KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
‘Sikhs for Justice’ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has released a video message, allegedly instigating people to kidnap ministers and breaking into jail to release radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh.
Amritpal was arrested for alleged attempt to murder and other charges in April last year and is lodged in a special cell in the Dibrugarh jail in Assam. In his message, Pannun, who is also a designated terrorist, is telling people how to release Amritpal.
He first proposes the idea of kidnapping a minister or a member of their family. His second idea involves breaking into Dibrugarh central jail. He also asks people to file a complaint before the United Nations.
According to top intelligence sources, Pannun is suggesting to people how to attack jails and is using the picture of a union minister and his son while talking about abduction. He is using this message to convey what else the public can do, they added.
Sources said Amritpal is an Indian and is arrested under Indian laws, and will be treated accordingly. But, Pannun’s statement is dangerous as his activities are sponsored and he is behaving like a proper terrorist, they added.
Intelligence sources have long suspected Amritpal to be in touch with pro-Khalistan groups. This suspicion became stronger after a spy camera, smartphone, mobile phone, pen drives, Bluetooth headphones and several other devices were found in his cell in a major security breach recently. Security officials said the family members of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief are under the scanner, as his wife would visit him every 15 days.
A day after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar lashed out at Khalistani supporters in Canada for threatening Indian diplomats, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a designated terrorist by the Union Home Ministry, released a video and announced to launch violent protests against Indian ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma in Surrey.
During the second day of the News9 ‘What India Thinks Today’ (WITT) Global Summit in the national capital on Monday, Jaishankar had demanded action against pro-Khalistan terrorists, while expressing concern over the misuse of freedom of speech in Canada.
“Freedom of speech cannot extend to intimidating diplomats who are doing their duty. Throwing smoke bombs to embassy and consulates, advocating violence and separatism against a friendly state is not freedom of speech, this is misuse of freedom of speech,” said Jaishankar.
What Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in his video?
In the video, Pannun said he is going to ‘challenge and target’ Indian ambassador Sanjay Kumar Verma in Canada.
“On March 1, we are going to challenge you, target you, and question you in Surrey. On March 2, in Canada, America and Australia, we are going to burn your Tiranga (India flag) in front of your Indian consulates,” said Pannun in the video.
Pannun said, “It was just a matter of time before we get you,” while responding to Jaishankar’s remarks.
Jaishankar urged Canada to act against pro-Khalistan terrorists
During the interaction at the TV9 network’s mega-summit, Jaishankar said India expects action against the culprits involved in last year’s attacks on its high commission in London and consulate in San Francisco as well as those involved in threatening the Indian diplomats in Canada.
“We expect the culprits in the attack in our consulate in San Francisco to be brought to book, we expect action against people who stormed into our high commission in London and we expect action against people who threatened our diplomats (in Canada),” he said.
The Indian high commission in London was attacked by certain pro-Khalistani elements in March 19 last year while there was an attempted arson at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco in July.
A recent rejig in Pakistan Singh Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee (PSGPC) has reportedly raised concerns among a section of Pakistani Sikhs, as well as, the Indian government.
According to a report by The Indian Express, the Pakistani government has notified 13 PSGPC members which include Ramesh Singh Arora, Tara Singh, Gyan Singh Chawla, Sarwant Singh, Satwant Kaur, Harmeet Singh, Maheesh Singh, Bhagat Singh, Sahib Singh, and Dr. Mampal Singh.
As per The Indian Express report, the Indian government has raised concerns related to Arora because he is the brother-in-law of Manjit Singh Pinka, who is wanted by India for the hijacking of IC 405 from Srinagar to Lahore in 1984.
Besides, Tara Singh was considered close to Lakhbir Singh Rode- a self-styled chief of the banned outfits Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and International Sikh Youth Federation. Rode died last year in Pakistan.
Maheesh Singh was also accused of his proximity to Rode. Besides, Gian Singh Chawla and Dr Mimpal Singh, who are among the 13 members of the new committee have anti-India views.
Meanwhile, a Hindu-converted Sikh raised objection to these appointments as they are "first-generation converted Sikhs".
Ramesh Arora, Tara Singh, Maheesh Singh, and Bhagat Singh are first-generation converted Sikhs, the daily quoted.
Arora has also been selected to receive the esteemed ‘Sitara-e-Imtiaz’ award in Pakistan.
The Jharkhand Police on Tuesday lodged an FIR against US-based designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for allegedly issuing threats to cancel the fourth Test match between India and England.
Pannun, who has been designated as a terrorist by the home ministry, also appealed to the banned CPI (Maoist) through a video uploaded on social media to disrupt the cricket match, officials said.
The fourth Test between India and England will commence from February 23 at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi.
"Gurupatwant Singh Pannun has threatened the India and England teams to cancel the match in Ranchi. He also urged the CPI (Maoist) to create disturbance in a bid to cancel the match.
“An FIR has been lodged against him at Dhurwa police station under the IT Act and investigation has been initiated," Deputy Superintendent of Police, Hatia, P K Mishra told reporters.
He said measures have also been taken to beef up security.
