KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 04-Jan-2018
Addressing the threat of ongoing radicalisation and to interact directly with the citizens, the Punjab Police has aspired to launch its own Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts in the month of January, said Punjab DGP Suresh Arora. Providing the details of Punjab Police’s achievements of 2017 and further plans in 2018, the Punjab Police had dismantled eight terror modules with the arrests of 47 persons and seizure of 43 different weapons. Around 21 foreign nationals were accused of providing logistics and financial assistance to these terror modules, said DGP Suresh Arora
India 04-Jan-2018
Terming it as a ‘knee-jerk reaction’, India has dismissed the threat posed by the UK based ‘The Sikh Federation’ to encourage the Gurudwara (Sikh temple) diasporas to place a ban on the visits of officials representing the Indian Government. The announcement by The Sikh Federation is a sign of fear about the strong relation between the Indian Government officials and the Sikh Diaspora dispersed globally, said India’s Deputy High Commissioner to London, UK Dinesh Patnaik. The Sikh Federation believed to have support of around 70 Gurudwaras based in UK and around 300 organisations outside India supporting this ban.
India 06-Jan-2018
The NIA will seek support from the Interpol in providing information regarding Pakistan’s ISI involvement in the ‘targeted’ killings of Hindu leaders at various places in Punjab during the last two years., The ongoing investigation and interrogation of gangsters and Sikh radical group members had revealed that the financial support was routed from Pakistan to various members of radical groups based in the UK, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, the US, and UAE in a proposal to revive Sikh militancy in the state of Punjab, said an unnamed official of Punjab Police. Some specific intelligence input does support that ISI was keen to establish allegiance between Khalistani outfits and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The NIA had confirmed that Harmeet Singh alias PHD— who is based in Pakistan, was an essential link between ISI and Sikh militant outfits, said unidentified sources.
India 07-Jan-2018
The BSF had recovered 20 kilograms of heroin worth INR 100 crores along with the Adhain India-Pakistan border outpost in Gurdaspur District of Punjab.
India 09-Jan-2018
According to unidentified sources in Punjab Police, the foreign-based pro-Khalistani groups are luring the young, educated, suave men and women from families with no prior links with Khalistan movement and radicalising the ‘new brand’ of Sikh militancy in Punjab. This is a new medium of spreading terrorist propaganda. The young men and women are getting radicalised via cyberspace. All investigations in such cases are handed over to the NIA. It is unclear as of how many such pro-Khalistani modules have been prepared for further anti-national activities, said Punjab’s DGP Suresh Arora. A British citizen—Jagtar Singh alias Jaggi Johal was arrested by Punjab Police on November 4, 2017 and during preliminary interrogation he revealed that top leaders of the Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF)—Harminder Singh Mintoo and Harmeet Singh alias PHD, are recruiting young Sikhs with support of Pakistan’s ISI to revive the Sikh militancy and other anti-India activities, said an unnamed Punjab Police official.
India 19-Jan-2018
The pro-Khalistan movement posters with the slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ (Long live Khalistan) and ‘Khalistan Referendum 2020’ were spotted on in Banga town and its adjacent villages of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar District of Punjab. The ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ slogan was written in Punjabi language whereas ‘Khalistan Referendum 2020’ was in English language. The state Police has removed many such posters and reached-out to the CCTV footage of nearby areas to trace the persons involved in this activity.
India 23-Jan-2018
Investigation has revealed the involvement of pro-Khalistan module in the target killings of religious-political leaders over the past two years in Punjab. The module had paid more than INR 40 lakh to the alleged killers—Hardeep Singh alias Shera and Ramandeep Singh alias Canadian, to carry out the killings. When Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) visits India, other NRIs from their country hand-over some money and other things to give to relatives or friends in India. In their modus-operandi, instead of using direct transfer to bank accounts, the handlers paid to killers through such NRIs. We are trying to reach the NRIs,” said an officer on the basis of anonymity. These handlers were supported by the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and used to communicate the addresses of those NRIs through a messaging application—Signal, said another unnamed senior officer.
India 25-Jan-2018
Acting upon an Intelligence input from the Military Intelligence (MI) unit in J&K, the Punjab Police in Batala of Gurdaspur District arrested a man identified as Gian Singh as a part of an espionage ring that supplied the sensitive Military information to Pakistan’s ISI. The Police have recovered a mobile phone and two SIM cards from Gian Singh. The preliminary interrogation has revealed that Gian Singh was in contact with an ISI agent based in Pakistan and his task was to provide photos and videos of the Indian Army and the BSF deployment and movement along with India-Pakistan border. Gian Singh also revealed that Shamsher Singh alias Shera introduced him with an ISI agent. The Punjab Police of Batala is in close pursuit of Shamsher Singh.
India 25-Jan-2018
Putting forward ‘the facts’—a letter about the 1984 Sikh riots, the Indo-Canadians formed a group in December 2017 named as the Harmony Committee to counter the propaganda disseminated by pro-Khalistan groups active in Canada and mailed that letter to every elected representatives of the Canada’s Parliament and members of Provincial Assemblies across Canada. The letter highlights that then-Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, who is a Sikh, had offered an apology on the issue in the Parliament. It also gives details of the different commissions of inquiry that examined the violence following the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. “The total number of Police officers indicted by the two committees was 147. In all, 3170 people were arrested out of which 442 people were convicted for their participation in the riots in Delhi. In Haryana, 15 people were convicted, and in other states, 13 were convicted,” as stated in the letter.
India 03-Feb-2018
The BSF recovered seven kilograms of heroin from an unidentified area near the border outpost New Dona Rai Dina Nath (DRDN) at the India-Pakistan border in Forezepur Sector, Ferozepur District in Punjab. The heroin was wrapped in seven packets, each of a kilogram, of polythene and was concealed under the grass near the International border.
India 06-Feb-2018
Reacting to the recent edition of the Outlook India that featured a photo of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with the headline ‘Khalistan-II: Made in Canada’, the Canadian Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan and a fellow Minister Amarjit Sohi—called the magazine’s heading ‘ridiculous’ and ‘offensive’ for accusing Canada for its involvement in the rise of Sikh terrorism. The published article depicts several alleged connections between the Canada and Khalistan movement along with accusing Sikh-Canadians exploiting Canada’s political system. “I have been a Police Officer and served my country [Canada] and such allegations are absolutely ridiculous and extremely offensive, said Harjit Sajjan.
India 08-Feb-2018
In a joint operation based on Intelligence inputs, the BSF and Punjab Police arrested Hans Singh—resident of Gajniwala Village, with two Kilograms of heroin, packed in four packets, worth INR 10 crores in international market, from nearby of India-Pakistan border outpost of Dona Raja Dina Nath, Amritsar Sector. The SFs also recovered a Pakistani mobile SIM card along with heroin buried under the soil
India 16-Feb-2018
The slain Sikh militant and important leader of Khalistan movement—Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale’s home at his ancestral village in Baghapurana sub-Division of Moga District in Punjab has been converted into a ‘Gurdwara’ (Sikh temple) and opened for general public. The Gurdwara is dedicated to his [Bhindranwale] martyrdom and named as ‘Gurdwara Sant Khalsa’. His home condition was in shambles therefore it was decided to convert into a ‘place of worship’. The Gurdwara was built by the Damdami Taksal with no financial assistance from the previous Punjab Government led by the coalition of SAD-BJP, said Head of Damdami Taksal Harnam Singh Dhuma. No one in village opposed the construction of the Gurdwara and it was highly supported by the youths as they remember him [Bhindranwale] fondly, said a village resident Jaswinder Singh Brar.
