KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
26-Feb-2025
The resurfacing of a 1999 resolution has intensified controversy over the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) questioning the authority of the Akal Takht Jathedar. The resolution, passed by the SGPC’s Dharam Parchar Committee, asserted that only the Sarbat Khalsa holds the power to suspend a Jathedar, not the SGPC. However, SGPC officials clarified that the resolution was rejected in 1999. The dispute escalated after SGPC leaders reaffirmed their authority to appoint and remove Takht Jathedars, drawing criticism from Sikh leaders and organizations like Chief Khalsa Diwan.
26-Feb-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on February 26 shot dead a Pakistani intruder along the International Border (IB) at Tashpatan Border Out Post (BOP) near Pathankot in Pathankot district. The intruder ignored multiple warnings and was neutralized by alert BSF troops. The identity and motive of the infiltrator are under investigation, and a strong protest will be lodged with the Pakistan Rangers.
26-Feb-2025
The Special Task Force (STF) on February 26 killed a wanted criminal and Lawrence Bishnoi gang member, Jeetu alias Jitendra, in an encounter in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Jeetu had a bounty of INR 1 lakh on his head and was involved in multiple crimes, including a double murder and contract killing. He was injured in the gunfight and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
26-Feb-2025
On February 26, Amritsar Rural Police launched a manhunt to arrest German Singh and Arsh Bagga, associates of foreign-based gangster Balwinder Singh alias Dony Bal, after their accomplice Rohit Singh was injured and arrested in a police encounter on February 25 in Mehta, Amritsar district, Punjab.
25-Feb-2025
Police on February 25 arrested Rohit Singh, an operative of gangster Balwinder Singh alias Dony Bal, while his accomplice, German Singh, managed to escape in the Mehta area of Amritsar district. The duo was wanted in connection with an extortion and firing case that occurred on February 13.
25-Feb-2025
Phillaur Police on February 25 arrested three female drug peddlers, identified as Anita Rani, wife of Mangat Ram; Rani, wife of Minda; and Preeti, wife of Harjinder, and seized 160 narcotic pills from their possession in Ganna Village, Phillaur, Jalandhar district. The arrests followed police intelligence on drug trafficking. All three accused are habitual offenders with multiple prior cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
25-Feb-2025
Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh on February 25 engaged in an online spat with an X user named 'Randomsena,' who urged him to say 'Khalistan Murdabad.' Singh responded by calling him an enemy of India and later revealed that a First Information Report (FIR) had been filed against the account.
25-Feb-2025
The Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi on February 25 sentenced former Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment in a murder case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Kumar, already serving a sentence in Tihar Jail for another 1984 riots case, was convicted of leading a mob that burned alive Jaswant Singh and his son in Delhi’s Saraswati Vihar. The court described his actions as "brutal and reprehensible" but considered mitigating factors such as his age (80 years) and health conditions in awarding a life sentence instead of the death penalty.
25-Feb-2025
Delhi’s Food Supply, Industry, Environment, and Forest Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on February 25 criticized the Congress leadership, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi, for their silence on the life sentence handed to former Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Sirsa stated that while the nation welcomed the verdict, the Congress leadership’s silence indicated their complicity in the violence. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring justice for the Sikh community and thanked Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah for reconstituting the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which played a key role in the case.
25-Feb-2025
Ludhiana city police on February 25 demolished the properties of a drug smuggler, identified as Sonu, as part of an intensified crackdown on narcotics trafficking in Talwandi village, Ludhiana district. Sonu and his family were implicated in six drug-smuggling cases.
25-Feb-2025
Ludhiana city police on February 25 demolished the properties of drug smuggler Rahul Hans as part of an intensified crackdown on narcotics trafficking in Dugri, Ludhiana district. Rahul was arrested in 2024 with over 41,000 illicit tablets and INR 2.15 lakh in drug-related proceeds. The demolitions were carried out under the supervision of Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal, who warned that 78 more identified traffickers could face similar action. Authorities have also sought municipal records to seize vehicles purchased with drug money.
25-Feb-2025
Punjab Police on February 25 conducted raids and search operations at 1,274 immigration firms across the state as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration. Special Director General of Police (DGP) (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, who oversaw the operation, reported that at least 24 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against defaulting travel agents, with seven arrests made. Police were directed to take strict action against agents violating the Punjab Travel Professionals’ Regulation Act, 2012.
25-Feb-2025
On February 25, the Centre informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that a 15-member committee, headed by Biplab Kumar Deb, has been constituted by the Lok Sabha Speaker to examine leave applications of absent Members of Parliament (MPs), including jailed Khadoor Sahib MP and Khalistani radical preacher Amritpal Singh. Amritpal, currently detained in Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA), had sought permission to attend parliamentary sessions. His petition argues that his prolonged absence violates his constitutional rights and could lead to his seat being declared vacant. The High Court adjourned the matter to next week after taking the Centre’s statement on record.
