KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
09-Mar-2026
The Border Security Force (BSF) on March 9 shot dead a Pakistani intruder who allegedly attempted to cross the International Border in the Khemkaran sector of Tarn Taran district. The intruder was reportedly trying to secretly enter Indian territory when BSF personnel opened fire. During a search of the body, officials recovered some medicines from his possession. After completing preliminary procedures, the BSF handed over the body to the police for further action.
08-Mar-2026
Punjab Police on March 8 arrested Kulwinder Singh Kinda, a close relative of prime accused Mohabbat Randhawa, in connection with the January 10 Baddowal luxury car showroom firing, from Tharike village in Amritsar district. The arrest brings police closer to Randhawa, whose name, along with that of gangster Pawan Shaukeen, appeared on a slip demanding INR 2 crore in extortion that was left by the miscreants who opened fire at the showroom.
08-Mar-2026
A District and Sessions Court in Sri Muktsar Sahib district has granted bail to Preetpal Kaur, mother of fugitive gangster Goldy Brar, in a case related to an alleged INR 50-lakh extortion demand. She was released after furnishing a bond of INR 60,000. Preetpal Kaur and her husband, Shamsher Singh, residents of Muktsar town, were arrested from Amritsar on January 26. While Preetpal has secured bail, Shamsher Singh remains in judicial custody.
08-Mar-2026
An email bomb threat warned that the Secretariat building in Chandigarh would be targeted with a drone or car bomb attack during the ongoing Assembly session on the afternoon of March 8. The message referenced Punjab’s political leadership and international issues, and invoked the name of a group calling itself the “Khalistan National Army.”
07-Mar-2026
On March 7, the 46th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 471 raids, arrested 163 persons and recovered two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 76 individuals, while 116 persons were verified and released after questioning. Five proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
07-Mar-2026
On March 7, Punjab Police, on day 371 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 72 drug smugglers, and seized 2.3 kg of heroin, 7 kg of ganja, 109 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 1000 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
07-Mar-2026
Chandigarh Police recently filed a chargesheet in a local court against 13 accused allegedly associated with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in connection with the murder of Inderpreet Singh alias Parry in Chandigarh. Parry, once a close aide of Bishnoi, was chased and shot dead in Sector 26 on December 1, 2025. Police said the murder was the result of a gang war linked to the killing of Bishnoi’s close associate, Jora Sidhu alias Sippa, in Dubai in November 2025.
06-Mar-2026
Punjab Police on March 6 arrested two suspects in connection with the daylight murder of Harpinder Singh alias Happy, the sarpanch (village head) of Patto Hira Singh village in Moga district. Police have registered a case against four named suspects and seven unidentified persons in the incident. Following the registration of the FIR and the arrest of two suspects, the victim’s family ended their protest late on the night of March 6.
06-Mar-2026
Four unidentified assailants shot dead a sarpanch (village head), identified as Harpinder Singh alias Happy, in broad daylight at the main market of Baghapurana in Moga district on March 6. According to sources, the assailants fired multiple rounds at close range before fleeing the crowded marketplace. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Gandhi stated that preliminary investigations suggest the killing was likely the result of personal enmity, and that police were examining all aspects of the case. Multiple police teams have been formed to track down the suspects and the vehicle used in the crime.
06-Mar-2026
The Commissionerate Police in Amritsar on March 6 dismantled a cross-border illegal arms smuggling module by arresting five accused and one juvenile and seizing five sophisticated pistols, 34 live cartridges, and a sharp-edged weapon from their possession, in Maqboolpura area of Amritsar District. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with Pakistan-based arms smugglers through social media platforms and had allegedly coordinated the delivery and distribution of illegal weapons at various locations in and around the city.
06-Mar-2026
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on March 6 arrested four alleged drug peddlers, identified as Deepak Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Parmraj Singh, and Samir Singh and recovered 260 grams of heroin and INR 5.47 lakh in drug money from them near the International Border in Amritsar district.
06-Mar-2026
Punjab Police has invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against two of the three accused arrested for the February 22 murder of two police personnel in a border village of Gurdaspur district, citing their alleged links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Sources said investigators have nearly solved the murder of Assistant Sub-Inspector Gurnam Singh and Home Guard Kumar and are now tracing the money trail, as one of the accused, Inderjit, reportedly received funds. Preliminary findings indicate that financial distress and a quest for notoriety were key motives behind the crime. One of the prime accused, Ranjit, who worked in Delhi, reportedly suffered heavy losses in stock market investments. Inderjit, meanwhile, was allegedly seeking entry into organised crime and drug networks to “make a name” through violent acts. While Ranjit and Dilawar had no prior criminal record, Inderjit had two theft cases and one case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) pending against him. Police sources also indicated that he was a small-time drug peddler who had been in contact with smugglers in Pakistan.
