KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
25-Jun-2023
The radical Sikh group Dal Khalsa on June 25 announced their plans to hold a memorial event for Hardeep Singh Nijjar at the Darbar Sahib complex on July 1 in Amritsar, Punjab. Nijjar was a Khalistani terrorist who was recently killed in Canada, was wanted by India, and had been sought for extradition since 2018.
25-Jun-2023
According to reports, speculation surrounds the recent deaths of three prominent pro-Khalistan leaders in different countries. The deaths have triggered debates about the possible causes. Some suggest that internal conflicts within the overseas leadership of the Khalistan movement may be responsible, while others speculate about a potential purge by Pakistan, which has been linked to supporting Khalistan. These individuals were wanted by India for various criminal cases, leading to social media discussions about the involvement of Indian intelligence agencies. However, there are also arguments that the deaths could be a result of internal disputes among pro-Khalistan leaders overseas. Another speculation revolves around Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) purging Khalistani leaders to replace them with younger figures.
25-Jun-2023
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of Punjab police busted an extortion racket operating in the name of Lawrence Bishnoi gang and arrested one of its operatives, identified as Vishal Kumar along with a pistol along with two live cartridges in Mohali.
25-Jun-2023
In an operation directed by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, on June 25, the police conducted simultaneous raids across several districts in Punjab, targeting suspected hideouts of gangsters-turned-terrorists Lakhbir Singh alias Landa and Harwinder Singh alias Rinda. Special Director General of Police (DGP) Arpit Shukla had instructed the police commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSPs) to deploy strong police teams for a successful operation targeting the nexus between terrorists, gangsters, and drug smugglers in India and abroad. Several people were detained for further verification, and incriminating materials were seized.
25-Jun-2023
The Tarn Taran police on June 25 arrested two associates of gangster turned terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, identified as Arshdeep Singh and his brother Wattandeep Singh, in Tarn Taran district. The police confiscated two pistols along with 285 cartridges of various sizes, 100 grams of opium, and 250 kilograms of 'lahan' (a raw material for liquor production) from their possession.
25-Jun-2023
Police on June 25 intercepted a truck containing 215 kilograms of poppy husk and arrested the driver Bhupinder and the cleaner Puna Ram Bishnoi, in Abohar in Fazilka district.
25-Jun-2023
Congress leader and the president of the International Anti-Khalistani Terrorist Front Gursimran Singh, Mand on June 25 received a death threat via email. The threatening message, allegedly sent by an unidentified individual with the email id ‘[email protected], claimed to be from the Lawrence Bishnoi group, warned of shooting Mand in the head. Mand had recently spoken out against extremist Balwant Singh Rajowana and his sister Kamaldeep Kaur.
25-Jun-2023
In a statement issued on June 25, Dal Khalsa spokesperson Paramjit Singh Mand expressed concern over the increasing interference of the Indian government in Sikh religious affairs and the mysterious killings of Khalistani activists abroad. Dal Khalsa also announced a demonstration in front of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) office in Amritsar on July 1, holding India's external intelligence responsible for operations on foreign soil. They believe the state is targeting pro-active Sikhs and seeking unity and a revived spirit of sacrifice among Sikhs to counter these actions. They expressed concerns about future targeted killings, pointing to Indian intelligence agencies as potential culprits. The organization has written a letter to the Prime Minister (PM) of Canada seeking a fair investigation into the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and plans to hold a memorial event for him.
24-Jun-2023
GBS Sidhu, the retired Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer, while speaking to ANI Editor Smita Prakash disclosed that Congress leaders, including Kamal Nath, orchestrated the rise of Khalistani extremist Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in the late 1970s. He claims that a political conspiracy was hatched at 1 Akbar Road to create a Sikh extremist leader who would sow division between the Hindu and Sikh communities. Sidhu further reveals that a new wing was created in RAW to investigate Sikh extremism, while Congress leaders aimed to make Khalistani separatism a national issue. Sidhu's book, titled 'Khalistan Conspiracy,' delves into these allegations and their impact on the events leading to Operation Bluestar and Indira Gandhi's assassination.
24-Jun-2023
Cheema police on June 24 arrested an individual, identified as Raghuvir Singh, and confiscated a total of 360 habit-forming tablets from his possession in Sangur district. Assistant of Sub-Inspector (ASI) Rajinder Singh stated that they are currently engaged in additional inquiries regarding the matter.
24-Jun-2023
Punjab Police on June 24 arrested two individuals, Daljit Singh and Pritpal Singh, in connection with a case related to pro-Khalistan slogans being painted on a wall at Moga bus stand in Punjab on June 1, from Nanded, Maharashtra. The accused have alleged links to the banned separatist organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and were backed by SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, according to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) J Elanchezhian said that the accused were paid INR 80,000 by foreign Khalistani elements to put up pro-Khalistan flags and slogans in Moga and disrupt peace in Punjab. Further inquiries will be made into Pannu's role.
23-Jun-2023
Police on June 23 arrested a person, identified as Sachin Maurya and recovered 60 grams of heroin from him near Kishanpura terminal on the Hanumangarh mega highway near Abohar in Fazilka district.
