KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified 43 Khalistan supporters, allegedly involved in violence at the Indian High Commission in London during a protest on March 19 and also who allegedly targeted the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on July 2.
According to the NIA, the attacks on the High Commissions of India in Ottawa and London, as well as on the Consulate General of India, San Francisco, US, also remained the focus of the NIA actions on offences against Indian interests abroad through the year, which witnessed more than 50 raids and searches as part of the agency’s efforts to unravel the conspiracy behind the attacks on Indian Missions abroad.
“The attacks involved criminal trespass, vandalism, damage to public property, and attempts to cause hurt to Indian officials and damage the Consulate building through acts of arson. NIA has used several innovative methods of
investigation, including crowd sourcing of information while investigating the larger conspiracy of attacks on Indian Missions, which resulted in identification of 43 suspects. The NIA has stepped up its investigation in these cases in recent months and examined more than 80 persons in India suspected to be part of the conspiracy of the attacks,” an NIA spokesperson said.
Sharing details of their overall conviction rate, the spokesperson said the agency has maintained a robust overall conviction rate of 94.70 per cent, underscoring the efficacy of its investigational and prosecution expertise, effectiveness and prowess. Last year, the overall conviction rate was 94.39 per cent.
“The NIA had this year arrested 625 persons as compared to 490 in 2022 — a nearly 28 per cent increase. Among 625, 65 were arrested in ISIS cases, 114 for jihadi terror cases, 45 in human trafficking cases, 28 for terrorist and organised criminal activity and 76 in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) cases,” the spokesperson said.
“NIA registered a total of 68 cases in 2023, covering a wide spectrum of terror-related incidents. These encompass 18 jihadi terror cases in multiple states, three cases from Jammu and Kashmir, 12 of LWE, seven cases involving terrorist and organised criminal activity in Punjab, five cases of the Northeast, and two cases related to Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN),” the spokesperson added. In 2022, NIA had lodged 73 cases, 19.67 per cent increase from the 61 cases registered in 2021, and is an all-time high for the agency.
“The number of persons chargesheeted and convicted stood at 513 and 74, respectively, as against 459 and 79 in 2022,” the spokesperson said, adding that the NIA managed to track down and arrest 47 absconders in 2023, 14 more than last year.
An official said the Union Home Ministry has handed over 324 cases to the NIA from December 1, 2018, to November 30, 2023.
“In 2022, the NIA had attached a total of 37 properties worth Rs 10.53 crore, while in 2023, the figure went up to 240, including 156 bank accounts with a total value of Rs 55.90 crore, especially in cases related to Jammu and Kashmir. These properties belonged to the accused and suspects involved in terrorism, LWE, explosives and other prominent cases. The attachments, made under various provisions of UA(P)A, included 12 properties — of which 4 were bank accounts — worth Rs 1.5 crore, of six listed ‘individual terrorists’,” the spokesperson said.
Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has been making incendiary provocation of violence against India, has called for the country’s “economic destruction” by targeting the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange from March 12.
The day coincides with the 31st anniversary of the serial blasts in Mumbai in 1993.
"Unlike 1993 which damaged the BSE buildings, the call to target BSE/NSE from 12th March is aimed at destroying India's economic system," Pannun said in a video statement.
The US-based Khalistani leader has been designated as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act by the Home Ministry. He is wanted by Indian security agencies in at least two dozen cases, including terrorism and sedition.
In his latest video message, Pannun urged people to dump Indian stocks and buy American stocks before March 12.
Last month, he had exhorted the “Muslims of Uttar Pradesh” to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he came to Ayodhya to inaugurate a new airport and unveil many other developmental projects.
Pannun has been making open calls for violence against India ever since the US government alleged the hands of an Indian agent in a failed attempt to kill the Khalistan leader on the American soil.
Last month, he put out a video in which he said Indian parliament would be targeted on or before December 13, sending the Delhi Police into tizzy.
In the previous month, Pannun had urged Sikhs to stop flying on Air India planes on and after November 19, claiming threat to their lives. He also threatened that the airline would not be allowed to operate its flights.
In September this year, the National Investigation Agency had confiscated his house and land in Amritsar and Chandigarh.
An NIA Special Court had issued non-bailable warrants against him in February 2021 and he was declared a 'Proclaimed Offender' in November 2022.
The government Monday declared fugitive gangster Goldy Brar an individual terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The announcement came two days after Canada-based Lakhbir Singh Landa, a gangster associated with the terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International, was declared an individual terrorist.
Among other things, Brar, who is currently believed to be in Canada’s Brampton, has also been accused of being associated with Babbar Khalsa International.