06-Mar-2026
According to official sources, Indian intelligence agencies have warned of a possible escalation in violent activities linked to pro-Khalistan groups, including plans to carry out targeted killings in India and abroad. Security agencies believe that recent diplomatic efforts to reset relations between India and Canada have frustrated Khalistani elements operating overseas, raising concerns about possible retaliatory actions.
05-Mar-2026
On March 5, the 44th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 511 raids, arrested 207 persons and recovered two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 100 individuals, while 138 persons were verified and released after questioning. Five proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
05-Mar-2026
On March 5, Punjab Police, on day 369 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 73 drug smugglers, and seized 545 grams of heroin, 10 kg of poppy husk, 1515 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 3220 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
05-Mar-2026
The family of Ranjit Singh, who was shot dead by Police in an alleged encounter near Puranashala township on February 25, has refused to cremate his body, demanding murder charges against the Police personnel involved, in Gurdaspur district. Ranjit, was an accused in the recent killing of an ASI and a Home Guard jawan at a border check post in the district and was reportedly shot when he allegedly opened fire on Police. His family, along with several trade and farm unions, has announced a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office on March 9. Meanwhile, Punjab Police added charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) to the FIR registered in the killing of the ASI and the Home Guard jawan. The law allows for individuals to be designated as terrorists and permits extended detention without bail, often exceeding 180 days. Gurdaspur Police have claimed that the accused—Ranjit Singh, Inderjit Singh, and Dilawar Singh—had links with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
04-Mar-2026
Amritsar City Police on March 4 arrested a woman and seized 20 grams of heroin along with INR 1,120 drug money from her possession in Amritsar district.
04-Mar-2026
Faridkot Police on March 4 arrested a suspected smuggler, identified as Akash, and seized 2.064 kg of heroin along with INR 20,000 in alleged drug money from his possession, near the Chandbaja village bridge in Faridkot district.
04-Mar-2026
Faridkot Police on March 4 arrested Jagwinder Singh alias Kala, an associate of the Bambiha gang and seized three illegal weapons from his possession, in Faridkot district.
04-Mar-2026
Police on March 4 arrested a drug smuggler and seized 2 kg of heroin from his possession in Faridkot district. Preliminary interrogation indicated that the consignment was meant for further distribution, suggesting the accused’s links with a larger drug trafficking network.
04-Mar-2026
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Amanjit Singh, citing the 51st report of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Committee, in Ludhiana, stated that Punjab has around 7.4 million drug users, including about 700,000 in the 10–17 age group. He observed that the state is severely affected by drugs such as heroin, opioids, sedatives, and inhalants, adding that cocaine is also increasingly entering the state.
03-Mar-2026
Delhi Police on March 3 arrested Rohit Solanki, a member of the rival Rohit Godara gang, for firing at advocate Deepak Khatri, counsel for jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, at Kashmere Gate in New Delhi. According to investigators, Solanki was the key conspirator and one of the shooters in the February 24 attack, which occurred when Khatri was returning with friends after offering prayers at the Marghat Wale Temple.
03-Mar-2026
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch arrested a man, identified as Biswas, from West Bengal for allegedly sending a series of bomb threat emails in the name of Khalistan targeting schools and lower courts across Gujarat. He has been taken into remand and is currently being interrogated. Authorities said the accused sent multiple threatening emails to institutions across the state.
03-Mar-2026
The autopsy of Ranjit Singh, who was shot dead by Police in an alleged encounter near Puranashala township on February 25, was conducted at Gurdaspur Civil Hospital in the presence of the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) on March 3. His death has triggered controversy, with family members disputing the Police claim that he was killed in an exchange of fire. Earlier, members of the “Ranjit Singh Jhoota Muqabala Action Committee,” including his relatives, gathered outside the hospital mortuary, while the radical outfit Dal Khalsa called for protests over the alleged encounter.
03-Mar-2026
Delhi Police is investigating fresh death threats received by defence entrepreneur Sahil Luthra from international numbers, with the callers claiming responsibility for a past firing incident at his Amritsar residence and demanding INR 10 crore. In a complaint filed at the Chanakyapuri Police Station on February 27, Luthra, Managing Director of Vijayen Trishul Defence Solutions (VTDS), said he received two threatening calls on February 26 from numbers with Portugal and Germany country codes. Police are examining possible cross-border linkages and the potential involvement of banned outfits.