KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
05-Apr-2025
Khalistani terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) on April 5 claimed responsibility for a grenade attack on the Jeengarh police post in Kaithal district, Haryana, near the Punjab border. The group posted on Facebook, calling it retaliation for alleged atrocities against Sikhs and warning of more attacks. However, local police have found no physical evidence of the incident and suspect it may be a rumour. Investigations are ongoing, and security has been heightened along the Haryana-Punjab border.
05-Apr-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on April 5 expressed concern over the declining number of Punjabi youths joining the Army’s Sikh Regiment, attributing it to rising migration and drug abuse, while speaking at an event in Phillaur, Jalandhar district. He noted that the Army's Western Command had raised the issue and sought the state’s support, assuring that his government would take steps to preserve the proud legacy of the Sikh Regiment.
05-Apr-2025
Several Sikh organisations on April 5 voiced strong opposition to the upcoming ‘Pride Parade 2025’ planned by the LGBTQ community in Rose Garden, Amritsar, on April 27. Citing the religious sanctity of the city, particularly its association with Sri Darbar Sahib, they demanded a ban on the event. Local leader Paramjit Singh Akali termed the parade a “conspiracy” to disturb Punjab’s social fabric and urged Sikh groups to meet the police commissioner to register their formal protest.
05-Apr-2025
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, officiating chief priest of Akal Takht, on April 5 urged the Centre and Punjab governments to enact a special law to deal strictly with cases of desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. After visiting a protest site in Samana, Patiala, he expressed concern over recurring incidents of sacrilege and criticised political parties for their inaction. He demanded the harshest punishment for offenders and recommended similar legal protections for all religious scriptures to maintain communal harmony.
04-Apr-2025
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura on April 4 in Chandigarh strongly condemned Khalistani supporter Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for making derogatory remarks against Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, stating that such hate-filled individuals do not represent Sikh values, which are rooted in peace and universal welfare. He warned Pannun against provoking people from abroad and vowed to uphold Ambedkar’s legacy on April 14 by ensuring the protection of his statues across Punjab.
04-Apr-2025
Punjab is witnessing record-breaking drug-related arrests this year, with enforcement efforts intensifying sharply following the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Delhi Assembly poll debacle. Police have arrested an average of 64 suspects daily—totalling 5,835 by March 31—surpassing the previous record of 47 daily arrests (17,001 total) set in 2014. The ongoing 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' (War Against Drugs) operation alone resulted in 4,706 arrests in March. AAP spokesperson and Member of Parliament Malvinder Jit Singh Kang defended the crackdown, while Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson Dr. Daljeet Cheema dismissed the arrests as 'political theatre.'
04-Apr-2025
vSenior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal recently moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging police bias and political interference in the investigation of the December 4, 2024 assassination attempt on him in Amritsar, Punjab. Badal was attacked by former militant and Khalistan supporter Narain Singh Chaura while performing sewa at the Golden Temple. His security personnel foiled the attempt, but Badal claims the investigation was delayed and weakened. He is seeking an independent probe, as the accused was granted bail due to alleged lapses in the investigation. The High Court has directed the Punjab government to respond by April 30.
04-Apr-2025
Sikh radical leaders on April 4 bestowed a siropa (robe of honour) upon Gurmeet Kaur, wife of deceased Khalistani terrorist and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) deputy chief Mehal Singh Babbar, during a bhog ceremony at Gurdwara Baba Gurbaksh Singh Shaheed in Amritsar. Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj was prevented from performing the honour by radical leader Jarnail Singh Sakhira, who claimed Gargaj was not recognised as the community’s jathedar.
04-Apr-2025
Former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh GK on April 4 informed a Delhi court that he received a pen drive in 2018 allegedly containing a recording of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler confessing to involvement in the killing of 100 Sikhs during the 1984 riots in New Delhi. GK stated that the pen drive, played at the DSGMC office, featured Tytler making explosive claims, including political favours and financial dealings. The hearing was adjourned to April 21 due to GK’s health issues.
04-Apr-2025
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, while addressing Parliament, demanded a central probe into attempts to disturb communal harmony in Punjab by targeting statues of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar and temples. She criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for its failure to prevent or take action against repeated attacks on Ambedkar’s statues over the past three months. Badal highlighted that even after the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) claimed responsibility, no concrete steps were taken.
04-Apr-2025
As part of its “Yudh Nasheyan Virudh” campaign, Punjab Police on April 4 conducted raids at 469 locations across the state, arresting 46 drug smugglers, registering 30 FIRs, and seizing 643 grams of heroin, 450 grams of opium, 4,318 intoxicant tablets/pills, and INR 5,760 in drug money.
04-Apr-2025
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Rajasthan Police on April 4 arrested a key member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Aditya Jain alias Tony, in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Jain, who was extradited from Dubai, played a central role in the gang’s extortion and firing cases, operating as its overseas “control room.” He was wanted for managing threat calls and facilitating communication for gang members. His arrest followed a Red Corner Notice issued by Interpol, leading to his detention by United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities. His interrogation is expected to yield crucial information about the gang’s operations across Rajasthan.
