KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
29-Apr-2025
On April 29, a gangster-turned-social worker identified as Ravneet Singh alias Sonu Mota was shot dead by two unidentified armed assailants near the Golden Temple in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The Police revealed that the assailants were led by gangster Abhiraj Singh alias Abhi Pehalwan. The police have registered a murder case and are conducting raids to apprehend the assailants.
29-Apr-2025
The prime accused in the April 7 grenade attack at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manoranjan Kalia’s residence, identified as Saidul Ameen, was produced before the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on April 29 and remanded to jail in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Punjab Police have linked the attack to a broader conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), with suspected involvement of Zeeshan Akhtar—an associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi—and Pakistan-based gangster Shahzad Bhatti. The role of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) is also under investigation.
29-Apr-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 29 imposed restrictions on farmers in Punjab’s border villages, allowing access beyond the cobra fence only in groups of at least 15 for agricultural activities. This move follows the April 27 directive to clear fields within 48 hours, amid rising tensions with Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack. Farmers expressed concerns over the impracticality of completing harvesting within such a limited timeframe and urged authorities to allow the use of more machines and grant extended access. BSF officials cited national security concerns and the need for visibility during patrols as the reason for the directive.
29-Apr-2025
Counter Intelligence (CI) team of Punjab Police on April 29 arrested an individual, identified as Jodhbir Singh and seized 5 pistols, including two PX5 pistols, one .30 bore pistol (Star marked), and two 9mm Glock pistols from his possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
29-Apr-2025
Police on April 29 arrested an individual, Sunil Kumar, on suspicion of espionage near the Bathinda military cantonment in Bathinda district. Preliminary investigation revealed his contact with a Pakistani woman, indicating a possible honeytrap. The Cantonment Police have registered a case and are probing whether he shared sensitive information. He is currently being interrogated at a secure location.
28-Apr-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on April 28 announced the deployment of anti-drone systems along the 553-km International Border with Pakistan to combat the growing threat of drone-based narcotics and weapons smuggling. The trials have been completed, and the systems will be deployed in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), which has already neutralised 55 drones and seized over 60 kg of narcotics in 2025. The anti-drone systems, equipped with radar, optical sensors, and radio frequency monitoring, offer both soft-kill (jamming) and hard-kill (destruction) capabilities. The drone threat, which began in 2018–2019, has intensified with the use of smaller drones for their stealth features.
28-Apr-2025
Amritsar Rural Police on April 28 arrested two operatives of the Jiwan Fauji terror module identified as Vishal Masih and Lovepreet Singh alias Love, and seized weapons and explosives from their possession, in Ramdas city in Amritsar district. The duo opened fire on the police during a chase and were injured in retaliatory firing.
28-Apr-2025
Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while addressing the State Legislative Assembly in Srinagar on April 28, acknowledged the long-neglected plight of Kashmiri Sikhs. He recalled the attacks on Sikh settlements, including the 2000 Chittisinghpora massacre. Even after 25 years, the Sikh community of Chittisinghpora continues to honour the memory of their martyrs and demand justice and accountability.
28-Apr-2025
The Supreme Court (SC) on April 28 directed the expeditious trial of 11 cases related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Kanpur, expressing concern over the 'inordinate delay' in proceedings. A bench instructed special public prosecutors to ensure early disposal of the cases and ordered the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) to promptly submit a report on an old, illegible First Information Report (FIR). The court also permitted victims' families to engage private counsel, with assistance from the Uttar Pradesh (UP) State Legal Services Authority, if required.
28-Apr-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, while addressing the media in Chandigarh on April 28, announced the completion of testing for the anti-drone system, with installation set to begin soon along the second line of defence across the border state. He also highlighted significant action against hawala operators, the establishment of 30 special courts under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and reiterated the focus on achieving a drug-free Punjab without relying on numerical arrest targets.
28-Apr-2025
Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence (CI) unit on April 28 arrested an individual, identified as Balvir Singh, and seized 3 kg of heroin from his possession in Attari village, Amritsar district. Efforts are ongoing to arrest co-accused Harpreet Singh and dismantle the network linked to Pakistan-based smugglers.
28-Apr-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 28 recovered eight small packets of heroin, weighing a total of 8.6 kg, from fields near Rattar Chattar village in Gurdaspur district.
27-Apr-2025
On April 27, the sarpanch of Bhagsar village in the Balluana constituency, identified as Sudhir Kumar, was shot and injured by masked assailants in Bhagsar village, Abohar, in Fazilka district. He was attacked while returning to his Dhani (a cluster of houses) and sustained a bullet injury to his right arm after stopping his car when signalled by the attackers. Sudhir was initially taken to the Civil Hospital in Abohar and later referred to Faridkot for advanced treatment. A police team from Wahabwala police station is investigating the incident, and further details are awaited.
