KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
29-Jun-2024
On June 29, a 24-year-old Punjab Police officer identified as Gursewak Singh was found dead in Kayampur village in Ajnala, Amritsar district, with his family alleging he died as a result of a drug overdose. His grandfather, Harbans Singh, claimed drugs are rampant in the area, and local authorities have failed to act against peddlers. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rajkumar stated that no syringe was found near the body and that the cause of death would be determined after an autopsy.
29-Jun-2024
Punjab Police on June 29 arrested two drug peddlers identified as Gurbhej Singh and Jaskaran Singh, and seized 6 kg of heroin along with three pistols, including a 9 mm Glock pistol and two .32 bore calibre pistols, from their possession near Bachiwind village in Ajnala, Amritsar district. The police stated that the arrested individuals were directly in touch with Pakistan-based smugglers who were supplying drugs across the state via drones.
29-Jun-2024
Punjab Police on June 29 arrested four drug peddlers identified as a father-son duo – Balbir Singh and Akashdeep Singh, along with Philpus and Jobanjit Singh, and seized 2 kg of heroin, INR 30,000 in drug money, along with a scooter and a motorcycle from their possession near Nupur village in Ajnala, Amritsar district. The police stated that the arrested individuals were directly in touch with Pakistan-based smugglers who were supplying drugs across the state via drones.
29-Jun-2024
The Jalandhar rural police on June 29 busted an interstate illegal arms supply gang and arrested two operatives identified as Sukhyad Singh alias Yaad and Jugraj Singh, seizing 66 kg of opium along with a car from their possession near Sappan Wali village in Abohar, Fazilka district.
28-Jun-2024
Following sightings of a suspected terrorist near the Kathua-Pathankot border, Punjab Police released a sketch of the suspect on June 28. Multiple police teams are involved in tracking the individual, who was last seen on June 27 and is believed to be affiliated with terror groups. Authorities have alerted local residents to remain vigilant and have provided contact numbers for sharing information.
28-Jun-2024
Punjab Police on June 28 busted a cross-border drug cartel operating in the border belt and arrested two individuals identified as Bachitar Singh and Sunny and seized 8.2 kg of heroin, INR 95,000 in drug money, and a Swift car from their possession in Amritsar district. Police stated that the drugs were smuggled via drones by Pakistan-based smugglers. Financial investigations are underway to freeze their assets and uncover the broader network of suppliers and buyers involved.
28-Jun-2024
Punjab Police on June 28 busted a cross-border drug cartel operating in the border belt and arrested Amandeep Singh and seized 1 kg of heroin and a Volkswagen Vento car at a checkpoint at Ranjit Avenue Bypass in Amritsar district.
27-Jun-2024
Representatives of the Sikh community from Haryana on June 27 requested the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) to ensure justice for victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and the 1987 Hisar riots, and demanded action against handles on X spreading hatred against Sikhs, as well as the promotion of the Punjabi language in Haryana. NCM Chairman Iqbal Singh Lalpura highlighted ongoing efforts to provide compensation to riot victims and mentioned he had asked the Chief Secretary to report on a hate crime in Kaithal involving a Sikh man being called Khalistani.
27-Jun-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) expressed concern over fashion designer Archana Makwana's recent social media activities, claiming they have repeatedly hurt Sikh sentiments. Despite her apology for violating the Maryada at Sri Harmandar Sahib, she continued to post objectionable content. The SGPC has demanded her arrest to investigate her alleged anti-Sikh agenda. Meanwhile, the SGPC suspended three employees for negligence, and a formal complaint has been lodged with the police.
27-Jun-2024
Mohali police on June 27 arrested three youths identified as Harvinder Singh, Ajvinder Singh alias Nag, and Santokh Singh, and seized 67 grams of heroin from their possession near Kumbhara village in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (SAS) district.
27-Jun-2024
A joint operation of the Counter Intelligence (CI) and the Bathinda police on June 27 arrested three shooters and close associates of gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, identified as Karandeep Singh alias Kannu, Raghuveer Singh, and Kulwinder Singh alias Bittu and seized three pistols along with six live cartridges, six magazines, and a Hyundai Verna car from their possession in Bathinda district.
