KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
18-Dec-2023
Police on December 18 arrested six smugglers identified as Pipal Singh, Gurjant Singh, Malook Singh, Deepak Partap Singh, Ankush Shukla and Charanjit Singh alias Channi, and seized 1.21 kg of heroin, INR 3.1 lakh drug money and two luxury vehicles from their possession in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The investigation revealed links to Pakistan-based smugglers, and the arrested individuals were involved in a drug racket operated by a US-based person named Jasmit Singh alias Lucky.
18-Dec-2023
A Delhi court on December 18 directed the lawyer of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler to provide details of the First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the Delhi Police and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the Pul Bangash anti-Sikh riots. The court requested information on the outcomes of the investigations and trials in these cases. Tytler is accused of inciting a mob during the 1984 riots, leading to the burning of a gurdwara and the killing of three Sikhs.
18-Dec-2023
Slogans affiliated with the Khalistani terror outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ) were discovered on a metro pillar in the Tilak Nagar area of Delhi. The Delhi Police promptly responded by painting over the slogans and launched an investigation into the incident. SFJ, led by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has been implicated in previous incidents promoting pro-Khalistan sentiments. Authorities are examining CCTV footage to identify the individuals responsible for the act.
18-Dec-2023
The Jathedar of the Akal Takhat, Giani Raghbir Singh, on December 18 led a prayer event with Dal Khalsa activists at Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar to mark two years since the sacrilege attempt, urging divine strength for justice. Dal Khalsa activists also staged a peaceful sit-in, questioning the government's failure to identify the perpetrators and expressing concerns about a potential deep conspiracy.
17-Dec-2023
On December 17, Deepak Ranga, who is linked to the rocket-propelled grenade attack on the Punjab Police's intelligence headquarters, was found with an active cell phone in Model Burail Jail in Chandigarh. Ranga is an associate of the gangster Harvinder Singh Rinda and was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The attack in May 2022 was reportedly orchestrated by Rinda with support from Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
17-Dec-2023
Police on December 17 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Muhammad Yasin alias Soni and Muhammad Rafi, and seized 3.5 kg of prohibited hashish from their possession in the Khushal Basti locality in Malerkotla district.
17-Dec-2023
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, while speaking at an event organized by the Rotary Institute in Bangalore, Karnataka, on December 17, highlighted differences in the approaches of the United States (US) and Canada regarding their concerns with India. Jaishankar pointed out that while the US shared specific inputs accusing Indian national Nikhil Gupta of plotting an assassination, Canada did not provide such details regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar emphasized India's openness to addressing concerns and called for the expansion of permanent members in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
17-Dec-2023
The investigation into pro-Khalistan slogans near Chintpurni Temple in the Una district of Himachal Pradesh has taken a global turn, revealing a direct link to funding from Dubai. The three arrested individuals, Phool Chand, Arjinder Singh, and Harry Phillaur, disclosed receiving INR 25,000 from a Dubai source through an online medium for writing controversial slogans. This revelation raises concerns about external involvement in fostering anti-national sentiments, prompting authorities to seek custody for a more extensive investigation and to explore potential connections to similar incidents.
17-Dec-2023
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on December 17commemorated Guru Teg Bahadur's martyrdom, praising the Sikh Guru for his sacrifice for freedom and human dignity on the social media site X.
17-Dec-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police on December 17 recovered 545 grams of heroin along with a drone from the farming field adjacent to Dhanoe Khurd village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a Made in China 'Quadcopter' DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
17-Dec-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police on December 17 recovered 544 grams of heroin, from the outskirts of Attari village in Amritsar district.
17-Dec-2023
Police on December 17 arrested an individual identified as Jaskaranjit Singh alias Karan and seized 2 kg of heroin and INR 1,02,000 drug money from his possession in Nawanshahr in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.
17-Dec-2023
Police on December 17 arrested two brothers and seized 300 grams of heroin from their possession, near Subhanpur village in Kapurthala district.
