KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
10-May-2026
On May 10, Punjab Police, on day 435 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 67 drug smugglers, and seized 7.8 kg of heroin, 581 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 12,200 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
10-May-2026
Unidentified assailants on May 10 allegedly hurled a “bomb-like object” at the residence of village sarpanch Nishan Singh in Sudhar village, in the Ramdass area of Amritsar district, reportedly following extortion threats. Singh and his family escaped unhurt. According to Singh, he had earlier received a call from a person identifying himself as gangster Jeevan Fauji, demanding INR 50 lakh. He further alleged that another threatening call was made after the attack, warning of serious consequences if the demand was not met.
09-May-2026
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 9 seized 5.175 kg of heroin from the Gharinda area in Amritsar district.
09-May-2026
The Punjab Police on May 9 recovered 440 grams of heroin from harvested wheat fields in Jathaul village of Amritsar district.
09-May-2026
According to a Punjab Police report on Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) activities, at least 457 Pakistan-linked spies or associates were identified and arrested across 17 states and Union Territories (UTs) after Operation Sindoor, as Pakistan allegedly intensified espionage efforts against India following the operation. The report stated that the ISI significantly increased the deployment of Pakistan Intelligence Operatives (PIOs), tasking them with gathering sensitive information on troop movements, strategic installations and border deployments. Recruits were allegedly targeted through social media, honey-trapping and cash inducements, with payments routed through hawala networks and encrypted applications. Some suspects also allegedly attempted to install solar-powered CCTV cameras near military and police installations before being detected by security agencies.
09-May-2026
On May 9, the 109th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 536 raids, arrested 221 persons and recovered 17 weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 93 individuals, while 41 persons were verified and released after questioning. Six proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
09-May-2026
On May 9, Punjab Police, on day 434 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 97 drug smugglers, and seized 989 grams heroin, 500 grams of opium, 18 kg of poppy husk, 316 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 2300 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
09-May-2026
The Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on May 9 arrested Anil Kumar alias Monty, an alleged associate of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and recovered seven live cartridges from his residence, from Bansa Kushalpura village in Jaipur Rural, Rajasthan.
09-May-2026
Singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh on May 9 clarified that he has no interest in entering politics, dismissing speculation surrounding his growing public influence in Punjab. Responding to rumours that he could emerge as a future political figure in the State, Dosanjh stated that his focus remains on entertainment rather than political life.
08-May-2026
According to sources, security agencies in Sri Ganganagar district in Rajasthan have been put on alert following the IED blasts near the Army Cantonment area in Amritsar and outside the Border Security Force (BSF) Punjab Frontier headquarters in Jalandhar. The blasts, which occurred ahead of the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor, are suspected to be linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), prompting heightened vigilance in the district.
08-May-2026
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA)on May 8 arrested a Nigerian woman, identified as Bella, along with her taxi driver Dilip Kumar and recovered 3.069 kg of heroin from their possession, at the Goindwal Sahib bypass in Tarn Taran district. The two, allegedly linked to an international smuggling network and residing in New Delhi, had reportedly arrived in the area to collect heroin smuggled from Pakistan. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, Police established a checkpoint at the bypass and intercepted the accused.
08-May-2026
On May 8, the 108th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 548 raids, arrested 261 persons and recovered five weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 126 individuals, while 34 persons were verified and released after questioning. 12 proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
08-May-2026
On May 8, Punjab Police, on day 433 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 72 drug smugglers, and seized 5.9 kg of heroin, 10 kg of poppy husk, 292 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 1000 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
08-May-2026
Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on May 8 said it had detained a man in Punjab, identified as Guruvinder Singh, for interrogation over allegations of circulating anti-national and separatist content on social media and recording videos of strategic border areas, in Tarn Taran district. Preliminary investigations reportedly found pro-Khalistan and pro-Pakistan posts, videos and comments on his social media accounts. Investigators also alleged that he was in contact with suspicious individuals linked to terror networks. During questioning and digital analysis, officials recovered audio clips, videos, chats and comments allegedly supporting pro-Khalistan and pro-Pakistan narratives. According to the ATS, Facebook Messenger chats and voice notes also indicated alleged communication with suspicious individuals and members linked to The Resistance Front. Investigators claimed the chats included discussions on procuring AK-47 rifles and grenades to carry out bomb blasts.
07-May-2026
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 7 recovered 538 grams of heroin, along with packing material and remnants of a drone kit, near the Border Outpost (BOP) at Dauke in Amritsar district.
07-May-2026
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 7 recovered 482 grams of heroin wrapped in a polythene packet from the Dauke border area in Amritsar district.
07-May-2026
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 7 recovered 561 grams of heroin, along with packing material and drone remnants, near the border fencing area in Amritsar district.
07-May-2026
Gharinda Police on May 7 arrested an alleged drug smuggler, identified as Rajbir Singh, and seized 545 grams of heroin along with packing material in Amritsar district.
07-May-2026
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Punjab unit on May 7 extended support to singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh after he confronted pro-Khalistan elements during his concert in Calgary. In a post on X, the party stated that the threats issued against Dosanjh by “anti-national elements” reflected their “frustration and desperation,” adding that the singer had brought global recognition to Punjab. The BJP’s support followed a video released by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), warning that the group would oppose Dosanjh’s upcoming shows in the United States (US).
07-May-2026
On May 7, the 107th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 585 raids, arrested 323 persons and recovered five weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 123 individuals, while 44 persons were verified and released after questioning. 12 proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
07-May-2026
On May 7, Punjab Police, on day 432 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 114 drug smugglers, and seized 2.9 kg of heroin, 75 kg of poppy husk, 271 narcotic tablets/capsules and INR 3625 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
07-May-2026
Police on May 7 arrested a person, Harpreet Singh for allegedly selling heroin and seized 48 grams of heroin from his possession in Abupura village in Ludhiana district.
07-May-2026
Police on May 7 arrested an alleged drug peddler, Sarabjit Singh, and seized 15 intoxicating tablets from his possession in Mohalla Bagh Wala, Shahkot, in Jalandhar district.
07-May-2026
Police on May 7 arrested a man, identified as Vinod Sharma and recovered 120 grams of heroin from his possession during a special checking and patrolling operation in Phagwara in Kapurthala district.
07-May-2026
Several colleges in Amritsar and Baba Bakala in Amritsar district received bomb threats via email on May 7. The threats, later confirmed to be a hoax, warned of bomb explosions between May 7 and May 9 in multiple locations across Punjab, including Amritsar, Adampur, and Fatehgarh Sahib. The email, purportedly sent by the Khalistan National Army, also mentioned Bhagwant Mann and Ravneet Bittu while issuing threats against them. It further referred to Mann’s ‘Shukrana Yatra’ and cited the recent blast near the cantonment area in Khasa, Amritsar, for which the Khalistan Liberation Army had claimed responsibility.