27-Apr-2025
Punjab Police on April 27 arrested one smuggler, identified as Abhishek Kumar and seized seven pistols (including 5 pistols of .30 bore and 2 Glock 9mm pistols), 4 live cartridges of.30 bore, and INR 1.5 lakh from his possession, in Meerankot Kalan village in Amritsar district. The police revealed that Abhishek was involved in supplying sophisticated weapons to criminals, had direct links with Pakistan-based smugglers. He was collaborating with his Australia-based handler, Jassa, and local associate Jodhbir Singh alias Jodha, along with other foreign smugglers, to orchestrate illegal arms trafficking across the India-Pakistan border.
27-Apr-2025
Amritsar (Rural) police on April 27 arrested two smugglers, identified as Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh, and Simranjit Singh alias Simmu, and seized 500 grams of heroin along with three pistols of .30 bore calibre along with magazines from their possession, in Tarn Taran in Tarn Taran district. The Police revealed that they were linked with Paksitan-based smugglers pushing in drugs and weapons.
27-Apr-2025
The Special Task Force (STF) of Haryana Police, in a joint operation with Jhajjar Police, arrested gangster Kunal Joon on April 27 at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Wanted in over 15 criminal cases, Joon had fled abroad using a fake passport and was allegedly operating his gang from Dubai, with plans to shift to the United States.
27-Apr-2025
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) held a candle march in Chandigarh on April 27 to express solidarity with the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and demand justice for the innocent lives lost. Led by Mr. Charanjit Singh Villy, President of the Chandigarh unit of SAD, the march began with a two-minute silence at the party’s headquarters in Sector 28, Chandigarh, in honour of the victims. Villy condemned the brutal killings of tourists, accusing Pakistan of sponsoring terrorism in India and urging a strong response from the Indian government.
27-Apr-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, while addressing the media in Chandigarh on April 27, set a strict deadline of May 31 for the arrest of all drug traffickers in the state. He instructed district police chiefs to submit concrete action plans to the police headquarters and warned of consequences for officers if any discrepancies are found or drugs are recovered after the deadline. Yadav emphasized the responsibility of senior police officers, including Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Commissioners of Police (CP), in ensuring a drug-free Punjab. This directive follows a significant drug haul in the state and is part of the ongoing anti-drug drive launched by the Punjab government.
27-Apr-2025
The Ferozepur Police on April 27 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Lajar and Amanjeet Singh, and seized 1.23 kg of heroin from their possession near Lakho Ke Behram village in Ferozepur district.
27-Apr-2025
The Ferozepur police on April 27 arrested two unidentified drug smugglers and seized 514 grams of heroin from their possession, in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
26-Apr-2025
Ferozepur Police on April 26 arrested three individuals allegedly involved in a shootout on April 24, identified as Jashan alias Teji Gaurav alias Krish and Rajan alias Kali and seized four weapons from their possession in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
26-Apr-2025
According to sources, the Punjab Police, in coordination with central agencies, is actively pursuing six United States (US)-based individuals—Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Nawanshahria, Satbir Singh alias Satnam alias Satta, Gurjant Singh alias Bholu, Rajesh Kumar alias Sonu Khatri, Gurdev Singh alias Jaisal, and Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Bal—who are allegedly involved in orchestrating terrorism and organised crime in India at the behest of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The recent arrest of Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia in the US, along with supportive statements from Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, has raised hopes for their extradition.
26-Apr-2025
On April 26, members of an Akal Takht panel, formed to conduct a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) membership drive, were allegedly prevented from holding a meeting at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib in Fatehgarh Sahib district. Supporters accused Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) staff of blocking entry by locking the hall and parking a tractor outside—a charge denied by SGPC officials.
26-Apr-2025
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in a video statement on April 26, declared unconditional support for Pakistan against India and warned that Sikhs would obstruct the Indian Army from using Punjab as a route to launch operations against Pakistan. He criticised India’s treatment of minorities—particularly Sikhs—and made inflammatory remarks against Indian leaders, including Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, vowing to hold them accountable under international law. Pannun further alleged that the recent Pahalgam terror attack was a false-flag operation orchestrated by India to influence voter sentiment.
26-Apr-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), along with district administration officials, on April 26 demolished four illegally constructed houses belonging to notorious drug smugglers—Paramjit Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Boota Singh, and Rajwinder Kaur—in Daulewala village, Moga district.