KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
Canada 21-Sep-2025
Indo-Canadian community groups have cautiously welcomed a Canadian government bill to combat hate crimes against identity-based groups, including those based on religion. The legislation proposes criminalising intimidation or obstruction at places of worship, schools, and community centres, making hate-motivated crimes a specific offence, and banning the public display of certain terrorism or hate symbols. The bill will also introduce a ‘hate propaganda’ offence, making it a crime to wilfully promote hatred against an identifiable group by publicly displaying certain terrorism or hate symbols, including those linked to government-listed terrorist entities. Two pro-Khalistan groups on the list are Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF).
Pakistan 21-Sep-2025
According to reports, Punjab Minister for Minorities Affairs and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, along with committee members, attended the Nagar Kirtan procession at Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, Pakistan, during the second day of the 486th death anniversary commemorations of Baba Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
India 21-Sep-2025
According to reports, after launching the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign in March, the Punjab government is set to roll out another de-addiction initiative, ‘Soorma’. Under the programme, individuals who have successfully overcome substance dependence will serve as community ambassadors. An official communique said nodal psychiatrists in all districts have been asked to identify and orient eligible individuals ahead of the initiative’s launch by Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann.
India 21-Sep-2025
Punjab Police, with support from central agencies and Nagaland Police, on September 21, arrested two accused in a murder case, identified as Harmanpreet Singh alias Harman and his cousin Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi from New Market in Midland Colony, Kohima, Nagaland. They were wanted in the September 9 Batala murder of Jugraj Singh alias Jugga. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the killing was ordered by foreign-based gangsters Jaswinder Singh alias Manu Agwan, Mohammad Yasin Akhtar alias Jeeshan Akhtar, and Gopi Nawansheharia.
India 21-Sep-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police on September 21 arrested four drug smugglers and seized 10 kg of heroin from their possession, in Thetharke village in Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
India 21-Sep-2025
On September 21, Punjab Police, on day 204 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 78 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 89 drug smugglers and seized 4.5 kg of heroin, 2.3 kg of ganja, 1524 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 59,810 drug money, across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 30, 440 in 204 days.
Canada 22-Sep-2025
According to government sources, Canadian authorities have arrested Inderjeet Singh Gosal, a close aide of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), on multiple firearms-related charges in Ottawa, Canada. Gosal, who rose as a key SFJ coordinator in Canada after the June 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, was held for illegal possession of firearms, though police have not specified the number or type of weapons seized. The arrest comes just days after Indian and Canadian National Security Advisers (NSAs) met in New Delhi on September 18, signalling possible cooperation on terrorism concerns.
India 22-Sep-2025
Amritsar Police on September 22 busted a cross-border arms and hawala racket, arresting three persons, identified as Amarjeet Singh alias Bau, Manbir Singh, and Mohammad Tofiq Khan alias Babblu and recovering 10 pistols, including three .30 bore PX5 pistols, three 9mm Glocks, one 9mm Beretta, and three .30 bore pistols, along with INR 2.5 lakh in hawala money, in Amritsar district. Police said the accused were in touch with Pakistan-based handlers via social media to procure weapons and disrupt peace in the state.
India 22-Sep-2025
On September 22, Punjab Police, on day 205 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 59 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 81 drug smugglers and seized 922 grams of heroin, 4 kg of poppy husk, 336 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 980 drug money, across the state.
Canada 22-Sep-2025
Canadian Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree’s office on September 22 confirmed that the federal government is seriously considering designating the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist organisation. Minister’s spokesperson Simon Lafortune said that the decision is based on evidence, intelligence, and recommendations from security agencies, adding that the evaluation process is rigorous and ongoing to ensure Canadians’ safety.
India 22-Sep-2025
Two gang members, identified as Samarbir Singh and Saurav Singh, were shot dead in a clash between rival armed gangs near Kairon village in Tarn Taran district on the night of September 22. Police cordoned off the area and arrested four accused shortly after the incident, though the exact number of assailants remains unclear. The Gopi Ghanshyampuria gang later claimed responsibility for the killings.
India 23-Sep-2025
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on September 23 condemned the misuse of AI technology to create a false video related to Harmandar Sahib (Golden Temple), calling it an affront to Sikh sentiments. He urged governments to act immediately to curb such practices, saying AI-generated videos not only distort Sikh principles but also hurt global religious sensitivities.
India 23-Sep-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has registered a fresh case against Khalistani terrorist and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for declaring an INR 11 crore reward to stop Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi from hoisting the Tricolour on Independence Day. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Pannun also unveiled a so-called ‘map of Khalistan’ covering Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Uttar Pradesh (UP). The case was filed last month after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) alerted the NIA about his virtual address from Washington DC, United States (US) to a press conference at Lahore Press Club, Pakistan on August 10, where he allegedly announced the reward. Based on UMHA’s disclosure, the NIA booked Pannun and unknown others under Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). This is the seventh FIR by the NIA against Pannun and his outfit, SFJ. According to state police and NIA records, 96 cases have been registered against him and SFJ.
India 23-Sep-2025
On September 23, Punjab Police, on day 206 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 54 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 78 drug smugglers and seized 3.6 kg of heroin, 1.25 kg of ganja, 20 kg of poppy husk and 624 intoxicant tablets/capsules from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
India 23-Sep-2025
Punjab government officials said on September 23 that over 30,500 drug smugglers have been arrested in the last 205 days under the state’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign, which marked 205 days on September 22. CM Bhagwant Mann has directed top police and civil officials to intensify efforts to make Punjab drug-free. The government has also set up a five-member Cabinet sub-committee, headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, to monitor the campaign.
India 24-Sep-2025
Amritsar Rural Police on September 24 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Jobanpreet Singh, and seized 6 kg of heroin, a motorcycle, and a mobile phone from his possession, in Khasa village, Amritsar district. The accused, who had links with Pakistani smugglers, was involved in supplying heroin across various parts of Punjab.
India 24-Sep-2025
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), issued threats against Hindus and migrant workers in Punjab through a video message. In the video, Pannun warned that only those boycotting Diwali and observing Deepmala on Bandi Chhor Divas would be allowed to stay in Punjab, and ordered migrants to leave by October 19 or face dire consequences. Pannun further claimed that Punjab is not part of India and threatened raids at Batala railway station, displaying visuals of Khalistani slogans painted on signboards and electricity boxes. He also mentioned the Achleshwar Dham temple while issuing threats against Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav and the state government.
India 24-Sep-2025
The Supreme Court (SC) on September 24 observed that the Centre alone was responsible for the delay in deciding on the mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) sympathiser sentenced to death for the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh. The bench reminded the government that the decision on his execution rested with the executive, not the judiciary, and directed the Centre to explain why it had neither acted on the mercy plea nor proceeded with the execution.
India 24-Sep-2025
Pakistani underworld don Shehzad Bhatti allegedly threatened prominent rappers and social media influencers in Punjab. In a viral audio message, Bhatti referred to the recent Tarn Taran double murder as ‘just a trailer,’ warning that those who insult Sikh religious symbols such as the pagri (turban) and kes (uncut hair) would face dire consequences. He further declared, ‘No matter how many gangsters they bring in, we will end their gangsterism.’ The threat followed a recent gang clash in Tarn Taran in which two persons were shot dead.
India 24-Sep-2025
On September 24, Punjab Police, on day 207 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 36 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 52 drug smugglers and seized 321 grams of heroin, 13 kg of poppy husk, 320 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 73,100 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.