India 19-Feb-2018
The NIA spread-out its investigation to the UK, Australia, the UAE, Italy and Pakistan, in the cases related to the revival of Khalistan movement in Punjab. Upon the request made from the Government of Punjab, the UMHA on November 30, 2017, handed-over the investigation of homicide case of RSS member Ravinder Gosain in Ludhiana, to NIA.
India 20-Feb-2018
In a joint operation carried-out by the BSF and the STF of Amritsar on early hours of February 20, an unidentified Pakistani smuggler was killed and 10 kilograms of heroin was recovered from his possession at India-Pakistan border outpost at Ferozepur Sector in Ferozepur District of Punjab.
India 21-Feb-2018
During their official meeting, the Punjab’s CM Captain Amarinder Singh handed-over a list to Canada’s Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau, with details of active handlers, based in Canada, of Khalistani militants operating in Punjab. Most of the operatives in the list belongs to the banned outfit—International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). The details about operatives included their last visit to India, how the funding for firearms managed and how these groups received terror funding from Pakistan. Out of the nine, the list included five most-wanted operatives namely, Gurjeet Singh Cheema, Gurpreet Singh, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Gurjinder Singh Pannu, and Malkeet Singh alias ‘Fauji’.
India 21-Feb-2018
The Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said that his country [Canada] did not support any Sikh separatist movement in India or elsewhere. During his 40-minutes meeting with the CM of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh, Trudeau assured the CM Amarinder Singh that Canada does not believe in Sikh separatism, even though the latter handed-over the list of nine Canada-resident operatives alleged for promoting radicalism. Amarinder Singh urged Canadian PM’s cooperation in dealing with separatism and hate crimes caused by a tiny proportion of Canada’s population. The Punjab CM also handed over to Trudeau a list of nine Canada-based operatives of Category “A”— allegedly involved in hate crimes in Punjab by financing and supplying weapons for terrorist activities, and also engaged in radicalising youth here.
China 22-Feb-2018
A Special team of Hong Kong Police arrested Punjab-based gangster Ramanjit Singh alias Romi in a robbery case in Hong Kong. Ramanjit Singh, who faced several criminal charges in India, was involved in plotting the Nabha jail break in 2016. In 2016, over Patiala Police’s request— the Interpol had issued a ‘Red Corner Notice’ (RCN), but Ramanjit Singh disappeared. In 2016, he was arrested but released on bail. He jumped the bail and fled to Hong Kong. Being in Hong Kong, Ramanjit kept in contact with Gurpreet Singh Sekhon—a key plotter and one of the prisoners to escape the Nabha jail in November 2016.
India 22-Feb-2018
Attending the inaguration of a Gurdwara build in the memory of slain Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in his village, the representatives of major Sikh organisations described Bhindranwale as a ‘Martyr’ of 1984’s Operation Blue Star. The Gurdwara is located in Bhindranwale’s native village of Moga in Moga District of Punjab. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the heads of SGPC, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee (DSGMC), the Damdami Taksal and the Jathedars (leaders of Akal Takht) of five Takhts (seat of authority). The event was dominated by the discussions over the storming of the Sikh Holy Shrine—the Sri Harmandir Sahib or mostly known as the Golden Temple, and killing of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in Amritsar in June 1984. The representative accused the Indian Government led by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for the incidents.
India 26-Feb-2018
The Sikh radical groups based out of India had put forward their demands which includes a ‘Vatican-like’ status for Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) in Amritsar, Punjab and Akal Takht (a Sikh authoritarian institution), and an apology from Indian PM Narendra Modi at a global forum for the 1984 Military-led Operation Blue Star. The contact related to the matter was established by the UK based Sikh groups via Jasdev Singh Rai, Director of the Sikh Human Rights Forum, before the visit of PM Modi to London in November 2015, which results to the initiation of formal talks on the matter between PM Modi and 30 Sikh members during their meeting. The interests of talks were highlighted in previous Indian Government too, but with Modi-led Government, the talk process picked up speed, said an unnamed person related to the developments.
India 28-Feb-2018
An ex-Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) member, Gurdev Singh Tanda—who was deported by Thailand Government, was produced before the Court in Amritsar and send to five days Police custody. Gurdev Singh had been active in propagating anti-India activities and was wanted in a terrorism related case of 2010. He was in Thailand since 2007, said an unnamed official.
India 28-Feb-2018
Former Khalistani militant, Jaspal Atwal, a Canadian Sikh had an e-visa to India. Jaspal Atwal raised the controversy by attending an event in Mumbai during the visit of Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to India concluded on February 24. As Atwal’s name had been removed from the UMHA’s list of prohibited Sikh militant in 2016, there was no clause that would hinder him to obtain an e-visa to India. Like other Canadian citizens, Atwal has a privilege to acquire an e-visa, but it shall not meant that Indian Government had any role in him being in India or extending an invitation to him to the event hosted to honour the Canadian PM Trudeau.
Canada 08-Mar-2018
Over his controversial appearance with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie Trudeau at an event organised during Canadian PM’s visit to India, the former Khalistani militant Jaspal Atwal talked to the media through his lawyer’s office in Canada and apologised and stated that he does not support the demand of an independent Sikh nation—commonly known as ‘Khalistan’, anymore. Over his appearance at the event, several questions were raised about his connection with PM Trudeau and security lapses on how he was invited at the event. “I am sorry for the embarrassment caused to Canada, India, my community and my family, in this matter. I have done best to redeem myself and done best for the Canada and the Indian community. I, no longer, advocate the idea of ‘Khalistan’ or an independent Sikh nation. Like majority of Sikhs, I have reconciled with the nation of India. Canada is my home and India is my homeland, said Jaspal Atwal.
India 12-Mar-2018
A Khalistani militant, Amarjeet Singh, who was arrested on February 26 has confessed that he wanted to kill a senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler for his alleged involvement in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. During the interrogation, Amarjeet Singh confessed that he thought to use a human bomb to kill Tytler but later changed his mind. Amarjeet Singh—resident of Dalel Village of Mansa District in Punjab, was arrested in the court complex in Bathinda in February 2018.
India 17-Mar-2018
Jagtar Singh Tara, a Khalistani militant and assassin of former Punjab CM Beant Singh was sentenced to life imprisonment. If killing a cruel person could save lives of thousands of innocents, then there is nothing wrong in it, said Jagtar Singh through his counsel Simranjit Singh, while chants of pro-Khalistan slogans were on high. Jagtar Singh Tara urged the Court to consider him as a ‘Prisoner of War’ (PoW) as he was a Sikh nationalist fighting for the freedom of the occupied Sikh state.
