KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
05-Mar-2025
Punjab New and Renewable Energy Minister and Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) state president Aman Arora announced on March 5 that under the "Yudh Nashian Virudh" (war against drugs) campaign, Punjab Police registered 580 First Information Reports (FIRs) and arrested 789 drug peddlers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between March 1 and 4. Authorities also seized 74 kg of heroin, 19.5 kg of opium, and 77 kg of synthetic drugs, totaling approximately 170 kg of narcotics across Punjab.
05-Mar-2025
The Amritsar Rural Police on March 5 busted a smuggling network operated by a United States (US)-based smuggler, Jasmit Singh alias Lucky, and arrested one smuggler, identified as Sahilpreet Singh alias Karan, seizing 23 packets of heroin, each weighing 1 kg (totalling 23 kg), in Daspura village, Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations indicated that the consignment was smuggled from Pakistan, and efforts are underway to apprehend other individuals linked to the network.
05-Mar-2025
Police on March 5 arrested gangster Navjot Singh, a close associate of Lucky Patial, who runs the Bambiha gang, after a brief encounter and seized a country-made Sten gun, two magazines, and two additional magazines belonging to another firearm from his possession in Mullanpur, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Navjot, who had recently resumed illegal arms trafficking after his release from jail, was shot in the leg during the exchange of fire before being taken into custody.
04-Mar-2025
The new book Sikh Struggle Documents 1920-2022 by senior journalist Jagtar Singh highlights that the demand for Khalistan was first raised in 1940 as a response to the Pakistan Resolution adopted by the Muslim League. Comprising 181 original documents, the book traces the evolution of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), from its early role in the national freedom movement to its shifting political stance over time. It also examines how SAD’s 1946 election campaign, centered on a separate Sikh state, failed the democratic test, offering insights into the party’s changing identity and its influence on Punjab’s religio-political landscape.
04-Mar-2025
The District Court in Moga on March 4 acquitted Scottish Sikh man Jagtar Singh Johal in one of the nine terror cases against him, ruling that he was not guilty of conspiracy under India’s anti-terror law or of being a member of a "terrorist gang." Johal, who was arrested in Punjab in 2017, weeks after his wedding, has been accused of involvement in targeted killings linked to the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). Meanwhile, eight other cases against him remain pending in Indian courts.
04-Mar-2025
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on March 4 announced that the state police would soon be equipped with anti-drone technology to intercept transborder drug smuggling, speaking at a demonstration event at PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Cheema revealed that three companies showcased advanced anti-drone solutions to counter narcotics, arms, and explosives smuggling from Pakistan. He added that the Punjab Police, in consultation with central security agencies, would finalize the procurement of the most effective systems.
04-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 4 conducted extensive checks to combat the drug menace, and inspected 164 pharmaceutical shops and 524 locations across Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar, Jalandhar Rural, Jalandhar Commissionerate, Kapurthala and Rupnagar to prevent the sale of intoxicating drugs, and arrested 69 drug smugglers and registered 53 First Information Reports (FIRs). A total of 250 police teams, comprising over 1,900 officers under the supervision of 101 gazetted officers, also checked 627 suspicious individuals.
04-Mar-2025
Amritsar police commissionerate on March 4 arrested a father-son duo, identified as Amolak Singh and Mahabir Singh alias Goldy, and seized 3 kg of heroin and INR 5 lakh of drug money along with a .30 bore calibre pistol, two magazines with 15 live cartridges, a .306 single barrel Springfield rifle with five bullets, a fake arms licence along with a Toyota Corolla car from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The duo were arrested in a drug case registered with the Gate Hakima police station in Amritsar on January 20.
04-Mar-2025
Amritsar police commissionerate on March 4 arrested six unidentified smugglers and seized 1.65 kg of heroin, INR 82,300 of drug money, and intoxicants from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
04-Mar-2025
On March 4, the Centre informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the Lok Sabha committee’s recommendations on the leave applications of absent Members of Parliament (MPs), including Amritpal Singh, would be presented before Parliament on March 10. The 15-member committee reviewed the applications in a meeting on March 3. Amritpal Singh, detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam, has petitioned for permission to attend parliamentary sessions, citing his constitutional rights and constituency representation. He has also sought approval to meet officials regarding MPLADS for local development projects.
03-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 3 arrested 70 drug smugglers, including two after an exchange of fire, registered 48 First Information Reports (FIRs) and seized 4.63 kg of heroin, 500 grams of ganja, 100 grams of opium, 1548 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections and INR 1.32 lakh drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers across Punjab, as part of Punjab's anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh”.
03-Mar-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the Gauhati High Court’s Registrar-General to facilitate the service of notice to Khalistani radical preacher and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, who is lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam, regarding a petition challenging his election. The petition alleges that Amritpal concealed crucial details in his affidavit, violated election expenditure rules, and engaged in corrupt practices by seeking votes on religious grounds. It also raises concerns over foreign funding and the use of religious venues for campaigning. The petitioner seeks the annulment of the June 2024 election results.
02-Mar-2025
Amritsar Commissionerate Police on March 2 arrested a drug smuggler, Sahil alias Neela, after a brief encounter and seized a .32 bore pistol and a motorcycle from his possession near Palm Garden Colony in Amritsar district.
02-Mar-2025
The Kar Sewa sect of Khadoor Sahib organized its annual congregation on March 2 in Khadoor Sahib, Tarn Taran district, to honour the legacy of Baba Gurmukh Singh, Baba Sadhu Singh, Baba Jhanda Singh, Baba Uttam Singh, and other Sikh figures. The event featured a religious Diwan with Gurbani shabads by Ragi Jathas and a recitation of Zafarnama by Japleen Kaur. Pinderpal Singh delivered Katha, while Baba Sewa Singh honoured Sikh sect representatives with Siropas and urged the community to plant saplings to combat pollution.
