KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 08-May-2026
According to sources, security agencies in Sri Ganganagar district in Rajasthan have been put on alert following the IED blasts near the Army Cantonment area in Amritsar and outside the Border Security Force (BSF) Punjab Frontier headquarters in Jalandhar. The blasts, which occurred ahead of the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, are suspected to be linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), prompting heightened vigilance in the district.
Canada 08-May-2026
Jaskaran Saroye, a 27-year-old man from Punjab, was arrested and charged in connection with a shooting investigation in Surrey that police believe is linked to ongoing extortion-related violence in the region, in Cabada. He was arrested by the Surrey Police Service Extortion Response Team after officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Surrey. The incident occurred on April 13 near 94A Avenue and 127 Street in Surrey, where gunshots were fired at an occupied house. Although the residence sustained damage, no injuries were reported.
India 08-May-2026
On May 8, the 108th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 548 raids, arrested 261 persons and recovered five weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 126 individuals, while 34 persons were verified and released after questioning. 12 proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
India 08-May-2026
On May 8, Punjab Police, on day 433 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 72 drug smugglers, and seized 5.9 kg of heroin, 10 kg of poppy husk, 292 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 1000 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
India 08-May-2026
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA)on May 8 arrested a Nigerian woman, identified as Bella, along with her taxi driver Dilip Kumar and recovered 3.069 kg of heroin from their possession, at the Goindwal Sahib bypass in Tarn Taran district. The two, allegedly linked to an international smuggling network and residing in New Delhi, had reportedly arrived in the area to collect heroin smuggled from Pakistan. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Police established a checkpoint at the bypass and intercepted the accused.
India 09-May-2026
The Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on May 9 arrested Anil Kumar alias Monty, an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and recovered seven live cartridges from his residence, from Bansa Kushalpura village in Jaipur Rural, Rajasthan.
India 09-May-2026
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh on May 9 clarified that he has no interest in entering politics, dismissing speculation surrounding his growing public influence in Punjab. Responding to rumours that he could emerge as a future political figure in the State, Dosanjh stated that his focus remains on entertainment rather than political life.
India 09-May-2026
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 9 seized 5.175 kg of heroin from the Gharinda area in Amritsar district.
India 09-May-2026
The Punjab Police on May 9 recovered 440 grams of heroin from harvested wheat fields in Jathaul village of Amritsar district.
India 09-May-2026
On May 9, the 109th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 536 raids, arrested 221 persons and recovered 17 weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 93 individuals, while 41 persons were verified and released after questioning. Six proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
India 09-May-2026
On May 9, Punjab Police, on day 434 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 97 drug smugglers, and seized 989 grams heroin, 500 grams of opium, 18 kg of poppy husk, 316 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 2300 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
India 09-May-2026
According to a Punjab Police report on Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) activities, at least 457 Pakistan-linked spies or associates were identified and arrested across 17 states and Union Territories (UTs) after Operation Sindoor, as Pakistan allegedly intensified espionage efforts against India following the operation. The report stated that the ISI significantly increased the deployment of Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs), tasking them with gathering sensitive information on troop movements, strategic installations and border deployments. Recruits were allegedly targeted through social media, honey-trapping and cash inducements, with payments routed through hawala networks and encrypted applications. Some suspects also allegedly attempted to install solar-powered CCTV cameras near military and police installations before being detected by security agencies.
Canada 09-May-2026
According to reports, Khalistani elements prominently displayed separatist symbols during the “Nagar Kirtan” parade held in Calgary, Canada on May 9. Tens of thousands reportedly participated in the procession from the Dashmesh Culture Centre to Prairie Winds Park, where Khalistan flags and separatist messaging were visible throughout the event. Although presented as a cultural and religious gathering, the parade drew criticism for allegedly providing a platform for pro-Khalistan activism and extremist narratives in Canada.
India 10-May-2026
On May 10, the 110th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 537 raids, arrested 248 persons and recovered six weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 94 individuals, while 28 persons were verified and released after questioning. 11 proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
India 10-May-2026
On May 10, Punjab Police, on day 435 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 67 drug smugglers, and seized 7.8 kg of heroin, 581 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 12,200 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
India 10-May-2026
Unidentified assailants on May 10 allegedly hurled a “bomb-like object” at the residence of village sarpanch Nishan Singh in Sudhar village, in the Ramdass area of Amritsar district, reportedly following extortion threats. Singh and his family escaped unhurt. According to Singh, he had earlier received a call from a person identifying himself as gangster Jeevan Fauji, demanding INR 50 lakh. He further alleged that another threatening call was made after the attack, warning of serious consequences if the demand was not met.
Canada 10-May-2026
In a targeted gang-related shooting on May 10, two youths aged 16 and 18 were shot dead inside an underground parking lot in the Newton neighbourhood of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. While Police and Canadian media did not disclose their identities, community sources indicated that the victims were believed to be of Punjabi origin. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), which has taken over the investigation, confirmed that the double homicide was targeted and linked to the ongoing gang conflict in British Columbia. Both victims, residents of Surrey, were reportedly associated with organized crime networks.
India 11-May-2026
Police on May 11 arrested two individuals, identified as Kulwant Singh and Boota Ram, and recovered 76 intoxicant tablets from their possession, in Phillaur in Jalandhar district.
India 11-May-2026
Police on May 11 arrested an individual identified as Harjit alias Maur, and seized 27 intoxicant tablets from his possession, in Nurmahal, Jalandhar district.
India 11-May-2026
Three men were arrested after they were allegedly found carrying fake Police identity cards near the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot district. According to officials, the accused used the forged IDs to evade police checks and avoid payments at toll plazas. All three were identified as residents of Hoshiarpur district. The incident occurred days after twin blasts near security installations in the State.