allegedly tasked by the Indian government to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Edmonton, Alberta province, Canada. All three individuals have been living in Canada as non-permanent residents for several years.