Pannun has been on the National Investigation Agency's radar since 2019, when the anti-terror federal agency registered its first case against the "designated individual terrorist", who has been spreading fear and terror in Punjab and elsewhere in the country through threats and intimidation tactics.
Non-bailable warrants of arrest were issued against Pannun by the Special NIA Court on February 3, 2021, and he was declared a "Proclaimed Offender" on November 29 last year.
Tightening its noose around the US and Canada-based Pannun, the NIA had in September 2023 confiscated a house and land of the self-styled general counsel of the outlawed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) outfit in Punjab's Amritsar and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
US-based pro-Khalistani banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) attempted Sunday to exploit the situation by urging protesting farmers to arm themselves with weapons and engage in violence. The incendiary call came on a day when several farm unions in Haryana, along with representatives of khap panchayats, pledged their solidarity with the ongoing protests, while Union home ministry decided to suspend internet services in 20 police station areas across seven Punjab districts near the Haryana border from Feb 17 until midnight on Feb 24.
In a video shared on social media, SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun called upon farmers to "use a bullet for a bullet," claiming that weapons were readily available at Kartarpur Sahib, Pakistan, and across the international border with Rajasthan. However, Pakistani authorities swiftly dismissed Pannun's claims as "a bunch of lies aimed at defaming Pakistan".
On Sunday, a joint meeting convened by BKU (Charuni) near Kurukshetra emphasised the national significance of the farmers' issues, advocating for participation of all farmer organisations in Haryana in the protests if Monday's fourth round of talks with the Centre fail.
"A decision will be made Monday. We will wait for the outcome of the meeting," said Gurnam Singh Charuni Charuni of BKU (Charuni).
Haryana khap panchayats' coordinator Om Prakash Dhankar highlighted the demand for a law on minimum support price (MSP) for all crops instead of relying on an ordinance.
"We cannot trust this govt on an ordinance as it can be repealed anytime... We are in contact with Delhi khaps and a decision will be taken soon. We have 12,000 tractors in Delhi alone. They're asked to be ready," said Dhankar.
More trouble brewed in Haryana as Suresh Koth, national president of Bharatiya Kisan Mazdoor Union and farmer leader Ravi Azad were detained by state police after a large number of farmers attempted to march towards Delhi on foot from Kheri Chopta.
In response to the detentions, hundreds of farmers occupied tents along the Narnaund-Uchana road, highlighting ongoing tensions between farmers and Haryana govt over road barricades. During a mahapanchayat on Feb 15, farmers had decided to gather at Kheri Chopta and leave for Delhi on Feb 18.
Several electronic gadgets were recovered from the cells of National Security Act (NSA) detainees at Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam on Saturday.
Among the detainees are 10 members of the radical group, Waris Punjab De, a pro-Khalistani outfit, including its chief Amritpal Singh and one of his uncles.
They have been in jail since April last year, following their arrests under the NSA from various parts of Punjab during a crackdown on the outfit.
State Director General of Police GP Singh revealed that a search of the premises was conducted by jail staff based on intelligence indicating unauthorised activities.
The search yielded various electronic devices, such as a smartphone with a SIM card, a keypad phone, a TV remote with a keyboard, a spycam pen, pen drives, bluetooth headphones and speakers.
The jail staff confiscated these items, and investigation is underway to determine the source of these “unauthorised articles and mode of induction”. DGP Singh posted on X that additional CCTV cameras were installed in the public area of the NSA block following the receipt of information about unauthorised activities taking place there.
He further said additional lawful actions and preventive measures were being implemented to avoid such incidents in the future.
It's noteworthy that the DGP did not specify that the electronic items were recovered from the Waris Punjab De members housed in the jail.
A multi-tier security arrangement had been established at the Dibrugarh jail since the arrival of the radical outfit members from Punjab, including the installation of additional CCTV cameras and the repair or replacement of faulty ones.
Amritpal was brought to the jail in April 2023, after the Punjab Police arrested him from the state's Moga district after several weeks of manhunt.
His aides were also shifted to the jail during the massive operation against the Waris Punjab De. Jail sources had earlier said Amritpal has been kept in a solitary cell.
Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee General Secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher held a press conference on February 14 as the farmers’ protest and ‘Dilli Chalo’ march continued. He said that a false narrative about the farmers is being portrayed. Pandher also said that the farmers were ready to have a dialogue yesterday, they are ready today also.“Khalistan tag is being put on us. We are being called pro-left, pro-Punjab government, pro-Congress. There is nothing like that. We say that whatever the policies are in place today, Congress brought it. CPI, CPI (M) has ruled the state of West Bengal for 35 years. Like we criticise the other governments, we criticise AAP government as well. We are farmers of the country and agitating for our demands.”Further, he said, “Dear Prime Minister, it is said that you have a big heart. Show it and make a law guaranteeing MSP. Mr Anurag Thakur is saying that their list of demands is getting bigger. This is not right. We have kept the same demands from day 1. We were ready for a dialogue yesterday also; we are ready today as well.”
US-based Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikhs for Justice, has urged Khalistani elements to infiltrate the farmers' protest, called by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha on Tuesday.
