KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
15-May-2025
Punjab Police on May 15 arrested pharmacist, Amanjot Singh alias Jota Sandhu seizing 85 kg of heroin linked to a narco-smuggling module controlled by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in Bhittewad village, Ajnala, Amritsar district. The drugs were reportedly smuggled via drones from Pakistan under United Kingdom (UK)-based handler Lalli and his Pakistan-based accomplice Shah, with Amanjot serving as a key receiver and distributor across Punjab.
15-May-2025
Ferozepur police on May 15 arrested one individual, identified as Sukhdev Singh alias Babbi and seized 1.446 kg of heroin from his possession, near Madhre village in Ferozepur district.
15-May-2025
Ferozepur police on May 15 recovered a packet containing 441 grams of heroin from near Jagdish border outpost in Ferozepur district.
15-May-2025
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on May 15 in Rajasthan praised India’s precise counter-terrorism strikes against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), saying the country has set a new global benchmark by striking terrorism while upholding peace. He also highlighted India’s rising global stature and military strength and paid tribute to Shekhawat’s legacy of transparency, inclusive leadership, and political civility.
15-May-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) on May 15 directed the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) to appoint a senior officer to scrutinize all drug smuggling cases from jails across the state. The court criticized the Amritsar (Rural) SSP for a casual approach in investigating smuggling allegations linked to Amritsar Central Jail and emphasized that senior jail officials must also face legal action.
15-May-2025
Police on May 15 arrested Constable Ranjeet Singh for allegedly injecting drugs in the bathroom of a gurdwara in Kotkapura, Faridkot district, Punjab, after gurdwara staff caught him with drugs and a syringe; a medical examination and departmental inquiry are underway.
15-May-2025
According to the Border Security Force (BSF) data, cross-border smuggling from Pakistan into Punjab has persisted despite heightened alert after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. In May so far, the BSF has seized six drones, 3.4 kg of heroin, five pistols, 2.7 kg of explosives, two grenades, and 35 rounds of ammunition along the International Border (IB). Under Operation Sindoor, counter-unmanned aerial systems have also been deployed as part of an integrated air-defence effort.
15-May-2025
Officiating Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, on May 15 in Amritsar, urged India and Pakistan to reopen the Kartarpur Corridor, closed since May 7 following Indian airstrikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’. He said tensions had eased and keeping the corridor shut was unjustified, adding that reopening it would promote peace, harmony, and regional cooperation.
15-May-2025
On May 15, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar stated at the Embassy of Honduras in New Delhi that India achieved key objectives in Operation Sindoor by destroying terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan. He affirmed that any future dialogue would focus solely on counter-terrorism. Dr. Jaishankar also noted strong international support for India post the Pahalgam attack and highlighted the significant damage inflicted by India’s military response.
15-May-2025
On May 15, Punjab Police, on day 75 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, conducted cordon and search operations at major bus stands across all 28 districts, arresting 124 drug smugglers, registering 83 FIRs and seizing 4.02 kg of heroin, 2.5 kg of opium, and INR 27,090 in drug money.
15-May-2025
Gurdaspur Police on May 15 demolished illegally constructed houses of two drug smugglers identified as Baljinder and Lakhwinder, in Dida Sansian village in Gurdaspur district.
15-May-2025
Punjab Police on May 15 carried out simultaneous search operations in jails across Jalandhar Commissionerate, Hoshiarpur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar, Jalandhar Rural, Kapurthala, and Rupnagar districts to crack down on illegal activities behind bars. Teams inspected barracks, kitchens, toilets, and other areas.
15-May-2025
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on May 15 provided financial assistance of INR 5 lakh each to the families of four Sikhs who were recently killed in cross-border shelling by the Pakistan Army in Poonch, during his visit to Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
15-May-2025
Gurdaspur Police on May 15 arrested two individuals, identified as Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh, under the Official Secrets Act in Dorangla, Gurdaspur district, Punjab, for compromising national security by leaking sensitive military information related to Operation Sindoor to their handlers in Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Dorangla, a known hotspot for drone activity along the border, was the location of the arrest. A forensic examination of their mobile phones reportedly revealed critical details about troop movements and strategic locations in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), and Himachal Pradesh (HP).
14-May-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) on May 14 recovered a drone in broken condition from fields near Metla village in Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
14-May-2025
Police on May 14 arrested two individuals, identified as Gurmukh Singh and Varinderpal Singh, and seized 500 grams of heroin, INR 15.19 lakh drug money and a camera fitted toy drone from their possession, in Akalgarh village in Amritsar district.
14-May-2025
Punjab Police, on May 14, as part of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 125 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 156 drug smugglers and recovered 1.9 kg of heroin, 1.5 kg of opium and INR 57920 drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
14-May-2025
The crime branch of Ludhiana Police, on May 14 arrested two heroin smugglers, identified as Raman Sharma and Maninder Singh alias Prince, and seized 37 grams of heroin and a scooter from their possession near grain market on Gill Road in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district.
14-May-2025
Delhi Police’s Crime Branch on May 14 busted a criminal network linked to the pro-Khalistan Jaipal Bhullar module involved in extortion and firing targeting city businessmen, arresting eight members—Sumit Ghangas, Rahul Ghangas, Saurav, Ashish, Rohit Kumar, Rahul Kashyap, Preetpal, and Deepak alias Gola—and seizing two pistols and 45 cartridges. The arrests were made across Panipat, Karnal, and Ambala in Haryana. The racket was operated from abroad by Gurjant Singh alias Janta Lahoria, connected to Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala. Investigations are ongoing, with more arrests expected.
14-May-2025
Former Indian High Commissioner to Ottawa Ajay Bisaria on May 14 welcomed Anita Anand’s appointment as Canada’s new Foreign Minister, expressing hope for improved India-Canada ties. He praised her diplomatic record and Indian roots. Experts see a chance for a reset amid tensions over the Nijjar issue, with Anand and PM Mark Carney signalling willingness to mend relations.
14-May-2025
According to Pakistani sources, India has barred 500 Sikh pilgrims from attending Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary on June 30, 2025, and has kept the Kartarpur Corridor closed since May 7, in Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur district, Punjab.
13-May-2025
India on May 13 expelled a Pakistani High Commission official, declaring him ‘persona non grata’ for activities inconsistent with his diplomatic role. A formal demarche was issued to Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi, and the official was given 24 hours to leave amid an espionage probe tied to arrests by Punjab Police.
13-May-2025
On May 13, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami in Amritsar announced INR 5 lakh assistance for each family of the four Sikh victims killed in the recent Poonch terror attack.
13-May-2025
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)president Harjinder Singh Dhami on May 13 announced that portraits of five Sikh personalities, including former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, will be installed at the Sikh Museum in the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex, Amritsar.
13-May-2025
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on May 13 paid a surprise visit to the IAF base in Adampur, Jalandhar district, which houses the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system. He was briefed by Air Force officials, interacted with soldiers, and the visit was seen as a strategic message to Islamabad amid heightened tensions.