India 19-Mar-2018
The Punjab Police on March 19 has arrested an absconded militant, Ranjit Singh alias Rana (55) who belongs to the Bhindranwala Tigers Force (BTF), from a religious shrine at the village Kohar Kalan in Jalandhar District in Punjab. Ranjit Singh, resident of Jagatpur Jattan in Hoshiarpur District in Punjab, was working as a Granthi (Sikh priest) to conceal his identity for the past one year. He was on absconding status from 19 years, said an unnamed Police official. Rana was involved in five cases of murder and had served two years of sentence in a case, but was absconded in two other cases. Primarily, Rana was involved with BTF but did not ruled out his links with other Khalistani militant outfits such as Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), said Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sandip Sharma
India 19-Mar-2018
With expressing its concern over the ‘developments’ in Sikh militancy, the UMHA claimed that Pakistan’s ISI is encouraging the Sikh youth based in the Europe and the United States (US) against India. Reportedly, ‘Commanders’ of Sikh militancy outfits based in Pakistan are under pressure from ISI to further expand their terror plans and activities not only targeting Punjab but also other regions of India. Sikh youth are getting training in Pakistan, read a report titled ‘Central Armed Police Forces and Internet Security Challenges—Evaluation and Response Mechanism’. The report was presented by Dr Murli Manohar Joshi, Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha (the Lower House of the Indian Parliament) and released to the media on Wednesday in a press conference held by Dr Joshi.
India 20-Mar-2018
The NIA, which is probing the killings of the workers of RSS and a Pastor, has revealed a network of conspirators of Khalistani Liberation Force (KLF) and supported by Pakistan’s ISI with further connections through Dubai, France, the UK, Italy and Pakistan. As per the probing, the KLF ‘Chief’ Harminder Singh Mintoo, who is currently in Patiala Jail and his associated based in Pakistan—Harmeet Singh had masterminded the killings of RSS workers with intentions to disturb the law and order situation and revival of Khalistan militancy in Punjab. Harmeet Singh, suspected to mastermind the killings of RSS preacher Ravinder Gosain in October 2017, Shiv Sena leader Durga Das Gupta, and a Pastor, Sultan Masih. A UK resident, Jagtar Singh Johal, reportedly had connections with KLF financier and arranged finances to purchase murder weapons, execution of the killings and for the personal expenses of two hitmen hired for the killings. The NIA has traced the financial transactions to Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, UK, Italy and Dubai.
India 20-Mar-2018
2018 March 20 Former militant of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)—Ranjit Singh alias Rana (55) on March 20 was produced before the Judicial Magistrate of Phagwara and sent to Police remand till March 21 for further interrogation. He had been absconding for 19 years and living as a Granthi (Sikh priest) at a Gurdwara in Kohar Kalan village, near Shahkot for past 14 years. In preliminary interrogation, Ranjit Singh confessed to have connections with other Sikh terrorist Satnam Singh alias Satta and Gurlal Singh.
India 31-Mar-2018
The experts based in Jammu and Chandigarh believes that the pro-Khalistani groups based in the UK and other foreign countries are discredited bunches and working on support from Pakistan. A group of radical Sikhs based in UK, including Wadhwa Singh of Sikh militant outfit—Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) are completely supported by Pakistan-based terrorist outfits, with an objective to conducts act of terrorism in India, claimed experts. Recently, a group of British-Sikhs and Kashmiri separatists based in the UK, held a meeting to organise an anti-India campaign during Indian PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK to attend the Commonwealth Summit on April 18.
India 02-Apr-2018
The Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence Wing, spoiled an alleged attempt of Pakistan’s ISI to highlight the pro-Khalistan campaign of ‘Referendum 2020’ by setting buses and liquor vends afire at Banga-Mukandpur road and arrested four persons—Manvir Singh, Jaspreet Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, and Randhir Singh from Gunachaur village in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar District in Punjab. All accused were radicalised by an unknown ISI agent through social-media. The ‘Referendum 2020’ is a project initiated by the US based Sikh radical group—Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and supports the ideology of Khalistan—a separate nation of Sikhs. The accused were conspiring to showcase the ‘Referendum 2020’ posters during the upcoming cricket match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in Mohali (Chandigarh) in a bid to gather the attention of international visitors, said Assistant Inspector-General (IG) of Counterintelligence H.P.S Khakh. All accused are in their early twenties of age and were lured by the offer of lucrative jobs. The accused were frequent visitors to the Facebook page and came in contact with a Malaysia-based woman—Deep Kaur. Through a group on WhatsApp, Deep Kaur introduced all four accused to her leader—Fateh Singh, who instructed them to create chaos by setting up liquor shops and public transport buses on fire. Because, ‘Referendum 2020’ is not popular among Punjab’s youth, they [accused] wanted to highlight the issue through criminal means, said Khakh. Initially, the accused were paid INR 70,000 as funds, some of which was used to buy a motorbike, whereas rest of the money was given to an Amritsar resident—Asis, for buying illegal weapons.
United States 02-Apr-2018
SFJ, through a video message, threatened Punjab's Minister for Jails Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa over his criticism against its ‘Referendum 2020' campaign. In a video posted on Twitter, the SFJ representative said, “Will you come to Canada or should we handle you in India". Using a foul language against the minister, he further warned that, "Wearing a tag of ‘Referendum 2020', we are roaming openly the world over. If you have guts, spare yourself from bodyguards. You visit any gurudwara without security and our men will teach you a lesson".
India 04-Apr-2018
The Bathinda Police, imposed charges on Dal Khalsa leader Baba Hardeep Singh Khalsa and former gangster Lakhbir Singh aka Lakha Sidana, in four different cases of damaging signboards placed outside the District administrative complex, Income Tax office, PN) and the Post Office located in the Civil Lines area in Bathinda District. Both of them were charged under Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act of 1984, and Section 5 of the Punjab Defacement of Property Ordinance Act (PDPO) of 1997.
India 09-Apr-2018
In an arms recovery case, including AK-56, on December 30, 1995, extremist Jagtar Singh Hawara held guilty by a local court in Ludhiana District of Punjab. The Judicial Magistrate Varinder Kumar referred the case to the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Jaapinder Singh for pronouncing the sentence, as the CJM could grant imprisonment maximum of seven years. The matter would appear for hearing on April 13.
India 16-Apr-2018
Photographs of Pakistan-based LeT ‘chief’ Hafiz Saeed and Sikh separatist Gopal Singh Chawla, has emerged in Lahore city of Pakistan. On April 14, Gopal Singh Chawla, followed the instructions of Pakistan authorities and denied the entry of Indian officials into the premises of Gurdwara Panja Sahib Ji in Hasan Abdal in Pakistan, on the occasion of Baisakhi Day. Members of Sikh extremist group also placed posters and banners of ‘Khalistan Referendum 2020’ in the Parikrama path of Gurdwara Panja Sahib Ji. The Indian High Commissioner to the Pakistan Ajay Bisaria was also ‘forced’ to return due to unspecified Security reasons when he approached the Gurdwara to meet and greet the pilgrims on the occasion of Baisakhi Day.
