KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
01-Mar-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General (Punjab Frontier) Atul Fulzele on March 1 in Chandigarh criticized the Punjab government for excluding BSF from recent discussions on drug eradication. He stated that since October 2023, BSF had submitted a list of 136 notorious drug smugglers for action under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, but no action had been taken. Fulzele also highlighted delays in installing Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras near the international border, affecting surveillance. He emphasized that while BSF’s jurisdiction was extended up to 50 km, it did not come with expanded legal powers, necessitating better coordination with state police.
01-Mar-2025
Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on March 1 stressed the importance of public cooperation in Punjab’s anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs), led by Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann. During his visit to the Model De-Addiction Centre at Government Rajindra Hospital and Saket Hospital in Patiala district, he reiterated that drug smugglers must either leave the state or abandon their trade, as the government was committed to imprisoning them. He assured that drug addicts would be rehabilitated and provided job opportunities to reintegrate into society.
01-Mar-2025
The Amritsar Police on March 1 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Karanpal Singh and Ranjit Singh, who were part of a trans-border smuggling racket, and seized 4 kg of heroin and a motorcycle from their possession near Jhabal Road in Amritsar district.
01-Mar-2025
The Ferozepur Police on March 1 arrested three drug smugglers, identified as Balkar Singh, Gurmeet Singh, and Lakhwinder Singh, and seized 2 kg of heroin and a motorcycle from their possession in Nehar Guddar Dhundi village in Ferozepur district.
01-Mar-2025
The Counter-Intelligence (CI) wing of Amritsar Police on March 1 busted an illegal weapons smuggling module with the arrest of Gurbaaz Singh, an associate of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, and seized six pistols smuggled from Madhya Pradesh (MP), in Amritsar district. Police stated that Gurbaaz is already facing eight cases related to attempted murder, snatching, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and violations of the Arms Act. The preliminary probe revealed that the firearms were smuggled from MP for criminal activities in Punjab.
01-Mar-2025
On March 1, a member of the Goldy Brar gang, identified as Malkiat Singh alias Maxi, was injured in an encounter while attempting to escape police custody at Bhankharpur in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Police stated that Malkiat opened fire, hitting a police vehicle, prompting retaliation, during which he sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg. He was taken to Dera Bassi Civil Hospital for treatment.
01-Mar-2025
The Mumbai Police Crime Branch on March 1 arrested Roshan Bhaskar Dudhwadkar, a member of a gang involved in illegally sending around 80 individuals to Canada, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Poland using fabricated passports and visas, in Mumbai in Maharashtra. Dudhwadkar was apprehended at the airport upon arrival from Bangkok and detained at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). During interrogation, he revealed that he worked for Rajubhai alias Rajesh Panchal, a Gujarat resident, who charged INR 30-50 lakh per person for illegal immigration. Police are searching for Panchal and other associates, suspecting airport staff involvement in the racket.
01-Mar-2025
According to sources, police are investigating whether jailed Khalistani radical preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh had access to gangster Jaipal Bhullar’s hidden funds, allegedly stashed in a foreign country and Punjab. Amritpal, detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam, was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on January 9 in connection with the murder of Gurpreet Singh Hari Nau. Gurpreet, former treasurer of Amritpal-led Waris Punjab De (WPD), was shot dead in Faridkot on October 9, 2024, after turning against him. Police suspect Jaipal’s money may have funded the murder, but officials remain tight-lipped about the probe.
01-Mar-2025
The counter-intelligence wing of Ferozepur Police on March 1 arrested a gangster, identified as Hardeep Singh alias Deepa and seized sophisticated weapons, including a Glock pistol, a Beretta .30mm pistol, a pump-action gun, 141 assorted cartridges of 9mm and .30 calibre, along with 45 grams of heroin and a Swift car, in Faridkot, Faridkot district. Preliminary investigations revealed that the weapons were sourced from Pakistan for use in terror and criminal activities.
01-Mar-2025
Amritsar Rural police on March 1 arrested two smugglers, identified as Jagtar Singh and Angrez Singh and seized 1 kg of ICE (methamphetamine) and INR 1.4 lakh drug money from their possession, near Attari village in Amritsar district.
01-Mar-2025
Frustrated by the delay in implementing Akal Takht's December 2, 2024, directives, a coalition of panthic (Sikh) groups, the Alliance of Sikh Organisations, urged Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on March 1 to summon former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal and other leaders. They also demanded a meeting of panthic representatives rather than just the five Sikh high priests. The groups submitted a memorandum calling for action against those allegedly violating the directives and raised concerns over the integrity of the committee overseeing SAD’s enrolment process.
28-Feb-2025
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on February 28 met Harjinder Singh Dhami at his residence in Hoshiarpur and urged him to withdraw his resignation as president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). Dhami had resigned on February 17 on ‘moral grounds’ following controversy over the dismissal of Giani Harpreet Singh as Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib. The Jathedar praised Dhami’s leadership and reiterated that the SGPC needed an esteemed figure like him.
28-Feb-2025
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government on February 28 launched the “War on Drugs” campaign, aiming to eliminate the drug menace in Punjab within three months. Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and a five-member Cabinet subcommittee, led by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, unveiled the policy in Chandigarh, focusing on prevention, enforcement, de-addiction, and rehabilitation. Officials were directed to target major drug traffickers, seize and demolish smugglers’ properties, and regulate private de-addiction centres. The government also plans to introduce special courts for speedy trials in drug cases and restrict government benefits for convicted drug peddlers.
