KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
08-Dec-2023
The Ministry of Defence on December 8 informed the Lok Sabha that nearly 3 lakh widows of armed forces personnel reside in the north-western part of India, with Punjab having the highest number of registered widows at 74,253. Overall, the country has 6,98,252 widows, with Kerala and Uttar Pradesh ranked second and third, respectively.
07-Dec-2023
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi, stated on December 7 in New Delhi that they are in contact with the United States (US) and Canada regarding threats from Khalistani terrorists, including the designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, to attack the Indian Parliament and Air India. He also mentioned that India has sought cooperation from the US regarding Pannun, who is wanted for law violations. The ongoing conversations with partners involve addressing concerns about threats from extremists or terrorists against India or its diplomats.
07-Dec-2023
India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, while speaking in the Parliament in New Delhi on December 7, clarified that India treats the United States (US) and Canada differently due to the security inputs provided by the US, prompting an inquiry committee to examine the national security implications. The clarification comes after the US charged an Indian national with a foiled plot against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, while Canada's allegations lacked specific evidence.
07-Dec-2023
The National Students' Union of India (NSUI) president in Punjab, Israpreet Singh, in Chandigarh, urged DAV College in Chandigarh to address Google search results associating gangster Lawrence Bishnoi with the college, expressing concern about the potential influence on the youth. The college clarified that they did not add Bishnoi's name and pledged to resolve the issue. Lawrence Bishnoi has a criminal record and affiliations with Khalistani terror outfits.
07-Dec-2023
According to reports, Lakhbir Singh Rode, the chief of the banned International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), and a nephew of Sikh militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, passed away in Lahore at the age of 71, was among India's 20 most-wanted terrorists. Rode, who fled to Pakistan in 1996, faced charges including arms smuggling, IED blasts, and targeted killings in an attempt to revive terrorism in Punjab. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was actively investigating six cases against him.
07-Dec-2023
Geopolitical experts suggest that India should exert pressure on the United States (US) and Canada to investigate their alleged shielding of Khalistani elements. Concerns have been raised about the US prioritizing strategic benefits in the Indo-Pacific over addressing India's security issues. The upcoming visit of the FBI chief is seen as an opportunity for dialogue, but doubts persist regarding the resolution of India's concerns.
07-Dec-2023
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) declared a total of 15 organizations as unlawful associations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act between 2019 and 2023, including Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, amended in 2019, enables the designation of individual terrorists under Indian law to fulfil international obligations. The government has the authority to designate individuals as terrorists.
07-Dec-2023
According to reports, the influx of drones carrying pure-grade heroin from Pakistan into India has become a growing concern for the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police. A recent incident involved the discovery of 550 grams of heroin in the fields near the International Border in Gurdaspur district, prompting joint efforts by the BSF and police. The recurring use of sophisticated drones is believed to be sponsored by Pakistan, with a specific picket identified across the border as the origin point for these illicit activities. Despite talks with Pakistani Rangers, little progress has been made in addressing the issue.
07-Dec-2023
The recent murder of Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, claimed by Lawrence Bishnoi's gang, highlights ongoing rivalries in organized crime in Rajasthan. Since 2014, Bishnoi has played a prominent role in criminal activities in the state, initially engaging in illegal liquor trade along the Punjab-Rajasthan border. Bishnoi's influence expanded through alliances with gangsters like Sampat Nehra, Kala Rana, and others involved in the illicit liquor business. Over the years, Bishnoi's criminal activities have diversified into illegal mining, opium trade, extortion, and his gang's involvement in high-profile murders and intimidation in Rajasthan.
06-Dec-2023
The Delhi Police on December 6 received a bomb threat call at both Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport and the Paharganj area. and case has been registered against an individual identified as Tejpal Solanki, a resident of Delhi's Najafgarh area. Security at IGI airport, Ahmedabad, and Amritsar airports was heightened following a video threat by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who claimed that Air India would be barred from operating on November 19.
06-Dec-2023
Delhi Police are on high alert following a video message by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, threatening to disrupt Parliament on December 13, the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack. Security has been intensified around Parliament and throughout Delhi, with authorities vowing to prevent any disturbances.
06-Dec-2023
The Akal Takht on December 6 urged Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the 1995 Beant Singh assassination case, to end his hunger strike aimed at persuading the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to withdraw his mercy petition. The SGPC, which filed the petition in 2012, cites 'Panthic' sentiments as the reason for not withdrawing it.
06-Dec-2023
In a joint operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police on December 6 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 555 grams from a sugarcane field in Dugri village in the Gurdaspur district.
