KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
18-Oct-2024
Mathura Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shailesh Kumar Pandey on October 18 suspended three policemen—Sub-Inspector Ramsanehi, Head Constable Vipin Kumar, and Constable Sanjay Kumar—for negligence after videos surfaced showing Yogesh alias Raju, a sharpshooter from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, interacting with reporters while in custody in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh (UP). In the viral videos, Yogesh made statements about the recent killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique, alleging his connections with criminal Dawood Ibrahim.
18-Oct-2024
Pathankot Counter Intelligence and Gurdaspur Police, in a joint operation on October 18, arrested an unidentified drug smuggler linked to Pakistan-based operatives and seized 1.350 kg of heroin from his possession in Pathankot, Pathankot district.
18-Oct-2024
According to reports, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has demanded INR 5 crore from Bollywood actor Salman Khan, with the Mumbai Traffic Police receiving a WhatsApp message threatening to kill him if the ransom is not paid. The message states, 'If Salman Khan wants to stay alive and end the long-standing rivalry, then pay Rs 5 crore; don’t take this threat lightly; otherwise, the actor will end up worse than former Maharashtra Chief Minister Baba Siddiqui, who was recently shot dead by the Bishnoi gang’.
17-Oct-2024
The Punjab Police on October 17 named jailed Khalistani preacher and Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, along with Canada-based Karamveer Gora and gangster-terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla, in connection with the October 9 killing of Sikh activist Gurpreet Singh in Faridkot, Punjab. The police revealed that Gora and Dalla were the handlers of the four shooters involved in the murder, which was allegedly orchestrated by Amritpal Singh. The police have arrested three individuals linked to the reconnaissance for the crime and are conducting a manhunt for the remaining shooters.
17-Oct-2024
Police on October 17 arrested two members of a gang of miscreants, identified as Yusuf alias Kalia, and Ashu Verma alias Walia, and seized three mobile phones snatched from different victims along with a motorcycle from their possession, in Malerkotla in Malerkotla district. Police revealed that the suspects were arrested following a complaint by Usman Ali, who alleged they threatened him with sharp weapons to snatch his smartphone. Preliminary investigations revealed that both suspects have criminal records and are involved in drug peddling, while their accomplices are still unidentified.
17-Oct-2024
According to intelligence sources, Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Surrey, Canada, played a key role in Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s strategy to retain Sikh support ahead of upcoming elections. Nijjar, a top leader of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) with ties to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), had over 10 FIRs filed against him in Punjab and was actively involved in radicalizing youth for terror activities.
17-Oct-2024
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal revealed on October 17 that 26 extradition requests, including those for hardcore Khalistani extremists like Gurjeet Singh, Gurjinder Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, and Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, have been pending with the Canadian government for over a decade. Despite sharing security-related information, India has seen no action from Canada. He also expressed concerns over attacks on Indian-origin journalists reporting on Khalistani extremism and criticized the Canadian government's inaction regarding the vandalism of Hindu temples.
17-Oct-2024
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in New Delhi on October 17, 2024, criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his "cavalier" handling of the diplomatic fallout following the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaiswal reiterated that Canada has provided no evidence to support its allegations against India, holding Trudeau responsible for the deterioration in bilateral relations.
17-Oct-2024
On October 17, leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) reform movement and members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) expressed deep resentment over the resignation of Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, calling it a dark day for the Sikh Panth in Chandigarh. Prominent SGPC members, including Manjit Singh, Surinder Singh Bhulewal, Gurmeet Singh Tilokewala, Kuldeep Kaur Tohra, Paramjit Kaur Landran, Mahinder Singh Hussainpur, Satwinder Singh Tohra, Master Mithu Singh Kahneke, and Jarnail Singh Kartarpur, urged the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) to take strict action against individuals issuing threats to the Jathedar.
17-Oct-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on October 17 recovered a shipment containing an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along with RDX, batteries, and timers near Bahadurkae village in Abohar, Fazilka district. The shipment was reportedly delivered via drone from Pakistan.
17-Oct-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on October 17, arrested two unidentified narco-smugglers and recovered one packet of heroin, along with a smartphone and a motorcycle, from the Kassowal Bulge area adjacent to the Ravi River in Gurdaspur district, Punjab.
17-Oct-2024
Navi Mumbai police on October 17 revealed that they arrested a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Sukhbir Balbir Singh, alias Sukha, from Panipat in Haryana. Singh was contracted to carry out the assassination of Bollywood actor Salman Khan and was reportedly in contact with a Pakistan-based handler, planning to execute the assassination using weapons sourced from Pakistan. The police will also interrogate him regarding the recent murder of politician Baba Siddique, which is linked to the Bishnoi gang.
