KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
23-Jan-2022
Punjab Police have been carrying out search and combing operations in villages along the Indo-Pak border in the border districts in Punjab. This is being done to thwart any untoward incident in view of the ensuing Assembly elections and Republic Day celebrations. Police have been carrying out intelligence-based operations as there has been regular seizure of explosives including RDX, hand grenades and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) being pushed into the country by Pakistan-based banned terror modules.
23-Jan-2022
The Khanna district police arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Tirath Singh and Ramjan Mohammad and seized nearly 142 kilograms of poppy husk and 2 vehicles used in the crime from the accused following two connected raids in Sihar and Shahpur villages in Khanna district.
22-Jan-2022
The Special Task Force (STF) arrested four persons for allegedly harbouring Sukhpreet Singh, the key accused of the terror attacks that took place in Punjab in November from Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand. The four accused were identified as Shamsher Singh (26), Harpreet Singh (24), Gurpal Singh (24), and Ajmer Singh (30). The STF has also recovered a 0.32 bore pistol and a hatchback car from their possession. Senior Superintendent of Police, Udham Singh Nagar, Barinderjit Singh said, “The four accused were arrested after Punjab police shared intelligence that prime accused Sukhpreet was hiding in the district and being helped by the operatives of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), an outlawed militant group. An STF team raided several suspected hideouts in Pantnagar town of the district and managed to nab the four accused. Sukhpreet, however, is still at large.”
22-Jan-2022
According to reports, the Special Task Force (STF) of drugs has failed to make any breakthrough in the seizure of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) recovered from near Dhanoe Khurd village located on the Attari-Bachiwind border village road in Amritsar over a week ago. The IED contained over 2.7-kg RDX along with 1.36-kg iron ball packed in three containers to enhance its potency. Mohinish Chawla, IG, Border Range, said investigations were still under progress to identify sleeper cells involved in sneaking explosives to India for creating law and order problem, especially when the Republic Day and Assembly elections were round the corner. According to sources privy to the investigations, the IED was smuggled into India with a drone. There was different module used in sneaking this IED (from Dhanoe Khurd village), while RDX seized from Gurdaspur was smuggled by another module. The police had booked gangster Sukh Bikhariwal, who was deported from Malaysia along with Sukh Ghuman, Tharanjot Singh besides ISYF chief Lakhbir Singh Rode and fugitive gangster Arsh Dhalla in the case.
21-Jan-2022
The Punjab Police January 21 thwarted a possible terror attack around the Republic Day and recovered a 40-mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) with two compatible grenades, 3.79 kg RDX, nine detonators, and two sets of timer devices from Gurdaspur. The recovery was made on the disclosure of Malkeet Singh, a resident of village Gazikot in Gurdaspur who was arrested January 19 by the Gurdaspur Police based on a tip-off in a terror module and conspiracy case. The consignment of explosives was sent from across the border by Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode. Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh said, “An FIR naming Rode, Sukh Bhikhariwal, Sukh Ghuman, Malkit Singh and Arshdeep Singh Dalla has been registered at the Dinanagar police station. Of these, Malkit Singh of Gazikot village has been arrested and the recovery was made after we interrogated him. Sukh Bhikariwal is lodged in Tihar jail and we will be bringing him here on a production warrant. A manhunt has been launched to nab the remaining accused.”
21-Jan-2022
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 21 said it has conducted at five locations in Taran Tarn, Fazilka and Ferozepur districts of Punjab in connection with its investigation into the bike Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast case of Jalalabad in the state. The NIA official said, “During the searches conducted today, electronic gadgets, ammunition, documents and other incriminating materials have been seized.”
20-Jan-2022
The pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) released a video provoking the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) ahead of Republic Day. In the video message, SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and a veiled woman are seen parroting the Pakistan line by exhorting the people of the J&K to raise their voice for the "freedom" of J&K. Pannun exhorted Kashmiris to not only block Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hoisting the national flag on January 26 but also unfurl the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) flag in Delhi. He said, "Now is the time people of Kashmir, you should reach Delhi. Block PM Modi from hoisting the tricolour. Just as the Sikh community will unfurl the Khalistani flags, you should unfurl the flag of Kashmir in Delhi. You are getting killed in fake encounters in Baramulla, Shopian, Anantnag every day and nobody knows in the world. When you reach Delhi on January 26, the entire world will watch that Kashmir and Sikhs wants freedom."
20-Jan-2022
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered around 7.25-kg heroin, smuggled from Pakistan with the help of a drone, near Muhawa border outpost in Amritsar district on the intervening night of January 19 and 20. The BSF troops fired at the unmanned aerial vehicle and also lit up the area with illumination bombs to locate the drone after hearing a humming sound. The technique was used for the first time by the BSF. It said the troops heard a sound of dropping from the flying object. The area was immediately cordoned and a search operation was launched in the morning that led to the recovery of seven packets of 7.25-kg heroin, the officials said.
