KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
30-Jan-2024
The Amritsar (Rural) police on January 30 conducted a search operation based on a tip-off and recovered 5 kg of heroin and a drone in Sarangra village in Amritsar district.
30-Jan-2024
Tension escalated on January 30 after 'Khalistan Zindabad' posters appeared in local markets, sparking anger among Hindu organizations in Batala in Gurdaspur district of Punjab. Police initiated investigations and identified two suspects captured on CCTV footage. Hindu groups also called for a 'bandh' (strike) on February 1, raising concerns about potential unrest in the region.
30-Jan-2024
Indian intelligence agencies have uncovered the notorious Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International's (BKI) novel tactic of exploiting India's Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS) by colluding with tour guides to funnel illegal funds for terrorist activities. Despite individual transaction limits, BKI can receive significant sums annually, highlighting the need for tightened regulations and enhanced oversight. This revelation underscores terrorists' adaptability, urging continuous vigilance and international collaboration to combat evolving financial tactics and choke off their funding.
30-Jan-2024
The police on January 30 busted a criminal network by arresting five individuals, including a ‘big fish’ identified as Manjit Singh alias Manna, Lovejit Singh alias Luv, Harmanjit Singh alias Harman, Manpreet Singh, and Kes Kaur alias Kanso and seized 3 kg of heroin, INR 5.25 lakh in drug money, and three cars from their possession in Hargobind Pura in Chheharta in Amritsar district. Harmanjit was arrested on January 20, and the police seized 2 kg of heroin, an electronic scale, and INR 1.25 lakh in drug money from his possession. Based on his revelations, they subsequently arrested Manjit on January 22, along with Manjit’s brother Lovejit and his accomplice Manpreet. They seized 1 kg of heroin, an SUV, INR 4 lakh in drug money, and a motorcycle from their possession. Later, the police arrested their aide Kes Kaur and seized one car from his possession. He was wanted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Special Cell of the Delhi Police in 260 kg heroin and 356 kg of heroin seizures. They had multiple cases against them, obtained fake passports, and were involved in hawala operations. Investigations are ongoing into their network, and various criminal charges are registered against them.
30-Jan-2024
Police on January 30 busted an international drug trafficking gang and arrested four persons identified as Bikkar Singh, Tara Chand Parik, Simarjeet Singh alias Simar, and Harminder Singh alias Gullu and seized drug money amounting to INR 1.78 crore from their possession in Bathinda district. The gang operated by ordering heroin from Pakistan via drones and then using hawala channels to transfer proceeds abroad to Kendraveer Singh alias Sunny Dayal, who resides overseas. Additional arrests are expected, including Kendraveer Singh, currently residing in the United States (US).
30-Jan-2024
32-year-old Jagmeet Singh reportedly died of a drug overdose in Ghall Khurd village in Ferozepur district, on January 30.
30-Jan-2024
The Amritsar (Rural) police on January 30 conducted a search operation based on a tip-off and recovered 5 kg of heroin and a drone from Sarangra village in Amritsar district.
30-Jan-2024
On January 30, two gangsters, one of whom was identified as Prabhjot Singh, evaded capture by opening fire on the Counter Intelligence (CI) team of Amritsar Police in Ghariala village, Tarn Taran district. Suspected of carrying drugs and arms, they escaped into the fields near the International Border amid dense fog after exchanging gunfire with the police.
30-Jan-2024
Delhi Police on the intervening night of January 30 and 31 arrested a man identified as Jasvinder alias Lucky and seized a car, mobile phones, and spray paint cans from his possession in connection with writing pro-Khalistan slogans on a park wall in Vishnu Garden in West Delhi district. He was identified through CCTV footage, and he confessed to the act, claiming he was promised INR 15,000 by a former neighbour living in the US but wasn't paid.
29-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, in a joint operation on the night of January 29, intercepted and, on the morning of January 30, recovered a Pakistani drone in a damaged condition from a farming field near Mari Kamboke village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a Quadcopter made in China.
29-Jan-2024
On January 29, a youth identified as Satinderpal Singh reportedly died of a drug overdose in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
29-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 29 busted a drug smuggling module, arresting four unidentified Indian smugglers along with 4.369 kg of heroin, 968 grams of ICE (methamphetamine), a pistol, four rounds of ammunition, a scooter, and INR 70,140 near the International Border (IB) in the Amritsar sector of Amritsar district. The arrests occurred as the individuals attempted to retrieve a packet dropped by a Pakistani drone. Subsequent surveillance of drone activities revealed a video call between Pakistani smuggler Rana, his brother, and Indian smuggler Saha. Saha is involved in recruiting villagers in Tarn Taran to receive arms and drugs via drones from across the border.
29-Jan-2024
On January 29, following the incident on January 28, where tensions flared at Gurdwara Janam Asthan Baba Deep Singh over the removal of the portrait of Sikh militant-preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, Sikh bodies led by Harpal Singh Bler of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD-Amritsar) reinstated the portrait at the entrance of Gurdwara Janam Asthan Baba Deep Singh in Pahuwind village in Tarn Taran district. Despite injuries sustained in the clash, the dispute was reportedly settled through a compromise. However, Bler insisted on an apology from the committee president for the removal of the portrait.