In a gazette notification Monday, the Ministry of Home Affairs said Satwinder Singh alias Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar has been involved in “multiple killings and professes radical ideology, figured in making threatening calls to pro-nationalist leaders demanding ransom and posting the claims of killings on different social media platforms”.
The notification says Brar “has been involved in smuggling of high-grade arms, ammunitions and explosive materials through drones from across the border and supplying thereon for carrying out killings and also providing sharp shooters”.
“He and his associates have been conspiring to disrupt the peace, communal harmony and law and order in the state of Punjab through nefarious designs including sabotage, raising of terror modules, carrying out targeted killings, and other anti-national activities,” it adds.
Brar is the subject of a Red Corner Notice issued by the Interpol, the notification says, adding that he has a non-bailable warrant and lookout circular against him.
The Punjab Police had in September 2023 raided over 1,000 locations as part of a crackdown on Brar’s associates.
Brar is allegedly the mastermind of singer-politician Sidhu Moosewala’s killing in 2022, and purportedly claimed responsibility for the murder in a post on social media.
Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi (who is currently lodged in a Gujarat jail) are associates. In 2022, Brar had also claimed responsibility for the murder of Dera Sacha Sauda follower Pradeep Singh, an accused in the Bargari “sacrilege case”.
Singer Honey Singh had last year filed a complaint with the Delhi Police accusing Brar of threatening him.
A native of Muktsar, Punjab, Brar reportedly moved to Canada on a student visa in 2017.
Canada-based gangster and Babbar Khalsa International leader Lakhbir Singh Langa has been declared an “individual terrorist" under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, according to a report published by the news agency ANI.
In a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), it stated that Landa was closely associated with Canada-based pro-Khalistan elements including Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, and Khalistan Tiger Force leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar among others.
This September, NIA announced cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of five Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operatives, including Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias "Rinda" and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias "Landa".
The federal agency announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh each for Rinda and Landa and ₹5 lakh each for Parminder Singh Kaira alias “Pattu", Satnam Singh alias “Satbir Singh" alias “Satta" and Yadvinder Singh alias “Yadda".
A spokesperson of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had said these five terrorists are wanted in a case registered early this year related to the BKI's terrorist activities aimed at disturbing India's peace and communal harmony and spreading terror in the state of Punjab.
The official said investigations have shown that the five terrorists have been engaged in recruiting new members of the BKI by promising them monetary benefits.
Who is Lakhbir Singh Landa?
1) Lakhbir Singh Landa is a resident of Tarn Taran in Punjab. Now, it is believed that Landa is residing in Canada's Alberta. He fled to Canada in 2017, according to HT reports.
2) He is a close aide of Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh. After settling down in Canada, Landa joined hands with the pro-Khalistan terror organization ‘BKI’.
3) In July 2011, the first case was registered against Landa for a murder under the Arms Act at Harike Pattan. Since then, a total of 18 criminal cases have been registered against him including murder, drug smuggling, etc.
4) Before he fled to Canada, the Punjab Police had registered the last case against him under kidnapping charges in Moga.
5) Some media reports stated that Lakhbir Singh was a main conspirator of the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack at the Punjab Police intelligence headquarters in Mohali.
6) Besides this, it is also believed that Landa is a key conspirator in planting an improvised explosive device (IED) under a sub-inspector’s car in Amritsar.
Shots were fired at the residence of an Indian-origin man in Canada's Surrey this week. According to news agency ANI, the incident happened on Wednesday, December 27 at the residence of the son of Satish Kumar, the president of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, in Surrey.
Police said no one was injured during the incident. However, the residence involved sustained damage consistent with bullet holes, Constable Parmbir Kahlon, Media Relations Officer for Surrey Police, was quoted by ANI as saying.
"On December 27, 2023 at approximately 8:03 am, Surrey RCMP responded a to a report of shots fired at a residence in the 14900 block of 80 Avenue. No one was injured during the incident, but the residence involved sustained damage consistent with bullet holes," the Surrey Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a press release on Thursday.
They said police are investigating the matter. "Police remained in the area, examining the scene, speaking with witnesses and canvassing the neighbourhood for CCTV footage," the press release read.
The Surrey RCMP urged "anyone with more information, including dash cam footage of the incident" to contact the Surrey RCMP.
"General Investigation Unit has conduct of the investigation. Officers are still working to determine the motive of this incident. Anyone with more information, including dash cam footage of the incident, is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP" the Surrey Police said in its press release.