20-Jan-2022
Infamous drug peddler, Poonam alias “Bhabi” and her accomplice, Sandeep Khatri, were arrested with heroin in Chandigarh on January 20. Police recovered 404gm heroin from Poonam and another 205.9gm heroin was recovered from Khatri. According to police, Khatri had come to deliver heroin to Poonam.
19-Jan-2022
According to the Intelligence Bureau (IB)’s input, the banned Khalistani outfit Sikh for Justice (SFJ) is in the process of carrying out a terrorist attack on Republic Day. The outfit is likely to attack India Gate and Red Fort by placing explosives in a car. According to IB input, SFJ may repeat hoisting the religious flag at Red Fort like last year (2021). It also claimed that terrorists had brought explosives from Pakistan to India.
18-Jan-2022
Banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), in a video message, threatened to run an international campaign on Republic Day. In the video message, SFJ's chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said Khalistan Referendum activists Jaswinder Singh Multani who was detained by German police after the recent Ludhiana court blast for allegedly furthering pro-Khalistan agenda but was later released, and Gurmit Singh Bagga would 'Raise Khalistan' and 'Block Tiranga' at the Indian embassy in Frankfurt, while Paramjeet Singh Pamma would do the same in London, UK, and Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver, Canada. Pannun also said, "Citing infamous Article 25(b) of the Indian Constitution, a global anti-India campaign #SikhsAreNot Hindus has been launched, emailing UK Prime Minister (Boris) Johnson, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Biden and Trudeau administrations urging them to support the first-ever Khalistan Referendum for secession of Punjab from India." SFJ has already announced an offer of 1 million dollars for the project 'Raise Kesri-Khalistan', and 'Block Modi-Tiranga' coinciding with India's Republic Day celebrations this year. Pannun had earlier released a video asking Sikhs to raise the 'kesri' flag in place of the Indian Tricolour.
18-Jan-2022
Intelligence Bureau (IB), in its alert, said that according to inputs received in March 2021, the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) is planning to attack India's top leaders, VVIP, at the behest of Pakistan intelligence agency ISI. According to the alert, the Khalistan Liberation Force has joined hands with Islamic militants and all this has been done by the Pakistani agency ISI, so elaborate security arrangements should be made. According to the alert, on January 26, top leaders from 5 Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan are expected to be the chief guests at the event. IB alerts sent through the Home Ministry provide information on SOPS, countermeasures and active terror outfits in India at a total of 32 points.
18-Jan-2022
According to sources, security agencies are on high alert in wake of reports indicating that Pakistan purchased more drones from China which are likely to be used for dipping arms and ammunition in India. Intelligence documents show that Islamabad recently purchased drones from China. According to security agencies, Pakistan may try to target important installations in India using drones. This alert came after two Indians and a Pakistani were killed along with 6 wounded in a suspected Houthi drone attack near the Abu Dhabi airport in UAE.
17-Jan-2022
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) declared a reward of INR 10 lakh on Germany-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) operative, Jaswinder Singh Multani, who has been booked along with his associates from other banned outfits like the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) for allegedly attempting to revive terrorism in Punjab. According to reports, the preliminary findings have also indicated the role of Multani in the recent Ludhiana court complex blast. The NIA has accused him of coordinating with Pakistan-based pro-Khalistani elements and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and conspiring to carry out terror attacks in Mumbai and other parts of the country. The NIA registered the case following a direction from the Central government to investigate the allegations against Multani. Along with Multani, the NIA has named Jagdish Singh Bhura of KZF, his deputy Gurmeet Singh, who is also associated with SFJ; Ranjeet Singh Pakhoke of KTF (Germany); Sukhdev Singh Heran and Hardeep Singh Nijjar of Babbar Khalsa International; and Paramjit Singh Pamma and Ranjeet Singh Neeta, both KTF members, in the case. Meanwhile, at the instance of the Indian agencies, the German police had last month detained and then released him after he submitted an affidavit promising to cooperate with the authorities concerned.
17-Jan-2022
Supreme Court lawyers on January 17 received the 5th threat call from Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) since Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's security breach. The call which was received by lawyers such as Apoorv Shukla and Maharashtra's former Chief Standing Counsel Nishant Katneshwarkar contained a pre-recorded message from SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. It threatened the lawyers for filing a complaint against Pannun for announcing a 1 million dollars reward to block PM Modi and raise the Khalistan flag instead of the tricolor in Delhi on Republic Day. Pannun reportedly warned of protests against apex court lawyers whenever they go abroad. Moreover, he maintained that SFJ will not allow retired SC judge Indu Malhotra to proceed with the inquiry into the PM's security breach. Maharashtra's former Chief Standing Counsel Nishant Katneshwarkar said, "I received this call from a UK number. It is from Mr. Pannu of SFJ. But today it is saying that the SFJ will identify the advocates. Because of the filing of the complaint, the advocates have put themselves in a dangerous position. And it further says that SFJ will not allow Justice Indu Malhotra to proceed with the inquiry committee and SFJ will block the Honourable Prime Minister on 26th of January." In the recorded call Pannun said, "You have filed complaint against SFJ and put yourself in a dangerous position. Now we will hold anti-Sikh, anti-Muslim advocates accountable. While we will block Modi on January 26 and raise Khalistan flags, we will not allow Indu Malhotra to investigate Modi terror plot. We are preparing a list of advocates who visit foreign nations and you will hear from us peacefully, democratically and loudly."
