KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
20-Jan-2026
The Ludhiana Commissionerate Police on January 20 said they arrested 118 criminals and recovered 13 pistols, 144 grams of heroin, 96 bottles of illicit liquor, and 430 habit-forming tablets during a major crackdown by over 100 teams of police officials in the city and localities situated on its outskirts in Ludhiana district. Several proclaimed offenders were apprehended during the raids.
20-Jan-2026
In a joint operation, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on January 20 arrested a woman arriving from Thailand and seized 1.5 kg of suspected narcotics from her at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar district.
20-Jan-2026
Punjab Police on January 20 launched a statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar—targeting 60 gangsters based abroad and their network of 1,200 associates in Punjab, all of whom have been arrested. Announcing the operation, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said over 12,000 police personnel are conducting raids across the state, targeting around 600 houses of gangsters’ family members and numerous hideouts, with the operation extending beyond Punjab as well. He said the drive, launched under the directions of Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, aims to dismantle gangster networks and make Punjab free of organized crime.
20-Jan-2026
Punjab Police on January 20 announced the formation of the Overseas Fugitive Tracking & Extradition Cell (OFTEC) to track foreign-based gangsters and terrorists involved in criminal activities in the state. The cell will focus on extradition and deportation of fugitives. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the initiative aims to strengthen international police cooperation and address gaps in handling terrorism, organised crime, cyber, economic, and trafficking cases. Police said around 60 Punjabi gangsters are hiding abroad, mainly in Canada and the US, with red-corner notices pending against 21 of them and the rest under process.
20-Jan-2026
A Faridkot court has framed charges against 12 of the 17 accused in the murder of Gurpreet Singh, a former associate of jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, invoking stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Amritpal Singh is also an accused, but proceedings against him are pending as he is lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam, under the National Security Act (NSA). Four other accused are reportedly abroad. According to the prosecution, Gurpreet Singh knew about Amritpal Singh’s alleged links with gangster Jaipal Bhullar and designated terrorist Arsh Dala, also an accused in the case. Police claim Amritpal Singh conspired to have Gurpreet Singh eliminated in October 2024 to prevent exposure of these links.
20-Jan-2026
The Punjab government has told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that there is no merit, either factually or legally, in Lok Sabha MP Amritpal Singh’s petition challenging his third detention order dated April 17, 2025. The submission came as a Bench headed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu imposed costs of INR 10,000 on the state for filing its reply on the date of hearing, despite a January 17 deadline.
20-Jan-2026
According to a report, a jailed Rajasthan criminal linked to the 2022 murder of Punjabi rapper Shubhdeep Singh alias Sidhu Moose Wala has been identified as a key operative in an interstate extortion racket run from prison. Arshad Khan, a native of Churu district, was brought to Ludhiana on a production warrant from Ferozepur Jail this week. Police allege he acted as a middleman for the Goldy Brar gang, coordinating a hit squad to intimidate a local businessman who refused to pay a ₹50 lakh extortion demand. Investigators say the case is a major breakthrough in exposing links between incarcerated gang leaders and street-level shooters.
19-Jan-2026
The Border Security Force (BSF), along with the anti-drug smuggling team, on January 19 seized 1.118 kg of heroin in the Kahangarh border outpost area of Amritsar district. The contraband packet was dropped by a drone.
19-Jan-2026
Police on January 19 arrested two criminals, identified as Harsimran alias Mand and Avanjot Singh Bhandal and seized two .32-bore pistols after an encounter on Rampur Road, Doraha, in Ludhiana district. One accused was injured in the leg during the shootout and is undergoing treatment at a hospital, while the other was taken into custody.
19-Jan-2026
On January 19, Punjab Police, on day 324 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 57 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 80 drug smugglers and seized 7 kg of heroin, 828 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 5420 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
19-Jan-2026
The Crime Investigation Agency on January 19 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Jasveer and seized 4.479 kg of heroin following an operation near Gillan village in Ferozepur district.
19-Jan-2026
The Crime Investigation Agency on January 19 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Prabhsimran Singh and Sukhwinder Singh, and seized 1.5 kg of heroin at Makhu in Ferozepur district.
19-Jan-2026
Widespread protests erupted in Patiala and nearby areas after the arrest of farm leaders and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) activists in Amritsar and Sangrur in Punjab. Over 30 leaders and workers were detained, including Sarwan Singh Pandher, Dilbagh Singh Harigarh, and Jaswinder Singh Longowal. The arrests were made on January 17 in Amritsar and January 18 in Sangrur.