27-Jun-2024
Police on June 27 arrested a member of a gang engaged in extorting money from affluent families, identified as Jagtar Singh, at a checkpoint on Fatehgarh Sahib-Chandigarh Road near Fatehgarh Sahib in Fatehgarh Sahib district. His accomplice, Gurwinder Singh, fled and remains at large. The gang, active in Fatehgarh Sahib, used threatening letters and surveillance on their targets.
27-Jun-2024
Fazilka police on June 27 arrested two persons identified as Sukhyad Singh alias Yaad and Jugraj Singh, and seized 66 kg of opium from their possession at a checkpoint near Dalmeer Khera village in Fazilka district. The police stated that they were smuggling the opium from Jharkhand, and their accomplice, Tarsem Singh, has been identified. The accused have been booked under Sections 18, 27(A), and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
26-Jun-2024
According to sources, Bhagwant Singh alias Pradhan Mantri Bhagwant Bajeke, an aide of Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh, is set to contest the Gudherbaha assembly by-elections in Punjab. This announcement follows Amritpal Singh's recent victory in the Lok Sabha elections from the Khadoor Sahib seat. Bhagwant Singh is also currently detained in Dibrugarh jail in Assam, alongside Amritpal.
26-Jun-2024
On June 26, Punjab Police, along with the Army and the Border Security Force (BSF), launched a massive search operation after a villager reported seeing two suspicious armed men near Kot Bhattian village in Pathankot district. The search, focused on the Bamial area in Gurdaspur district, also involved heightened security checks at bus stands and railway stations in Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts.
26-Jun-2024
On June 26, to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Punjab Police destroyed over 83 kg of heroin, 100 quintals of poppy husk, 100 kg of ganja, and 4.52 lakh pills and capsules across 10 locations in the state.
26-Jun-2024
Chief Secretary Anurag Verma, on June 26, ordered strict compliance with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's directives to curb the drug menace while chairing a state-level Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) meeting in Chandigarh. He emphasised targeting major drug traffickers and publicising Section 31 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act for habitual offenders.
26-Jun-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint operation with Punjab Police on June 26, recovered a packet of heroin weighing 580 grams along with a drone near Kalia village in Tarn Taran district.
26-Jun-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint operation with Punjab Police on June 26, recovered a packet containing 540 grams of heroin wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, along with a metal loop and an illuminating strip attached, near Noorwala village in Tarn Taran district.
26-Jun-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops conducted a search operation on June 26 and recovered a drone along with 510 grams of heroin in a packet tied to it, from fields near Barreke village in Ferozepur district.
26-Jun-2024
Amidst the ongoing crisis in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, while addressing the anniversary of the Akal Takht's foundation at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on June 26, urged Sikh political leaders to unite under the Akal Takht's guidance. He emphasised the significance of 'Miri' (temporal authority) and 'Piri' (spiritual authority) and criticised current leaders for looking towards Delhi instead of the Akal Takht.
25-Jun-2024
Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of Beant Singh, who assassinated former Indian Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi, took the oath as a Member of Parliament in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi on June 25.
25-Jun-2024
Khalistani preacher and Member of Parliament (MP)-elect and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, was unable to take his oath as an MP on June 25, when the oath-taking ceremony for the newly elected MPs from Punjab was held, due to being detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh jail in Assam.
25-Jun-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 25 announced a reward of INR 10 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of Harjit Singh and Kulbeer Singh, accused in the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Prabhakar in Punjab. The case, registered under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and Arms Act, pertains to ongoing investigations where both individuals remain absconding.
25-Jun-2024
On June 25, during a monthly meeting overseen by District Commissioner (DC) Pallavi and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Simrat Kaur, it was disclosed that assets worth INR 9.85 crore were frozen and INR 1.16 crore in drug money was recovered from 113 peddlers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Malerkotla district, Punjab. Additionally, 20 kg of opium was seized from 13 individuals in the district. The meeting, part of the Narco Coordination Centre Mechanism, emphasized the need for community engagement in combating drug abuse and discussed upcoming seminars and rehabilitation initiatives for the affected youth.