KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
07-Dec-2024
On December 7, Navi Mumbai Police registered a case against two men, identified as Happy Singh and Jaspal Singh, along with a gang of 10 others, for assaulting Sikh bhajan singer Lakhwinder Surjit Singh in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. The victim claimed the attack was retaliation for his support of Bhupinder Singh’s family, following Bhupinder’s 2016 murder. The assailants reportedly intercepted Lakhwinder’s vehicle, assaulted him with weapons, and coerced him into recording a video renouncing ties with Bhupinder Singh’s family.
07-Dec-2024
According to sources, the Border Security Force (BSF) seized 12,300 kg of narcotics between January and October 2024. Of this, 96% (11,866 kg) was recovered along the eastern India-Bangladesh border, while only 432 kg was seized at the western India-Pakistan border. Additionally, 257 drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were downed along the western border, and 194 Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended at the Indo-Bangladesh border during the same period.
07-Dec-2024
The Amritsar Police on December 7 announced an intensified investigation into former Khalistan militant Narain Singh Chaura’s alleged attempt to assassinate Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal. The police have been questioning Chaura’s sons, Jagjit Singh Bajwa and Baljinder Singh Bajwa, to uncover the motive and conspiracy behind the plot.
07-Dec-2024
The Punjab Police on December 7 attached properties belonging to members of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), identified as Inderjit Singh Bajwa and Ranjodh Singh alias Baba, in connection with the Batala shootout case. The shootout, which occurred on June 24, 2023, injured Shiv Sena leader Rajiv Mahajan and his relatives. The attack was allegedly orchestrated by Bajwa and Baba to avenge the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
07-Dec-2024
On December 7, a section of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) met Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, urging him to excommunicate former militant Narain Singh Chaura for attempting to assassinate Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.
07-Dec-2024
The banned pro-Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) announced a travel budget of INR 25 lakh to facilitate Sikh farmers to “seize the Indian Parliament” on December 13, coinciding with the 23rd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack. Farmers are protesting in the capital for various demands, including a farm loan waiver, pensions for farmers and farm laborers, no hike in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases etc.
07-Dec-2024
Top intelligence sources have described the banned terrorist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)'s call for farmers to “Seize Indian Parliament” on December 13 as "unwarranted" and a form of "foreign interference" that the Canadian government should address. The outfit has allocated INR 25 lakh for the protest, which coincides with the 23rd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack. According to the sources, SFJ chief and Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is receiving funds for every post against India and is now attempting to intervene in various matters.
07-Dec-2024
Jalandhar Rural Police on December 7 arrested eight individuals, identified as Kushal, Jatinder Singh, Hina, Jaspinder Singh, Surinder Singh, Jagjivan Lal, Suraj, and his wife Simran and seized 504 narcotic pills, 47 grams of opium, INR 1,500 in drug money, three motorcycles, and one luxury car from their possession in Phillaur, Jalandhar district.
07-Dec-2024
On December 7, a clash between two groups of convicts at Kapurthala Central Jail left four inmates injured. One critically injured inmate, Simranjeet Singh, was referred to Amritsar Medical College, while the others were treated at Kapurthala Civil Hospital. The altercation, which occurred around 8 p.m. in barrack 3/3, involved the use of sharp iron rods and was reportedly triggered by an old rivalry.
06-Dec-2024
The Amritsar Rural Police on December 6 arrested three individuals, identified as Makha Singh, Sajjan Singh, and William Masih and seized 5 kg of heroin along with a revolver from their possession near Ajnala in Amritsar district. Their accomplices, Harpal Singh alias Bhala and Gursewak Singh alias Sewak, managed to flee.
06-Dec-2024
The Special Cell of Delhi Police on December 6 arrested two shooters of the Tillu Tajpuriya gang, identified as Narender and Abhishek, following a shootout in Rohini, North West Delhi.
06-Dec-2024
According to sources, Narain Singh Chaura, a former militant arrested for attempting to assassinate former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, was active during the Punjab militancy. He admitted to receiving firearms training in Pakistan and claimed to have bribed the Punjab Police in 1997 to evade custody. As the founder of the Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA), Chaura has been associated with various separatist groups and radical ideologies. He has also authored books on Sikh history and militant activities.