18-Jan-2026
Intelligence agencies have issued an alert ahead of Republic Day, warning that Khalistani and Bangladesh-based terror outfits may target New Delhi and other cities. Sources said Punjab-based gangsters are increasingly being used as foot soldiers by foreign-based Khalistani handlers, with criminal networks active across Haryana, Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
18-Jan-2026
On January 18, Punjab Police, on day 323 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 97 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 122 drug smugglers and seized 440 grams of heroin, 340 grams of opium, 3 kg of poppy husk, 1781 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 8106 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
18-Jan-2026
The Ludhiana Commissionerate Police on January 18 said they dismantled a major illegal arms and extortion syndicate linked to gangster Goldy Brar after a four-week operation, arresting 10 operatives and seizing 12 sophisticated firearms in Ludhiana district. In the first phase, eight accused were arrested and seven weapons recovered, including two Austria-made 9mm Glock pistols with magazines and live ammunition on December 12, 2025. In a follow-up operation, in January 2026, two more operatives, Jatin Mattu Makda and Mukul, were arrested and five additional firearms seized. Police said the arrests foiled an extortion plot against a prominent Gurgaon-based businessman, whose residence had already been surveyed and was about to be attacked.
18-Jan-2026
Police on January 18 arrested two men in connection with the January 16 murder of Kesar Dhami, identified as Chandra Shekhar and Jaspal Singh and seized two .32-bore pistols, three live cartridges, and three empty shells after an encounter at Adampur in Jalandhar district.
17-Jan-2026
Karan Pathak alias Karan Defaulter, the main shooter accused in the December 15, 2025 murder of kabaddi promoter and player Kanwar Digvijay Singh alias Rana Balachauria, was killed in a police encounter near Kharar in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district on January 17. Police said Pathak complained of chest pain while in custody and was taken to a hospital, from where he escaped. Six to seven hours later, he was traced and, during the ensuing encounter, allegedly opened fire at police, who retaliated, killing him. His handcuffs were missing, suggesting he may have procured a .30-bore weapon while on the run. Pathak was also linked to the killing of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s mother.
17-Jan-2026
On January 17, Punjab Police, on day 322 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 200 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 227 drug smugglers and seized 745 grams of heroin, 1.2 kg of opium, 550 grams of ganja, 4,935 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 8,750 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
17-Jan-2026
Punjab Police on January 17 foiled a potential terror attack seizing a cache of weapons including three AK-47 rifles, five magazines, two pistols of Turkish and Chinese make, two additional magazines, and 98 bullets, in the Narot Jaimal Singh area of Pathankot district. Police said the arms were allegedly sent from Pakistan by Khalistani terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) under ISI instructions to destabilize Punjab, and were meant for a major attack through his associates.
16-Jan-2026
On January 16, Punjab Police, on day 321 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 54 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 71 drug smugglers and seized 1.3 kg of heroin, 500 grams of opium, 208 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 16,510 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
16-Jan-2026
Amritsar rural police on January 16 arrested three members of a drug smuggling gang, identified as Ajul Arora, Dilprit Kaur, and Pratham Sharma and seized 4.863 kg of heroin, four pistols, two rifles, and 84 live cartridges in Amritsar district.
16-Jan-2026
Security agencies have heightened vigilance ahead of the 77th Republic Day, with updated posters of high-profile “wanted” terrorists displayed at Delhi metro stations and markets in New Delhi. Topping the list is Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), reflecting the serious threat posed by his transnational terror–gangster network. A former local gangster, Dala took over the outfit after the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June 2023. Though currently based in Canada and recently linked to a shootout there, Indian agencies are intensifying efforts to dismantle his network to prevent any disruption during national celebrations.
16-Jan-2026
Panic gripped the Fazilka Deputy Commissioner’s office in Fazilka district on the morning of January 16 after it received an email threatening a bomb blast, which was later found to be a hoax.
16-Jan-2026
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann on January 16, during a meeting with British Columbia Premier David Eby in Chandigarh, emphasized strengthening trade relations with Canada, particularly with British Columbia. He said Canada has long been a strong partner for India and Punjab and expressed hope to further deepen trade and investment ties.