United Kingdom 17-Apr-2018
A day ahead of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK, a video surfaced online featuring ‘most-wanted’ Khalistani terrorist Paramjit Singh Pamma leading a campaign and preaching hate speech against the Indian PM Narendra Modi and Mahatma Gandhi in London, UK, on April 17. In the video, Pamma was surrounded by his associates holding anti-India protest, without any intervention from the UK’s law enforcement agencies.
India 18-Apr-2018
Khalistan Liberation Force’s (KLF) ‘Chief’ Harminder Singh Mintoo died on April 18, in the Nabha Central Jail in Patiala District of Punjab. Harminder Singh Mintoo played major role in conspiracy of revival of terrorism in Punjab. He was an alleged mastermind behind terror killings, fund-raise for terror activities, organising terror modules and backing the agenda of Khalistan in Punjab and elsewhere. Mintoo almost succeeded in establishing connection among gangsters, narco-smugglers, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and proscribed pro-Khalistan outfits, said an unnamed official.
India 19-Apr-2018
Punjab’s Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh met the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and discussed a comprehensive strategy to tackle the terrorism or re-emergence of extremism in the State. There is a need to strengthen the Intelligence sharing on the terrorists’ handlers based in Canada, UK, US, Italy and Germany, who are actively involved in the efforts for the revival of Sikh militancy in Punjab, said CM Amarinder Singh. CM Amarinder Singh also urged for assistance from the Central Government regarding Punjab Police modernisation and the UHM Rajnath Singh agreed to look for the demand under the ‘Modernisation of Police Forces’ scheme.
India 24-Apr-2018
Two months after the ‘controversial’ trip of the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to India, the Canadian authorities acted on the list of alleged ‘terrorists’ given by the Punjab’s CM Captain Amarinder Singh and arrested Hardeep Singh Nijjar—resident of Surrey, Canada last week. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was an accused of three terror cases—2010 bomb explosion in Patiala, 2015 alleged involvement in killing Hindu leaders, and 2016 alleged for conspiracy and financial support to Mandeep Dhaliwal for killing of Hindu leaders in Ludhiana. All three cases are registered in Punjab. In 2015, a Look-Out-Circular (LOC) was issued against Nijjar and in 2016 a Red Corner Notice (RCN) was issued and finally executed in April 2018. The alleged list handed-over by Punjab CM consists of nine people, most of them alleged for their links to International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). Reportedly, Nijjar is accused of grooming a module of KTF consisting of five members in 2014. In 2009, he was also accused of murdering Rulda Singh, the then-head of the Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (RSS), an affiliate of the Hindutva ideology organisation— Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Canada 26-Apr-2018
The Canadian Police has freed Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Khalistani terrorist, after 24 hours without any charges being filed against him. Nijjar was arrested on April 13 by the Surrey unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). He was released after 24 hours with no charges filed against him. The RCMP spokesperson declined to comment on this case as the organisation does not speak anything on the on-going investigation or in the case where no charges were filed.
India 04-May-2018
The NIA filed chargesheet in the Special NIA court in Mohali, Chandigarh against 15 people in connection with the killing of RSS leader Ravinder Gosain on October 17, 2017, in Ludhiana District of Punjab. The investigation revealed that killing of Ravinder Gosain was a part of transnational conspiracy executed by the senior leadership of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). The objective of the conspiracy is to destabilise the law and order and revival of terrorism in Punjab. As part of the conspiracy, a large sum of funds was supplied through Italy, Australia and the UK to the perpetrators of the killings or attempted killings, by Hardeep Singh and Ramandeep Singh. These funds were used by the duo to purchase weapons for executing the killings and other logistics.
India 06-May-2018
The founding member of new Sikh youth group—Sikh Liberation Front (SLF), Moninder Singh has claimed that in “Khalsa tradition”, use of force is permissible and justified as the last resort in the situation. The group—SLF comprises of Sikh youth from the groups based in Canada, the US and the UK. However, the Khalistan movement does not necessarily to be associated with violence every time. Self-resistance, resistance against the State, and Self defence—these modes sometimes require people to resist in many different ways which also includes armed struggle, said Moninder Singh. Reacting to Moninder Singh’s statement, an unnamed senior Indian government official has said that such blatant exhortation to violence aimed at India cannot be tolerated.
India 07-May-2018
The NIA has registered a FIR against Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a resident in Canada and Khalistani militant, for allegedly planning terrorist attacks in Punjab. Against Nijjar, a case was registered under Sections 120-B, 124-A, and 153-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sections 10, 16 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], and Section 25 of the Arms Act after the recommendations from the UMHA. According to the FIR, Nijjar and other members of the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) planned to promote disharmony among different groups on the basis of religion and to revive terrorism in Punjab. The FIR also linked Nijjar’s associates with the conspiracy to target the members of RSS.
India 10-May-2018
The Punjab Police arrested Sandeep Singh and Amar Singh, an alleged Khalistani radicals supported by an Australia-based Khalistani outfit—International Sikh Federation (ISF), from Kotkapura of Faridkot District and recovered two .30 bore pistols, and 40 live ammunitions from their possession. The Police had received a call that a motorbike has collided with a SUV on the NH between Faridkot and Kotkapura. When the Police approached the location, the duo were trying to escape from the location on their motorbike. However, the Police team managed to arrest them, said Faridkot SSP Nanak Singh. During the interrogation, they claimed to be in contact with Gurjant Singh—resident in Australia and ‘Head’ of ISF who indulged them into radicalisation over the Facebook. The members of the terror module that was busted by Punjab Police on May 29, 2017, had come together to form a sub-group called Khalistan Zindabad (KZ). This outfit is linked to the website of Gurjant’s ISF.
India 14-May-2018
The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has submitted a report to the UMHA which states that pro-Khalistan groups are hiring local criminals to conduct terrorist activities and revive militancy in Punjab. The Police officers, District Magistrates (DMs), senior IAS and IPS officers shall be alerted about the ‘covert’ activities, suggests the report. The IB report also suggested the State government to make a list and keep an eye on the local criminals. The Intelligence inputs have revealed that a pro-Khalistan group based in the UK has started a campaign through social media urging the people of Punjab to join the Khalistan struggle.
India 14-May-2018
The NIA filed chargesheet in the murder cases of Amit Sharma and Pastor Sultan Masih in the Special NIA court in Mohali, Chandigarh. The NIA has chargesheeted 11 people including British-citizen Jagtar Singh Johal under Sections 302, 34, 379, 416, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sections 16, 17, 18, 18-A, 18-B, 20, 21, and 23 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A], and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act. Along with Jagtar Singh Johal, 10 people who have been named in the Chargesheet include, Hardeep Singh Shera, Ramandeep Singh Bagga, Pahar Singh, Dharminder Singh Gugni, Anil Kala, Parvez, Malook, Amaninder Singh, Ravipal Singh, and Manpreet Singh. The NIA claimed that four other people, Harmeet Singh alias PhD, Gursharanbir Singh, Gurjinder Singh Shastri, and Gurjant Singh be declared proclaimed offenders in the case.