06-Dec-2023
The police on December 6 arrested three individuals, identified as Pawanjot Singh, Major Singh, and a juvenile and seized 4.155 kg of heroin worth over INR 20 crore in the international market from their possession near Mauzewala village in Fazilka district. The heroin was reportedly smuggled from Pakistan through a drone in two 2 kg consignments on December 5.
06-Dec-2023
Christopher A Wray, the Director of the United States (US) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is scheduled to visit India next week to discuss key issues, including the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The plot involves an Indian citizen, Nikhil Gupta, and an unnamed official. This marks Wray's first visit to India since 2017, and he is expected to address concerns related to Khalistan terrorism, the gangster nexus, and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
06-Dec-2023
According to sources, Lakhbir Singh Rode, the self-styled head of the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and nephew of the slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, played a significant role in reviving militancy in Punjab. He reportedly died due to a heart attack in Pakistan recently. Rode was involved in coordinating with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to smuggle arms and ammunition into Punjab. He had joined the Khalistan movement in 1982 and fled to Pakistan in 1991, participating in various terror activities against India.
06-Dec-2023
Official sources on December 6 revealed that Punjab Police had previously shared intelligence with Rajasthan, warning of a threat to Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi's life and linking it to plans by gangster Sampat Nehra to instigate religiously motivated riots in Rajasthan. Gogamedi was shot dead on December 5 by two individuals in the living room of his house in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and Rohit Godara of the Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the murder.
06-Dec-2023
Security agencies on December 6 arrested two unidentified smugglers and seized approximately 1 kg of heroin from their possession near Nihale Kilcha village in Ferozepur district.
05-Dec-2023
Amritsar City Police on December 5 busted an interstate gang of arms smugglers run by gangster Simranjit Singh alias Jujhar, and arrested its key associate identified as Manak Singh alias Sunny Welding and seized four .32 bore pistols, four magazines, and seven live rounds from his possession in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
05-Dec-2023
The Punjab Police on December 5 conducted a special operation to combat drug trafficking, liquor smuggling, and monitor gangster activity by checking vehicles entering and exiting the state. Directed by the Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, the operation spanned from 8 am to 2 pm and involved checkpoints at 131 entry and exit points across 10 border districts. Approximately 1,200 police personnel were deployed, resulting in the checking of 3,760 vehicles, fines for 271, impounding of 46 vehicles, and legal action against 23 individuals, including 26 arrests and 211 for questioning.
05-Dec-2023
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on December 5 conducted searches at 13 locations in Haryana and Rajasthan as part of a crackdown on gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and the Khalistani terror network. The focus was on Surender Singh Chiku, a close associate of Bishnoi, who operated through shell companies to launder proceeds of crime in mining, liquor, and toll businesses. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been investigating these networks since 2018 for extortion, murder, and kidnapping, leading to the seizure of electronic devices, documents, cash, and the identification of 60 bank accounts and 13 benami properties.
05-Dec-2023
An associate of Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode, identified as Paramjit Singh Dhadi, was arrested on December 5 at Amritsar airport in Punjab. Dhadi, based in the United Kingdom (UK), is accused of involvement in terror funding and other subversive activities in Punjab. The arrest follows the recent death of Rode in Pakistan, who was the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF).
05-Dec-2023
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in an online video, threatened to attack the Indian Parliament on or before December 13, coinciding with the 22nd anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack. The video features a poster of the 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru with the caption 'Delhi Banega Khalistan' (Delhi will turn into Khalistan). Pannun, the chief of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), claimed a foiled plot against him and vowed retaliation. Security agencies are on high alert, suspecting Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) involvement.
05-Dec-2023
The White House on December 5 confirmed that Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jonathan Finer had discussions about the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun during his meeting with Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on December 4, as stated in a released readout. The White House noted that Finer acknowledged India's establishment of a committee to investigate the alleged plot in the United States and emphasized the importance of holding anyone responsible accountable. The meetings also addressed bilateral issues and regional developments, including those in the Middle East.
05-Dec-2023
The Immigration Department in India has issued look-out circulars (LOCs) against four people from Punjab after a vehicle with a fake embassy number plate was spotted at IGI airport in New Delhi, according to reports. The Singapore High Commissioner to India, Simon Wong, had previously warned about the fake embassy car. Investigations revealed that someone in the car had gone to the airport to meet individuals on two separate occasions, leading to the issuance of LOCs against the four individuals, two of whom are women, from Punjab.