KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
14-May-2023
A woman, identified as Parminder Kaur, allegedly consuming liquor inside Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib was shot dead by man outside the manager’s room on May 14. The man was arrested later. The incident occurred when the woman was being taken to the manager's room, and the shooter, a property dealer, fired multiple shots.
13-May-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on May 13 installed portraits of Amarjit Singh Khemkaran and Jathedar Dalip Singh Talwandi at the Golden Temple's Central Sikh Museum in Amritsar. Amarjit was a constable-turned-separatist who was killed in the 1984 Operation Bluestar, while Jathedar Dalip Singh Talwandi had participated in several morchas and Punjabi Suba Lehar. The family members of both were felicitated on the occasion with siropas. The SGPC general secretary said that the installation of their portraits was an attempt to showcase that the Sikh community never forgets those who contribute to the cause of Panth.
13-May-2023
A letter seized from an arrested individual in connection with the Amritsar blasts reveals a plot to enforce "Taliban-style punishments" for those violating the Sikh code of conduct. The letter calls for the release of pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh and references an incident where a girl with the national flag colours was denied entry into the Golden Temple. It warns of strict penalties for violations, including possessing tobacco, not covering heads, and emphasizes adherence to the Sikh religious code. Punjab police suspect links between the arrested individuals and Pakistan-based agencies or pro-Khalistan elements. Investigation sources suggest that these connections may have provided financial resources for their anti-India activities. Azadbir Singh, one of the accused, is believed to be the mastermind behind the blasts, with hopes of uncovering more information about the terror module.
13-May-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) has reportedly shot down 11 Pakistani drones along the Punjab border as of April 30 this year. However, there were a total of 87 instances of drone intrusion into Indian territory during the same period. In 2022, BSF shot down 17 drones in the Punjab sector, while one drone was downed in the Rajasthan sector. The frequency of Pakistani drone movements into Indian territory has decreased, posing challenges for BSF in intercepting them. Punjab had the highest number of drone sightings, followed by Gujarat, Jammu, and Rajasthan. Drones have become a significant tool for gunrunning and drug supply by Pakistani state actors and their terror affiliates. Indian agencies are actively seeking solutions to address the drone menace supported by Pakistani terror syndicates and intelligence agencies.
12-May-2023
The Antim Ardas, a Sikh funeral prayer, was held for Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) Chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Gurbax Singh Ji Akali near Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar on May 12. Panjwar was killed by armed assailants while in hiding in Lahore, Pakistan on May 6. The Bhog of Shri Akhand Path Sahib of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee was held in his memory. Singh Sahib Giani Jagtar Singh bestowed Siropas upon family members of Panjwar. Panth Sewak Bhai Daljit Singh Bittu called Panjwar's death a testament to his dedication to fighting for the liberation of Khalistan.
12-May-2023
According to sources, two terrorists arrested by Delhi Police's Special Cell were promised at least INR 1 crore from Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) for targeted killings and were to seek shelter at Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh's heavily guarded house. They were also tasked to eliminate several political figures and were found to have received hawala money to kill a Bajrang Dal functionary. The killings were to be funded by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla and ISI-backed Khalistani factions. Special Cell tracked the terrorists after intercepting some of their communications with foreign handlers.
12-May-2023
The Amritsar City Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against five accused involved in three explosions near Golden Temple, revealing their links with foreign-based handlers and multi-source funding for terror activities. The accused procured explosive material with the help of their masters, who are based in India and abroad, and received money from different channels. Officials suspect that the accused were radicalised with the help of social media posts of pro-Khalistani leaders, and the role of some pro-Khalistani organisations has also emerged in the case.
12-May-2023
Three Indian nationals were arrested by the Counter Intelligence Unit of the Delhi Police for being a part of a drug nexus from Pakistan. The accused were allegedly supplying drugs trafficked from Pakistan via drones, in exchange for money transferred through a hawala network from drug mafias to Pakistan. The accused have links in the US and the Philippines and were supplying drugs in Punjab and other parts of the country from 2010-2011. The Punjab Police have taken their custody and started an investigation.
12-May-2023
According to the FIR registered by the Assistant Commissioner of Police, the prime suspects in the Amritsar serial blasts, Azadbir Singh and Amrik Singh, were allegedly acting on the instructions of foreign-based handlers who aimed to disturb the peace and incite religious sentiments. They received funding from their handlers through various channels.
12-May-2023
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested two persons and seized 5.48 kg of heroin worth INR 38 crore at Attari in Amritsar district on May 12. The heroin was found hidden in a shipment of 4,000 brooms in around 40 bags, and was stashed in hollow bamboo sticks within three of the bags. The consignment was imported by an Afghan national using fake Indian identification documents, in connivance with his Indian national wife, who were both arrested.
11-May-2023
According to police, two terrorists arrested by Delhi Police in January were allegedly tasked by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)'s Kashmir-Khalistan (K2) desk to enter Red Fort in New Delhi and open fire at security personnel in a rerun of an attack in 2000. They were also in the final stage of carrying out five targeted killings, including two sadhus in Haridwar, to fan communal riots. The chargesheet filed against the two men, Jagjit Singh Jassa and Naushad, includes murder, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence. They had already committed one murder, beheading a man named Raj Kumar, and were planning to carry out four more. The video of the beheading was sent to their foreign-based handlers, including an ISI operative, through the chat application Signal.
