KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
29-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, in a joint operation on the night of January 29, intercepted and, on the morning of January 30, recovered a Pakistani drone in a damaged condition from a farming field near Mari Kamboke village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a Quadcopter made in China.
29-Jan-2024
On January 29, a youth identified as Satinderpal Singh reportedly died of a drug overdose in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
29-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 29 busted a drug smuggling module, arresting four unidentified Indian smugglers along with 4.369 kg of heroin, 968 grams of ICE (methamphetamine), a pistol, four rounds of ammunition, a scooter, and INR 70,140 near the International Border (IB) in the Amritsar sector of Amritsar district. The arrests occurred as the individuals attempted to retrieve a packet dropped by a Pakistani drone. Subsequent surveillance of drone activities revealed a video call between Pakistani smuggler Rana, his brother, and Indian smuggler Saha. Saha is involved in recruiting villagers in Tarn Taran to receive arms and drugs via drones from across the border.
29-Jan-2024
On January 29, following the incident on January 28, where tensions flared at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Baba Deep Singh over the removal of the portrait of Sikh militant-preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Sikh bodies led by Harpal Singh Bler of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD-Amritsar) reinstated the portrait at the entrance of Gurdwara Janam Asthan Baba Deep Singh in Pahuwind village in Tarn Taran district. Despite injuries sustained in the clash, the dispute was reportedly settled through a compromise. However, Bler insisted on an apology from the committee president for the removal of the portrait.
29-Jan-2024
Sikh Sadbhawna Dal's senior general secretary, Iqbal Singh Manawa, has announced that the outfit will conduct an 'Insaf March' on January 30, starting from Kaunke village and culminating at Gurdwara Mehdiana in Ludhiana district, to seek justice for the family of former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke, who was allegedly killed in a fake encounter 31 years ago. Baldev Singh Wadala, the outfit's chief, will lead the activists during the 15-km march, where participants will recite Gurbani. The organization plans to launch a structured campaign demanding accountability from the police personnel accused of torturing and ultimately killing Kaunke while in custody after his arrest on December 25, 1992.
29-Jan-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) seized the property of Gurjant Singh, a key accused in a 2019 bomb blast case in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, as part of its efforts to dismantle the terror network in the region, following an order from the Special NIA Court in Mohali. The case originated from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Tarn Taran Police, involving a terrorist gang led by Bikramjit Singh Panjwar that targeted Dera Muradpur. Gurjant Singh, a member of the gang, was present during the retrieval of explosives, which prematurely exploded.
29-Jan-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 29 declared that the pursuit of justice against drug-related crimes is a crucial aspect of social justice, emphasizing the severe impact of drug trafficking on society. In a case involving a woman accused of drug trafficking, the Bench highlighted the widespread harm caused by narcotics, likening it to inflicting death blows on numerous innocent victims.
29-Jan-2024
According to police sources, a member of Lawrence Bishnoi's gang identified as Rajan was shot dead and set on fire after the shootout and his body was found in Yamunanagar district in Haryana. Suspected operatives linked to the Bambiha gang orchestrated the killing on orders from gangster Arshdeep alias Arsh Dalla, who is presently in Canada and wanted by Indian authorities. Gang rivalry surfaced on social media, with Lucky Patial of the Bambiha gang claiming responsibility for Rajan's murder, citing revenge for past killings, including that of Singer Sidhu Moose Wala. The murder is seen as retaliation for the killing of Sukhdool Singh, an associate of Arsh Dalla, in Canada, indicating escalating gang tensions.
28-Jan-2024
Tension erupted on January 28 after a clash ensued when the President of the Gurudwara Management Committee, Col Harsimran Singh (retd), asked volunteers to remove the poster of Sikh militant-preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from the premises of the Gurudwara Janam Asthan Baba Deep Singh in Pahuwind village in Tarn Taran district. Police escorted Col Harsimran Singh to safety amidst the chaos, with both sides sustaining injuries, while discussions are underway to resolve the dispute.
28-Jan-2024
The Amritsar (Rural) police on January 28 arrested two individuals, identified as Germanjit Singh alias Brahman and Akashdeep Singh alias Khatti and seized 1 kg of heroin, Maruti Swift car (PB-36-E- 2601) and a mobile phone from their possession in Dhanoe Khurd village in Amritsar district. Germanjit, who was a commission agent at the Attari grain market, was intercepted by the police at a checkpoint while traveling from Dhanoe Khurd village to Attari. Further investigations revealed Germanjit's alleged association with Pakistan-based smugglers.
