KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
20-Dec-2024
A retired Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), Om Prakash, was shot dead by an unidentified motorcycle-borne assailant near DD Mittal Tower on Multania Road in Bathinda district on December 20. The police revealed that the attacker chased Om Prakash and fired at him with a 12-bore rifle. Om Prakash succumbed to his injuries at the Government Hospital.
20-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Special Task Force (STF) of Punjab Police, on December 20 arrested cross-border drug peddler, identified as Gurjit Singh and seized INR 5 lakh in drug money, a Chinese .30 bore pistol, a magazine with three live rounds, and a motorcycle from his possession at Dalla Mallian village in Ajnala, Amritsar district. Gurjit, who had been under surveillance for a month, is allegedly involved in smuggling operations using drones.
20-Dec-2024
The Akal Takht, the highest religious authority in Sikhism, has imposed religious and political penalties on former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, along with other senior party members. It also revoked the "Fakhr-e-Quam" title previously conferred upon his father, Parkash Singh Badal. Sukhbir Badal had resigned as SAD president on November 16 after seeking religious punishment for the party's misconduct during its tenure. This development marks a turbulent phase for SAD, with questions arising about its future amid declining electoral relevance, challenges from new political players, and internal ideological divides. Experts suggest the party may seek to reconnect with its religious and cultural roots to regain relevance.
19-Dec-2024
According to sources, several radical Sikh organizations have opposed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's (SGPC) recommendation to the Akal Takht for the excommunication of former militant Narain Singh Chaura from the Panth. Chaura was allegedly involved in a foiled assassination attempt on former Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal during his religious penance at the Golden Temple on December 4. The SGPC passed a resolution seeking Chaura's excommunication, which is now under consideration by Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh.
19-Dec-2024
According to reports, terror groups, often backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and collaborating with foreign-based gangsters, are attempting to destabilize Punjab by targeting police and inciting tensions. Recent arrests of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) members and gun-racket operatives underscore the threat, while incidents like the attack on former Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal outside the Golden Temple highlight the persistence of violent extremism.
19-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 19 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 580 grams from a farming field adjacent to Ballaharwal village in Ajnala in Amritsar district.
19-Dec-2024
On December 19, two brothers, Jashandeep Singh alias Danny and his juvenile sibling, were presented in court following their arrest for planting an improvised explosive device (IED) outside Ajnala police station and carrying out blasts at Gurbaxnagar police chowki and Majitha police station in Amritsar, Punjab. Linked to an Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed terror module involving Khalistani outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Harwinder Singh Rinda, they confessed to using explosives smuggled from Pakistan. The police recovered two China-made P86 hand grenades, a sophisticated pistol, and an IED during the investigation. Reportedly drug addicts, the duo were coerced into these activities in exchange for drugs.
19-Dec-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on December 19 suspended the services of Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and formed a sub-committee to investigate allegations against him in Amritsar, Punjab. The complaint, filed by Gurpreet Singh, accused the Jathedar of interfering in his marriage, resulting in separation, harassment, and job loss. The SGPC has temporarily assigned the Jathedar’s duties to the head granthi, with the investigation report expected within 15 days.
18-Dec-2024
The spokesperson of the United States (US) embassy in New Delhi stated on December 18 that the US is "firmly committed to the security and safety of all diplomatic and consular personnel" following a threat issued to Vinay Kwatra, the Indian Ambassador to the US, by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
18-Dec-2024
Samana police on December 18 attached property worth INR 25 lakh belonging to Manpreet Singh alias Money in Sher Majra village in Patiala district, Punjab. Singh, with six FIRs against him, including two for possession of commercial quantities of drugs, was targeted as part of an anti-drug peddling drive. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Guriqbal Sikand reaffirmed the department's zero-tolerance policy on drugs and pledged strict action against offenders.
