KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
03-Mar-2026
On March 3, Punjab Police, on day 367 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 87 drug smugglers, and seized 1.1 kg of heroin, 2 kg of poppy husk, 408 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 17,950 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
03-Mar-2026
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Fazilka, in a joint operation with the Border Security Force (BSF), on March 3 arrested a woman, Palo Bai, and her son, Gurwinder Singh and seized 3.230 kg of heroin from their possession, near Mohammad Pira village in Fazilka district.
02-Mar-2026
On March 2, the 41st day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 409 raids, arrested 132 persons and recovered five weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 71 individuals, while 116 persons were verified and released after questioning. Four proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
02-Mar-2026
On March 2, Punjab Police, on day 366 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 92 drug smugglers, and seized 1.2 kg of heroin, 3 kg of opium, 11 kg of poppy husk, 635 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 4720 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
02-Mar-2026
The Amritsar Rural Police on March 2 arrested three more suspects, Rehmat Ali, Sanjeev, and Gagan, in connection with the January 29 seizure of nearly 43 kg of heroin and a cache of arms, taking the total number of arrests in the case to nine, in Amritsar district. Deputy Superintendent of Police Dharminder Kalyan stated that the three were working as couriers in the illegal drug trade and were involved in transporting the contraband as part of a larger smuggling network. Meanwhile, the Police have issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against the prime accused, Karan Singh alias Karan Chheharta, a resident of Chheharta currently based in Dubai, who is believed to be the key handler behind the cross-border drug and arms consignment.
02-Mar-2026
In a joint operation on March 2, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Border Security Force (BSF) arrested a Pakistani drug smuggler, identified as Abu Bakar, and recovered 10 kg of heroin in the Khemkaran sector along the Indo–Pakistan border in Tarn Taran district. The accused allegedly crossed the barbed-wire fence and entered Indian territory. Authorities are investigating how he managed to breach border security. This is believed to be the first instance of a Pakistani smuggler being caught alive with contraband.
02-Mar-2026
Nakodar Police on March 2 arrested a man, identified as Inderjit Singh alias Indu and recovered 4 grams of heroin from his possession, near the Bilga bus stand in Jalandhar district.
02-Mar-2026
Police on March 2 arrested a man, identified as Abhishek alias Abhi, and seized 28 loose intoxicant tablets from his possession in Mohalla Guru Nanakpura, Nakodar, in Jalandhar district.
02-Mar-2026
Police on March 2 arrested an accused, identified as Gurdev Singh and seized 3 kg of opium from his possession, in Moga district. He had earlier been booked under the NDPS Act on August 9, 2025, when 265 grams of heroin were recovered from him, but was released on bail and allegedly resumed drug smuggling.
02-Mar-2026
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann stated in Chandigarh on March 2 that the state’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign has completed one year, claiming intensified enforcement against drug trafficking networks and higher conviction rates under the NDPS Act. He said the drive, conducted between March 2025 and February 2026 under a “zero-tolerance” policy, focused on dismantling supply lines and organised networks while encouraging public participation. Citing official data, Mann said 36,178 FIRs were registered against alleged drug traffickers during the year and 51,648 people were arrested. Enforcement agencies also seized 2,277 kg of heroin and more than 4.9 million intoxicant tablets and capsules, while INR 16.70 crore in alleged “drug money” was recovered. He added that properties linked to accused traffickers were seized or demolished, though no details were provided on the number or value of assets. On prosecution outcomes, the CM said the overall conviction rate under the NDPS Act stood at around 84%, rising to about 88% in 2025, attributing the improvement to stronger case preparation and enhanced forensic support.
01-Mar-2026
Rajasthan Police on March 1 launched a major crackdown on organised gangs and arrested 214 criminals linked to various networks, including the Lawrence Bishnoi and Rohit Godara gangs, across 19 districts of the state. The operation targeted gangs involved in illegal arms possession, extortion, and other criminal activities. Among those arrested were 11 reward-carrying criminals, 157 persons with pending warrants, and 46 other wanted individuals. Police also seized 32 vehicles and 19 mobile and electronic devices as evidence. A total of 1,276 criminals were identified for the special operation, including 383 linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi–Rohit Godara gang, 534 associated with local gangs, and 359 wanted criminals from other categories. Police teams conducted coordinated raids across the state to apprehend them. During the operation, Police also recovered illegal weapons and narcotics. In 30 cases registered under the Arms Act, 17 pistols, three country-made pistols, 14 cartridges, six knives, and six daggers were seized. In 34 cases under the NDPS Act, authorities recovered 1.166 kg of heroin, 8.544 grams of smack, 5.29 grams of MD, 300 grams of opium, 14.792 kg of cannabis, and 26.08 kg of poppy husk. Additionally, in Jhunjhunu district, Police recovered 8,153 opium plants during action against illegal opium cultivation.