24-Feb-2025
Former Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Atishi on February 24 accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of harboring anti-Sikh and anti-Dalit sentiments, alleging that the new government removed portraits of Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Baba Saheb Ambedkar from government offices. She also criticized Delhi CM Rekha Gupta for failing to implement the Mahila Samman Yojana, calling the Prime Minister’s (PM) guarantee “false.”
24-Feb-2025
According to sources, the Border Security Force (BSF) has deployed additional personnel along the Indo-Pakistan border in Punjab and Jammu to strengthen the anti-infiltration grid and counter the smuggling of arms and narcotics through drones. The BSF’s Western Command, based in Chandigarh, has ordered the establishment of nine “strategic” headquarters in these regions, supported by a newly created control room for intelligence and operations. Each headquarters will have a senior commander and the commanding officer of the battalion deployed at vulnerable border posts. Security forces have also been directed to relocate maximum manpower from battalion headquarters to these areas.
24-Feb-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 24 directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), and police forces of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to cooperate in tackling the drug menace. The court rejected Punjab’s plea to modify an earlier order, stating that the investigation should remain with central agencies due to the severity of the issue.
24-Feb-2025
Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar issued an open death threat to Bollywood actor Salman Khan in a TV interview. He also admitted to orchestrating the murder of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, claiming it was necessary to "teach him a lesson." Brar stated that targeting Salman Khan remains a priority for his gang due to past grievances involving the Bishnoi community.
24-Feb-2025
Police on February 24 arrested two members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Avtar Singh alias Labba Baba and Ravi Kumar, and seized three foreign-made pistols (an Austria-made 9 mm Glock pistol and China-made Px5 and Px3 pistols), 20 cartridges, and a cellphone from their possession in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. Investigations revealed their direct links to Sachin Charewan, an associate of Lawrence Bishnoi.
24-Feb-2025
According to sources, Punjab Police have intensified security measures across Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts following a series of 12 grenade attacks on police stations and posts since December 20, 2024, claimed by Khalistani terror outfits Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). Security enhancements include corrugated metal sheets, barbed wire, armored tractors, barricaded approach roads, and heightened boundary walls. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav recently attributed the attacks to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), alleging an attempt to destabilize Punjab. Investigations have identified the masterminds, and efforts are underway to extradite those based abroad.
24-Feb-2025
On February 24, police revealed that a major network of agencies linked to Khalistani outfits, including the Khalistani terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), had been uncovered in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Operating in Puranpur, these agencies used fake documents to arrange visas for individuals traveling to Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). Investigations found that fraudsters ran these agencies, which were used by overseas operatives to transfer funds and facilitate illegal immigration. The network was also linked to financing militants and sharpshooters. Over 500 victims have come forward, leading to the registration of 55 First Information Reports (FIRs), 12 arrests, and the recovery of over INR 55 lakh.
23-Feb-2025
On February 23 in Amritsar, members of the Akal Takht panel overseeing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) overhaul met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, stating that the party was reluctant to cooperate with them on the membership drive. The meeting lasted an hour, during which they submitted a report on their three meetings held so far. The panel faced setbacks following the resignations of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami and member Kirpal Singh Badungar, though their resignations have not yet been accepted. The Jathedar assured them that the authority of the Akal Takht-constituted panel remains intact and that he would ensure the implementation of the December 2 edict.
23-Feb-2025
Batala Police on February 23 arrested Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Surjit Singh and his accomplice, Ankush Maini, for their involvement in an extortion racket operated by US-based gangster Gurdev Jassal, which targeted local businessmen and seized INR 82.23 lakh, a high-end SUV, and a .32 bore pistol from their possession in Batala, Gurdaspur district. Authorities stated that Surjit Singh had extorted over INR 2 crore before his arrest. A lookout circular has been issued for his two US-based sons, who are also allegedly linked to the racket.
23-Feb-2025
Police on February 23 arrested wanted criminal Maninder Singh Mohali, who was injured in an encounter during a weapon recovery operation, after he opened fire on officers, prompting retaliation, in Nadampur village, Sangrur district.
23-Feb-2025
Police on February 23 busted a heroin smuggling network operating along the international border (IB) and arrested Navdeep Singh alias Lovely, seizing 511 grams of heroin from his possession in Peer Ismail Khan village, Ferozepur district. His arrest followed the interrogation of Baljit Singh in Ludhiana, which linked him to a smuggling operation involving heroin drops by Pakistani drones. The Sriganganagar police had been investigating the case since June 15, 2024, after recovering 6 kg of heroin from fields near the IB. Navdeep has been remanded in police custody until February 27.
22-Feb-2025
Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Shashi Tharoor on February 22 criticized Canada for allowing elements within its borders to plan and execute violence in India, calling it "unforgivable" while speaking at the ABP Network's Ideas of India 2025 Summit in Mumbai, Maharashtra. He also condemned Canada’s failure to prosecute those responsible for the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing, which killed 329 people, mostly of Indian origin. Tharoor further accused the Canadian government of protecting Khalistani extremists and denying visas to former Indian military and police personnel, calling it an "insulting stand."