KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
13-May-2025
Punjab Police on May 13, as part of its "Yudh Nashian Virudh" campaign arrested 156 drug smugglers, registered 109 first information reports (FIRs), and recovered 1.5 kg of heroin, 16 kg of opium and INR 5.38 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
13-May-2025
The Patti police on May 13 arrested two individuals, identified as Mahanbir Singh Sagar and Harpreet Singh, and seized 435 grams of heroin, a Glock pistol and a magazine from their possession near Kandiala road in Kandiala village in Patti in Tarn Taran district.
13-May-2025
Goindwal Sahib police on May 13 arrested an individual, identified as Pawandeep Singh and seized 10 grams of heroin from his possession, in Goindwal Sahib in Tarn Taran district.
13-May-2025
Chohla Sahib police on May 13 arrested an individual, identified as Balwinder Singh Mapi and seized 9 grams of heroin from his possession in Chohla Sahib in Tarn Taran district.
13-May-2025
Khemkaran police on May 13 arrested an individual, identified as Rajinder Kumar and seized 5 grams of heroin from his possession in Khemkaran in Tarn Taran district.
13-May-2025
Police on May 13 arrested an aide of slain gangster Sukhdool Singh Gill alias Sukha Duneke, identified as Lovepreet Singh alias Jando and seized one .30 bore pistol without a licence and the unregistered motorcycle, near Vidhata village in Tapa in Barnala district.
13-May-2025
On May 13, Sukhwinder Kaur, injured in the May 9 swarm drone attack by Pakistan, succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Ludhiana, Punjab.
13-May-2025
Police on May 13 arrested a spy, identified as Raqeeb, who was a tailor employed at the Bathinda Army Cantonment is suspected of operating there, and seized a phone from his possession, in Bathinda in Bathinda district. This marks the second espionage case from the cantonment, following the earlier arrest of a cobbler on similar charges.
13-May-2025
Ludhiana police on May 13 launched a pre-dawn raid in Mohalla Peeru Banda, a known drug hotspot, arresting four drug peddlers—Sahil, Sanjeev Kumar (Sonu), Raju, and Mehakpreet (Vicky Bath)—and seizing 365 grams of heroin in Ludhiana district. Five additional individuals were taken into preventive custody.
13-May-2025
Ludhiana Rural Police on May 13 arrested eleven unidentified individuals and seized 18 grams of heroin, 169 intoxicating pills, and 35 capsules. The operation was carried out across Ramgarh Bhullar, Mandiani, Akalgarh, Bajigar Basti, and Jodhan villages in Ludhiana district, Punjab.
13-May-2025
Punjab Police on May 13 busted a well-organised drug smuggling racket operating from Sangrur Jail and arrested 19 individuals, including the jail’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (Security) Gurpreet Singh, jail employee Parshant, drug smuggler Manpreet Singh, inmate Gurchet’s mother Banto alias Banso, and 15 inmates and seized 12 grams of heroin, 50 grams of opium, 12 mobile phones, four smartwatches, and other contraband from the jail premises in Sangrur district, Punjab.
12-May-2025
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on May 12 warned Pakistan that India has only "paused" military operations, not ended them, declaring Operation Sindoor as the "new normal." His statement signals a tougher stance and India’s resolve to counter cross-border threats decisively.
12-May-2025
On May 12, drone sightings were reported near the Suranussi ammunition dump in Jalandhar district, Punjab, prompting the district administration to order a partial blackout. Power was cut by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited in areas around Suranussi, Jalandhar Cantonment, and nearby localities. Deputy Commissioners of Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur assured the public there was no cause for panic, as Army officials maintained regular vigilance. The sound of explosions in nearby villages was later attributed to miscreants bursting crackers.
12-May-2025
On May 12, a half-burnt missile was found in the generator room of Markfed Canneries at Chuharwali village, Jalandhar district. It had pierced the shed but caused minimal damage, having been intercepted earlier. Markfed employees alerted authorities, and police, along with Army and Air Force teams, safely defused it.
