KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-Jul-2023
The spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Arindam Bagchi emphasized on July 6 that the promotion of violence, separatism, or terrorism should not be permitted under the pretext of freedom of expression, in direct response to Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's remarks. He strongly condemned the pro-Khalistan posters that incite violence against Indian diplomats and diplomatic premises abroad. Bagchi also stated that India is urging the Canadian government to guarantee the ability of Indian diplomats and consular officials to perform their regular duties in Canada without intimidation or fear. Meanwhile, New Delhi has also raised the issue of threats against its diplomats with the authorities of the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and Australia. Some observers have noted that the authorities in the US acted promptly, while in other countries, the response was considered inadequate or insufficient in dealing with Khalistani terrorists. Ajay Bisaria, former envoy to Canada, views the planned rally and poster campaign as a sign of desperation rather than a resurgence for Khalistani groups. The groups like Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) feel cornered after Nijjar's death and Pannun's hiding and they fear that India's influence is prompting host governments to take action against them.
06-Jul-2023
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has provided security escorts to Indian diplomats in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada in light of concerns raised by the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service (CSIS) about the rising radicalization among Khalistan separatists in Canada. Canada’s political leadership has yet to openly denounce the threats and violence by Khalistan extremists, potentially driven by vote bank politics. In response to planned protest rallies in Toronto and Vancouver, the RCMP and CSIS maintain close communication with the Indian High Commission and Consulates in Canada, providing escorts and assigning two officers to senior diplomats in these cities.
06-Jul-2023
India's National Security Adviser (NSA), Ajit Doval, is set to address concerns regarding the activities of pro-Khalistan radicals during his meeting with United Kingdom (UK) counterpart Tim Barrow on July 7 at Sardar Patel Bhawan in New Delhi, India. In the meeting, Doval is expected to discuss the issue of Indian diplomats being targeted by Khalistani extremists through a protest rally scheduled for July 8 outside the Indian High Commission in London, UK. Doval is likely to seek assurances from Barrow regarding the protection of Indian diplomats in the UK and the prevention of extremist activities within Indian diplomatic premises. The meeting follows the mysterious death of Avtar Singh Khanda, the UK-based chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and alleged handler of separatist Amritpal Singh. While Doval has maintained communication with Barrow regarding the surge of pro-Khalistan extremism in the UK and its potential impact on bilateral relations, India remains concerned about the perceived leniency of the British authorities towards the issue.
06-Jul-2023
Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on July 6, stated that the video of Khalistani terrorist and chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in front of the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York City, United States (US) does not grant any legitimacy to the Khalistani referendum or the cause and that India has been addressing similar threats with Canadian authorities.
06-Jul-2023
Dal Khalsa representatives Kanwar Pal Singh and Paramjit Singh Mand expressed their organization's disagreement with attributing blame to Khalistanis for the fire at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, United States (US). While accusing it of being a conspiracy to defame the Khalistanis, they stated that it amounts to a trial by the media without proper investigation or evidence.
05-Jul-2023
Khanna Police on July 5 arrested five members of an inter-state weapon supply gang, identified as Suresh Kumar, Gautam Sharma Goru, Rajinder Meena, Sardar Gujjar and Taqdeer Singh and seized five .32 country-made bore pistols, 10 magazines, and a vehicle, near focal point in Khanna, in Ludhiana district of Punjab. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Khanna, Amneet Kondal, acting on a tip-off, the police stopped a car with a Rajasthan registration plate during a barricading operation and recovered weapons from four suspects. Further investigation revealed that the accused sourced the arms and ammunition from a man named Taqdeer, who was arrested on July 5 from Singnur in Khargon district of Madhya Pradesh.
05-Jul-2023
Pro-Khalistani leader and chief of Waris Punjab De (WDP), Amritpal Singh, along with other Sikh detainees in Dibrugarh jail in Assam, wrote a letter to their relatives, appealing to the Sikh community to bestow the status of "Quomi Shaheed" (community martyrs) upon Avtar Singh Khanda, the deceased chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the deceased chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), and the head of the Canadian arm of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The letter, dated July 5, is signed by Amritpal Singh, his uncle Harjit Singh, Pappalpreet Singh, Daljit Singh Kalsi, Kulwant Singh, Bhagwant Singh, Basant Singh, Sarabjit Singh, Surinder Singh, and Gurmeet Singh Aujla.