India 19-May-2018
The NIA filed Chargesheet against 15 people, including British citizen Jagtar Singh Johal, in connection to the targeted killings in Punjab. Along with JagtarSingh Johal, the Chargesheet was filed against— Hardeep Singh Shera, Ramandeep Singh Canadian, Dharminder Singh Guggni, Anil Kumar aka Kala, Amaninder Singh aka Mindu, Manpreet Singh aka Mani, Ravipal Singh aka Bhunda, Pahad Singh, Parvez aka Farru, Malook Tomar, Harmeet Singh aka Happy aka PhD aka Doctor (suspected to be in Pakistan), Gurjinder Singh aka Shastri (suspected to be in Italy), Gursharanbir Singh akaGurusharan Singh Wahiwala aka Pehalwan (suspected to be in the UK), and Gurjant Singh Dhillon (suspected to be in Australia).The Investigation has revealed that the killings of Satpal Sharma and his son—Ramesh Sharma of Dera Sacha Sauda, and Durga Gupta—Punjab wing leader of Shiv Sena, were part of transnational conspiracy executed by senior leadership of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). The people who were targeted belong to specific community or organisation. It is clear that the objective behind these killings is to destabilise the law and order situation and revival of terrorism in Punjab, claimed the NIA. The Chargesheet was filed under Sections 302, 34, 379, 416, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Sections 16, 17, 18, 18-A, 18-B, 20, 21 and 23 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A] and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.
India 23-May-2018
The Chargesheet filed by the NIA against 15 people in the case of targeted killing of RSS leader Ravinder Gosain in Punjab, has revealed the modus operandi including recruitment, training and funding of the killings. It revealed that how accused Hardeep Singh aka Shera and Ramandeep Singh aka Canadian were radicalised into executing the killing.
India 30-May-2018
In the case of anti-National activities, the main accused of assassination of Punjab’s former Chief Minister Beant Singh, Jagtar Singh Tara was produced in the court of Additional Session Judge Kanwaljeet Singh Bajwa but due to non-appearance of the statements of witnesses in the court, the hearing in the case was adjourned till June 14. On the next hearing, Jagtar Singh Tara would be attending the court proceedings via video conferencing facility.
India 02-Jun-2018
The BSF and the Punjab Police carried out a joint operation in which a drug smuggler, Jiwan Singh, resident of Gajni wala village in Ferozepur District, Punjab was arrested and 12.7 Kg of heroin worth INR 65 crore was recovered from nearby India-Pakistan border in the Abohar Sector in Fazilka District in Punjab. Jiwan Singh was involved in cross-border drug peddling and had connection with smugglers in Pakistan. A cellular phone with Pakistani SIM card was also recovered from Jiwan Singh.
India 02-Jun-2018
The Punjab Police on June 2 arrested two Sikh radicals, Dharminder Singh aka Commando Singh and Kirpal Singh from Batala Tehsil, Gurdaspur District in Punjab. Both, Dharminder Singh and Kirpal Singh were planning to create unrest in Punjab ahead of 34th anniversary of the 1984 Operation Blue Star on June 6. Reportedly, Dharminder Singh has been serving in the Territorial Army—105 TA Rajputana Rifles in New Delhi. The Police has recovered a .30 calibre revolver, a .30 calibre pistol, stencils of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ slogans, posters of the Sikh referendum 2020, and some spray paint bottles from Dharminder Singh’s possession, said IG (Border Range- Amritsar) S.P.S Parmar, and SSP of Batala—Opinderjit Singh Ghumman. Acting on specific information, a Police team arrested Dharminder Singh from his residence in Harpura Village, Batala Tehsil, Gurdaspur District in Punjab. Later, Kirpal Singh was arrested from his village upon confession of Dharminder Singh. In their confession, the accused revealed that they were radicalised and were being funded by their foreign-based Khalistani handlers, including Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who is a legal adviser of the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organisation, Paramjit Singh Pamma from United Kingdom (UK), Mann Singh from UK, and Deep Kaur from Malaysia, to promote the propaganda of ‘Liberation of Punjab’—funded by Pakistan’s ISI, said IG Parmar and SSP Ghumman during a press conference. A case under Sections 307, 438, 427, 148, 149 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered at the Ranger Nangal Police Station.
India 10-Jun-2018
The Member of Parliament (MP) from Ludhiana Constituency—Ravneet Bittu received a threat on his twitter handle, from Sikh radicals during an event - ‘Referendum 2020 Khalistan’ organised in California State, US. Ravneet Bittu is trying to label US and Canada based campaigners as terrorists. Bittu’s attempts to thwart the legal process will be answered with equal force, read the tweet posted by the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh’s twitter handle was also ‘tagged’ in the tweet. I have brought it to the notice of the concerned authorities, said Bittu.
India 11-Jun-2018
Punjab Police officers investigating the alleged role of the British citizen—Jagtar Singh Johal for his involvement in the death of RSS activist Ravinder Gosain, received death threats targeting them and their family members. Jagtar Singh Johal was arrested in November 2017, a fortnight after his wedding, for the murder of RSS member Ravinder Gosain in Ludhiana District, Punjab. The arrest of Johal had become a rallying point for Sikh groups based in the UK, during the visit of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi to UK in April 2018, several members of the Sikh community protested at Parliament Square against the arrest, said an unnamed senior government official. The British PM Theresa May raised the arrest of Johal with PM Modi.
Canada 23-Jun-2018
Paying the tribute to the 329 victims of 1985 Air India bombing Kanishka Flight 182, the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau marked it as the ‘single worst terrorist attack’ in Canada’s history. “The Air India bombing remains the single worst terrorist attack in Canada’s history. This horrific act of malice and destruction left families and friends grieving the loss of loved ones, and brought pain that will never completely go away,” said PM Trudeau. “Canada condemns all forms of terrorism. We stand in solidarity with our allies, and the international community in the ongoing fight to prevent radicalisation and fight terrorism at home and abroad. On behalf of the Government of Canada, I extend my condolences to everyone everywhere who has lost loved ones to terrorism. We also thank and honour those who work each day to keep our citizens, communities, and country safe,” said PM Trudeau. The British Columbia Supreme Court judge and a public inquiry later found that the bombings were carried out by the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)—a Sikh terrorist outfit, headed by former Burnaby mill worker Talwinder Singh Parmar. Air India Flight 182, bound for London after picking up passengers in Toronto and Montreal, vanished from the radar off the coast of Ireland on June 23, 1985. A bomb planted on the plane exploded on board, killing all 329 persons on board, including 280 Canadians.