23-Jun-2023
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, issued a new video message calling for retaliation following the assassination of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and made threats against Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and National Security Advisor (NSA). In the video, Pannun stated, “Remember Rajiv Gandhi and the 1991 elections. Pro-Khalistan Sikhs will come for you in 2024. We are moving freely, if you have guts in your government, get out. Today, we stand outside Washington DC. Listen, Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Security Advisor Ajit Doval, we will achieve a separate Punjab through a referendum.”
23-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on June 23 successfully shot down a Pakistani drone that had crossed into Indian territory near T J Singh village in the Tarn Taran district. Following the incident, during a search operation, they recovered the drone on June 24. The drone was identified as a DJI Matrice 300 RTK series quadcopter and was found in a damaged state.
23-Jun-2023
According to government officials, Canada's response to extradition and deportation requests from India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding alleged terrorist operatives and pro-Khalistan elements has been slow. The NIA has sought the extradition of individuals such as Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, a member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, associated with the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). Despite the accused's alleged involvement in killings and terror activities in Punjab and other parts of India, the Canadian authorities have not taken significant steps in this regard. The Indian government has raised concerns about Canada providing a safe haven for extremists and separatists.
23-Jun-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed on June 23 that Amarjot Singh, the brother-in-law of Amritpal Singh, the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), has been identified as the primary accused in the attack on the Indian High Commission in Canada on March 23. The NIA has taken over the case and is investigating a larger conspiracy and potential links to Pakistan. According to the NIA's First Information Report (FIR), Singh, led by Baba Sarvan Singh, was part of a pro-Khalistan mob that attacked the Indian High Commission in Canada. The mob raised anti-India slogans, placed Khalistani flags on the boundary wall, and threw two grenades inside the commission building. The NIA has also named eight Khalistan supporters, including Baba Sarvan Singh, for the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. The agency has been gathering evidence and preparing a list of suspects in similar attacks in London and plans to visit the United States (US) and Canada soon.
22-Jun-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 22 announced a cash reward for the arrest of eight absconding individuals, including Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, a designated terrorist of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) based in Canada. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) declared Dalla a designated terrorist on January 9, due to his involvement in serious crimes such as murder, extortion, targeted killings, and terror activities. The NIA has placed a cash reward of INR 5 lakh on Dalla and Gaurav Patyal, and INR 1 lakh each on Sandeep alias Bandar, Sukhdool Singh, Gurpinder Singh alias Baba Dalla, Dinesh Sharma, Neeraj Pandit, and Dalesh Singh Kotia. These individuals are wanted by the NIA in various cases related to terrorism, and the agency has sought a Proclamation under section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) against them as they are operating from abroad and remain absconding.
22-Jun-2023
Newly appointed Takht Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh on June 22, criticised the Punjab government for not waiting for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) decision on the telecast of Gurbani before passing the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, ensuring free broadcast from the Golden Temple.
22-Jun-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on June 22 urged the Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit to nullify the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which allows free-to-air telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple. The SGPC alleges unconstitutional interference by the Punjab government and claims that the issue of the Gurbani broadcast is an administrative matter being used for political interests.
22-Jun-2023
Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence (CI) wing on June 22 foiled a cross-border smuggling attempt and seized four .30 bore caliber pistols along with magazines in the Kakkar village of Lopoke subdivision of Amritsar district, Punjab. Additional Inspector General (AIG- CI) Sukhinder Singh Mann, revealed that acting on a tip-off, the CI intercepted the weapons being smuggled by from Pakistan via drones. The seizure followed the recent arrest of two cross-border smugglers, one of whom was already in custody at Amritsar Central Jail.
22-Jun-2023
A Pakistani drone carrying 2 kg of narcotics was seized by the Border Security Force (BSF) from Jodhawala village near the International Border in the Fazilka sector in Fazilka district on June 22. During the search, BSF recovered a drone and a bag with two packets of narcotics in the fields adjacent to the village.
22-Jun-2023
Giani Raghbir Singh officially took over as the new Jathedar of Akal Takht on June 22, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs.
22-Jun-2023
Former acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Harpreet Singh, on June 22 stated that he resigned voluntarily despite facing pressure, without specifying its nature.
21-Jun-2023
Honey Singh approached Delhi Police headquarters on June 21, after allegedly receiving a threatening call from a man claiming to be Goldy Brar, the prime accused in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case. A complaint was filed stating that a threatening call was received on Honey Singh's manager's phone number on June 19, from someone claiming to be Goldy Brar, demanding INR 50 lakh in extortion. The Delhi Police spokesperson confirmed the incident and stated that subsequent random calls and voice messages were received for extortion from the same number.
21-Jun-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 21, arrested Vikas Singh, a key associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, for providing shelter to members of the Lawrence Bishnoi terror syndicate involved in criminal activities, including the RPG attack on Punjab Police's Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali on May 9, 2022. Vikas Singh, who hails from Lucknow, provided shelter to Deepak Surakhpur and Divyanshu of Faizabad, who were the perpetrators of the attack. He is facing multiple criminal cases, including murder.