17-Jan-2022
A hand grenade was found on a bank of a seepage drain near Muthianwali border village in Fazilka district near the International Border (IB).
17-Jan-2022
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified more than twelve individuals related to Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Jaswinder Singh Multani. On December 27, he was detained in Germany at India’s request. According to the officials, Multani’s suspected contacts with a smuggling network sponsored by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have also been exposed. According to claims, the allegations have spurred German authorities to launch an independent investigation into Multani’s and his accomplices’ behavior. Multani is accused by the NIA of gathering cash to provide weaponry and explosives through a smuggling network in Punjab. Officials further stated he was actively utilizing social media channels to spread SFJ’s beliefs.
16-Jan-2022
The Intelligence agencies warned that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has activated its terror outfits to execute more terror activities in the state and in some parts of Uttar Pradesh, with an aim to derail the electioneering process in the state and to increase the Khalistani footprints in Punjab. According to intelligence inputs, the ISI-sponsored Sikh terror outfits may target the election rallies and may attempt to hit some important leaders or VVIP during the electioneering process in Punjab, parts of UP, and Uttarakhand. The sources added that considering the Punjab election as an apt opportunity to reactivate the Khalistani movement in the state and also in other poll-bound states wherein the Sikh voters are in large numbers, the ISI has activated all small or big terror groups which have been tasked to derail the poll process in the state.
15-Jan-2022
Sikh Youth of Punjab (SYP), the youth wing of Dal Khalsa, organised a youth conference to discuss the challenges being faced by the Sikh community and Punjab and the role and responsibilities of the young generation in tackling them. The conference expressed concern over the continuous arrests of youth under UAPA and other terror-related cases and observed that it was the outcome of government’s denial to resolve Punjab conflict and deliver justice in sacrilege cases.
15-Jan-2022
A drug peddler, Birbhan (36), who was arrested in an Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) case and was presently out on bail, was rearrested by the UT police with 1.125 kg of charas from the Indira Colony in Chandigarh.
15-Jan-2022
According to reports, the central intelligence agencies have alerted the Punjab government that with only 30 days to go for the upcoming Assembly elections, terrorists may carry out a major attack in the state. A high alert has been issued to central and state government intelligence agencies in this regard and orders have been issued to strengthen security. According to the alert, Pakistan terrorists Wadhwa Singh Babbar (BKI), Paramjit Singh Panjwar, Ranjit Singh Neeta (KZF), Lakhbir Singh Rode (ISYF) are being used by Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). An alert sent to the Punjab government also said that RDX can also be used in elections in Punjab.
14-Jan-2022
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that “some Khalistani mentions” of “offending nature” spotted in a social media account of a person will not be a conclusive proof of him being a member of a terrorist group. The observation came on an appeal filed under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act against an order, dated February 4, 2021, passed by the Mohali NIA Special Judge, dismissing his bail application in an FIR registered on September 23, 2019.
14-Jan-2022
According to reports, the recent investigations suggest that luring youths of lower strata of society, irrespective of their religion, with foreign dreams and easy money is the latest modus operandi of the banned terror outfit International Youth Sikh Federation (IYSF) to further its cause. Of the six IYSF operatives arrested by the Punjab Police for November 21, 2021 grenade attack at an army camp in Pathankot, three are Hindus and all of them come from a poor family background. The IYSF is a banned outfit being run by wanted terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode, who reportedly operates in Pakistan. The six were arrested on January 10. Unnamed officials said that the accused were neither radicalised nor driven by pro-Khalistan ideology. Their job was to create panic through grenade attacks as briefed by their handler, Sukhpreet Singh alias Sukh of Kharal village, who is currently in Greece, and reportedly an aide of Rode. The accused trained themselves in handling grenades from videos available on YouTube, the officials said. “They were active for the last four to six months. Probe suggests that one of the accused was not even paid any money. In its attempt for survival, the IYSF is targeting needy youths belonging to the lower strata of society in lieu of paltry sums and foreign dreams,” the officials added.
14-Jan-2022
A Supreme Court lawyer filed a complaint with Delhi police cyber cell against Sikh For Justice (SFJ) Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The lawyer also filed FIR against Twitter and Facebook for providing a platform to publish objectionable video messages issued by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who is seen threatening the Prime Minister of India and the sovereign integrity of the nation.
14-Jan-2022
The Punjab and Haryana high court granted bail to Amarjeet Singh, an accused linked with the 2019 Tarn Taran blast and alleged pro-Khalistani group member, observing that the accusation is not prima facie “true”. Amarjeet in his appeal had said that he was in custody since September 2019 and nothing has come on record that he was a member of any terrorist organisation and involved in any unlawful activity. Hence, bail be granted. Earlier, two of the accused were killed on the spot when an explosion took place at Pandori Gola village of the Tarn Taran district in September 5, 2019.