KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
17-Oct-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on October 17 recovered a shipment containing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along with RDX, batteries, and timers near Bahadurkae village in Abohar, Fazilka district. The shipment was reportedly delivered via drone from Pakistan.
17-Oct-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on October 17, arrested two unidentified narco-smugglers and recovered one packet of heroin, along with a smartphone and a motorcycle, from the Kassowal Bulge area adjacent to the Ravi River in Gurdaspur district, Punjab.
17-Oct-2024
Navi Mumbai police on October 17 revealed that they arrested a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Sukhbir Balbir Singh, alias Sukha, from Panipat in Haryana. Singh was contracted to carry out the assassination of Bollywood actor Salman Khan and was reportedly in contact with a Pakistan-based handler, planning to execute the assassination using weapons sourced from Pakistan. The police will also interrogate him regarding the recent murder of politician Baba Siddique, which is linked to the Bishnoi gang.
17-Oct-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami stated in Amritsar on October 17 that the resignation submitted by Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh has been outrightly rejected. This decision follows the directives of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, who expressed solidarity with Giani Harpreet Singh and warned that all Takht Jathedars would resign if the resignation were accepted. Dhami assured that the SGPC stands with Giani Harpreet Singh and will prioritize addressing his concerns.
16-Oct-2024
On October 16, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh resigned, citing mental agony due to alleged threats from former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, in Amritsar, Punjab. Giani Harpreet Singh stated that he could no longer bear the responsibility under such mental pressure, claiming he had received threatening calls targeting his family. Valtoha denied the allegations, suggesting that Giani Harpreet Singh was the victim of a conspiracy and challenged him to provide proof of his claims.
16-Oct-2024
The Health Department on October 16 seized intoxicant drugs, including 4,400 capsules of pregabalin and 4,200 capsules of gabapentin, from a medical store in the Katra Sher Singh market in Amritsar district. The seized drugs are valued at INR 14.80 lakh.
16-Oct-2024
Police on October 16 arrested six unidentified accomplices of the gang of deceased gangster Ashok Rathi and seized four pistols, a revolver, five magazines, and 35 live cartridges from their possession in Gurugram, Haryana. The suspects were allegedly plotting a kidnapping and robbery after their extortion demands from the Earth Movers Company went unanswered.
16-Oct-2024
Following Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau’s admission before the foreign interference inquiry that his allegation of Indian officials' involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was based on intelligence rather than evidence, Indian government sources criticized Trudeau for making public accusations without proof, stating that his actions had damaged relations between India and Canada. The sources added that, despite multiple requests from India for evidence, none has been provided.
16-Oct-2024
According to sources, when Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau appears before the commission investigating foreign interference, he may adopt a narrative similar to the 'good Taliban, bad Taliban' rhetoric, this time framing it around Khalistanis. A report from May 2024 indicated that India does not distinguish between lawful supporters of Khalistan and those engaging in violence, viewing all associated with the movement as a potential seditious threat.
15-Oct-2024
A Punjab Police inquiry recommended the cancellation of a First Information Report (FIR) related to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's second TV interview, though it concluded that he had engaged in criminal intimidation, classified as a non-cognisable offence, in a submission at a Mohali court in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, Punjab. The inquiry found no evidence of extortion or withholding information from the police.
15-Oct-2024
According to official sources, Canada has yet to provide concrete evidence to support its claims of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Despite Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's accusations and statements from Canadian law enforcement, India has dismissed these claims as baseless, labelling them as politically motivated.
15-Oct-2024
On October 15, hours after receiving a stern rebuke from the Akal Takht, senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha resigned from the party's primary membership in a video posted on Facebook. In the video, Valtoha stated, 'I humbly accept the order of the Sikh clergy as a devout Sikh,' and clarified that his resignation was voluntary to prevent placing the SAD leadership in a difficult position regarding the clergy's directive.
15-Oct-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) informed the Supreme Court (SC) on October 15 that operatives of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), based in the United States (US) and Canada, orchestrated the murder of Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a Shaurya Chakra awardee and teacher in Punjab, in 2020. In an affidavit opposing bail for two co-accused, the agency identified Canada-based KLF operative Sunny Toronto and Pakistan-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh, alias Rode, as the masterminds behind the killing.