17-Oct-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami stated in Amritsar on October 17 that the resignation submitted by Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh has been outrightly rejected. This decision follows the directives of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, who expressed solidarity with Giani Harpreet Singh and warned that all Takht Jathedars would resign if the resignation were accepted. Dhami assured that the SGPC stands with Giani Harpreet Singh and will prioritize addressing his concerns.
16-Oct-2024
On October 16, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh resigned, citing mental agony due to alleged threats from former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, in Amritsar, Punjab. Giani Harpreet Singh stated that he could no longer bear the responsibility under such mental pressure, claiming he had received threatening calls targeting his family. Valtoha denied the allegations, suggesting that Giani Harpreet Singh was the victim of a conspiracy and challenged him to provide proof of his claims.
16-Oct-2024
The Health Department on October 16 seized intoxicant drugs, including 4,400 capsules of pregabalin and 4,200 capsules of gabapentin, from a medical store in the Katra Sher Singh market in Amritsar district. The seized drugs are valued at INR 14.80 lakh.
16-Oct-2024
Police on October 16 arrested six unidentified accomplices of the gang of deceased gangster Ashok Rathi and seized four pistols, a revolver, five magazines, and 35 live cartridges from their possession in Gurugram, Haryana. The suspects were allegedly plotting a kidnapping and robbery after their extortion demands from the Earth Movers Company went unanswered.
16-Oct-2024
Following Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau’s admission before the foreign interference inquiry that his allegation of Indian officials' involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was based on intelligence rather than evidence, Indian government sources criticized Trudeau for making public accusations without proof, stating that his actions had damaged relations between India and Canada. The sources added that, despite multiple requests from India for evidence, none has been provided.
16-Oct-2024
According to sources, when Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau appears before the commission investigating foreign interference, he may adopt a narrative similar to the 'good Taliban, bad Taliban' rhetoric, this time framing it around Khalistanis. A report from May 2024 indicated that India does not distinguish between lawful supporters of Khalistan and those engaging in violence, viewing all associated with the movement as a potential seditious threat.
15-Oct-2024
A Punjab Police inquiry recommended the cancellation of a First Information Report (FIR) related to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's second TV interview, though it concluded that he had engaged in criminal intimidation, classified as a non-cognisable offence, in a submission at a Mohali court in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, Punjab. The inquiry found no evidence of extortion or withholding information from the police.
15-Oct-2024
According to official sources, Canada has yet to provide concrete evidence to support its claims of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Despite Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's accusations and statements from Canadian law enforcement, India has dismissed these claims as baseless, labelling them as politically motivated.
15-Oct-2024
On October 15, hours after receiving a stern rebuke from the Akal Takht, senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha resigned from the party's primary membership in a video posted on Facebook. In the video, Valtoha stated, 'I humbly accept the order of the Sikh clergy as a devout Sikh,' and clarified that his resignation was voluntary to prevent placing the SAD leadership in a difficult position regarding the clergy's directive.
15-Oct-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) informed the Supreme Court (SC) on October 15 that operatives of the banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), based in the United States (US) and Canada, orchestrated the murder of Balwinder Singh Sandhu, a Shaurya Chakra awardee and teacher in Punjab, in 2020. In an affidavit opposing bail for two co-accused, the agency identified Canada-based KLF operative Sunny Toronto and Pakistan-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh, alias Rode, as the masterminds behind the killing.
15-Oct-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) was informed on October 15 that appropriate action had been initiated against delinquent officials, nearly 10 months after gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's in-custody interview, which glorified crime and criminals. The court was told that misconduct, negligence, and dereliction of duty by the concerned officials had been reported to the Punjab government.
14-Oct-2024
The Punjab Police stated on October 14 that Mohammad Yasin Akhtar, a suspect in the killing of former Minister Ziauddin Abdul Rahim alias Baba Siddique, is facing nine serious criminal cases, including murder and attempted murder, in Jalandhar district. Akhtar, a resident of Shankar village in Jalandhar district, is also suspected of having links with gangster Vikram Brar.
14-Oct-2024
According to sources, to combat the rampant drug menace in Sangrur, police have established 414 village defence committees (VDCs) since August 2024 and registered over 50 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Additionally, a ‘Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline’ has been launched to allow locals to anonymously report drug smuggling activities, enhancing community involvement in the fight against drugs. In the past week (October 6-12), 17 cases were registered, resulting in 18 arrests, alongside efforts to educate the youth about the dangers of drug use.