KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
04-Dec-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Naresh Gujral, in a recent interview with The Tribune, expressed optimism that Punjabis would forgive the party, drawing a parallel to how they pardoned the Congress after Operation Bluestar and the 1984 Sikh massacre. His remarks came in the wake of the Akal Takht’s ruling that found former SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and other party leaders guilty of violating the Sikh rehat maryada. Reflecting on the party’s recent penance at the Golden Temple, Gujral emphasized Punjab’s tradition of forgiving those who sincerely atone for their mistakes. While acknowledging the formidable challenge of rebuilding the Akali Dal, he underscored the importance of humility in the process. Gujral also highlighted growing frustration among Punjabi youth, particularly concerning the Centre's handling of farmers' issues.
04-Dec-2024
Jalandhar Rural Police on December 4 arrested two members of an inter-district extortion gang involved in an extortion attempt, identified as Gursevak Singh and Sunil Kumar, and seized one pistol, ammunition, a mobile phone with a SIM card, a car, and a motorcycle from their possession, near Saidpur Jhri village in Jalandhar district. The arrests followed an extortion attempt targeting a doctor in Nakodar, with investigations revealing the accused's involvement in multiple extortion plans. Further links to criminal activities are being probed.
04-Dec-2024
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on December 4 strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident. He stated that the attack was not just on Sukhbir but on a ‘sewadar’ fulfilling his religious duties outside the Golden Temple.
04-Dec-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on December 4 expressed concern over the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, calling it an insult to the Akal Takht. He urged the police to ensure the safety of Akali leaders as they perform religious duties in accordance with the Takht's directives.
04-Dec-2024
On December 4, former Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal survived an assassination attempt while performing penance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab. The shooter, identified as Narain Singh Chaura, a former militant wanted in Khalistani terror-related cases, was overpowered by a volunteer before he could inflict harm. Chaura positioned himself in front of Badal but missed the target when a volunteer pushed him as he fired. The bullet, aimed at Badal, struck a wall approximately six feet away from where he was seated. Badal escaped unharmed.
04-Dec-2024
On December 4, Narain Singh Chaura, a former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) employee, ex-militant, and key figure in the 2004 Burail jailbreak, attempted to assassinate former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab. Chaura, identified as a pro-Khalistan activist and a member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), has been implicated in multiple terror-related cases and was under surveillance by intelligence agencies.
04-Dec-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on December 4 condemned the assassination attempt on its leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, labelling it an attack on the sanctity of Sri Darbar Sahib. SAD accused Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa of shielding the assailant, Narain Singh Chaura, a former militant linked to terror cases. Party leader Bikram Singh Majithia demanded a High Court-monitored probe and criticized the Punjab government for security lapses, citing Chaura's movements in the area prior to the attack.
04-Dec-2024
According to sources, Narain Singh Chaura, a former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) employee and militant turned social activist, attempted to shoot Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, was known for his strong criticism of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) over sacrilege cases. In a Facebook post, he condemned the SAD, stating that its "sins" could not be undone and opposing efforts to absolve the party through symbolic punishments. Chaura had a history of militancy, with links to the Khalistan National Army (KNA) and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and was involved in the 2004 Burail jailbreak.
04-Dec-2024
The Muktsar police and the Counter Intelligence (CI) Wing on December 4 arrested four members of the Bambiha gang, identified as Gurjivan Singh, Maninder Singh, Surinder Singh, and Sukhpreet Singh alias Shampy and seized a pistol, four live cartridges, and a country-made weapon in Gidderbaha, Sri Muktsar Sahib district, Punjab. Gurjivan Singh, Maninder Singh, and Surinder Singh were arrested on December 2 with the pistol and cartridges, while Sukhpreet Singh, alias Shampy, was apprehended on December 4 with the country-made weapon.
03-Dec-2024
The Jalandhar Police on December 3 arrested four smugglers, identified as Palwinder Singh alias Sona, Amardeep alias Harman, Vishal, Balbir Singh alias Bira, and seized 150 narcotics pills, 50 grams of heroin, and INR 4,800 in drug money from their possession, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district.
03-Dec-2024
The Akal Takht's decision to revoke Parkash Singh Badal's "Fakhr-e-Qaum" (Pride of the Nation) title and impose religious punishments on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders represents a critical juncture for the party, challenging its moral authority in Sikh politics. Criticizing the SAD's failure to protect Sikh interests, the Akal Takht called for a comprehensive reorganization of the party, urging rival factions to unite and elect new leadership to rebuild trust and restore integrity.
03-Dec-2024
Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab's former Deputy Chief Minister, has been punished by the Akal Takht for "religious misconduct" during the Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) tenure from 2007 to 2017. He admitted to favouring Dera Sacha Sauda leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim in the 2015 sacrilege case, which led to violent clashes in Punjab. His punishment includes cleaning utensils and bathrooms and serving at the Golden Temple while wearing a plaque acknowledging his misconduct. The Akal Takht has also mandated reforms in SAD leadership within six months.
