KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
27-Jan-2024
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is currently investigating the misuse of the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS) by operatives of the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), who have shifted their tactics from hawala to using tourists as a means to funnel funds for their terror activities. The NIA raids have specifically targeted key figures such as Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa. These individuals are identified as chief conspirators involved in terror plots and arms smuggling into Punjab. The BKI, in collaboration with tour guides, reportedly offers commissions to tourists for receiving remittances via MTSS, and the funds acquired are used to purchase arms. Furthermore, raids against Lawrence Bishnoi's crime syndicate have revealed connections to BKI. The authorities seized illegal arms, ammunition, cash, and incriminating documents during these operations.
27-Jan-2024
The Amritsar (Rural) police on January 27 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Mahinder Singh, and seized 1.6 kg of heroin hidden in the cattle shed of his house in Bhagupur Bet village in Amritsar district. The police stated that Singh had links with Pakistan-based smugglers and was involved in cross-border drug peddling through drones.
26-Jan-2024
The Amritsar (Rural) police and the Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint search operation on January 26, recovered around 519 gm of heroin along with a Pakistani drone (quadcopter model - DJI Mavic 3 Pro, made in China) near Maude village in Amritsar district.
26-Jan-2024
On January 26, the Border Security Force (BSF) recovered a China-made quadcopter drone from a farming field in Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district.
26-Jan-2024
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, on January 26, stressed the need to combat drugs and corruption while speaking at an event where he led Republic Day celebrations in Patiala district. He honoured martyrs and urged collective responsibility for integrity in governance.
26-Jan-2024
On the occasion of India's 75th Republic Day on January 26, patriotic fervour and cultural performances by students highlighted the celebrations, and the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets at the Attari border in Amritsar district of Punjab. BSF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sanjay Gaur interacted with jawans and addressed concerns about drone intrusions, stating that 107 drones were shot down and 483 kg of contraband seized along the Punjab Frontier in 2023. Cultural programs, including gidha and bhangra, were performed by students at the border.
26-Jan-2024
On January 26, Republic Day, supporters of Dal Khalsa, led by Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Member of Parliament (MP) Simranjit Singh Mann, took out a protest march in Moga district of Punjab, calling it a Black Day, displaying black flags, and advocating for Khalistan.
26-Jan-2024
Former Punjab Health Minister Laxmikanta Chawla, who is also the chairman of the Durgana Temple Committee in Amritsar, extended an invitation to Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to visit India on January 26. He stated that upon Pannun's arrival in India, the country would demonstrate its resilience and effectively address any issues.
25-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, on the intervening night of January 25-26, conducted a raid, arrested two unidentified individuals, and seized 100 grams of heroin and 13 live rounds of .32 bore from the house of a suspect in Deriwal Kiran village in Gurdaspur district.
25-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police conducted a raid on the intervening night of January 25-26, based on a lead and recovered one PAG-type gun, 10 rounds of 0.32 bore, and one pistol from the house of a suspect in Uppal village in Gurdaspur district.
25-Jan-2024
According to sources, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has requested another meeting with death row prisoner Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is held in Patiala jail, to discuss his pending mercy petition and the release of Bandi Singhs. A reminder has been sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) to allocate time for the SGPC panel. SGPC spokesperson Harjinder Singh Dhami stated on January 25 that letters have been written to the Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav and the jail superintendent to arrange a meeting with Rajoana.
25-Jan-2024
On January 25, the Uttar Pradesh Police Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) was granted seven days' police custody remand (PCR) for three Khalistani suspects arrested in Ayodhya on January 18, by a court in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. They were apprehended for conducting a recce of sensitive sites before the Ram Lalla 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony in Ayodhya. The suspects, identified as Shankar Dussad, Ajit Kumar Sharma, and Pradeep Puniya, were taken into custody after their Khalistani connections were confirmed through intercepted voice messages attributed to Khalistani terrorist Gurupatwant Singh Pannun.
25-Jan-2024
Representatives from about 50 Sikh organizations gathered on January 25 at the Gurdwara Nadha Sahib in Panchkula district of Haryana to confer the Fakhr-E-Kaum award posthumously on the martyred acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Bhai Gurdev Singh Kaunke, who was allegedly kidnapped and tortured to death by Punjab Police in 1993. The assembly resolved to seek justice for Jathedar Kaunke, planning to approach Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann.
25-Jan-2024
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, on January 25 dismissed the claims of India’s involvement in the assassination of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists Shahid Latif and Riyaz Ahmad alias Abu Qasim. Jaiswal dismissed the claims as false and malicious propaganda, reiterating Pakistan's history as a hub for terrorism and illegal activities.