The Surrey Police have not confirmed any link of the attack to recent threats recieved by the Laxhmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey. In November, India-origin Canadian member of Parliament Chandra Arya shared a purported video of Pro Khalistani supporters in Surrey claiming they want to create trouble at the Hindu Laxmi Narayan Mandir there, ANI reported,
Arya said, "Last week, Khalistan supporters verbally abused a Sikh family outside a Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, BC, according to some reports. Now it appears the same Khalistan group wants to create trouble at the Hindu Laxmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey."
India reacts
Reacting to the incident, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "Our understanding of that incident in British Columbia is that it was at a private residence related to, of course, somebody who's a member of the Temple Management Committee."
"I understand that investigations are underway in that case. I don't think it's appropriate to comment at this stage on the motivations or details behind it...," he added.
Temple attacks in Canada
Arya noted that, "Hindu temples have been attacked many times during the last couple of years. Hate crimes are being committed against Hindu-Canadians."
A Hindu temple was vandalised in Canada by extremist elements with Khalistan referendum posters in August this year.
In April this year, BAPS Swaminarayan temple was vandalised with anti-India graffiti in Windsor, in Canada's Ontario.
Meanwhile, in February, the Ram Mandir in Canada's Mississauga was vandalised with anti-India graffiti.
In January, a Hindu temple in Brampton was defaced with anti-India graffiti, triggering outrage among the Indian community.
The year 2023 saw Punjab Police engaged in a high-stakes battle against the criminals, resulting in the neutralization of nine notorious gangsters and the apprehension of 127 others. However, the pursuit of justice came at a cost, with one brave officer paying the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, while six others sustained injuries during the perilous exchanges of gunfire.
As revealed by the state’s Inspector General of Police (IGP), Headquarters, Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill in a gripping year-end press conference on Wednesday, a tumultuous year for law enforcement in Punjab unfolded with a barrage of bullets. “At least 60 encounters (exchange of fires) took place between the police parties and criminals this year, during which nine gangsters or criminals were neutralized and 127 gangsters or criminals were arrested, of which, 32 had sustained injuries… Unfortunately, one of our colleagues attained martyrdom, while, six police personnel had sustained injuries during the exchange of fires,” he said.
In a jaw-dropping blitz against the narcotics trade, organized crime, and terrorism in the border state, the Punjab Police has concluded 2023 with a series of astonishing victories. IGP Gill unveiled unprecedented successes that included the momentous seizure of 1161 kilograms of heroin, the audacious forfeiture of properties worth Rs 127 crores, and a relentless crackdown on gangster activities.
Gill revealed that the Punjab Police's unyielding strategy against drugs, focusing on Enforcement, Prevention, and Rehabilitation, has notched up substantial results. The State Government's three-pronged approach aims to obliterate the drug menace, with a sharp focus on creating awareness about Section 64-A of the NDPS Act, providing a lifeline for drug consumers caught with small quantities.
The IGP announced that 65 drug consumers had embraced rehabilitation under Section 64-A of the NDPS Act — marking an unprecedented step towards addressing the root cause of the issue, aiming to rehabilitate individuals ensnared in the grip of drug abuse.
Throughout the year, Punjab Police recorded a staggering 14,951 arrests of drug smugglers and suppliers, including 2,424 major players, following the registration of 10,786 FIRs. The police force also seized 795 kilograms of opium, 403 quintals of poppy husk, and a mind-boggling 83.17 lakh tablets, capsules, injections, and vials of Pharma opioids. Notably, Rs 13.67 crores in drug money were recovered, and 294 properties worth Rs 127 crores were ruthlessly confiscated from major smugglers.
The IGP emphasized the state’s commitment to tackle proclaimed offenders and absconders in NDPS cases, with 673 individuals arrested in this category. Additionally, a list of 55 drug smugglers has been submitted to invoke the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act against them.
On the front of gangster activities, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) played a pivotal role in arresting 482 gangsters and criminals. The force busted 188 gangster modules, recovering 519 weapons, 102 vehicles, 4.5 kilograms of heroin, and a staggering Rs 71.08 lakhs in drug money.
Notably, immediately after coming to power, the AAP-led State Government on April 6, 2022, formed a special Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) headed by ADGP Promod Ban to wipe out gangsters from the state.
In the realm of counter-terrorism, Punjab Police's Internal Security arrested 67 terrorists in 2023. The year witnessed the dismantling of 13 terror modules, with the recovery of rifles, pistols, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), explosives, hand grenades, and an astounding 111 drones. A total of 303 drone sightings were recorded, reflecting the growing challenges in maintaining security.
Gill said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had already sanctioned Rs 19.25 crores for the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in the border areas to further strengthen the second line of defence and keep vigil against drug smugglers and anti-social elements, while, two committees were formed to counter rogue drones effectively.