05-Jul-2023
According to law enforcement officials tracking Khalistani operatives, there are approximately 300 active sleeper cells operating in India. The motive of these cells is not to take innocent lives but rather to engage in activities that create a perception of weakness in the Indian state and foster disillusionment among Punjab's citizens. The recent arrests of some Khalistani operatives have also confirmed the existence of a robust Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) network from Pakistan, which provides support to the separatist movement. The involvement of sleeper cells becomes significant as many top Khalistani proponents are based outside of India, particularly in Pakistan, Canada, the United States (US), and Australia. Attacks on Indian diplomatic locations worldwide, including the recent arson at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, US, have highlighted the ongoing threat posed by Khalistan operatives.
04-Jul-2023
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on July 4 summoned the High Commissioner of Canada, Cameron MacKay, in New Delhi. The MEA lodged a complaint after posters titled "Kill India" by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for an upcoming "Khalistan Freedom Rally" surfaced on social media. These posters featured threats from Khalistani extremists directed towards Indian diplomats, namely Sanjay Kumar Verma, India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, and Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General in Toronto. The posters displayed photos and designations of the two diplomats with the title "Faces of Shaheed Nijjar’s Killers in Toronto”.
03-Jul-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 3 confiscated the house of two brothers, identified as Bikramjit Singh alias Vicky and Maninder Singh from Amritsar, Punjab, accused in a Pakistan-sponsored narco-terror case. The property was seized under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), as it was identified as "proceeds of terrorism." Earlier the NIA had arrested the brothers in connection with the case. The investigation has resulted in multiple charge sheets against 13 individuals, involving offenses under the UAPA, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The case revolves around a narco-terror module smuggling drugs from Pakistan disguised as rock salt, with the profits used to accumulate assets and finance Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir."
03-Jul-2023
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) on July 3 requested a response from the union government and the state government regarding a petition filed by Jaspreet Kaur, the sister of pro-Khalistani extremist, Avtar Singh Khanda, to bring Khanda's body back from the United Kingdom (UK) for his last rites in their hometown of Moga, Punjab. Khanda was a primary suspect in the attack on the Indian High Commission in London, UK, and passed away in Birmingham, UK on June 15. The Bench of Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj has set a deadline of July 10 for a response on the matter.
03-Jul-2023
India's External Affairs Minister (EAM), S. Jaishankar, on July 3 expressed concern about an incident where two Indian diplomats were targeted in a Khalistan poster, accusing them of involvement in the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar emphasized that such incidents would have an impact on bilateral relations and called on partner countries like the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Canada, and Australia to refrain from accommodating Khalistan extremists. The poster, circulating on social media, features the photos of Sanjay Kumar Verma, India's High Commissioner to Ottawa, and Apoorva Srivastava, Consul General in Toronto.
03-Jul-2023
The Punjab Police on July 3 arrested two members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Jaswinder Singh alias Ghoda and Budhram, and seized a .32 bore pistol, four cartridges and a .315 bore pistol from their possession, after a brief exchange of gunfire, near Malkana village in Talwandi Sabo Tehlsil in Bathinda district. During the exchange of fire, Jaswinder Singh was injured and taken to the hospital, while Budhram was taken into custody. The gangsters were wanted in connection with extortion cases and are also under investigation for their alleged involvement in drug peddling.
03-Jul-2023
Punjab Special Director General of Police (DGP) Arpit Shukla on July 3, held a meeting in Pathankot to assess security arrangements for Amarnath pilgrims. The meeting discussed police deployment, security measures, traffic management, disaster preparedness, and the importance of close coordination among officers, security agencies, and civil administration for a smooth pilgrimage.
02-Jul-2023
The Punjab Police on July 2 under the direction of Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, carried out a cordon and search operation called Operation (OPS) Vigil-II at vulnerable places in all 28 police districts of the state. This operation followed the previous OPS Vigil-I conducted in May. The operation involved checking at railway stations, bus stands, and setting up nakas for searching vehicles and individuals. Over 7,500 police personnel were deployed, and a total of 116 FIRs were registered during the operation. Special Director General of Police (Special DGP), law and order, Arpit Shukla revealed that during the operation, the police have filed 116 First Information Reports (FIRs) and apprehended 141 individuals. They confiscated 1.15 kg of heroin, 37 kg of poppy husk, 243 litres of illicit liquor, and six pistols/revolvers. Additionally, they seized INR 7.02 lakh in drug money. Three proclaimed offenders (POs) were arrested, and 1,826 suspicious individuals were detained for questioning. The police emphasized that such operations will continue to combat the menace of drugs and gangsters in the state.