02-Mar-2025
On March 2, Punjab Police conducted a massive anti-drug drive, raiding 510 locations and arresting 43 smugglers as part of efforts to curb drug trafficking. The operation led to the seizure of 776 grams of heroin, 14 kg of opium, 38 kg of poppy husk, 2,615 intoxicant tablets, and INR 4.60 lakh in cash across Punjab. A total of 333 individuals were arrested, and 27 first information reports (FIRs) were registered. Over 300 police teams, comprising more than 2,000 personnel, carried out the crackdown.
02-Mar-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann on March 2 described the state government's anti-drug drive as a "historic moment" during his speech at the passing-out parade of 2,500 recruits at a police training center in Jahan Khelan, Hoshiarpur district. He praised the intensified efforts of the police to dismantle supply networks and arrest smugglers. Mann vowed to eradicate gangsters and drug traffickers, accusing previous regimes of shielding criminals, and reaffirmed his commitment to making Punjab drug-free. He also highlighted the success of the Sadak Surakhya Force, which has contributed to a 48.10% reduction in road accident fatalities since its launch.
02-Mar-2025
A special court in Ludhiana on March 2 sentenced Punjab Police head constable Gobind Singh and his associate Nasib Singh to three years in prison for attempting to smuggle opium to Canada by concealing it inside hockey sticks. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) had intercepted a parcel containing 438 grams of opium at a courier office in Ludhiana in 2024, leading to their arrest. Investigations uncovered a broader smuggling network with links to Canada.
02-Mar-2025
The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on March 2 arrested two gangsters linked to the US-based Sonu Khatri Gang following a chase and gunfight, identified as Sukhwinder Kumar alias Sukh and Harpreet Singh alias Mamu alias Preet and seized two sophisticated .32 bore pistols, seven live cartridges, and a motorcycle from their possession near the Suchi Pind area in Jalandhar district. The accused were wanted in multiple criminal cases, including the April 2024 murder of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police Sub-Inspector Deepak Sharma.
02-Mar-2025
Kapurthala Police on March 2 launched a large-scale crackdown on drug-related activities under the Punjab government’s ‘Yudh Nashe Virodh’ campaign, conducting extensive raids in drug-affected areas of Kapurthala and Phagwara. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora stated that the police are implementing an "Enforcement, De-Addiction, and Prevention" (EDP) strategy, including surprise checks, criminal searches, and awareness campaigns.
02-Mar-2025
On March 2, members of various Sikh organizations, including Shiromani Akali Dal 1920, Alliance of Sikh Organizations, International Sikh Federation, Misal Sutlej, Darbar-e-Khalsa, and Giani Dit Singh Sahit Sabha, gathered at Akal Takht to perform ardas for the implementation of the December 2 hukamnama and demanded the excommunication of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders for defying a panel’s directive. Before the prayer, they held a demonstration outside the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar. A memorandum was submitted to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, urging action against SAD leaders. The Sikh leaders emphasized that Akal Takht’s authority stands above the Sikh Gurdwara Act of 1925 and must be upheld.
02-Mar-2025
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on March 2 strongly condemned the attack on two Sikh businessmen and the vandalism of their showroom in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan wrote to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, demanding swift action against the perpetrators. He emphasized that the attack included the forcible removal of a turban and urged authorities to add charges of hurting religious sentiments.
02-Mar-2025
Jalandhar Rural Police on March 2 demolished illegal structures belonging to two drug smugglers, Jasvir Singh alias Sheera and Bholi, in Khanpur and Mandi villages of Phillaur, Jalandhar district. Police stated that Bholi had been arrested in cases involving smack, poppy husk, and other narcotics, while Sheera was booked for smuggling charas and intoxicant injections. The demolition was carried out following a request from the block development and panchayat officer (BDPO), ensuring legal procedures were followed. This marks the seventh such demolition in Punjab since February 25.
01-Mar-2025
Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Raghbir Singh on March 1 rejected the membership drive conducted by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and directed the remaining five members of the seven-member committee to initiate a fresh enrolment process, in Amritsar, Punjab. The committee, formed on December 2, 2024, was chaired by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, who has now resigned. Other members included Kirpal Singh Badungar, Iqbal Singh Jhunda, Gurpartap Singh Wadala, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Santa Singh Umaidpuri, and Bibi Satwant Kaur. Singh stated that only Dhami's resignation had been received and that a coordinator would soon be appointed to oversee the process.
01-Mar-2025
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson RP Singh on March 1 in Chandigarh reaffirmed the party’s commitment to securing justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence, stating that the BJP would push for a death sentence for former Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Sajjan Kumar. He credited the verdict to the efforts of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah. Singh urged the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to appeal to a higher court and demanded action against Jagdish Tytler and Kamal Nath. He further alleged that Sikh riot victims were deliberately pushed into drug addiction to weaken their pursuit of justice.
01-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 1 conducted a large-scale Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at identified drug hotspots, resulting in the arrest of 290 drug smugglers and the registration of 232 First Information Reports (FIRs). The operation led to the seizure of 8.14 kg of heroin, 1.21 kg of opium, 3.5 kg of cannabis, 19 kg of poppy husk, 700 gm of charas, 16,238 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections, and INR 8.02 lakh in drug money. Over 900 police teams, comprising 8,368 personnel, carried out 798 raids across Punjab.