The first committee, headed by ADGP (Security) SS Srivastava, will prepare a future road map for bolstering the capabilities in drone detection, neutralization, lawful use of drones for effective policing, disaster management, drones training, and drones forensics, he said, adding that the second committee headed by ADGP (Counter Intelligence) to assess the requirements of drones, training for use of drones, countering rogue drones and procurement of equipment.
“Acting tough against extortion calls, Punjab Police have registered 201 first information reports (FIRs) and arrested 99 persons involved in making threatening calls to extort money from influential persons,” he added.
The achievements extended to solving high-profile cases, including three low-grade explosive blasts at Heritage Street in Amritsar; a murderous attack at Batala-based Hindu Shiv Sena (Samajwadi) leader and his brother and his son; Kulcha shop owner murdered in Bathinda; Dacoity in Ludhiana; former Sarpanch murdered in Khosa Kotla village in Moga; Ludhiana-based industrialist was kidnapped and shot at by miscreants to extort money. All these cases were effectively solved by Punjab Police, added IGP Gill.
Looking ahead, the Punjab Police is gearing up to implement Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's visionary project — the Sadak Surkhya Force (SSF). This specialized force will focus on road safety and combating criminal activities, contributing to the overarching goal of making Punjab's roads safer.
The Punjab Road Safety and Traffic Research Centre, a subsidiary of the traffic wing of Punjab Police, introduced Solar Powered Smart barricades equipped with advanced AI capabilities. These barricades, operating 24x7, can read license plates, identify blacklisted vehicles, and promptly alert authorities to any suspicious activities.
In terms of employment generation, the Punjab Government's decision to recruit 1,800 constables and 300 sub-inspectors annually for the next four years was highlighted. Recruitment for various positions is already in progress, with appointments made and underway.
The year 2023 also witnessed the government's commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families, as six cheques of Rs two crores each were handed over to the families of five Punjab Police officials and one Home Guard who lost their lives in the line of duty.
As a fitting conclusion to the year-end press conference, IGP Gill underscored the proactive approach of the Punjab Police in maintaining law and order, combating drug-related challenges, and enhancing overall security measures.
Pro-Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun continued his incendiary provocation of violence against India from American soil on Tuesday, exhorting “Muslims of UP” to target PM Narendra Modi during his planned roadshow in Ayodhya on December 30.
Intelligence agencies went on high alert immediately after the video statement from Pannun, who also asked Muslims to carve a new country called “Urduistan” while alleging that India would soon ban namaz.
The chief of the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), whom the US claims to have shielded from a purported assassination bid orchestrated by Indian agencies in June, mentioned details like “distance of 30km” while referring to Modi’s rally.
The statement follows Pannun’s expression of support for the terrorists who ambushed an Indian Army vehicle last Thursday. He spoke of a new front to foster an association with terror outfits in J&K, strengthening an intelligence assessment of his connections with the “K2 (Kashmir-Khalistan) desk” in the ISI.
Last week, Pannun referred to himself as a spokesperson for the Kashmir-Khalistan Referendum Front, mentioning that the recent ambush on an Army team was a “consequence of India’s violence against Kashmiris”.
Terming Kashmir a disputed territory, Pannun said the only route to a peaceful resolution of the dispute was holding a “referendum”.
His call for solidarity with terrorists in Kashmir comes on the heels of his veiled threat to attack the new Parliament building in response to “India’s foiled assassination” bid on him.
Releasing a poster with his picture alongside Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru with the caption “Delhi Banega Khalistan”, Pannun had said that his response (to the alleged assassination bid) would “shake the very foundations of Parliament”.
Subsequently, there was a security breach in the Lok Sabha by a group of youth brandishing canisters of yellow smoke. The breach is currently under investigation, but no connection with SFJ has emerged so far. Sources said ISI’s “K2 desk” had been trying to bridge the gap between Kashmiri groups and Punjab-based extremists in an attempt to use both networks to its advantage.
Intelligence agencies went on high alert immediately after the video statement from Pannun, who also asked Muslims to carve a new country called ‘Urduistan’ while alleging that India would soon ban namaz.
Amid reports that a Hindu temple was vandalised in California, foreign minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said the issue had been taken up with the local authorities and that it was important to deny space to extremists and separatist forces.
According to an agency report, police officers in Newark, California, confirmed that they had received a report of graffiti at the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple on Friday morning.
Images posted on social media showed the word 'Khalistan' spray-painted on a signpost outside the temple, along with several other objectionable graffiti.