12-May-2025
The Crime Branch of the UT Police on May 12 arrested Harwant Singh alias Harry, a key operative of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and seized a pistol along with three cartridges from the Daria village area in Chandigarh. Harwant is linked to the gangster-terrorist nexus involving Happy Passia, Manu Agwan, and Pakistan-based Harwinder Rinda. He had recruited two gangsters who were arrested on May 8 with an improvised explosive device (IED). Acting as a logistics conduit in the terror-crime network, Harwant is now in police custody, with authorities seeking his remand for further investigation into his associates and arms supply links.
12-May-2025
A tussle for control of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) has erupted following the nomination of nine co-opted members, bringing the total strength to 49. Two main factions—one led by Baldev Singh Kaimpuri and the other by Jagdish Jhinda—are vying for dominance. The Jhinda-Daduwal group claims majority support and the backing of the state government, while Kaimpuri’s faction is supported by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The oath-taking ceremony and the appointment of an officiating president are scheduled for May 13, after which the power struggle is expected to escalate.
12-May-2025
Former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) S.S. Virk on May 12 praised the Centre’s decision to launch Operation Sindoor in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, calling it “absolutely appropriate.” Emphasising the need for a firm stance, he stated, “A bullet for a bullet — this is the real response,” underscoring that only strong retaliation can deter terrorist outfits. Virk also criticised Pakistan for sheltering and glorifying terrorists and drew parallels with the 2008 Mumbai attacks, asserting that India’s tough response is essential to safeguard Kashmir’s peace and development.
12-May-2025
Fazilka Police on May 12 arrested three unidentified drug smugglers and seized 60,000 tramadol (100mg) tablets along with a vehicle in Jalalabad, Fazilka district. According to the police, further investigation is underway to trace the backward and forward linkages of the drug syndicate.
12-May-2025
Punjab Police on May 12 busted a drug cartel linked to Turkey-based smuggler Navpreet Singh alias Nav Bhullar and arrested three of its operatives, Gurdeep Singh alias Saab, Pardeep Sharma, and Mani Sharma, and seized 1.01 kg of heroin, INR 1.06 crore in hawala money (including INR 84.02 lakh in cash and INR 22 lakh in frozen bank accounts), a cash counting machine, and a car from their possession in Amritsar district. Gurdeep was reportedly operating the cartel under Bhullar’s directions. Further investigation is underway to uncover the broader network.
12-May-2025
In a joint operation with the Counter Intelligence (CI) unit of Punjab Police, Patiala Police on May 12 arrested three members of an international drug syndicate—Amarjit Singh, Harmanjit Singh, and Harpreet Singh—and seized 15.680 kg of opium along with INR 2.30 lakh in cash from their possession in Sangrur district. The accused had reportedly sourced the contraband from Imphal in Manipur and Assam, indicating an active drug supply route from the Northeast to Punjab. Further investigation is underway to trace the full extent of the network.
12-May-2025
On May 12, marking day 72 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” (War against Drugs) campaign, Punjab Police arrested 133 drug smugglers, registered 89 First Information Reports (FIRs) and seized 2.2 kg of heroin, 54 kg of poppy husk, 73,000 intoxicant pills, and INR 13.22 lakh in drug money across Punjab.
12-May-2025
As of May 12, the Punjab Police had completed 72 days of its ongoing anti-narcotics drive 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' (War Against Drugs), during which it registered 6,280 First Information Reports (FIRs), arrested 10,444 drug smugglers, and seized 398 kg of heroin, 186 kg of opium, 117 quintals of poppy husk, 8 kg of charas, 135 kg of ganja, 2.5 kg of ICE, 1.2 kg of cocaine, 23.57 lakh intoxicant pills and tablets, and INR 8.58 crore in drug money across Punjab since March 1.
11-May-2025
Sadar Police on May 11 arrested two individuals, identified as Stalinjit Singh and Varinder Singh, and seized 46 grams of heroin from their possession in Patti, Tarn Taran district.
11-May-2025
The Goindwal Sahib Police on May 11 arrested two individuals, identified as Satnam Singh Sanmo and Sona Singh, and seized 235 intoxicating tablets in Fatehabad, Tarn Taran district.
11-May-2025
Sadar Police on May 11 arrested one individual, identified as Jagjit Singh and seized 10 grams of heroin in Manochahal Kalan in Tarn Taran district.