KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 27-May-2025
Police, on May 27 arrested five youths involved in drug peddling, identified as Ravinder Kumar, Manpreet Singh, Shubham Thakur, Biku and Amit Kumar, and seized 150 grams of heroin, INR 15,000 drug money and a digital weighing scale from their possession, near ITI-Nangal in Nangal in Rupnagar district in Punjab.
India 27-May-2025
An unidentified suspected terrorist died in an explosion near the Majitha Road area of Amritsar district, Punjab, on May 27. Police stated that the blast occurred while he was attempting to retrieve explosive material and linked the deceased to the banned Khalistani terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). Forensic teams have collected samples from the site as investigations continue.
India 27-May-2025
Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Member of Parliament (MP) from Amritsar, on May 27 criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government over the deteriorating law and order situation. Citing three consecutive incidents—a councillor’s murder, the killing of a money exchanger, and a grenade blast—Aujla questioned the effectiveness of Punjab’s intelligence agencies.
India 27-May-2025
Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Shwait Malik, on May 27, condemned the worsening security situation in Punjab and demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), along with a public statement from Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, following the grenade blast near Majitha Road in Amritsar district.
India 27-May-2025
Amritsar Police on May 27 arrested six unidentified individuals, and seized 65 grams of heroin from their possession, and four unidentified persons for consumption of the drug, across Tarn Taran district in Punjab.
India 27-May-2025
On May 27, an extortion attempt linked to gangster Goldy Brar’s gang resurfaced when unidentified assailants opened fire outside businessman Raju Kathodiya’s residence in Jawahar Nagar, Sri Ganganagar district, Rajasthan. The incident followed earlier threats demanding INR 4 crore, allegedly made in Brar’s name. Police recovered empty cartridges and bullet marks at the scene and are reviewing CCTV footage. The firing is believed to be part of a wider extortion campaign targeting wealthy individuals in Rajasthan’s border districts.
Canada 28-May-2025
On May 28, Punjabi singer and Khalistan supporter Jaswinder Singh Bains, alias Jazzy B, was welcomed at the British Columbia (BC) Provincial Assembly in Victoria, Canada, at the invitation of Conservative member Steve Kooner. The event sparked diplomatic concern in India. Jazzy B, a Canadian resident, has faced criticism for glorifying extremist figures in his music.
India 28-May-2025
On May 28, wanted gangster Naveen Kumar was killed in an encounter during a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Special Task Force (STF) and Delhi Police’s Special Cell near Hapur Kotwali area in Hapur district, UP. Kumar, a sharpshooter affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, faced over 20 criminal cases, including charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). During the interception attempt, he opened fire on the joint team, resulting in a gunbattle in which he was critically injured and later died in hospital.
India 28-May-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, on May 28, launched a sharp attack on Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia, accusing him of hypocrisy and of exploiting a recent tragedy for political gain. Mann cited past incidents during the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) regime, linking Majithia to drug mafias and widespread lawlessness. He contrasted the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) governance with what he termed the Akalis’ 'empire of corruption,' urging the public to reject their false narratives.
India 28-May-2025
On May 28, Punjab Police, on day 88 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 90 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 141 drug smugglers and seized 959 grams of heroin, 2 kg of opium and INR 3.4 lakhs drug money from the possession, across Punjab.
India 28-May-2025
Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala’s father, Balkaur Singh, on May 28 announced that he will contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections from the Mansa constituency to seek justice for his son. He criticised Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann’s government for its inaction against gangsters, particularly Canada-based Goldy Brar, the alleged mastermind behind Moose Wala’s 2022 killing.
India 28-May-2025
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Amritsar range, on May 28 arrested three drug traffickers—identified as Maninderjit Singh, Peter, and Lovejit Singh alias Raja—and seized 521 grams of heroin, along with four PX5 Storm pistols, seven magazines, and 55 live cartridges from their possession near Shankar Dhaba in Amritsar district. Police revealed that the consignment had been smuggled from Pakistan.
Canada 28-May-2025
The World Sikh Organisation (WSO) criticised Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand following her 'productive' dialogue with India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, accusing her of sidelining issues faced by Sikh Canadians. In contrast, Hindu Canadian groups have supported Anand’s efforts to restore ties with India, dismissing the WSO as unrepresentative and politically motivated.
Canada 28-May-2025
Peel Regional Police (PRP) on May 28 announced the arrest of two 21-year-old Indian-origin men, identified as Aman and Digvijay, in connection with the murder of 51-year-old Indo-Canadian businessman Harjeet Dhadda from Delta, British Columbia, Canada.
United States 29-May-2025
According to United States (US) federal records filed in April 2025, the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), led by designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has resumed professional lobbying efforts in Washington, DC. The group has hired The Livingston Group to target top US government institutions, marking its third documented lobbying attempt.
India 29-May-2025
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, on May 29 in New Delhi, reiterated India’s consistent stance and urged Canada not to provide political space to extremist pro-Khalistan elements promoting violence and secession. He highlighted the ongoing security concerns conveyed to the Canadian side and expressed hope for concrete action.
Canada 29-May-2025
Independent journalist Nitin Chopra, on May 29, shared a video report highlighting the plight of Raman Kumar, a landlord in Ontario, Canada, whose tenants—supporters of the Khalistan movement—have not paid rent or utility bills since January 2025. Chopra’s report featured visuals of the property, including a Khalistan flag displayed without the landlord’s consent. Kumar expressed distress over the financial and mental strain, citing overcrowding, disturbances, and complaints from neighbours. While legal proceedings are underway, he lamented the slow pace of the process and urged authorities to intervene urgently.
India 29-May-2025
A Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) Himdhara bus traveling from Shri Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham to Vrindavan Dham was attacked by three motorcycle-borne assailants near Rupnagar in Rupnagar district on May 29. The attackers pelted stones at the moving bus, shattering its front windshield, but no passengers were injured.
India 29-May-2025
On May 29, activists of the Dal Khalsa pasted posters announcing the Amritsar Bandh scheduled for June 6, ahead of the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
United States 29-May-2025
According to sources, the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) recently sent a letter to United States (US) Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding action against Indian officials allegedly involved in a plot to assassinate American citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The group urged the Trump administration to impose visa bans under the US policy on transnational repression, naming officials including National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, former Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Samant Goel.