KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
09-Aug-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) Assistant Commandant Gaurav Sharma, on August 9, in Amritsar, declared that the Indian BSF is vigilant and well-prepared to counter drone threats from Pakistan, with soldiers trained to detect suspicious drone activity and conduct investigations. The use of drones for smuggling narcotics and weapons by Pakistan poses a significant challenge, requiring constant monitoring and response. The increasing affordability and accessibility of drone technology heighten the threat, as Pakistan intensifies its proxy war through such means.
09-Aug-2023
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Ludhiana, Mandeep Singh Sidhu on August 9 stated that comprehensive effort by the Commissionerate Police has led to the arrest of 453 smugglers involved in smuggling and drug trade, with substantial seizures of 629 kg contraband and intoxicant pills and capsules which includes 398 kg of poppy husk, 167-kg ganja, 46-kg opium, 12.5-kg heroin, 4-kg each hashish and intoxicant powder, 1-kg charas, 25-gram cocaine,157-gm ICE and seven-gm lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) and over 46,000 pills and capsules since November 2022. Additionally, taking strong action against property crime, the police successfully investigated 618 cases involving stolen property valued at Rs 18 crore. The recovered items comprised 580 stolen vehicles, 1,219 snatched or stolen mobile phones, 4 kg of stolen gold ornaments, 4 kg of stolen silver jewellery, and looted cash totalling Rs 8.12 crore. Properties worth Rs 1.63 crore belonging to habitual offenders have been attached, demonstrating a zero tolerance approach to crime.
09-Aug-2023
The Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (ATF) on August 9 arrested four suspected members of the Bambiha gang, identified as Sukhjinder Singh alias Sukhi Khan, Yadwinder Singh, Husanpreet Singh and Jagsir Singh and recovered three pistols of .30 bore, 20 live cartridges and one Swift car from their possession near Handiya in Barnala district. Sukhi Khan sustained injuries during a 10-minute gunfight that occurred when the police intercepted their car.
09-Aug-2023
On August 9, the trial commenced for 25 accused individuals, including Lawrence Bishnoi and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, in the murder case of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, at the Mansa District and Sessions Court through video-conferencing. The court proceedings included initial arguments on charges, and the next hearing is scheduled for August 23.
09-Aug-2023
Police on August 9 arrested three associates of the Billa gang, identified as Mehar Singh, Gurdeep Singh, and Vishal, and recovered two .32 bore pistols, three illegal weapons, and 23 cartridges from their possession near Lubanianwali village in Muktsar district. Mehar Singh sustained injuries when he jumped into a drain in an attempt to flee after their car was intercepted at a checkpoint.
09-Aug-2023
According to reports, despite disposing of 87,083 cases until July of this year (2023), the total case pendency of the Punjab and Haryana High Court remains relatively unchanged, standing at 4,42,805, down from 4,47,886. Factors influencing disposal include the nature and complexity of the cases. Over 1,66,427 criminal cases involving life and liberty are still pending. Even with the resumption of physical hearings, the backlog persists due to retiring and transferring judges, which affects the frequency of hearings for important cases.
09-Aug-2023
The chief of banned Khalistani terror outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in a video released on August 9, claimed to have issued an open letter to United States (US) Congressmen Rohit Khanna and Michael Waltz, who are in New Delhi to attend India’s Independence day celebrations on August 15, urging them to question Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi about the criminalisation of the Khalistan referendum and alleged political persecution of pro-Khalistan Sikhs by India. He also urged Sikhs to raise the Khalistani flags on August 15.
08-Aug-2023
The Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi, V K Saxena on August 8 approved the prosecution of two men, identified as Vikram Singh and Balram Singh who were arrested for painting pro-Khalistan graffiti with anti-national slogans like “Khalistan Zindabad”, “SFJ”, “1984”, “Punjab Banega Khalistan”, “Referendum 2020 Vote for Khalistan”, at multiple locations in West Delhi at the behest of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The accused were found with evidence linking them to the act, including CCTV footage and payment records. In the course of the investigation, the individuals revealed that they engaged in these actions based on directives from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of SFJ.
08-Aug-2023
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 8 denied regular bail to Kulbir Singh, an alleged member of Khalistani terror outfits Babbar Khalsa Dal (BKI) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), stating that Article 21 of the Constitution encompasses the right to live free from terrorism. The court emphasized the need for strong action against members of declared terrorist organizations and asserted that the government is responsible for ensuring a terrorism-free life for citizens.
08-Aug-2023
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Member of Parliament (MP) from Sangrur, Simranjit Singh Mann on August 8 addressing the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament), urged an end to Sikh killings globally, citing some recent examples of the death of Khalistani operatives like Avtar Singh Khanda, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Panjwar, and Ripudaman Singh Malik, among other Sikhs like Deep Singh Sidhu and Sidhu Moosewala.