28-Jan-2024
The Tarn Taran district police, on January 28, arrested five suspects in connection with the murder of Awan Kumar Khullar alias Sonu Cheema, the sarpanch of Adda Chaba village, from Gandiwind village in Tarn Taran district. According to the police, rivalry is believed to be the motive behind the murder. The police are yet to arrest seven others, including two yet-to-be-identified shooters. The main accused, Amritpal Singh, has 16 criminal cases against him, with a case registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Arms Act.
28-Jan-2024
Police on January 28 arrested a woman identified as Pooja and seized 40 grams of heroin from her possession in Ferozepur district.
28-Jan-2024
The police on January 28 arrested a woman drug peddler identified as Gurmeet Kaur alias Meeto, and seized 50 grams of heroin from her possession in Ferozepur district.
28-Jan-2024
Police on January 28 arrested one person, identified as Lovepreet Singh alias Labha and seized 100 gm of heroin from his possession in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
28-Jan-2024
The Police on January 28 arrested Maqbool alias Fauji and seized 45 gm of heroin from his possession in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
28-Jan-2024
The police, on January 28, arrested the ‘second-in-command’ of the Vikas Lagarpuria gang, identified as Dara Singh alias Dhare and seized a loaded sophisticated revolver (.32 bore) and five live cartridges from his possession in the Khajuri Khas area in North East Delhi district in Delhi. Singh has a history of criminal activities dating back to 2013, with associations with Vikas Lagarpuria. He was wanted in multiple cases in Delhi and Haryana, including murder, extortion, and armed robbery. Additionally, he was involved in the theft of INR 40 crore in Gurugram in 2021.
27-Jan-2024
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is currently investigating the misuse of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS) by operatives of the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), who have shifted their tactics from hawala to using tourists as a means to funnel funds for their terror activities. The NIA raids have specifically targeted key figures such as Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa. These individuals are identified as chief conspirators involved in terror plots and arms smuggling into Punjab. The BKI, in collaboration with tour guides, reportedly offers commissions to tourists for receiving remittances via MTSS, and the funds acquired are used to purchase arms. Furthermore, raids against Lawrence Bishnoi's crime syndicate have revealed connections to BKI. The authorities seized illegal arms, ammunition, cash, and incriminating documents during these operations.
27-Jan-2024
The Amritsar (Rural) police on January 27 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Mahinder Singh, and seized 1.6 kg of heroin hidden in the cattle shed of his house in Bhagupur Bet village in Amritsar district. The police stated that Singh had links with Pakistan-based smugglers and was involved in cross-border drug peddling through drones.
26-Jan-2024
The Amritsar (Rural) police and the Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint search operation on January 26, recovered around 519 gm of heroin along with a Pakistani drone (quadcopter model - DJI Mavic 3 Pro, made in China) near Maude village in Amritsar district.
26-Jan-2024
On January 26, the Border Security Force (BSF) recovered a China-made quadcopter drone from a farming field in Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district.
26-Jan-2024
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, on January 26, stressed the need to combat drugs and corruption while speaking at an event where he led Republic Day celebrations in Patiala district. He honoured martyrs and urged collective responsibility for integrity in governance.
26-Jan-2024
On the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day on January 26, patriotic fervour and cultural performances by students highlighted the celebrations, and the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets at the Attari border in Amritsar district of Punjab. BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sanjay Gaur interacted with jawans and addressed concerns about drone intrusions, stating that 107 drones were shot down and 483 kg of contraband seized along the Punjab Frontier in 2023. Cultural programs, including gidha and bhangra, were performed by students at the border.
26-Jan-2024
On January 26, Republic Day, supporters of Dal Khalsa, led by Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Member of Parliament (MP) Simranjit Singh Mann, took out a protest march in Moga district of Punjab, calling it a Black Day, displaying black flags, and advocating for Khalistan.
26-Jan-2024
Former Punjab Health Minister Laxmikanta Chawla, who is also the chairman of the Durgana Temple Committee in Amritsar, extended an invitation to Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to visit India on January 26. He stated that upon Pannun's arrival in India, the country would demonstrate its resilience and effectively address any issues.
25-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, on the intervening night of January 25-26, conducted a raid, arrested two unidentified individuals, and seized 100 grams of heroin and 13 live rounds of .32 bore from the house of a suspect in Deriwal Kiran village in Gurdaspur district.