17-Dec-2023
Police on December 17 arrested an unidentified woman and seized 250 grams of heroin from her possession in Kapurthala in Kapurthala district.
17-Dec-2023
Police, on December 17, arrested three individuals alleged to be associated with the Bambiha gang, identified as Shankar Rajput, Jashav, and Navdeep from Daudar village in Moga district. The suspects were intercepted at a checkpoint, attempted to flee, and engaged in gunfire with the police. They eventually surrendered and were revealed to be associates of Bambiha gang members Lucky Patial and Mandeep Dhaliwal.
17-Dec-2023
According to reports, under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, the Punjab Police has adopted a stringent approach against gangsters, with seven encounters occurring in the last three weeks in Ludhiana, Mansa, Patiala, and Mohali districts of Punjab. The recent strategy involves taking decisive action against criminals who attempt to escape, shoot at law enforcement, or target civilians. Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann has reportedly given the police a green light to address the issue of gangsters in the state, marking a notable shift in policy. The government aims to send a strong message to gangsters and discourage criminal activities.
16-Dec-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announced on December 16, during a press conference in Amritsar, that it has decided to postpone the December 20 protest in New Delhi. The protest was initially aimed at advocating for the release of Sikh prisoners and commuting the death sentence of Balwant Singh Rajoana. The decision was made in the interest of maintaining unity within the five-member committee formed to engage in talks with the Centre on the release of Sikh prisoners. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that the protest, which had been scheduled for December 20, is deferred for the larger benefit of the Sikh community. The SGPC had gathered approximately 26 lakh signatures during its campaign for the release of Sikh prisoners.
16-Dec-2023
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on December 16 accused Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann of allowing drug trafficking in jails, alleging that drug tablets are being sold. Sidhu challenged this statement and offered to leave politics if proven wrong.
16-Dec-2023
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) of Punjab Police on December 16 shot two gangsters identified as Karamjit Singh and Parambir Singh alias Prince, during an interception in Sohana in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The duo, linked to carjackings, extortion, and property dealer crimes, had stolen a car in November. Despite warning shots, the suspects attempted to flee, leading to the police shooting them.
16-Dec-2023
The Minister of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), Anurag Thakur, on December 16, while addressing the Parliament, revealed that over the past two years, the Indian government has blocked public access to 122 YouTube news channels. This action was taken due to the dissemination of content that violated Section 69A of the IT Act, in accordance with the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rule, 2021. Thakur also emphasized that the government has implemented appropriate measures against channels found in violation of the prescribed codes.
15-Dec-2023
Three motorcyclists fired upon a car in an apparent case of extortion in Jalandhar district on December 15. The incident caused panic in the area, but no injuries were reported. The targeted car belonged to a travel agent, and further details are awaited.
15-Dec-2023
Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta, indicted in the United States (US) for plotting to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, allegedly at the behest of an Indian government official, on December 15 approached the Supreme Court of India against his arrest and ongoing extradition proceedings in the Czech Republic. The court has scheduled the petition for a hearing on January 4, 2024. Gupta's plea alleges irregularities in his arrest and claims violations of his rights, including denial of consular access and being forced to consume beef and pork while in custody in the Czech Republic. The extradition order is pending legal proceedings in the high court in Prague, Czech Republic.
15-Dec-2023
The Punjab Police State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on December 15 arrested Deep Singh, a member of the Bir Khalsa Group known for its stunts on America's Got Talent and holding a Guinness World Record, and recovered 500 grams of heroin from his possession in Tarn Taran district.
15-Dec-2023
Police of December 15 arrested two persons, identified as Sandeep Singh and his mother Manjit Kaur during a raid at a tea stall and seized 10 kg of poppy husk, in Abohar in Fazilka district.
15-Dec-2023
Police on December 15 arrested an individual identified as Rakesh and seized 220 intoxicating pills from his possession in Himmatpura in Fazilka district.