11-May-2023
Police on May 11 arrested five suspects believed to be members of a terror module in connection with the series of low-intensity blasts near the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The police recovered 1kg of explosives and inflammatory literature from the accused, who had admitted to carrying out the blasts. The five accused were identified as Amrik Singh, Ajad Veer Singh, Sahib Singh, Dharmender and Harjit.
11-May-2023
Police on May 11 conducted a coordinated drive against suspected drug peddlers and their sympathisers in Ludhiana, Malerkotla and Khanna police districts of Punjab.
11-May-2023
Police arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Jaipal Singh and Gurbaj Singh and seized 2 kg of heroin from them in Ferozepur district on May 11.
10-May-2023
India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) has issued a "blue notice" and Look Out Circulars (LOCs) against several individuals based in the United States, Greece, and the Philippines in connection with an alleged nexus of gangsters and Khalistani outfits operating from foreign soil. The "blue notice" was issued against Harjot Singh, while LOCs were issued against Satnam Singh, Amrik Singh, and Mandeep Singh. The case relates to an alleged nexus between Khalistani outfits and north India-based gangsters in terror attacks, smuggling of arms and drugs, targeted hits, and extortions. The NIA has declared a reward of INR 10 lakh on Kashmir Singh Galwaddi and INR 15 lakh on Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa. Overall, close to 300 gangsters and mid-level criminals have been arrested by NIA and Delhi Police as part of a larger crackdown since August 2022.
10-May-2023
The president of National Akali Dal, Paramjit Singh Pamma on May 10 accused Pakistan of providing shelter to senior Khalistani militants on their soil while pretending to be friends with India. Pamma attributed the recent killing of Khalistani Commando Force (KCF) chief to Pakistan's efforts to get rid of liabilities and clean its terrorist land. He also alleged that Pakistan is involving youth, including Harvinder Singh Rinda, in sending drugs to India with the help of drones.
10-May-2023
Harjot Singh, a gangster accused of the Nabha jail-break, on May 10 was transferred to Muktsar district jail after a medical examination at the Civil Hospital in Muktsar under tight security.
10-May-2023
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on May 10 arrested two individuals and booked six others for their involvement in preparing fake documentation for passports and visas to help criminals and gang members flee abroad from Gurdaspur district. The group was also involved in cross-border smuggling activities related to drugs and militant hardware.
10-May-2023
A third blast occurred near Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab on May 10. According to sources, the recent explosions are suspected to be the work of two individuals, including a former government employee, who wanted to send a message against alleged anti-Sikh activities in India. The accused is not affiliated with the pro-Khalistani movement but has extreme radical views. The intention behind the blasts was to protest against the use of tobacco near Golden Temple and the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) on Amritpal Singh. Three individuals who sold potash to the accused have been apprehended, but they were unaware of the intended purpose of the purchase.
10-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guards (NSG) have joined the investigation into two low-intensity explosions that occurred in a span of 30 hours near the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the terror angle cannot be ruled out. The Punjab Police are investigating the blasts and are seeking the help of NSG for a second opinion as they have advanced bomb detection expertise. The devices appeared to be crude bombs.
10-May-2023
The two-day special operation 'Ops Vigil' launched in Punjab against drug smugglers and anti-social elements has resulted in the registration of 177 FIRs across the state. Over 17,500 police personnel conducted checks at various locations, including railways stations, bus stands, hotels, and marketplaces, leading to the recovery of narcotics and illicit liquor. The operation also involved the reviewing of security at several places of worship and the setting up of hi-tech nakas to search for suspected vehicles and individuals.
10-May-2023
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who was arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad in connection with a heroin seizure case worth INR 194.97 crore off the Jakhau Coast (Gujrat) in September, has been sent to Sabarmati Central jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in judicial custody after his police remand got over.
10-May-2023
British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, on May 10 condemned the damage caused to the Indian High Commission in London by pro-Khalistan groups in March 2023. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Ellis stated that the vandalism was "not okay" and that he would have been equally angry if a similar incident had occurred at a United Kingdom (UK) mission. He further stated that India and the UK were capable of dealing with disagreements, but in the case of Khalistani extremism, "there was no disagreement". Ellis emphasised that extremism is a risk in any country, including the UK.
09-May-2023
Gursimran Singh Mand, the National joint coordinator of the All-India Congress Committee, was provided with Y-category security on May 9 due to threats received from Canada-based terrorist Goldy Brar and pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla. Mand had earlier requested young police personnel for his security cover.
09-May-2023
According to reports, the killing of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar in Pakistan has made India's most wanted criminals living in Pakistan feel less secure. Panjwar was designated a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) and was responsible for drug smuggling, dealing with fake Indian currency, and many other crimes, including killing 18 students of Thappar Engineering College in Patiala. Other terrorists, such as Bashir Ahmad Peer, Syed Khalid Raza, Aijaz Ahmad Ahanger, Harmeet Singh, and Harwinder Singh Rinda, have also been killed outside India in recent years. Pakistan has been known as a safe haven for these criminals, but this trend of killings shows that it is no longer safe. Pakistan is currently on a "use and throw" policy, and criminals who are no longer impactful or relevant to the ISI's (Inter-Services Intelligence) motives are being shunned.