25-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 25 recovered a drone from a field near India Pakistan International Border (IB) near Dal village in Tarn Taran district.
25-Jan-2024
Delhi Police’s Crime Branch, on January 25, arrested eight persons belonging to the infamous Gogi Gang, identified as Deepak Pahal alias Boxer, Narender Yadav, Manish alias Sunny Kakran, Manmohan alias Gaurav, Navprabhat Chaudhary, Devraj Dabas, Azad alias Pahalwan and Khushboo alias Golu; and seized a gun, two cartridges, a sim card of Dubai, and a mobile phone, after conducting a series of raids at multiple states. The gang was running an extortion racket in the National Capital Region (NCR) and its peripherals. The police also apprehended two juveniles working for the gang, in Sonipat in Haryana.
24-Jan-2024
On the intervening night of January 24-25, the Border Security Force (BSF) intercepted a drone and, on the following morning of January 25, recovered a packet containing 531 grams of heroin from a farming field adjacent to Thatharke village in Gurdaspur district.
24-Jan-2024
The police, on January 24, investigated a bomb threat directed at the Durgiana Temple in the Amritsar district after threats were issued by a Khalistani terrorist via the temple's landline phone by a caller who identified himself as Harneet. The threat prompted immediate police action, and an investigation is underway to address the situation.
24-Jan-2024
The Special Cell of Delhi Police on January 24 arrested a sharpshooter from the Tillu Tajpuriya gang, identified as Shivam alias Nitesh alias Bhoomi, near Sanjay Gandhi Transport Nagar in North Delhi district. During the arrest, Shivam attempted to fire at the police. He had been planning to form his own gang for cash robberies in Delhi-NCR, procuring firearms in the process. Shivam had previously been involved in a gang war and various criminal activities, including robbery and extortion.
24-Jan-2024
On January 24, the Kapurthala Police announced that Ramandeep Mangumath, a Nihang Sikh arrested for killing Vishal Kapoor at Gurdwara Chhevi Patshahi in Phagwara in Kapurthala district, Punjab, now faces murder charges. Investigations revealed no indication of self-defence. Police suspect that Mangumath and his accomplices, who have no religious background, are imposters receiving foreign funding. This has prompted further investigation into their finances. His police remand has been extended until January 31.
24-Jan-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 24 seized a vehicle (PB 29 R 8889) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with a case involving the seizure of explosives and arms from individuals linked to the Pakistan-based 'listed terrorist' Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda. The case originated from the recovery of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), one pistol with two magazines, and INR 1.30 lakhs in cash at Bastara Toll Plaza in Madhuban, Haryana, in May 2022. The items were seized from four suspects identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, Amandeep Singh alias Deepa, Parminder Singh alias Pinder and Bhupinder Singh. These accused individuals, associated with the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), had received multiple arms and explosives consignments from Sandhu in Pakistan through drones near the Indo-Pak border.
24-Jan-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is set to organize a seminar titled 'Challenges Facing Punjab and Their Resolution' on January 27 at Khalsa College in Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district. The event will be attended by party chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, senior leadership, and prominent intellectuals. The seminar aims to address the unmet demands of Punjab, discussing issues such as river waters, the denial of a capital city, and the weakening federal structure. Intellectuals and journalists, including Prof Ranjit Singh Ghuman and Satnam Manak, will provide insights, while Sukhbir Singh Badal will deliver the keynote address. The focus is on devising solutions for issues like misgovernance, law and order, unemployment, and economic challenges in the state.
24-Jan-2024
Maninderjit Singh Bitta, chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AIATF) and former chief of the Indian Youth Congress, urged the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in New Delhi on January 24 to reopen the 1993 bomb blast case involving terror convict Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar. The Delhi Government's Sentence Review Board recently denied Bhullar's plea for early release. Bitta believes the NIA should investigate the case to expose any potential involvement of police officers and politicians with Bhullar. He cites suspicious circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of Bhullar's security before the 1993 blast.
24-Jan-2024
A special court in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is set to deliver a verdict on January 24 on the police remand of gangster Shankar Lal Dusad and his associates, Ajit Kumar Sharma and Pradeep Punia, who were arrested in Ayodhya based on the UP ATS's application. The arrest was made on January 18, with alleged connections to the banned Khalistani terror organization Sikh For Justice (SFJ), led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The ATS aims to gather information about associates and Pannun's influence in UP, investigating mobile data and audio messages related to the case.
23-Jan-2024
According to sources, the Delhi government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has rejected the early release plea of 1993 Delhi blasts convict Devinderpal Singh Bhullar. In response, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal criticized the Punjab government led by AAP and Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal, stating that the denial added to the distress of the Sikh community.