03-Dec-2024
Police on December 3 froze property worth INR 1.42 crore belonging to three drug peddlers: Rajwinder Kaur of Plasaur, Gurbhej Singh Bheja, and Jagrup Singh in Punjab. Rajwinder Kaur's property in Plasaur, Tarn Taran district, was valued at INR 66.40 lakh, Gurbhej Singh Bheja’s in Meharbanpura village, Amritsar district, at INR 35.80 lakh, and Jagrup Singh’s in Balia Manjhpur village, Amritsar district, at INR 40 lakh. The action involved the attachment of residences, commercial properties, and land, with notices affixed to their respective properties.
03-Dec-2024
Police on December 3 froze property worth INR 1.42 crore belonging to three drug peddlers: Rajwinder Kaur of Plasaur, Gurbhej Singh Bheja, and Jagrup Singh in Punjab. Rajwinder Kaur's property in Plasaur, Tarn Taran district, was valued at INR 66.40 lakh, Gurbhej Singh Bheja’s in Meharbanpura village, Amritsar district, at INR 35.80 lakh, and Jagrup Singh’s in Balia Manjhpur village, Amritsar district, at INR 40 lakh. The action involved the attachment of residences, commercial properties, and land, with notices affixed to their respective properties.
03-Dec-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on December 3 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 560 grams along with a drone from fields adjacent to Rattan Khurd village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
03-Dec-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint operation with Punjab Police on December 3 recovered a drone in broken condition from fields near Wan Tara Singh village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a DJI Air 3S model.
02-Dec-2024
Purnea Police on December 2 arrested Rambabu Yadav for allegedly threatening independent Member of Parliament (MP) Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav from Dumaria village in Bhojpur district, Bihar. Rambabu Yadav, who previously had associations with Yadav's Jan Adhikar Party, claimed he was offered INR 2 lakh to issue video death threats to the MP, reportedly to prompt an upgrade in his security. During interrogation, the police found no connections to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, and further investigations are ongoing.
02-Dec-2024
According to sources, the Indian government has blocked approximately 10,500 URLs linked to the pro-Khalistani referendum over the past three years under Section 69A of the IT Act, citing national security concerns. Additionally, over 28,000 social media URLs, including those from platforms like Facebook and X, were blocked during this period for fraud and other malicious activities. The actions were taken based on recommendations from intelligence agencies and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA).
02-Dec-2024
On December 2, a video surfaced on social media showing Khalistan leader and self-styled head of Damdami Taksal Rajpura, Barjinder Singh Parwana, issuing death threats against Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham, referencing the assassination of Indira Gandhi as a warning. The threats were reportedly triggered by Shastri's perceived remarks about the Golden Temple, although his supporters deny these allegations. The video has sparked widespread outrage, and complaints have been filed accusing Parwana of sedition and incitement to religious hatred.
02-Dec-2024
The five high priests on December 2 imposed religious punishment (‘tankhah’) on Sukhbir Singh Badal, directing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to accept his resignation as party chief within three days and conduct elections for new office-bearers within six months. Sukhbir Singh Badal was also instructed to perform ‘sewa’ at the Golden Temple as penance for his government’s shortcomings between 2007 and 2017, including its handling of the 2015 sacrilege incidents. Additionally, the Akal Takht revoked the ‘Panth Rattan Fakhr-e-Qaum’ title previously awarded to the late Parkash Singh Badal.
02-Dec-2024
A Delhi court on December 2 adjourned the hearing in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler to December 9, as two former police officials summoned as witnesses were unable to depose. The case pertains to the killings of three Sikhs at Gurdwara Pul Bangash, with Tytler facing charges of murder and other offences.
02-Dec-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, issued new threats via a video message on December 2, urging farmers to surround Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi during his visit to Punjab Engineering College on December 3 in Chandigarh.
02-Dec-2024
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to investigate threats issued by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to disrupt the All India Directors General of Police (DGP) and Inspectors General of Police (IGP) Conference 2024 in Bhubaneswar. Pannun reportedly sent threatening emails and audio messages to journalists in Odisha, prompting a high alert. Authorities suspect the involvement of sleeper cells, as the messages included text in both Odia and English, potentially prepared locally or with the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
02-Dec-2024
Fazilka police on December 2 dismantled an inter-state network of illegal opioids operating from Rajasthan, arresting an unidentified individual and seizing 1.71 lakh Clovidol-100 tablets in Khuian Sarwar, Abohar, Fazilka district.
01-Dec-2024
The Jagraon City police on December 1 arrested three persons, identified as Ravideep Singh alias Ravi, Amandeep Singh alias Jassu and Karan alias Nikku and seized 50 grams of heroin along with a Hyundai i20 from their possession, near Kothe Ath Chak village in Ludhiana district.