29-Jan-2024
Sikh Sadbhawna Dal's senior general secretary, Iqbal Singh Manawa, has announced that the outfit will conduct an 'Insaf March' on January 30, starting from Kaunke village and culminating at Gurdwara Mehdiana in Ludhiana district, to seek justice for the family of former Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke, who was allegedly killed in a fake encounter 31 years ago. Baldev Singh Wadala, the outfit's chief, will lead the activists during the 15-km march, where participants will recite Gurbani. The organization plans to launch a structured campaign demanding accountability from the police personnel accused of torturing and ultimately killing Kaunke while in custody after his arrest on December 25, 1992.
29-Jan-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) seized the property of Gurjant Singh, a key accused in a 2019 bomb blast case in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, as part of its efforts to dismantle the terror network in the region, following an order from the Special NIA Court in Mohali. The case originated from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Tarn Taran Police, involving a terrorist gang led by Bikramjit Singh Panjwar that targeted Dera Muradpur. Gurjant Singh, a member of the gang, was present during the retrieval of explosives, which prematurely exploded.
29-Jan-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 29 declared that the pursuit of justice against drug-related crimes is a crucial aspect of social justice, emphasizing the severe impact of drug trafficking on society. In a case involving a woman accused of drug trafficking, the Bench highlighted the widespread harm caused by narcotics, likening it to inflicting death blows on numerous innocent victims.
29-Jan-2024
According to police sources, a member of Lawrence Bishnoi's gang identified as Rajan was shot dead and set on fire after the shootout and his body was found in Yamunanagar district in Haryana. Suspected operatives linked to the Bambiha gang orchestrated the killing on orders from gangster Arshdeep alias Arsh Dalla, who is presently in Canada and wanted by Indian authorities. Gang rivalry surfaced on social media, with Lucky Patial of the Bambiha gang claiming responsibility for Rajan's murder, citing revenge for past killings, including that of Singer Sidhu Moose Wala. The murder is seen as retaliation for the killing of Sukhdool Singh, an associate of Arsh Dalla, in Canada, indicating escalating gang tensions.
28-Jan-2024
Tension erupted on January 28 after a clash ensued when the President of the Gurudwara Management Committee, Col Harsimran Singh (retd), asked volunteers to remove the poster of Sikh militant-preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale from the premises of the Gurudwara Janam Asthan Baba Deep Singh in Pahuwind village in Tarn Taran district. Police escorted Col Harsimran Singh to safety amidst the chaos, with both sides sustaining injuries, while discussions are underway to resolve the dispute.
28-Jan-2024
The Amritsar (Rural) police on January 28 arrested two individuals, identified as Germanjit Singh alias Brahman and Akashdeep Singh alias Khatti and seized 1 kg of heroin, Maruti Swift car (PB-36-E- 2601) and a mobile phone from their possession in Dhanoe Khurd village in Amritsar district. Germanjit, who was a commission agent at the Attari grain market, was intercepted by the police at a checkpoint while traveling from Dhanoe Khurd village to Attari. Further investigations revealed Germanjit's alleged association with Pakistan-based smugglers.
28-Jan-2024
The Tarn Taran district police, on January 28, arrested five suspects in connection with the murder of Awan Kumar Khullar alias Sonu Cheema, the sarpanch of Adda Chaba village, from Gandiwind village in Tarn Taran district. According to the police, rivalry is believed to be the motive behind the murder. The police are yet to arrest seven others, including two yet-to-be-identified shooters. The main accused, Amritpal Singh, has 16 criminal cases against him, with a case registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Arms Act.
28-Jan-2024
Police on January 28 arrested a woman identified as Pooja and seized 40 grams of heroin from her possession in Ferozepur district.
28-Jan-2024
The police on January 28 arrested a woman drug peddler identified as Gurmeet Kaur alias Meeto, and seized 50 grams of heroin from her possession in Ferozepur district.
28-Jan-2024
Police on January 28 arrested one person, identified as Lovepreet Singh alias Labha and seized 100 gm of heroin from his possession in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
28-Jan-2024
The Police on January 28 arrested Maqbool alias Fauji and seized 45 gm of heroin from his possession in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
28-Jan-2024
The police, on January 28, arrested the ‘second-in-command’ of the Vikas Lagarpuria gang, identified as Dara Singh alias Dhare and seized a loaded sophisticated revolver (.32 bore) and five live cartridges from his possession in the Khajuri Khas area in North East Delhi district in Delhi. Singh has a history of criminal activities dating back to 2013, with associations with Vikas Lagarpuria. He was wanted in multiple cases in Delhi and Haryana, including murder, extortion, and armed robbery. Additionally, he was involved in the theft of INR 40 crore in Gurugram in 2021.