"I have seen the news. As you know, we are concerned about this. Extremists and separatist forces outside India should not get space. Our consulate has lodged a complaint with the United States government and the police there over whatever happened, and I believe the matter is being inquired," the foreign minister said, speaking to news reporters on the margins of the third convocation of the Rashtriya Raksha University in Gujarat's Gandhinagar.
The Newark Police said any acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate or bias are considered very serious and given very high priority. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco strongly condemned the defacing of the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Hindu temple.
Talking about the arrest of Nikhil Gupta, who has been indicted by the United States for plotting to kill a Khalistan leader, the Union minister said India has provided consular access to him thrice. "Whenever an Indian citizen is arrested, we seek consular access for their care, which we have received thrice," Jaishankar added.
Asked about the absence of the US and Canada from the list of partner countries for the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Jaishankar said he would not put any political meaning to this.
"At the government level, it depends who we invite... The government of Gujarat can answer (over invitation to the countries). I would not put any political meaning," the minister said. "My understanding is opposite, which is that in fact many counties are calling us to participate in Vibrant Gujarat. We ask them to talk to the government of Gujarat. We would like to support it because we would like to see maximum participants," he said.
A Swaminarayan temple has been vandalized with anti-India and pro-Khalistan graffiti on its exterior walls in Newark, California, United States. The incident came to light on Friday (local time).
The exterior wall of the Hindu temple was defaced with anti-India graffiti. The Newark Police Service has started an investigation into the vandalism.
Speaking to ANI, Bhargav Raval, the spokesperson for the temple administration said, “One of the devotees, who lives close to the shrine, discovered anti-Hindu and anti-India graffiti in black ink on an exterior wall of the building, and the local administration was immediately informed."
The temple authorities were 'shocked' to find the anti-Indian graffiti on its wall, he added. Jonathan Arguello, a police captain for the city of Newark shed more light on the incident during a press conference.
“Based on the graffiti, we believe it was a targeted act, and it's going to be investigated with full thoroughness. I can also tell you that as a member of the Newark Police Department and the Newark community, we're deeply saddened when these types of acts occur, and we think they're senseless and they have no room," the captain told media persons.
“We won't tolerate them here in Newark. So today, I wanted to make sure that you understand how seriously we take these situations and know that we will investigate as thoroughly as possible with utmost care and sensitivity. I can also tell you that officers are currently investigating this via evidence collection," he added.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco said, condemned the defacing of SMVS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Newark, California with anti-India graffiti.
“This incident has hurt the sentiments of the Indian community. We have pressed for quick investigation and prompt action against the vandals by the US authorities in this matter," he said.
Notably, this is not the first such incident where a temple has been defaced with such graffiti in the recent past. This came close on the heels of the US Justice Department unsealing an indictment against an Indian national for his alleged involvement in a foiled plot to assassinate India-designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.
The Justice Department claimed that an Indian government employee (named CC-1), who was not identified in the indictment filed in a federal court in Manhattan, recruited an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta to hire a hitman to carry out the assassination, which was foiled by US authorities, according to prosecutors.
Gupta is currently in custody and has been charged with murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Czech authorities arrested and detained Gupta on June 30, under the bilateral extradition treaty between the US and the Czech Republic.
Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun reportedly showed solidarity with terrorists who ambushed an Indian Army vehicle on Thursday. According to CNN-News18, Pannun declared a new front to reflect upon his association with terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pannun reportedly called himself the spokesperson of the Kashmir-Khalistan Referendum Front and said the recent ambush on Indian soldiers was a "consequence of India’s violence against Kashmiris".
Three soldiers were killed and three other were injured after an Army vehicle was attacked by terrorists in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, news agency PTI had reported on Thursday.
The report added that top Intelligence sources said Pannun’s declaration clarifies his association with designated terror groups of Pakistan who killed Indian soldiers. “Earlier, there were only inputs available about his access to ISI but now, his statement clearly shows his association," sources were quoted as saying.
Pannun is the chief of the Sikhs for Justice separatist group and was listed as an “individual terrorist" by the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 1, 2020. Pannun, wanted in India on terror charges, holds dual citizenship of the US and Canada.
Last month, Pannun had released a video urging people to avoid travelling aboard Air India flights on November 19. He had also issued threats to attack India’s Parliament in response to an alleged failed murder plot to kill him.
The US had recently alleged an Indian link to an alleged foiled assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for the first time, responded to the claims made by the US and said he will "look into" any evidence, adding that "few incidents" would not affect US-India ties.
On December 7, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in Parliament that India has instituted an inquiry committee to look into the inputs received from the US in the case as the matter has a bearing on national security.
Pannun has been under the NIA lens since 2019 when the anti-terror agency registered its first case against him.