India 10-Jul-2018
The pro-separatist Sikh organisation—Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) - offered the Sponsor category Visa of the UK to youth and political activists from Punjab to attend a gathering regarding the pro-Khalistani campaign of “Referendum 2020” which is scheduled on August 12, 2018, in London, UK. SFJ is organising the free stay for the visitors from Punjab (India) from August 10 to 14 for the pro-Khalistani activities in London, said the New York-based legal advisor of SFJ Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
India 12-Jul-2018
In a joint operation conducted by the BSF, Ferozepur District Police and the STF, 2.77 kilogram of heroin and 50 Pakistan-made rounds of .30 calibre pistol were recovered from the Border Outpost of Jagdish Sector along with the India-Pakistan border. The STF also arrested Baldev Singh who is resident of Nihalewala village of Ferozepur District and alleged cross-border drug peddler.
India 12-Jul-2018
The pro-Khalistan campaign—Referendum 2020 was launched in London, UK, to determine if Sikhs shall have an independent State—Khalistan. The announcement of the campaign made by the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)—a pro-Khalistan organisation was welcomed with a ‘sharp reaction’ from the Indian government. The Indian government has seen the reports regarding this and the matter has been taken up with the UK government. We [Indian government] have also issued a demarche to them. In response, we expect that the UK government would not allow any group whose intentions is to spread hatred and to impact the bilateral relations of India and UK, said the Ministry of External Affairs’ Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
India 18-Jul-2018
As per the inputs from Intelligence agencies, two Khalistani militants—Lakhwinder Singh and Parminder Singh, are likely to execute an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack on the Parliament House in New Delhi around India’s Independence Day in August. Considering the input, Delhi’s security has been elevated under ‘multi-layered’ security parameters. The militants shall arrive in Delhi in an explosives-laden Toyota-make Innova car with Uttar Pradesh vehicle registration number. The names given by the informer—Iqbal matches with the terrorists ran away in Nabha jail break incident in Punjab in November 2016, said an unnamed official.
India 23-Jul-2018
Depicting itself as a ‘biggest victim’ of Pakistan-sponsored Narco-terrorism, the State of Punjab has approached the Central government to seek a special category status under the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) that provides financial support to the families of victims.Punjab has emerged as the biggest victim of a proxy war waged against it by Pakistan, for which Pakistan has used Narcotics as its silent weapon, wrote Punjab’s Health Minister Brahm Mohindra in a letter addressing Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda.
India 24-Jul-2018
The Dal Khalsa and ShrimoniAkali Dal (SAD) (Amritsar) inquired the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)—a pro-Khalistan organisation, to clarify the doubts in its Sikh Referendum 2020 proposal. The ‘president’ of Dal Khalsa—Harpal Singh Cheema and ‘president’ of SAD-Amritsar—Simranjit Singh Mann expected that the SFJ leadership would announce their thoughts to the people of Punjab regarding the practicality of their ‘Referendum 2020’ proposal during an upcoming event on August 12, 2018 in London, UK. However, Punjab’s Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh has stated that the organisation such as SFJ are seeking to divide the State with its campaign—Referendum 2020, and there is a need to counter this propaganda more aggressively.
India 12-Aug-2018
The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)— a United States (US) based Human Rights advocacy group with pro-Khalistan ideology, held a “London Declaration” on an independence referendum for the Indian state of Punjab at Trafalgar Square in London on August 12, 2018.
India 17-Aug-2018
The BSF officials recovered two Pakistan-based SIM cards, and 330 grams of heroin nearby the Old Mohamddi Wala Border Outpost in Ferozepur Sector in Punjab.
India 19-Aug-2018
The BSF recovered six plastic bottles filled with heroin weighing six kg in total, from river Sutlej near Joginder Border Outpost in Abohar Sector in Fazilka District in Punjab. The bottles flowed-in from Pakistan with the current of river. The recovered heroin is worth INR 30 Crore in the international market.
India 21-Aug-2018
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC)’s President Manjit Singh G.K. has claimed that he and his family members were attacked in New York, US by few alleged Khalistani supporters. The Government of India is closely cooperating with the governments of different countries to address the concerns of anti-India activities undertaken by such elements in those countries, said Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir. Manjit Singh had tweeted the incident to the Minister of External Affairs (MEA) Sushma Swaraj.
India 14-Sep-2018
Four ‘low-intensity’ blasts took place at Maqsudan Police Station in Jalandhar District of Punjab, injuring two Policemen, Station Head Officer (SHO) Ramandeep Singh, and Constable Parminder Singh aka Pala. The low-intensity blasts could be the handiwork of mischief-mongers, however, the probe in on-going, said DGP Suresh Arora
India 14-Sep-2018
The Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan (BTFK)—a pro-Khalistan militant group has claimed the responsibility of the ‘low-intensity’ blasts at the Maqsudan Police Station in Jalandhar District of Punjab on September 14 night. Reportedly, a letter with the letter-head stated ‘Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan’ (BTFK) went viral on the social-media platforms, claimed the responsibility of the attack. The letter also warned the Police personnel not to unnecessarily harass the people. However, the authenticity of the letter is yet to be ascertained.
India 25-Sep-2018
In an attempt to kill, five unspecified Khalistan sympathisers attacked Nishant Sharma— ‘President’ of Right-Wing outfit Shiv Sena Hind who was sentenced to four years in prison in a fraud case in Ropar sub-jail in Punjab. Nishant has been on hit-list of Khalistan sympathisers for his speeches against Sikh radicals and attacking Jagtar Singh Hawara—assassin of former Punjab’s Chief Minister Beant Singh. Nishant was stabbed in the early hours of September 25 after attackers broke the lock of his barrack.
India 01-Oct-2018
The UMHA received a detailed proposal from the NIA claiming that the pro-Khalistan outfit— Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) is behind the killings of RSS leaders and trying to revive militancy in Punjab with support from Pakistan’s ISI agency; therefore, the outfit shall be proscribed under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UAPA]. A decision on banning KLF would be taken soon. The ban was essential to choke funding, training and further recruitment activities of the KLF group, said an unnamed UMHA official.
United Kingdom 10-Oct-2018
The British High Commissioner to India Dominic Asquith said the British Security agencies are investigating the pro-Khalistan activities in regards to the pro-Khalistan campaign held in August 2018 at London’s Trafalgar Square. As the part of investigation conducted by the West Midlands Counterterrorism Unit (WMCU), the British Security agencies searched several properties on September 18 in connection with the allegations of the terrorist offences in the UK, including the activities in relation to Khalistan campaign in India, said Asquith. However, the investigation conducted by WMCU is not directed by either the UK government or the Indian government.
India 10-Oct-2018
Police arrested three Kashmiri students—Mir Junaib Khalid, Sejal Mohamed, and Adnan Farooq Dar from Kharar town in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District and recovered 30gms of heroin from their possession. All three were produced before the Kharar Court and sent to a day of Police remand. The accused were coming from Chandigarh and were staying at rented homes in two separate societies located on Kharar-Landran Road, said an unnamed official. Likely, these students were taking drugs from Delhi and supplying to other Kashmiri students of private colleges in Mohali District of Chandigarh.