01-Jul-2023
The Fazilka Police, booked Naveen Kumar alias Arju Bishnoi, an aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi for allegedly supplying pistols to three contacts in Fazilka district of Punjab.
01-Jul-2023
Punjab Police on July 1 detained several Dal Khalsa activists who were heading to the office of India's external intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), to protest the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), in Canada, from near the Golden Temple in Amritsar. According to Kanwar Pal Singh, the spokesperson of Dal Khalsa, around 86 activists were stopped near Town Hall on Heritage Street in Amritsar. Pro-Khalistan slogans were also raised during the demonstration. Earlier in the day, the bhog ceremony and antim ardas (final prayers) for Nijjar, who was one of India’s most wanted terrorists, were held at Shaheedi Asthan Baba Gurbax Singh in the Golden Temple complex. Nijjar was designated a 'terrorist' by India under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
01-Jul-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on July 1 strongly condemned the incident that took place on June 29, in which miscreants entered the Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Sukkur, Sindh province of Pakistan. They stopped the recitation of Gurbani Kirtan, abused the priests, and desecrated the Guru Granth Sahib. The jathedar called on the Indian government to engage diplomatically with Pakistan to protest the incident and safeguard Sikh religious practices. It is essential to prevent such incidents from recurring.
01-Jul-2023
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on July 1 called for an investigation into the serving of food mixed with tobacco to Amritpal Singh and his associates, who are imprisoned in Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA). The Jathedar stated that no devout Sikh can tolerate such an act and in protest, they have undertaken a hunger strike. He urged the governments of Punjab and Assam to take action against those responsible and initiate a probe into the matter.
01-Jul-2023
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has approached the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) to transfer 10-12 gangsters from Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana jails to Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to suspicions of running criminal activities from inside. The NIA had previously requested the transfer of 25 gangsters, including Lawrence Bishnoi, to southern states, but the process is time-consuming. The agency is considering relocating the gangsters to either Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam or the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Legal opinions are being sought, and the NIA has filed First Information Reports (FIR) against multiple gangsters for their involvement in various criminal activities.
01-Jul-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on July 1 recovered two plastic bottles containing approximately 1.5 kg of heroin floating on the Sutlej River near Rao ke Uttar village in Ferozepur district of Punjab. The alert BSF troops observed suspicious articles flowing in the river and successfully brought them to the river bank. The BSF further mentioned that the drugs were most likely transported from Pakistan to India through the Sutlej River.
01-Jul-2023
The Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amneet Kondal on July 1 revealed that the Khanna police in Punjab have arrested 211 smugglers and peddlers in 135 cases of drug smuggling and peddling in the past four months. She also revealed that between February 16 and June 30, the Khanna police in Punjab registered 135 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, leading to the arrest of 211 smugglers and peddlers. The recovered contraband includes 470.9 kg of poppy husk, 45.6 kg of ganja, 34.3 kg of opium, 1.5 kg of heroin, 157 gm of smack, 1.7 kg of charas, 341 gm of narcotics powder, 28 gm of ICE (party drug), 67,852 intoxicant pills and capsules, 294 syrups, and 81 poppy husk plants. In 73 cases, a significant quantity of drugs, such as 9.19 quintals of poppy husk, 22.2 kg of ganja, 152 gm of heroin, 10.05 kg of charas, 12 gm of smack, 42 gm of ICE, 17 gm of intoxicant powder, 56,319 intoxicant pills, 5,080 capsules, and 941 syrups were recovered and disposed of according to the procedures.
01-Jul-2023
Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) J Elanchezhian revealed on July 1 that Lawrence Bishnoi, a gangster, was produced in a Moga court for charges related to an attempted murder case. He was brought from Bathinda Jail under tight security.
01-Jul-2023
Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) J Elanchezhian revealed on July 1 that Lawrence Bishnoi, a gangster, was produced in a Moga court for charges related to an attempted murder case. He was brought from Bathinda Jail under tight security.
01-Jul-2023
During a meeting of the federation (Manjit) in Ludhiana, following the resignation of all office bearers, Manjit Singh established a 5-member coordination committee to foster unity and collaborate with other factions. Manjit Singh emphasized the necessity of unity in order to achieve the creation of Khalistan.