In his new video doing rounds on social media sites, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has asked the people to kill "Modi's politics". He has asked people to raise the Khalistani flags at the farmers' rally.
Farmers on Tuesday morning commenced their 'Delhi Chalo' march from Punjab to press for their demands. It started after a meeting with two Union ministers over their demands, including legal guarantee to MSP for crops, on Monday evening remained inconclusive.
On the other hand, one of the tractors was seen donning a flag with a portrait of Khalistani terrorist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in one of the videos shared by news agency ANI.
Pannun, designated as a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry under the anti-terror law UAPA, is known for making such anti-India and anti-Modi comments. From offering a $2.5 million reward for anyone who raises the Khalistani flag at India Gate to threatening Hindus in Canada, he has regularly attacked India.
On the other hand, the US Justice Department has slapped an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta with murder-for-hire charges in connection with an alleged plot to assassinate Sikhs for Justice Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun that failed.
The Justice Department has claimed that Gupta was hired by an Indian government employee, and signed a $100,000 deal to hire an assassin to kill Pannun.
Meanwhile, the house of an aide of Pannun has been reportedly hit by gunfire. A construction crew discovered a bullet hole in a window of an incomplete house in the city of Brampton, Ontario on Monday.
Shots were fired in the early hours of Monday at a Greater Toronto Area home owned by an associate of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) general-counsel Gurpatwant Pannun.
The house, currently under construction in Brampton, was owned by Inderjeet Singh Gosal, who helped organise the so-called Khalistan Referendum in Surrey, British Columbia in September 23 after its coordinator Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed on June 18.
Police haven’t made any public announcement about the incident nor have they attributed any motive for it.
Gosal is leading a protest outside the Indian consulate in Toronto on February 17, to mark the eighth month since Nijjar was murdered.
“I have been heading Khalistan Freedom Rallies in front of the Indian consulate and I have been targeted for the same very reason that Nijjar was assassinated by Indian agents, i.e. our campaigning for the Khalistan Referendum,” Gosal said, in a statement released by SFJ.
Pannun accused India of being behind the incident as warned that if it was “using violence to stop the Khalistan Referendum”, New Delhi will “be responsible if the current spree of violent attacks on pro-Khalistan Sikhs turns into a cycle”.
An Indian national Nik Gupta is currently in custody in the Czech Republic, awaiting possible extradition to the United States to face charges that he allegedly attempted to hire a hitman to target Pannun.
The latest episode follows multiple shots being fired at the residence of Simranjeet Singh, an associate of Nijjar, in Surrey in the early hours of February 1. While pro-Khalistan groups blamed India for that incident as well, the Surrey detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested two teenagers in Surrey on February 6 for careless use of a firearm and discharge of a firearm with intent. They were later released without charges at the time.
Investigators there continue to “collect evidence to advance the investigation and determine the motive of this shooting”.
Relations between India and Canada nosedived when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in the House of Commons on September 18 last year that there were “credible allegations” of a potential link between Indian agents and Nijjar’s killing. That case is being probed by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team or IHIT.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea by an alleged member of the banned terror outfit Sikhs for Justice who was accused of putting up pro-Khalistan cloth banners at a flyover in Amritsar in October 2018 [Gurwinder Singh vs State of Punjab and anr].
In doing so, the Court also rejected an argument that the accused man should be released on bail since there were delays in the trial against him.
In cases involving grave offences, a mere delay in the trial cannot be used as a ground to grant bail, a bench of Justices MM Sundresh and Aravind Kumar said.
"The material available on record indicates the involvement of the appellant in furtherance of terrorist activities backed by members of banned terrorist organization involving exchange of large quantum of money through different channels which needs to be deciphered and therefore in such a scenario if the appellant is released on bail there is every likelihood that he will influence the key witnesses of the case which might hamper the process of justice," the Court added.
The Court was dealing with case where the accused man and several others were allegedly found hanging cloth banners on which “Khalistan Jindabad” and “Khalistan Referendum 2020” were written at the Pillars Kot Mit Singh Flyover in Amritsar.
The accused man was booked for offences under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), among other charges.
The Punjab Police reported that during its investigation, an entire module of the banned terrorist organisation named “Sikh for Justice” was revealed. in April 2020, the case was handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
After its probe, the NIA reported that the accused had received funds through illegal means sent by "Sikhs for Justice" and that those funds were then channeled through hawala towards furthering the Khalistani separatist ideology of demanding a separate State for Sikhs.
The accused was also alleged to have been involved in ancillary terror activities like procuring weapons through the help of an ISI handler.
In April 2023, the Punjab and Haryana High Court order rejected a bail plea filed by the accused after the trial court refused to grant him bail.
This led the accused to file an appeal before the Supreme Court.
While dealing with this appeal, the top court observed that the principle of "bail, not jail" is alien to UAPA cases.
"The ‘exercise’ of the general power to grant bail under the UAP Act is severely restrictive in scope ... The courts are, therefore, burdened with a sensitive task on hand. In dealing with bail applications under UAP Act, the courts are merely examining if there is justification to reject bail," the Court explained.