KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
18-Mar-2025
On March 18, during a Sampark meeting organized by Malerkotla Police along with the civil administration in Ferozpur Kothala village, Malerkotla district, 40 panchayats passed a resolution to jointly combat the drug menace.
18-Mar-2025
The Tarn Taran police on March 18 arrested three associates of gangster-turned-terrorist Lakhbir Singh Harike alias Landa, identified as Ajay Mota, Raunak and Deepak, and seized 500 grams of heroin and .30 bore China-made pistols from their possession, in Tarn Taran in Tarn Taran district.
18-Mar-2025
On March 18, seven petitions challenging the detention of radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh's associates—Kulwant Singh Rauke, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwala, Papalpreet Singh, Basant Singh, and Bhagwant Singh alias Bajeke—were withdrawn from the Punjab and Haryana High Court after the Punjab government decided not to re-invoke the National Security Act (NSA). Meanwhile, Amritpal Singh’s detention remains, with the next hearing scheduled for March 25.
18-Mar-2025
New Zealand Prime Minister (PM) Christopher Luxon, in an interview with The Hindu in New Delhi on March 18, emphasized New Zealand’s commitment to free speech while addressing concerns over pro-Khalistan activities. He also stressed the importance of security in the Indo-Pacific and reiterated that while New Zealand values multiculturalism, protests must remain within legal boundaries. Luxon further expressed optimism about concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India soon.
17-Mar-2025
The Assam Police, on March 17, handed over seven detainees under the National Security Act (NSA) to a 25-member team of Punjab Police in Dibrugarh, Assam. They are likely to be airlifted to Punjab on March 20. Four detainees—Gurmeet Singh, Bhagwant Singh, Daljit Singh Kalsi, and Basant Singh—were handed over on March 17 and 18, while Kulwant Singh, Harjeet Singh, and Gurinder Pal Singh were handed over on March 19.
17-Mar-2025
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on March 17, raised concerns over the activities of the US-based Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and its links with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) during talks with US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi. He urged Gabbard to designate SFJ as a terrorist entity and take strict action against its anti-India activities. The discussions also focused on strengthening India-US defence cooperation, including advancements in technology, interoperability, and joint military exercises. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic ties and expanding collaboration in key defence sectors.
17-Mar-2025
Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi met with New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on March 17, where he raised concerns over pro-Khalistan elements carrying out anti-India activities in New Zealand and urged strict action. The two leaders also signed a pact to institutionalize defence collaboration, including joint exercises and naval cooperation. Their discussions covered trade, education, and agriculture, with an agreement to initiate negotiations for a free trade pact. Later, they visited Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in Delhi to pay obeisance.
17-Mar-2025
Akal Takht officiating Jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, on March 17, took strong notice of a violent clash in Himachal Pradesh between local residents and Sikh Punjabi youth over flags bearing the image of Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to raise the issue with the state government and urged Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu to ensure law and order. He also advised Sikh youth to keep their vehicle documents in order and avoid traveling alone to Himachal Pradesh.
17-Mar-2025
Delhi Police on March 17 arrested a member of the Shibbu-Neeraj Bawana gang, identified as Shubham Kumar, and seized a .52-bore pistol with two bullets from his possession in Pul Prahladpur, South East Delhi. Shubham, who had been evading arrest by hiding in multiple states, was involved in extortion, property disputes, and drug rackets. He later admitted to working closely with key gang members to establish dominance in South Delhi.
17-Mar-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, on March 17, issued a stern warning to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), stating that the Punjab Police will take strict action against the ISI and the terrorists and gangsters it supports, during a press conference in Chandigarh. He alleged that the ISI is attempting to divert attention from the anti-drug campaign by orchestrating attacks in Punjab.
17-Mar-2025
The Moga police on March 17 arrested an operative of Bambiha gang, identified as Aman Kumar alias Amna and seized one .32 bore country-made pistol from his possession, near Ramuwala Kalan village in Moga district. Kumar, who had a criminal history of robbery and extortion, had recently fired shots at a Panchayat member’s house. When confronted by the Police, he opened fire but was injured in the leg during the encounter and later taken to Civil Hospital in Moga town, for treatment.
17-Mar-2025
On March 17, Gursiddak alias Siddique, a suspect in the Thakur Dwara temple grenade attack, was killed, and a policeman was injured in an exchange of fire on Airport Road in Amritsar, Punjab. His accomplice, Vishal alias Chui, managed to escape. The encounter occurred when police attempted to stop the suspects, who opened fire while fleeing. Efforts are underway to apprehend Vishal and investigate the broader network behind the attack.
17-Mar-2025
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh on March 17, demanded an investigation by a central agency into the series of grenade blasts in Punjab, alleging that a “grenade brigade” had emerged under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, worsening law and order in Punjab.
17-Mar-2025
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, in his meeting with New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon in New Delhi on March 17, raised concerns about "anti-India activities," referring to the Khalistan "referendum" held in Auckland on November 17, 2023. While PM Modi sought cooperation against separatist elements, PM Luxon stated that the Khalistan movement had not violated New Zealand laws and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to free speech. Both leaders also discussed strengthening bilateral ties, including trade negotiations and sports collaboration for the 2036 Olympics.
