KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
14-May-2025
Punjab Police, on May 14, as part of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 125 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 156 drug smugglers and recovered 1.9 kg of heroin, 1.5 kg of opium and INR 57920 drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
14-May-2025
The crime branch of Ludhiana Police, on May 14 arrested two heroin smugglers, identified as Raman Sharma and Maninder Singh alias Prince, and seized 37 grams of heroin and a scooter from their possession near grain market on Gill Road in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district.
14-May-2025
Delhi Police’s Crime Branch on May 14 busted a criminal network linked to the pro-Khalistan Jaipal Bhullar module involved in extortion and firing targeting city businessmen, arresting eight members—Sumit Ghangas, Rahul Ghangas, Saurav, Ashish, Rohit Kumar, Rahul Kashyap, Preetpal, and Deepak alias Gola—and seizing two pistols and 45 cartridges. The arrests were made across Panipat, Karnal, and Ambala in Haryana. The racket was operated from abroad by Gurjant Singh alias Janta Lahoria, connected to Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala. Investigations are ongoing, with more arrests expected.
14-May-2025
Former Indian High Commissioner to Ottawa Ajay Bisaria on May 14 welcomed Anita Anand’s appointment as Canada’s new Foreign Minister, expressing hope for improved India-Canada ties. He praised her diplomatic record and Indian roots. Experts see a chance for a reset amid tensions over the Nijjar issue, with Anand and PM Mark Carney signalling willingness to mend relations.
14-May-2025
According to Pakistani sources, India has barred 500 Sikh pilgrims from attending Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s death anniversary on June 30, 2025, and has kept the Kartarpur Corridor closed since May 7, in Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur district, Punjab.
13-May-2025
India on May 13 expelled a Pakistani High Commission official, declaring him ‘persona non grata’ for activities inconsistent with his diplomatic role. A formal demarche was issued to Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in New Delhi, and the official was given 24 hours to leave amid an espionage probe tied to arrests by Punjab Police.
13-May-2025
On May 13, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami in Amritsar announced INR 5 lakh assistance for each family of the four Sikh victims killed in the recent Poonch terror attack.
13-May-2025
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC)president Harjinder Singh Dhami on May 13 announced that portraits of five Sikh personalities, including former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, will be installed at the Sikh Museum in the Sri Darbar Sahib Complex, Amritsar.
13-May-2025
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on May 13 paid a surprise visit to the IAF base in Adampur, Jalandhar district, which houses the Russian-made S-400 missile defence system. He was briefed by Air Force officials, interacted with soldiers, and the visit was seen as a strategic message to Islamabad amid heightened tensions.
13-May-2025
Punjab Police on May 13, as part of its "Yudh Nashian Virudh" campaign arrested 156 drug smugglers, registered 109 first information reports (FIRs), and recovered 1.5 kg of heroin, 16 kg of opium and INR 5.38 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
13-May-2025
The Patti police on May 13 arrested two individuals, identified as Mahanbir Singh Sagar and Harpreet Singh, and seized 435 grams of heroin, a Glock pistol and a magazine from their possession near Kandiala road in Kandiala village in Patti in Tarn Taran district.
13-May-2025
Goindwal Sahib police on May 13 arrested an individual, identified as Pawandeep Singh and seized 10 grams of heroin from his possession, in Goindwal Sahib in Tarn Taran district.
13-May-2025
Chohla Sahib police on May 13 arrested an individual, identified as Balwinder Singh Mapi and seized 9 grams of heroin from his possession in Chohla Sahib in Tarn Taran district.
13-May-2025
Khemkaran police on May 13 arrested an individual, identified as Rajinder Kumar and seized 5 grams of heroin from his possession in Khemkaran in Tarn Taran district.
13-May-2025
Police on May 13 arrested an aide of slain gangster Sukhdool Singh Gill alias Sukha Duneke, identified as Lovepreet Singh alias Jando and seized one .30 bore pistol without a licence and the unregistered motorcycle, near Vidhata village in Tapa in Barnala district.
13-May-2025
On May 13, Sukhwinder Kaur, injured in the May 9 swarm drone attack by Pakistan, succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Ludhiana, Punjab.
13-May-2025
Police on May 13 arrested a spy, identified as Raqeeb, who was a tailor employed at the Bathinda Army Cantonment is suspected of operating there, and seized a phone from his possession, in Bathinda in Bathinda district. This marks the second espionage case from the cantonment, following the earlier arrest of a cobbler on similar charges.
13-May-2025
Ludhiana police on May 13 launched a pre-dawn raid in Mohalla Peeru Banda, a known drug hotspot, arresting four drug peddlers—Sahil, Sanjeev Kumar (Sonu), Raju, and Mehakpreet (Vicky Bath)—and seizing 365 grams of heroin in Ludhiana district. Five additional individuals were taken into preventive custody.
13-May-2025
Ludhiana Rural Police on May 13 arrested eleven unidentified individuals and seized 18 grams of heroin, 169 intoxicating pills, and 35 capsules. The operation was carried out across Ramgarh Bhullar, Mandiani, Akalgarh, Bajigar Basti, and Jodhan villages in Ludhiana district, Punjab.
13-May-2025
Punjab Police on May 13 busted a well-organised drug smuggling racket operating from Sangrur Jail and arrested 19 individuals, including the jail’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (Security) Gurpreet Singh, jail employee Parshant, drug smuggler Manpreet Singh, inmate Gurchet’s mother Banto alias Banso, and 15 inmates and seized 12 grams of heroin, 50 grams of opium, 12 mobile phones, four smartwatches, and other contraband from the jail premises in Sangrur district, Punjab.
12-May-2025
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on May 12 warned Pakistan that India has only "paused" military operations, not ended them, declaring Operation Sindoor as the "new normal." His statement signals a tougher stance and India’s resolve to counter cross-border threats decisively.
12-May-2025
On May 12, drone sightings were reported near the Suranussi ammunition dump in Jalandhar district, Punjab, prompting the district administration to order a partial blackout. Power was cut by Punjab State Power Corporation Limited in areas around Suranussi, Jalandhar Cantonment, and nearby localities. Deputy Commissioners of Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur assured the public there was no cause for panic, as Army officials maintained regular vigilance. The sound of explosions in nearby villages was later attributed to miscreants bursting crackers.
12-May-2025
On May 12, a half-burnt missile was found in the generator room of Markfed Canneries at Chuharwali village, Jalandhar district. It had pierced the shed but caused minimal damage, having been intercepted earlier. Markfed employees alerted authorities, and police, along with Army and Air Force teams, safely defused it.
12-May-2025
The Crime Branch of the UT Police on May 12 arrested Harwant Singh alias Harry, a key operative of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and seized a pistol along with three cartridges from the Daria village area in Chandigarh. Harwant is linked to the gangster-terrorist nexus involving Happy Passia, Manu Agwan, and Pakistan-based Harwinder Rinda. He had recruited two gangsters who were arrested on May 8 with an improvised explosive device (IED). Acting as a logistics conduit in the terror-crime network, Harwant is now in police custody, with authorities seeking his remand for further investigation into his associates and arms supply links.
12-May-2025
A tussle for control of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) has erupted following the nomination of nine co-opted members, bringing the total strength to 49. Two main factions—one led by Baldev Singh Kaimpuri and the other by Jagdish Jhinda—are vying for dominance. The Jhinda-Daduwal group claims majority support and the backing of the state government, while Kaimpuri’s faction is supported by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The oath-taking ceremony and the appointment of an officiating president are scheduled for May 13, after which the power struggle is expected to escalate.