18-Dec-2024
On the night of December 18, a blast occurred outside the Bakshiwal police chowki in Bakshiwal village, Gurdaspur district, Punjab. The Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) claimed responsibility in a social media post, attributing the attack to Jathedar Bhai Ranjit Singh Jammu and Bhai Jaswinder Singh Baghi. Initial forensic investigations suggest a hand grenade was thrown from an auto-rickshaw.
18-Dec-2024
On December 18, Sikh hardliners, supported by Dal Khalsa, assembled at Akal Takht to back former militant Narain Singh Chaura, who recently attempted to assassinate SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal in Amritsar. They protested against the SGPC’s resolution seeking Chaura’s excommunication and submitted a memorandum to Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, urging its rejection.
18-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 18 recovered a 4.840 kg packet of heroin from a farming field near Rajatal village in Amritsar district.
18-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 18 recovered a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from farming fields near Babe Dariya village in Ajnala, Amritsar district.
18-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 18 recovered a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from farming fields near Rajatal village in Amritsar district.
18-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 18 recovered a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from farming fields near Dhani Natha village in Jalalabad, Ferozepur district.
17-Dec-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on December 17 filed a chargesheet against Jaspreet Singh and Baljeet Singh, aides of Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), in a Punjab terror conspiracy case before the NIA Special Court in Mohali, in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
17-Dec-2024
According to sources, India is re-evaluating its visa and OCI policies following strained ties with Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India will continue denying visas to pro-Khalistani Canadians despite criticism, signalling a shift from its earlier efforts to reintegrate pro-Khalistan individuals, as it now prioritizes caution amid escalating tensions.
17-Dec-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Harjinder Singh Dhami faced backlash on December 17 after his derogatory remarks against former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur went viral. A group of women, including SGPC members, filed a complaint at the Akal Takht seeking his removal, while some SGPC members and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders defended him, citing his public apologies.
17-Dec-2024
Police revealed on December 17 that six terror incidents targeting police establishments have occurred in Punjab's Majha region since November 23. Terror groups, reportedly backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), are enlisting gangsters for these attacks, which involved explosives and weapons smuggled via drones. Several operatives, including gangsters and a juvenile, have been arrested, and grenades and pistols seized. Counter-intelligence efforts have pre-empted further strikes, with officials affirming their readiness to protect the state.
17-Dec-2024
On December 17, panic erupted in Amritsar's Islamabad area after reports of a loud sound near the Islamabad police station around 3:15 am, in Amritsar in Punjab. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar dismissed claims of a blast, stating that a heavy object likely fell on a temporary sentry post, causing minor damage. The incident comes amid a series of recent explosions and the discovery of an IED outside police stations in the Amritsar region.
17-Dec-2024
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav on December 17 visited Amritsar to review the law and order situation and held a meeting with officers from Amritsar Commissionerate, Amritsar Rural, Batala, and Tarn Taran. He stressed counter-terrorism, organized crime, and drug trafficking as key policing priorities, urging professional and scientific investigations to secure convictions.
16-Dec-2024
A Chandigarh court on December 16 sentenced Poonam, a 39-year-old woman, to 15 years of rigorous imprisonment for drug peddling, while her accomplice, Sandeep Khatri, received a 10-year sentence. The duo was arrested in January 2022 with 610 grams of heroin. Poonam, known as 'Bhabi,' has been linked to multiple drug cases involving her family in the illicit trade.
16-Dec-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, recently threatened Indian envoy to the United States, Vinay Kwatra, accusing him of collaborating with Russia to suppress pro-Khalistani Sikhs. Pannun also warned Russia of protests targeting its diplomats and missions globally, sparking speculation that Russia may ban SFJ and other pro-Khalistani groups.
16-Dec-2024
On December 16, a local court in Amritsar, Punjab, sent ex-militant Narain Singh Chaura, who attempted to assassinate former Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, to judicial custody until December 30. Police obtained CCTV footage showing Chaura with suspected accomplice Dharam Singh at the Golden Temple complex prior to the attack.