India 24-Oct-2018
After five days of interrogation of Jerman/German Singh—the mastermind to plot assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal, the Punjab Police arrested Jerman’s close relative—Ishwar Singh, from Balongi village of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district in Punjab. Also, from the information obtained during Jerman’s interrogation, the Police have recovered the dump of arms including .315 bore rifle, .32 bore pistol, and two .315 bore pistols from Jerman’s Maternal Grandparents’ residence in Bijalpur village in Samana city of Patiala district in Punjab.
India 01-Nov-2018
The Punjab Police raided a Khalistani terror module—Khalistan Gadar Force (KGF), supported by Pakistan’s ISI, and arrested the KGF operative—Shabnamdeep Singh, from Patiala. The Police team also recovered a hand grenade, and other arms from the possession of Shabnamdeep Singh. Reportedly, Shabnamdeep Singh conspired to attack in crowded places, included Police Stations, and he was promised to get INR 10 lakh for each attack, from abroad [unspecified location]. The police also seized a pistol, six bullets, a cellular phone, and a motorcycle from his possession. Shabnamdeep Singh was produced before a local Court and given five-day Police remand.
India 04-Nov-2018
Regarding the efforts of pro-Khalistan elements to revive insurgency in Punjab, the Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said that general public shall remain alert during the festival season as there are possibilities of attempt to disrupt the state of peace in Punjab. One of our neighbouring countries [referred to Pakistan] keeps trying to create disturbance as they don’t want India to progress. Punjab is a State which is rising and progressing at a very fast pace. I have been reading in media about the Referendum 2020 and going through these reports too. I have come to the conclusion that some attempts are being made to revive insurgency. In Punjab, the ‘Mission 2020’ has been announced, however it cannot be ruled out that this mission cannot extend to North-Eastern States,” said General Rawat. General Rawat was invited at the Foundation Day of a School in Nabha of Patiala District in Punjab.
India 05-Nov-2018
The BSF officials observed some suspicious activity and recovered three kilograms of heroin near the International Border (IB) at Ranian village of Ludhiana district in Punjab.
India 09-Nov-2018
Acting upon intelligence inputs, the BSF and Anti-Narcotics Cell recovered three packets of heroin weigh 4.30 kg worth INR 22 crore in the international market, from Border Outpost of Shameke of India-Pakistan Border in Ferozepur Sector of Ferozepur district in Punjab. The packets were kept inside the hollow space in a tree.
India 18-Nov-2018
At least three people were killed and 20 others injured in a grenade blast at a religious congregation at Nirankari Satsang Bhawan at Adliwal village in Amritsar District. The blast took place near Amritsar’s Rajasansi, close to the international airport. Amritsar police commissioner, S Srivastva said, “It is suspected to be a terrorist attack. We have been probing. No arrest has been made so far. Two unidentified men attacked the congregation.” Punjab Director General of Police Suresh Arora said, “It (this incident) appears to have a terror angle. Because it is against a group (of people) and it is not against any individual. There is no reason to throw a hand grenade on a group of people, so we will take it as a terrorist act. Till proven otherwise, prima facie we will take it as that.” The DGP also said there was no specific input about any possible attack on Nirankari Bhavan. “There was no issue with this group as such… There was no specific input on (Nirankari Bhavan),” he said.
India 19-Nov-2018
The Chief Minister of Punjab (Capt.) Amarinder Singh, said that the grenade explosion inside the prayer hall of Nirankari Bhawan in Adliwal village in Amritsar, has Pakistan’s ‘signature’ as the grenade used (HG-84) in the attack was similar to the grenades being manufactured by the Pakistan’s Army Ordinance Factory (AOF),. As per the initial investigations, the explosion at Nirankari Bhawan had no religious linking, says CM Singh.
India 19-Nov-2018
The Sangrur district Police arrested, Jatinder Singh (28), an alleged member of Khalistan Gadar Force (KGF) from Dirba in Sangrur district of Punjab. Jatinder Singh was wanted by the Patiala Police under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A] and the Explosive Substances Act (ESA). A team of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) arrested him from the main market of Dirba. He [Jatinder Singh] is a native of Patiala and had been hiding at the house of his relative in Dirba, said SSP of Sangrur—Sandeep Garg.
India 20-Nov-2018
The NIA will be interrogating arrested ISI-supported Khalistani terrorist —Shabnam Deep Singh, for further leads in the Nirankari Bhawan blast case. Shabnam Deep Singh was arrested by the Patiala Police on November 1. The modus operandi of the grenade attack at the Nirankari Bhawan is similar to what Shabnam Deep Singh had planned to attack any crowded place in Patiala, said Patiala SSP M.S. Sindhu. Shabnam Deep Singh’s close aid—Jatinder Singh, who was arrested on November 19 in Sangrur, has confessed that Shabnam Deep Singh and others [unknown] were getting instructions from their handlers based in Pakistan and floated a new Khalistani outfit—Khalistan Gadar Force (KGF) to revive the militancy in Punjab.
India 20-Nov-2018
With the probability of role of local Sikh youths in the Nirankari Bhawan grenade attack, the Police raided and detained Sikh activists [unspecified counts with identities undisclosed], without any concrete evidences of their involvement. The Police must have investigated the matter and not jump to the conclusion based on the 1978 clash between Sikhs and Nirankaris, said Spokesperson of Dal Khalsa—Kanwar Pal Singh Bittu. Among the activists, Dal Khalsa member—Gurjant Singh, and senior ‘Vice-President’ of Sikh Youth Federation (Bhindranwale) [SYF-B]— Ranjit Singh Damdami were also detained but released in the evening of November 20 [same day].
India 21-Nov-2018
Speeding up on the action in the Nirankari Bhawan grenade attack case, Punjab’s Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, has claimed that the Police has arrested—Bikramjit Singh, an alleged member of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) from Loharka Village, Amritsar District, while search in on-going for Bikramjit’s associate. The grenades were dumped from across the fence by Pakistan's ISI. These were made by Pakistan Ordnance Factory. Bikramjit has provided information which indicates that the grenade was provided by “Happy” based in Pakistan. “Happy” is suspected to be the Pakistan-based KLF ‘chief’—Harmeet Singh Happy aka PhD.
India 22-Nov-2018
Bikramjit Singh—an accused arrested in Amritsar grenade explosion case was produced before the Court, and sent to five days of Police remand.
India 24-Nov-2018
A Sikh seminary—Damdami Taksal-Ajnala located in Ajnala town of Amritsar district has been put under surveillance of security agencies as almost every Khalistan terror module cracked in Punjab has shown links to the seminary. Avtar Singh, ‘president’ of Sikh Youth Federation-Bhinderanwale (SYF-B) who was arrested on November 24 in the Amritsar grenade attack case, is disciple of Amrik Singh Ajnala, who heads the Damdami Taksal Ajnala. Also, at least five other Khalistan terrorist who were arrested in the past two months were disciples of the same seminary.