28-Feb-2025
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on February 28 dismissed allegations blaming the Punjab government for drug smuggling from Pakistan, stating that the Border Security Force (BSF) bears greater responsibility for preventing narcotics trafficking across the international border. Speaking at a press conference in Chandigarh, he highlighted a 600% increase in heroin seizures under the current administration. Arora warned drug smugglers to either cease operations or leave Punjab, asserting that the newly formed Cabinet subcommittee would strictly enforce anti-drug measures.
28-Feb-2025
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on February 28 issued a final warning to drug traffickers in Punjab, urging them to either abandon smuggling or leave the state, during a press conference in Chandigarh. He stated that the Aam Aadmi Party government had intensified its crackdown on drug networks, seizing INR 612 crore worth of smugglers' assets over the past three years. Cheema reaffirmed that no individual involved in the drug trade, regardless of their influence, would be spared.
28-Feb-2025
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recently dismantled a narco-terror module linked to Canada-based Khalistani elements and arrested three individuals—Jashandeep Singh, Gurpreet Singh alias Malla, and Vishal Lala. Jashandeep, a Non-Resident Indian (NRI), was apprehended at Delhi airport while attempting to flee to Thailand. The operation, which began in late January 2025 with Gurpreet’s arrest, led to the seizure of 1.386 kg of heroin. The module, active in the Ferozepur belt, was involved in drug peddling, arms smuggling, and targeted killings, with narcotics and weapons smuggled via drones by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed operatives.
27-Feb-2025
The Punjab Government on February 27 constituted a five-member Cabinet committee to combat the rising drug menace in the state. Chaired by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, the committee includes New and Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora, Health Minister Balbir Singh, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar, and Industries Minister Taranpreet Sondh. Its primary mandate is to oversee the actions of the police and health departments in addressing drug addiction.
27-Feb-2025
Jodhan police on February 27 launched a crackdown against drug peddlers, arresting a smuggler identified as Tanvir Singh and seizing 11 grams of heroin and two mobile phones in Narangwal Kalan village in Ludhiana district. Acting on directives from Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the police also booked Balwant Singh and Kulvir Kaur for their alleged involvement in the drug trade, partially demolishing their premises. The crackdown followed threats received by whistleblower sarpanch Manjinder Singh, who leads the village’s anti-drug committee.
27-Feb-2025
Police on February 27 arrested six individuals in connection with pro-Khalistan slogans and a flag put up on the walls of a government school in Satauj village, identified as Jagraj Singh alias Soni, Gurmeet Singh alias Gitti, Amritpal Singh, Baljinder Singh, Baljit Singh, and Attarveer Singh, all from Dharamgarh village in Sangrur district. The police stated that the individuals were involved in the act under the direction of Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has been nominated as the seventh suspect.
27-Feb-2025
Police on February 27 arrested two operatives of the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as Mohit and Vishal, for their involvement in attacks in Jaintipur and Raimal and seized a .30 bore pistol from their possession in Batala, Gurdaspur district. While being taken to recover concealed arms, Mohit opened fire on the police and was killed in retaliatory action. A manhunt is underway for two more suspects linked to the blast cases.
27-Feb-2025
Former Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Kewal Singh on February 27 criticized the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for allegedly violating Akal Takht’s directives on party enrolment, further deepening the Panthic crisis within the SAD. He asserted that the enrolment, conducted by the Badal faction instead of the mandated committee, should be deemed null and void. Sikh intellectuals and former Jathedars have called on the Akal Takht Jathedar to intervene and uphold the sanctity of its directives.
27-Feb-2025
Ludhiana’s top officials—Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal, and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ludhiana Rural Ankur Gupta—on February 27 pledged a comprehensive strategy to combat the drug menace in Ludhiana district. The plan focuses on stricter law enforcement, rehabilitation, skill development, and awareness campaigns. Officials emphasized community involvement, including ASHA and Anganwadi workers, to identify affected families. Measures include strengthening de-addiction centers, enhancing rural sports infrastructure, and promoting employment opportunities for reformed addicts. However, critics have raised concerns over inadequate funding for rehabilitation centers.
27-Feb-2025
On February 27, police demolished a two-storey house belonging to a woman drug peddler, identified as Rinki, at Rori Kut Mohalla in Lakkad Mandi, Patiala district. Over 50 police personnel supervised the action, citing that the house was built using proceeds from drug trafficking. Rinki, who has over 10 First Information Reports (FIRs) registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act from 2016 to 2023, remains absconding, with raids ongoing to arrest her.
27-Feb-2025
Phagwara police on February 27 busted an illegal firearms racket and arrested three individuals, identified as Nishant Raj, Ashutosh, and J Mani Ratanam, and seized two 7.65mm pistols with 12 live cartridges, one .32 bore revolver with three live cartridges, and two empty cartridges in Phagwara, Kapurthala district. The operation is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal arms trafficking, with further investigations underway.
26-Feb-2025
According to sources, several Punjabis attempting to reach the United States (US) via the illegal ‘Donki’ route were recently deported on US military aircraft after spending Rs 40-50 lakh in hopes of securing asylum. A Trump-era executive order bars undocumented migrants from seeking asylum, leading to immediate deportations. Punjabis, including Sikhs and Hindus, form a significant portion of US asylum seekers, often citing religious or political persecution. Legal precedents from the 1980s continue to influence cases, particularly those linked to pro-Khalistan affiliations.