16-Mar-2025
Amritsar rural police on March 16 busted a narco-terror racket and arrested two hawala operators identified as Sukhjit Singh and Ranbir Singh, and seized INR 17.6 lakh and USD 4,000 (INR 3.47 lakh), along with a laptop containing crucial transaction records, from their possession in Chheherta Sahib in Amritsar district. The arrests followed the interrogation of two drug smugglers identified as Gursahib Singh and Jaswant Singh, who were caught with 561 grams of heroin on March 14 near Hardo Ratan village in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed the accused were facilitating illegal transactions linked to drug trafficking.
16-Mar-2025
Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema on March 16 while addressing the media in Chandigarh stated that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's anti-drug campaign is yielding significant results, with 1,572 First Information Reports (FIR) registered and 2,364 drug peddlers arrested, leading to the seizure of 90 kg of heroin, 51 kg of opium, 1,128 kg of poppy husk and 13 kg of ganja. And cash amounting to INR 63 lakh, from the possession of the smugglers, across Punjab. He also highlighted the demolition of properties linked to 33 drug traffickers as a strong deterrent.
16-Mar-2025
India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval held bilateral talks with United States (US) Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi on March 16. They discussed strengthening intelligence sharing and security cooperation in line with the India-US global strategic partnership. The closed-door discussions focused on intelligence-sharing and countering anti-India elements.
16-Mar-2025
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Border Range Amritsar) Satinder Singh on March 16 revealed that the Punjab Police will bring back seven associates of radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, identified as Basant Singh, Bhagwant Singh Bajekhana, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwal, Daljit Singh Kalsi, Gurinderpal Singh Guri Aujla, Harjit Singh, and Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal, from Dibrugarh jail in Assam to Punjab, as the state government has decided not to extend their detention under the National Security Act (NSA). They will face legal proceedings in the 2023 Ajnala police station attack case. Police stated that the investigation in the case is progressing, and formal arrests will be made upon their return to Punjab.
16-Mar-2025
Amritsar City Police on March 16 rearrested three accomplices of the recently arrested Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) module members—Gurbax Singh, Joban Singh, and Mandeep Singh, alias Bhola—from Amritsar Central Jail in Amritsar district. Their names emerged during the interrogation of Karandeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, and Sajan Singh, who were arrested on March 15 in Bihar while attempting to flee to Nepal. Police revealed that Bhola was the mastermind behind the gang’s cross-border smuggling activities over the past two years.
16-Mar-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) recently expressed displeasure over the Punjab government's inaction in providing information sought by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for an inquiry into illegal drug sales. The court stated that the state's failure was obstructing the court-mandated investigation and harming public interest. The inquiry was initiated following the HC's directive for coordinated action by the CBI, NCB, and police forces of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. The court ordered the Punjab government to submit the requested data, originally sought on December 26, 2024, within 10 days.
16-Mar-2025
The Amritsar district administration on March 16 announced that 715 panchayats have unanimously declared their refusal to support individuals involved in drug smuggling, theft, or other criminal activities. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sakshi Sawhney stated that panchayats have been urged to cooperate with the police and district administration in combating the drug menace. Various blocks, including Ajnala, Attari, Chogawan, and Majitha, have passed resolutions reinforcing their commitment to a drug-free Punjab. The administration has also introduced free treatment for drug addicts in rehabilitation centers and plans to construct large-scale sports stadiums in villages to engage youth in constructive activities.
16-Mar-2025
On March 16, a grenade was hurled at YouTuber Navdeep Sandhu’s house in Raipur Rasoolpur village, Jalandhar district. Pakistan-based gangster Shehzad Bhatti claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging it was in response to Sandhu’s content. The Jalandhar Rural Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Bhatti, stating the incident was linked to a rivalry between YouTubers. No explosion occurred, and the object hurled has been sent for forensic examination. Authorities are investigating the possible involvement of gangsters Zeeshan Akhtar and Happy Passia in the incident.
16-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 16 conducted raids at 424 locations across the state as part of the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” drive, resulting in the arrest of 63 drug smugglers, registration of 45 First Information Reports (FIRs), and seized 385 grams of heroin, 19 kg of poppy husk, 2,673 intoxicating pills and injections, besides INR 15,600 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab.
16-Mar-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) and the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC, in a joint operation on March 16 recovered 10 packets of heroin weighing 5.73 kg from near Natha Singh Wala village in Jalalabad West in Fazilka district.
16-Mar-2025
Ludhiana Crime Branch on March 16 arrested two criminals, after an exchange of fire, identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gaggu and Mandeep Kumar alias Mithu, and seized an illegal pistol along with live cartridges, a scooter and two mobile phones from their possession in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district. The duo, who had multiple cases related to drug smuggling and snatchings registered against them, attempted to flee when stopped at a naka and fired at the police. In retaliation, the police fired back, injuring them in the legs. They were taken to the Civil Hospital for treatment.