India 24-Nov-2018
Acting upon the information provided by arrested Bikramjit Singh, the Punjab Police arrested Avtar Singh (32)—the prime accused of recent grenade attack in Nirankari Bhawan in Amritsar, from Khiala village in Lopoke in Amritsar district of Punjab. Avtar Singh is a graduate and had no criminal history. Avtar Singh’s link with Harmeet Singh Happy aka PhD— self-styled ‘chief’ of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) based in Pakistan has been traced where Harmeet Singh has been emerged as most active pro-Khalistan leader of an outfit supported by Pakistan’s ISI, said Punjab DGP Suresh Arora. Upon disclosure by Avtar Singh, the Punjab Police recovered two pistols of .32 bore (one of the pistols is US-made), four magazines, and 25 live rounds of ammunition, said DGP Arora.
India 26-Nov-2018
The NIA will be investigating the case of four alleged members—Karam Singh, Gurjant aka Jenta, and Amreet aka Amrit, of pro-Khalistan group [unidentified], involved in the conspiracy to kill former Punjab Chief Minister—Prakash Singh Badal, and his family member. Till now, Uttar Pradesh’s Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) was probing the case.
Pakistan 28-Nov-2018
The US based pro-Khalistan group—Sikh For Justice (SFJ) has appreciated the Kartarpur Corridor as a ‘bridge’ to the mission of Khalistan and has announced to host ‘Kartarpur Sahib Convention-2019’ in Pakistan, on November 28. SFJ runs a pro-Khalistan campaign with support from Pakistan’s ISI towards creation of a separate Sikh land from India
Pakistan 06-Dec-2018
Pro-Khalistan elements based in Pakistan stepped-up the agenda of “Referendum 2020” influencing Indian pilgrims visiting Sikh-religious sites such as Nankana Sahib, in Nankana Sahib District of Punjab in Pakistan. The Indian pilgrims who arrived on November 23 at Nankana Sahib had spotted the banners featured provocative slogans such as “Referendum 2020 will end India’s occupation of Punjab” and “Referendum 2020 is resistance against Indian occupation of Punjab”. Khalistan flags and life-size images of Sikh terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who was killed during the 1984 Military operation in the Golden Temple in Amritsar [Punjab], were placed on several buildings. Pakistan’s Security establishment keeps very close tabs on pro-Khalistan groups and there is no way that one of such groups—Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) could have gone ahead with these pro-Khalistani activities without the support from Pakistan’s Intelligence agency—Inter-Services Intelligence [ISI], said an Indian official [identity undisclosed].
India 10-Dec-2018
Punjab’s Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh has stated that the opening of Kartarpur Corridor is a conspiracy of Pakistan’s ISI and Pakistan’s Army against India. There are no doubts that Pakistan’s Prime Minister [PM] Imran Khan making efforts to bring peace and harmony with India, but at the same time, he shall overcome the ‘top brass’ of Pakistan’s Army to ensure that killings of India Soldiers at the borders must stopped immediately, said CM Amarinder Singh. "The opening of the Kartarpur Corridor is clearly a game plan of the ISI," he said, adding a bigger conspiracy seems to have been hatched by Pakistan Army against India.He admitted that Pakistan was attempting to revive militancy in Punjab and thus everyone should be wary of all of its overtures, no matter how grand they appear to be, an official release, quoting him, said here.The Sidhu affair was being unnecessarily hyped and those raising it had clearly failed to see the ISI game plan, said Captain Amarinder, lashing out at the Akalis for branding the Punjab minister as stooge of the Pakistan PM.The chief minister hit out at the Akalis and the BJP's central leadership for "indulging" in unwarranted controversy over his (chief minister's) relations with Sidhu.
India 15-Dec-2018
The officials of 136th Battalion of the BSF recovered three packets of heroin weigh 1.5 kg in total, worth INR 2.5 crore, from near the Barreke Border outpost of the India-Pakistan International Border in the Ferozepur Sector of Punjab.
India 18-Dec-2018
The Chief Minister of Punjab Capt. Amarinder Singh said that the statement by the US based pro-Khalistan group—Sikhs For Justice [SFJ] has revealed the relation between the group and Pakistan’s Army and ISI to ‘liberate’ Punjab from India. Pakistan’s decision to open the Kartarpur Corridor was an ISI game-strategy to support anti-India elements which includes SFJ outfit.
India 20-Dec-2018
The Punjab Police arrested Mohin Khan, who was allegedly involved in supporting the pro-Khalistan campaign “Referendum 2020” and was a supplier of arms and ammunition to the terror elements in Punjab. Mohin Khan was arrested with a pistol in his possession, from Fatehgarh Sahib District in Punjab. The preliminary interrogation revealed that Mohin visited Bangalore thrice on the instructions of Gurjit Singh Nijjer via Facebook, who is based in Cyprus and guide Mohin to work for the “Referendum 2020” propaganda
India 23-Dec-2018
The officials of the BSF, has prevented an attempt of intrusion by a Pakistan-based drug smuggler [identity unknown], and recovered 17 kg of Heroin along with arms and ammunition nearby Karma Border outpost of India-Pakistan Border in Ferozepur Sector of Punjab. During a search operation along with the Border fence, the BSF personnel recovered 17 packets, each of a kilogram, of heroin worth INR 85 crore, a Pakistan-made pistol, a modified weapon with three magazines and 26 live rounds.
India 27-Dec-2018
Concerning the efforts of Pakistan-based Sikh extremist elements to revive ‘Khalistan militancy’ in Punjab the Central government, exercising their powers conferred by the Section 35 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UAPA], 1967, added the ‘Khalistan Liberation Force [KLF] and all its manifestations’ as the 40th entry in the First Schedule of UAPA that proscribes terrorist organisations. It is believed that KLF is involved in terrorism as it has committed and participated in various acts of terrorism in India. KLF has also been engaged in radicalisation and recruitment of youth for terrorist activities in India, read the notification released by the UMHA.
India 27-Dec-2018
The BSF recovered 13 packets weighing 5.6 kg of heroin from nearby the Bharopal Border Outpost in Amritsar Sector of Punjab. Reportedly, Pakistan based drug smugglers were trying to slip heroin into the Indian Territory.
India 28-Dec-2018
The BSF and Punjab Police, jointly in an operation, arrested three persons—Sonu Singh, Gurnam Singh, and Gurjeet Singh, and recovered 1.8 kg of heroin from their possession, nearby the India-Pakistan International Border [IB] near Gatti Bisoke of Fazilka District in Punjab. The officials involved in the operations recovered two plastic bags containing 15 small packets of heroin worth INR 9 crore in the international market.
Canada 30-Dec-2018
The Canadian Member of Parliament [MP] from Brampton City—Ramesh Sangha said that the Khalistan extremism in Canada is only propagating through Social-Media platform—Facebook, and has no strong ground. About 1-2 percent of people from Punjabi community who are based in Canada, talks about the Khalistan or its propaganda; and they make a lot noise about it which gives a perception to outer world that the demand of Khalistan emerges from Canada. But, Canada’s internal security mechanism does keep a watch on all such extremist activities and makes sure that these people remain within limits, said MP Sangha. The Canadian MP Sangha is also a Chairperson of ‘Canada-India Parliamentary Friendship Association [C-IPFA]’ Group.