04-Apr-2025
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Jalandhar Range, Naveen Singla, on April 4 announced that 56 statues of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in rural areas of Jalandhar and the wider Doaba region have been placed under strict surveillance following a threat issued on March 31 by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leader of the banned secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which coincided with the vandalism of an Ambedkar statue in Nangal village in Phillaur tehsil of Jalandhar district; in response, police have installed CCTV cameras, deployed Police Control Room (PCR) vans, activated night patrol teams and checkpoints, and engaged village councils (panchayats) to maintain vigilance, with 700 personnel and six to seven Gazetted Officers (GOs) remaining on duty across the Jalandhar Range.
04-Apr-2025
The Phillaur police on April 4 arrested two individuals, identified as Sukhveer Singh and Avtar Singh, for writing Khalistani slogans on the statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, and seized a motorcycle and four mobile phones from their possession, in Nangal village in Jalandhar district. Police stated that the accused were also involved in other provocative activities involving pro-Khalistan slogans and flags across multiple states.
04-Apr-2025
According to sources, Punjab is witnessing record-breaking drug-related arrests in 2025, with intensified enforcement following the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) poor performance in the Delhi elections; the Punjab Police have arrested an average of 64 suspects daily (5,835 by March 31), surpassing the previous record of 47 daily arrests in 2014, with 4,706 arrests made in March alone under the ongoing “Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh” (War Against Drugs) campaign.
04-Apr-2025
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on April 4 arrested Ludhiana-based drug kingpin Akshay Kumar Chhabra, currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam, in connection with a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Previously held by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for smuggling 2,000 kg of heroin into Punjab with the assistance of Dubai-based trafficker Haji Yusuf, Chhabra allegedly used shell companies to import drugs hidden in tomato puree and juice consignments and laundered the proceeds through real estate and liquor businesses.
03-Apr-2025
Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on April 3 stated that 70 percent of the drones entering Punjab from across the border had stopped arriving, as there was no one left on this side to receive the drug consignments, while speaking at an event held at the Punjab Police Academy in Phillaur, Jalandhar district. Mann emphasised that drug users would not be targeted, but strict action would be taken against drug peddlers, including the demolition of their properties.
03-Apr-2025
Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Dr. Sukhchain Singh Gill on April 3 announced the dismissal of woman constable Amandeep Kaur from service for her alleged involvement in a drug case in Bathinda district. It was also revealed that Kaur had violated the Punjab Police’s social media policy by posting Instagram reels in uniform, flaunting luxury items, and mocking the police force. Authorities have initiated an investigation into her assets to determine if any property was acquired through illegal means.
03-Apr-2025
The Operations Cell of the Chandigarh Police on April 3 busted an international drug peddling gang and arrested four individuals, identified as Akashdeep Singh alias Akash, Shamsher Singh alias Shera, and Gurlal Singh alias Lala and seized 297.40 grams of heroin, 100 cocaine crack balls (47.10 grams), one country-made pistol, INR 5,200 in drug money, a Swift car, and a drug weighing machine from their possession in Chandigarh. Investigations revealed that the gang was being operated from Goindwal Jail in Punjab, with Gurlal Singh orchestrating the network from behind bars. The gang was also involved in sending drug proceeds to Pakistan through hawala channels.
03-Apr-2025
The Operations Cell of the Chandigarh Police on April 3 arrested a Tanzanian national, Shufaa alias Shufee, and seized 100 cocaine/crack balls from her possession at the Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), Sector-17, Chandigarh. A resident of Uttam Nagar in Delhi, Shufaa is suspected of operating a drug network across the Delhi-Punjab region. Police revealed that she had been previously convicted in 2018 for possession of a commercial quantity of heroin and was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
03-Apr-2025
Police on April 3 arrested six unidentified individuals in connection with the vandalism of a statue of B. R. Ambedkar, and seized two vehicles used in the act, in Batala, Gurdaspur district. The incident occurred during the night between March 31 and April 1, triggering protests by Dalit groups. Investigations are underway to determine the motive and whether the accused were acting under instructions from others. This incident follows a similar case of vandalism involving an Ambedkar statue in Phillaur on March 30.
03-Apr-2025
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on April 3 informed Parliament that the government regularly monitors reports of persecution faced by Sikh communities in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He highlighted instances of forced conversions, vandalism, and intimidation, and stated that India raises such concerns with Pakistan through diplomatic channels. Singh also noted that 74 Afghan Sikhs were evacuated in 2021 under Operation Devi Shakti, due to the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.
03-Apr-2025
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on April 3 launched a six-day padyatra from the Kartarpur Corridor in Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur district, to raise awareness against drug abuse and unite organisations working on the issue. Emphasising the need for collective action, he urged all sections of society to support the government and police in combating the menace. Kataria also drew attention to challenges such as drone-based smuggling from Pakistan, describing it as a narco-terror war. The padyatra is scheduled to conclude at Jallianwala Bagh on April 8.
02-Apr-2025
Police on April 2 arrested a woman constable, identified as Amandeep Kaur, and seized 17.7 grams of heroin along with a Mahindra Thar vehicle (PB 05 AQ 7720) from her possession in Bathinda district.
02-Apr-2025
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state president and Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, while addressing the media in Chandigarh on April 2, announced that AAP volunteers will guard statues of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar across Punjab on April 14, in response to threats issued by banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Arora condemned Pannun’s remarks as 'derogatory' and challenged him to come to Punjab. He also highlighted Ambedkar’s contributions to the nation and accused Pannun of misusing Sikhism to spread hatred and division.