15-Oct-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) was informed on October 15 that appropriate action had been initiated against delinquent officials, nearly 10 months after gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's in-custody interview, which glorified crime and criminals. The court was told that misconduct, negligence, and dereliction of duty by the concerned officials had been reported to the Punjab government.
14-Oct-2024
The Punjab Police stated on October 14 that Mohammad Yasin Akhtar, a suspect in the killing of former Minister Ziauddin Abdul Rahim alias Baba Siddique, is facing nine serious criminal cases, including murder and attempted murder, in Jalandhar district. Akhtar, a resident of Shankar village in Jalandhar district, is also suspected of having links with gangster Vikram Brar.
14-Oct-2024
According to sources, to combat the rampant drug menace in Sangrur, police have established 414 village defence committees (VDCs) since August 2024 and registered over 50 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Additionally, a ‘Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline’ has been launched to allow locals to anonymously report drug smuggling activities, enhancing community involvement in the fight against drugs. In the past week (October 6-12), 17 cases were registered, resulting in 18 arrests, alongside efforts to educate the youth about the dangers of drug use.
14-Oct-2024
On October 14, India withdrew six diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, from Canada, citing concerns over the safety of its diplomats. This move followed Canada’s earlier expulsion of six Indian diplomats, including the high commissioner, linking them to the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and accusing India of targeting dissidents.
14-Oct-2024
The Indian government on October 14 ordered the expulsion of six Canadian diplomats, including Acting High Commissioner Stewart Ross Wheeler, giving them until October 19 to leave the country. This move came hours after India withdrew six diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, from Canada, citing concerns over the safety of its diplomats, following Canada’s expulsion of six Indian diplomats. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) had claimed that Indian diplomats were linked to organized crime and violent acts targeting the South Asian community, further escalating diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
14-Oct-2024
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on October 14 issued a statement accusing the Canadian High Commission of advancing the political agenda of the Trudeau government and asserting India’s right to take necessary actions in response to Canada’s accusations linking Indian diplomats to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The MEA also defended Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, calling Canada’s allegations 'ludicrous,' and criticized Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his long-standing hostility towards India, referencing incidents from his 2018 visit. Additionally, the MEA condemned Canada’s failure to act on extradition requests for known terrorists, highlighting a concerning approach to national security.
14-Oct-2024
According to sources, incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is serving time for multiple crimes, has orchestrated several high-profile killings, including that of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, while attempting to extend his gang's influence into Bollywood, mirroring Dawood Ibrahim's operations. With a network of over 700 members, Bishnoi continues to control a violent criminal enterprise from behind bars.
14-Oct-2024
According to official sources, incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been implicated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in multiple high-profile cases, including his connections to the banned terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and arms smuggling from Pakistan, continues to run an extensive syndicate through henchmen and sharpshooters across several states in North and Western India. The NIA has linked him to various criminal activities, including extortion and a recent RPG attack in Mohali, while also seizing properties associated with his gang under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
14-Oct-2024
According to official sources, incarcerated gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his gang, which claimed responsibility for the murder of former Minister Ziauddin Abdul Rahim alias Baba Siddique, and operates in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, are expanding their reach into Maharashtra, using social media to recruit new members. Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Bishnoi, oversees the gang's activities from the United States (US) and Canada.
13-Oct-2024
According to sources, India has firmly conveyed to Canada that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cannot make unsubstantiated allegations against the Modi government regarding the murder of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar without evidence. India criticized Trudeau for issuing political directives to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), as discrepancies remain between Trudeau's allegations and the RCMP's ongoing investigation.
13-Oct-2024
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on October 13 summoned Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha for alleging on social media that the Sikh clergy was under pressure from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) to decide against SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Valtoha has been asked to appear before the Akal Takht in Amritsar on October 15 with evidence to support his claims.
13-Oct-2024
Amid ongoing controversy over an inappropriate video that surfaced in 2023, a couple has appealed to the Akal Takht for protection after facing objections from Nihang groups. The couple was criticized for posting 'indecent' videos on social media, which the Nihang groups argued violated Sikh principles.