KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
24-Dec-2024
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leader of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), issued a video threat on December 24 to disrupt the Mahakumbh Mela 2025. In the video, Pannun declared that the 2025 Mahakumbh Mela will be the last one, and incited violence against Hindus on key dates, including January 14, 2025, January 29, 2025, and February 3, 2025 citing retaliation for the deaths of three Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) members in the recent Pilibhit encounter (Uttar Pradesh). Reiterating his demand for a separate Khalistan state, he urged his supporters to target the religious gathering, escalating concerns about security at the event.
24-Dec-2024
An investigation by ThePrint has revealed that Jagjeet Singh, a British soldier suspected of leading the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) module responsible for the December 18 grenade attack in Punjab, was formerly a member of the Indian Army. His elder brother remains in service with the Indian Army, while their family resides in Tarn Taran, Punjab. Singh is alleged to have collaborated with Pakistan-based KZF chief Ranjeet Singh Neeta and Greece-based operative Jaswinder Singh Mannu. Authorities are also examining connections between the KZF and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), with a focus on shared suppliers of weapons and explosives.
24-Dec-2024
Gurdaspur Member of Parliament (MP) Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, in a letter dated December 24, urged Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah to initiate a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the recent spate of bomb blasts in Punjab. Randhawa highlighted security concerns following the December 12 explosion at the Ghanian Ke Bangar police station in Batala, claimed by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). He emphasized the need for the NIA's involvement to ensure a coordinated and effective response to these escalating threats.
24-Dec-2024
The police on December 24 arrested four members of the Landa Harikey gang, identified as Kuldeep Singh alias Ladu, Yadwinder Singh alias Yada, Prabhdeep Singh alias Judge and Pawandeep Singh after a brief encounter, and seized one .32-bore pistol and live cartridges from their possession, in Johal Dhai village in Tarn Taran district. Investigations revealed that the seized weapon belonged to Pawandeep Singh, a serving Punjab Police officer, who had mortgaged it for drugs.
23-Dec-2024
The families of Gurvinder Singh, Jasanpreet Singh, and Varinder Singh, alleged operatives of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) killed in a police operation in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh (UP), on December 23 raised questions about the circumstances surrounding their deaths in Gurdaspur in Gurdaspur district in Punjab. The families asserted that the men were innocent labourers and expressed scepticism about official photographs, which purportedly show the deceased in the same outfits as during the encounter. These allegations have sparked controversy and calls for a thorough investigation into the incident.
23-Dec-2024
In November and December 2024, Punjab experienced eight blasts involving RDX and Pakistan-supplied Austrian-made Arges grenades, linked to ISI-backed terror groups Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). Police traced five cases, arrested several suspects, and dismantled 11 other modules. The grenades, likely from old Pakistan Army stock, were delivered via drones and deployed by handlers recruited through gangsters and drug smugglers. Investigations are ongoing in the remaining cases.
23-Dec-2024
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Special Task Force (STF) and Punjab Police on December 23 killed three pro-Khalistan terrorists, identified as Gurwinder Singh, Virendra Singh alias Ravi, and Jasan Preet Singh alias Pratap Singh, in retaliatory firing, and seized two AK-47 assault rifles, two Glock pistols, and a large cache of ammunition from their possession in Pilibhit district, UP. The terrorists, linked to the Khalistani Zindabad Force (KZF), were reportedly involved in a recent grenade attack on a police outpost in Gurdaspur, Punjab.
23-Dec-2024
The December 23 encounter of three Khalistani terrorists in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh (UP), highlights the Terai region's history as a safe haven for Khalistan sympathizers, officials noted. In June, Khalistani posters outside gurdwaras in Pilibhit and Bareilly signaled attempts to garner local support, especially during Shahid Diwas (Martyrs' Day) events. UP Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar reiterated the state's resolve to combat terrorism and uphold national sovereignty and integrity.
23-Dec-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on December 23 arrested Jatinder Singh alias Jyoti, a key aide of Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa and gangster Bachitar Singh alias Pavitar Batala, in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Jatinder, associated with the banned Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), was reportedly involved in procuring weapons from Madhya Pradesh (MP) and supplying them to operatives in Punjab.
23-Dec-2024
On December 23, an ambulance carrying the bodies of three Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terrorists—Gurvinder Singh, Virender Singh alias Ravi, and Jaspreet Singh alias Pratap Singh—killed in an encounter with Punjab and Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police in Pilibhit, met with a road accident in Rampur, UP. No casualties were reported in the incident.