08-Aug-2023
At a meeting of prominent Sikh bodies held on August 8 in Ajnala in the Amritsar district, Amrik Singh Ajnala, the president of Damdami Taksal, criticized the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for neglecting Sikh religious issues and evading responsibility. The meeting chaired by Amrik Singh highlighted concerns over stolen Sri Guru Granth Sahib copies and missing saroops.
08-Aug-2023
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on August 8 met with police officers in Patiala district to discuss law and order, focusing on combating drug smuggling, gangster-terror links, and anti-social elements. He emphasized thorough investigations and instructed officials to seize properties of drug smugglers, apprehend offenders, and address public grievances while maintaining zero tolerance for corruption. The visit occurred in preparation for Independence Day celebrations with Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann.
08-Aug-2023
Vikramjeet Singh Brar, a key aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, on August 8 was granted a three-day police remand in Faridkot, Punjab in relation to the attempt to murder case of a Dera Sacha Sauda follower. He was brought from New Delhi following his deportation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Brar is facing multiple cases, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion, and his alleged involvement in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case, operating as a "control room" for the Lawrence Bishnoi terror gang from the UAE.
08-Aug-2023
Vikramjeet Singh Brar, a key aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, on August 8 was granted a three-day police remand in Faridkot, Punjab in relation to the attempt to murder case of a Dera Sacha Sauda follower. He was brought from New Delhi following his deportation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Brar is facing multiple cases, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion, and his alleged involvement in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case, operating as a "control room" for the Lawrence Bishnoi terror gang from the UAE.
08-Aug-2023
The Amritsar Customs and DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence) on August 8 destroyed 527 kgs of narcotics, including Heroin and Ganja, through incineration in Amritsar, Punjab. The event was virtually attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
07-Aug-2023
Police on August 7 arrested three alleged drug peddlers, identified as Gurjinder Singh alias Sabi, Sandip Singh alias Fauji and Sanyam Aneja, and recovered four kilograms of heroin from their possession, after intercepting their car near Pulli village in Bathinda District.
07-Aug-2023
Gurcharan Singh Hawara, the foster father of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Jagtar Singh Hawara, on August 7, announced that the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (QIM) plans to observe August 15 as a "Black Day" by marching from Mohali to Chandigarh. He said that the protesters will use black and saffron flags to protest the Punjab government's failure to release Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences. The ongoing protest at Mohali's YPS Chowk, which started on January 7, has caused disruptions in traffic. A previous clash with the police on February 8 resulted in injuries to 33 officers.
07-Aug-2023
Several Delhi residents received pre-recorded threat calls from the banned Khalistani organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), asking people to steer clear of the Red Fort on August 15 and warning of a potential terrorist attack during Independence Day celebrations. Following the initial report from Rohini, Delhi Police lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at Budh Vihar police station in North West Delhi district. Many individuals, including government and media figures, subsequently received similar messages from overseas numbers.
07-Aug-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation with Punjab police on August 7 intercepted and recovered a Pakistani drone from the outskirts of Rajoke Village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone is a quadcopter, model DJI Matric RTK- 300.
07-Aug-2023
The anti-drug committee of Bhagta Bhaika village on August 7 apprehended three drug smugglers and turned them over to the police after recovering 15 gm of heroin and a weighing fork from their possession in Bhagta Bhaika village in Bathinda district. A video of the smugglers confessing to selling heroin to local residents was circulated on social media.
06-Aug-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on August 6 at around 10 pm intercepted a drone entering Indian territory from Pakistan near Rattan Khurd village in Amritsar district. The following morning, on August 7, a joint search operation with Punjab Police was conducted, leading to the recovery of a damaged Hexacopter drone and a battery in a nearby farming field.
06-Aug-2023
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami on August 6 raised objections to the appointment of a non-Sikh administrator for the Gurdwara Board of Takht Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra.
06-Aug-2023
Counter Intelligence (CI) Wing of Punjab Police on August 6 arrested two traffickers, identified as Gagga Gill alias Gaga alias Kali and Veer Singh alias Veeru and recovered 41.8 kg of heroin, two 9 mm pistols, four magazines with 100 rounds, and a .30 Turkish semi-automatic pistol with two magazines and 15 rounds from their possession in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
06-Aug-2023
Counter Intelligence (CI) Wing of Punjab Police on August 6 arrested two traffickers, identified as Jasbinder Singh alias Bhinda, and Jagdip Singh alias Bhuchhar and recovered 6 packets of heroin, weighing 36 kg near Palla Megha Village in Ferozepur District.
05-Aug-2023
The Ludhiana police on August 5 recovered an illegal country-made .32 bore revolver, a magazine and two live cartridges based on information provided by a member of Davinder Bambiha gang, identified as Gurvir Singh alias Guri who was arrested in May.