01-Mar-2026
Mehatpur village Sarpanch (village head) and Jamhoori Kisan Sabha leader Mahinder Singh was critically injured after being attacked by alleged drug peddlers in Jalandhar district on March 1. According to family members and residents, four to five men, who had reportedly lain in wait, assaulted him with iron rods and sharp weapons before fleeing as villagers rushed to his aid. Locals allege the attack was in retaliation for his persistent complaints against “chitta” (synthetic drug) trafficking in the area, sparking protests outside the Mehatpur police station.
01-Mar-2026
On March 1, the 40th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 499 raids, arrested 179 persons and recovered four weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 80 individuals, while 113 persons were verified and released after questioning. Seven proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
01-Mar-2026
On March 1, Punjab Police, on day 365 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 86 drug smugglers, and seized 878 grams of heroin, 105 kg of poppy husk, 523 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 3720 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
01-Mar-2026
Police on March 1 arrested two members of the Bambiha gang, identified as Amandeep Singh alias Captain and Pavandeep Singh alias Billa alias Sunny, both residents of Faridkot district, Punjab and recovered 11 pistols and 22 magazines from their possession, in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. Preliminary investigations indicate that the weapons were intended for use in an impending gang war in Punjab.
01-Mar-2026
The family of Ranjit Singh—one of the three accused in the killing of an ASI and a Home Guard, who was allegedly killed in a police encounter on February 25—along with several organisations, including farm unions and religious groups, blocked the Pathankot–Amritsar National Highway (NH) on March 1.
28-Feb-2026
Unidentified assailants on February 28 fired seven to eight gunshots outside the residence of a veterinary doctor in the Mota Singh Nagar locality of Jalandhar district. Police have initiated an investigation into the incident. Later in the evening, another firing incident was reported outside the residence of the owner of Vardaan Hospital in Jalandhar district.
28-Feb-2026
The State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) on February 28 foiled a terror conspiracy by arresting two suspects and recovering a fully assembled RDX-based improvised explosive device (IED) weighing approximately 2.5 kg, along with a Glock pistol and four live cartridges in Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar district. Preliminary investigations indicate that the accused were allegedly acting under the directions of foreign-based handlers.
28-Feb-2026
Dal Khalsa has called on residents to assemble in Gurdaspur on March 1 to protest the killing of youth Ranjit Singh, which it described as a “fake encounter” by the Gurdaspur police, alleging that Punjab continues to function as a police state. Party leaders Kanwar Pal Singh, Paramjeet Singh Mand, and Paramjit Singh Tanda announced the protest.
28-Feb-2026
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand on February 28 stated in Mumbai that no country, including India, gets a free pass to engage in foreign interference in Canada. However, she declined to clarify whether she believes India is currently involved in such activities.
28-Feb-2026
On February 28, the 39th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 548 raids, arrested 224 persons and recovered 17 weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 111 individuals, while 136 persons were verified and released after questioning. Four proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
28-Feb-2026
On February 28, Punjab Police, on day 364 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 89 drug smugglers, and seized 2.3 kg of heroin, 1.8 kg of opium, 1766 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 15,980 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
28-Feb-2026
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on February 28 arrested three persons, Gurpreet alias Billa, Lovepreet alias Love, and Satnam Singh alias Judge and recovered 3.230 kg of heroin, one 9mm Zigana pistol, one 9mm Glock pistol, and 32 live cartridges from their possession in Guru Ki Wadali, Amritsar district. Lovepreet was also wanted in a murder case registered at Lopoke police station in Amritsar Rural.
28-Feb-2026
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on February 28 arrested two persons, Manpreet alias Manna and Gurlal alias Dima and seized 205 grams of heroin, INR 4,500 drug money and a motorcycle from their possession in Amritsar district.
28-Feb-2026
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on February 28 arrested four persons, Gurpreet alias Gopi, Shankar Kumar, Anish alias Yakki, and Ravi alias Ganja alias Takla and seized 2 kg of heroin from their possession in Amritsar district.