22-Dec-2024
Punjab Police on December 22 busted a trans-border narco-smuggling module with the arrest of Sukhdev Singh and Avtar Singh in Mullechak village, Amritsar district. The operation led to the seizure of 10 kg of heroin and a Toyota Etios car. The duo, linked to Pakistan-based smugglers, had been retrieving heroin consignments via drones after their release from jail.
22-Dec-2024
According to reports, Punjab is experiencing a surge in Khalistani-linked unrest, with seven grenade attacks on police stations in the past month, including the latest in Gurdaspur. Heightened security concerns have arisen following threats to Punjab Police headquarters and singer Amritpal Singh Dhillon’s concert in Chandigarh. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has warned of further attacks by Khalistani groups such as the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Recent raids have uncovered AI-controlled explosive devices. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Amritsar, Gurjeet Singh Aujla, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, criticising the Punjab government’s failure to curb terror activities and urging decisive action to address the growing threat to national security.
22-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police, on December 22, recovered two packets of heroin weighing 558 grams and 613 grams, respectively, along with two DJI AIR 3S drones, from fields near Dal village in Patti, Tarn Taran district.
22-Dec-2024
The Supreme Court (SC) recently granted bail to a Punjab man accused of rape and allegedly using connections to jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi to threaten the complainant. The accused claimed he was falsely implicated by a police officer involved with the complainant, presenting WhatsApp chats and call records as evidence. His lawyer argued there was no proof of threats, asserting that the case was fabricated under the officer's influence.
21-Dec-2024
On December 21, sporadic violence during the Municipal Corporation elections in Patiala district left at least six people injured. Clashes between supporters of various political parties involved swords and stone-pelting, with voters facing intimidation from armed troublemakers. Incidents of vandalism and booth capturing were reported, and police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against outsiders, including bouncers. Opposition parties accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of inciting violence, but the AAP refuted the allegations, describing the polling process as transparent.
21-Dec-2024
On December 21, an explosion-like sound was reported outside the Wadala Bangar police chowki in Wadala Bangar village, Gurdaspur district. Although no evidence of an explosion was found, police noted shattered glass and a brick at the site. This incident follows a series of blasts targeting police chowkis across Punjab, with the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) claiming responsibility for earlier attacks.
21-Dec-2024
Punjab Police on December 21 busted a gangster module with the arrest of two members, Sunil Kumar alias Ashu and Dilpreet Singh alias Dil, along with two sophisticated 9 mm Glock pistols, four magazines, and 14 cartridges in Pathankot in Pathankot district. The accused had reportedly received the consignment in Amritsar and were tasked with delivering the weapons. Investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the weapons and identify additional suspects.
21-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on December 21 recovered one drone from fields near Rattankhurd village in Amritsar district.
21-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 21 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 545 grams from a farming field adjacent to Jhangar Bhaini village in Ferozepur district.
21-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 21 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 544 grams, along with a drone from a farming field adjacent to Daoke village in in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
20-Dec-2024
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in New Delhi, on December 20 stated that India has taken "seriously" the latest threat by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun against India's Ambassador to the United States (US), Vinay Mohan Kwatra. Jaiswal urged US authorities to take appropriate action in response to the threat.
20-Dec-2024
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written statement to the Lok Sabha (Lower House) in Parliament, on December 20 stated that Canada has provided "no evidence whatsoever" to support its "serious allegations" against India, in response to a query raised by Member of Parliament (MP) Manish Tewari. Singh criticized Canada's narrative as serving an anti-India separatist agenda and emphasized the need for mutual respect for sovereignty to maintain stable bilateral ties. He also highlighted ongoing security cooperation with the US and assured Parliament that measures would be taken to ensure the safety of Indian nationals abroad.
20-Dec-2024
The Supreme Court (SC) on December 20 directed the Centre to submit a fresh status report within two weeks on the implementation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report led by Justice SN Dhingra (retd) regarding the 1984 anti-Sikh riots cases. The Bench allowed petitioners to file objections and scheduled the next hearing for January 27, 2025. Petitioners raised concerns about issues such as the clubbing of hundreds of cases under a single First Information Report (FIR) and the lack of investigation in states outside Delhi.
20-Dec-2024
Mohali police on December 20 arrested five individuals, Jasdeep Singh, Manjit Singh, Pankaj, Aman Kumar, and Shiv Kumar and seized 30 grams of heroin, two pistols, three magazines, and 35 live rounds from their possession in Kharar, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
20-Dec-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on December 20 conducted a raid at the residence of Dalit labour activist Nodeep Kaur in Gandhar village, Muktsar district, reportedly in connection with the Lucknow terror conspiracy case. Nodeep’s brother, Rampal, claimed harassment and denied any links to the conspiracy, stating that his mobile phone was seized during the raid.