06-Dec-2024
The Supreme Court (SC) on December 6 directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to respond to a plea by former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar seeking suspension of his sentence in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Khokhar, currently serving a life sentence, requested furlough citing his age, disability, and health issues. His plea was previously rejected by jail authorities. Khokhar has also challenged the high court's 2018 order upholding his conviction.
06-Dec-2024
Preliminary police investigations suggest that former militant Narain Singh Chaura, who attempted to assassinate Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal outside the Golden Temple, acted alone. Chaura, currently in a three-day police remand, fired at Badal from close range but missed, before being subdued by plainclothes policemen. A 9mm pistol was recovered from him, and authorities are investigating its origin. Police are also probing potential motivations for the attack, possibly tied to Badal's recent religious penance.
06-Dec-2024
The Amritsar Police Commissionerate on December 6 announced the arrest of 10 individuals, including four operatives backed by Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, United States (US) based gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy Pashia, Jeevan Fauji and Jashanpreet Singh, and seized a hand grenade, two .30 bore pistols, one .32 bore pistol and a drone from their possession, from Amritsar in Amritsar district.
06-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Punjab Police, recovered a packet of heroin weighing 562 grams from fields near Dal village in Tarn Taran district on December 6.
06-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 6 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 545 grams from fields near Thetharke village in Gurdaspur district.
05-Dec-2024
Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) of Punjab and leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), on December 5 continued his "seva" under tight security at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar district, Punjab.
05-Dec-2024
On December 5, Dal Khalsa organized a Panthic convention in Moga, Moga district, calling for unity among Sikh groups and cautioning against airing divisive issues publicly. Speakers criticized state policies targeting Sikhs and expressed support for former militant Narain Singh Chaura, who recently attacked Sukhbir Badal. They emphasized unity based on Sikh principles while urging accountability for actions disrupting communal harmony.
05-Dec-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on December 5 revealed that Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Jasbir Singh, who protected Sukhbir Singh Badal during the recent attack, was not officially on duty but had been sent to Amritsar to assist as a Gursikh. Majithia accused the Amritsar police of pressuring Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) staff to suppress CCTV footage that could expose security lapses leading to the attack. He also alleged that Superintendent of Police (SP) Harpal Randhawa maintained close ties with Narain Singh Chaura, a militant facing over 30 cases, and criticized police inaction despite tracking Chaura before the attack. Additionally, Majithia accused Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar of downplaying the incident under political pressure.
05-Dec-2024
The Counter Intelligence (CI) unit of Punjab Police on December 5 arrested three drug smugglers—Husanpreet Singh, Karandeep Singh alias Manna, and Maninder Singh—and seized 5 kilograms of heroin, INR 4.45 lakh in drug money, along with a white Honda Activa and a black Hero Deluxe from their possession in Amritsar, Amritsar district. The police acted on a tip-off regarding their smuggling activities, which allegedly involved consignments dropped by drones from Pakistan. A case has been registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
05-Dec-2024
Amritsar Police Commissionerate on December 5 dismantled a trans-border narcotics smuggling module, arresting three smugglers identified as Harpartap Singh alias Happy, Karandeep Singh and Jagpreet Singh, and seized 5 kilograms of heroin from their possession, near Verka bypass in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The suspects had reportedly received the drug consignment from an unknown source in the Fatehgarh Churian area. A case has been registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the broader smuggling network.
05-Dec-2024
On December 5, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the ‘Youth of Punjab’ campaign to combat drug abuse by encouraging youth participation in sports. Conceived by Sukhwinder Singh Bindra, the campaign will be inaugurated on January 11 in Ludhiana by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Union Government ministers. The initiative aims to foster sportsmanship in over 12,500 villages and 100 urban areas, with plans to distribute sports kits to clubs and institutions.
05-Dec-2024
On December 5, a day after the attack on former Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) of Punjab and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, Khalistani ex-militant Narain Singh Chaura was produced in the Amritsar district court. The court granted a three-day remand for his interrogation. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, focusing on Chaura's radical affiliations and the source of the weapon used in the attack.
05-Dec-2024
The December 4 attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal is not the first instance of violence targeting the Badal family in recent years. On August 28, 2021, a man hurled a shoe at Sukhbir during a political rally in Amritsar, though it missed him. In February 2021, his SUV was pelted with bricks and stones during a clash between Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress workers in Jalalabad. Earlier, in January 2017, then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was struck by a shoe, resulting in mild swelling. However, none of these incidents have been as severe as the recent assassination attempt.