KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-Dec-2024
The Special Cell of Delhi Police on December 6 arrested two shooters of the Tillu Tajpuriya gang, identified as Narender and Abhishek, following a shootout in Rohini, North West Delhi.
06-Dec-2024
According to sources, Narain Singh Chaura, a former militant arrested for attempting to assassinate former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, was active during the Punjab militancy. He admitted to receiving firearms training in Pakistan and claimed to have bribed the Punjab Police in 1997 to evade custody. As the founder of the Khalistan Liberation Army (KLA), Chaura has been associated with various separatist groups and radical ideologies. He has also authored books on Sikh history and militant activities.
06-Dec-2024
The Supreme Court (SC) on December 6 directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to respond to a plea by former Congress councillor Balwan Khokhar seeking suspension of his sentence in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Khokhar, currently serving a life sentence, requested furlough citing his age, disability, and health issues. His plea was previously rejected by jail authorities. Khokhar has also challenged the high court's 2018 order upholding his conviction.
06-Dec-2024
Preliminary police investigations suggest that former militant Narain Singh Chaura, who attempted to assassinate Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal outside the Golden Temple, acted alone. Chaura, currently in a three-day police remand, fired at Badal from close range but missed, before being subdued by plainclothes policemen. A 9mm pistol was recovered from him, and authorities are investigating its origin. Police are also probing potential motivations for the attack, possibly tied to Badal's recent religious penance.
06-Dec-2024
The Amritsar Police Commissionerate on December 6 announced the arrest of 10 individuals, including four operatives backed by Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, United States (US) based gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy Pashia, Jeevan Fauji and Jashanpreet Singh, and seized a hand grenade, two .30 bore pistols, one .32 bore pistol and a drone from their possession, from Amritsar in Amritsar district.
06-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Punjab Police, recovered a packet of heroin weighing 562 grams from fields near Dal village in Tarn Taran district on December 6.
06-Dec-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 6 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 545 grams from fields near Thetharke village in Gurdaspur district.
05-Dec-2024
Sukhbir Singh Badal, former Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) of Punjab and leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), on December 5 continued his "seva" under tight security at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib, Rupnagar district, Punjab.
05-Dec-2024
On December 5, Dal Khalsa organized a Panthic convention in Moga, Moga district, calling for unity among Sikh groups and cautioning against airing divisive issues publicly. Speakers criticized state policies targeting Sikhs and expressed support for former militant Narain Singh Chaura, who recently attacked Sukhbir Badal. They emphasized unity based on Sikh principles while urging accountability for actions disrupting communal harmony.
05-Dec-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia on December 5 revealed that Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Jasbir Singh, who protected Sukhbir Singh Badal during the recent attack, was not officially on duty but had been sent to Amritsar to assist as a Gursikh. Majithia accused the Amritsar police of pressuring Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) staff to suppress CCTV footage that could expose security lapses leading to the attack. He also alleged that Superintendent of Police (SP) Harpal Randhawa maintained close ties with Narain Singh Chaura, a militant facing over 30 cases, and criticized police inaction despite tracking Chaura before the attack. Additionally, Majithia accused Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar of downplaying the incident under political pressure.
05-Dec-2024
The Counter Intelligence (CI) unit of Punjab Police on December 5 arrested three drug smugglers—Husanpreet Singh, Karandeep Singh alias Manna, and Maninder Singh—and seized 5 kilograms of heroin, INR 4.45 lakh in drug money, along with a white Honda Activa and a black Hero Deluxe from their possession in Amritsar, Amritsar district. The police acted on a tip-off regarding their smuggling activities, which allegedly involved consignments dropped by drones from Pakistan. A case has been registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
05-Dec-2024
Amritsar Police Commissionerate on December 5 dismantled a trans-border narcotics smuggling module, arresting three smugglers identified as Harpartap Singh alias Happy, Karandeep Singh and Jagpreet Singh, and seized 5 kilograms of heroin from their possession, near Verka bypass in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The suspects had reportedly received the drug consignment from an unknown source in the Fatehgarh Churian area. A case has been registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the broader smuggling network.
05-Dec-2024
On December 5, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched the ‘Youth of Punjab’ campaign to combat drug abuse by encouraging youth participation in sports. Conceived by Sukhwinder Singh Bindra, the campaign will be inaugurated on January 11 in Ludhiana by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Union Government ministers. The initiative aims to foster sportsmanship in over 12,500 villages and 100 urban areas, with plans to distribute sports kits to clubs and institutions.
05-Dec-2024
On December 5, a day after the attack on former Deputy Chief Minister (DCM) of Punjab and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, Khalistani ex-militant Narain Singh Chaura was produced in the Amritsar district court. The court granted a three-day remand for his interrogation. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, focusing on Chaura's radical affiliations and the source of the weapon used in the attack.
05-Dec-2024
The December 4 attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal is not the first instance of violence targeting the Badal family in recent years. On August 28, 2021, a man hurled a shoe at Sukhbir during a political rally in Amritsar, though it missed him. In February 2021, his SUV was pelted with bricks and stones during a clash between Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Congress workers in Jalalabad. Earlier, in January 2017, then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was struck by a shoe, resulting in mild swelling. However, none of these incidents have been as severe as the recent assassination attempt.
04-Dec-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Naresh Gujral, in a recent interview with The Tribune, expressed optimism that Punjabis would forgive the party, drawing a parallel to how they pardoned the Congress after Operation Bluestar and the 1984 Sikh massacre. His remarks came in the wake of the Akal Takht’s ruling that found former SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and other party leaders guilty of violating the Sikh rehat maryada. Reflecting on the party’s recent penance at the Golden Temple, Gujral emphasized Punjab’s tradition of forgiving those who sincerely atone for their mistakes. While acknowledging the formidable challenge of rebuilding the Akali Dal, he underscored the importance of humility in the process. Gujral also highlighted growing frustration among Punjabi youth, particularly concerning the Centre's handling of farmers' issues.
04-Dec-2024
Jalandhar Rural Police on December 4 arrested two members of an inter-district extortion gang involved in an extortion attempt, identified as Gursevak Singh and Sunil Kumar, and seized one pistol, ammunition, a mobile phone with a SIM card, a car, and a motorcycle from their possession, near Saidpur Jhri village in Jalandhar district. The arrests followed an extortion attempt targeting a doctor in Nakodar, with investigations revealing the accused's involvement in multiple extortion plans. Further links to criminal activities are being probed.
04-Dec-2024
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on December 4 strongly condemned the assassination attempt on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, calling for a thorough investigation into the incident. He stated that the attack was not just on Sukhbir but on a ‘sewadar’ fulfilling his religious duties outside the Golden Temple.
04-Dec-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on December 4 expressed concern over the attack on Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, calling it an insult to the Akal Takht. He urged the police to ensure the safety of Akali leaders as they perform religious duties in accordance with the Takht's directives.
04-Dec-2024
On December 4, former Deputy Chief Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal survived an assassination attempt while performing penance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab. The shooter, identified as Narain Singh Chaura, a former militant wanted in Khalistani terror-related cases, was overpowered by a volunteer before he could inflict harm. Chaura positioned himself in front of Badal but missed the target when a volunteer pushed him as he fired. The bullet, aimed at Badal, struck a wall approximately six feet away from where he was seated. Badal escaped unharmed.
04-Dec-2024
On December 4, Narain Singh Chaura, a former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) employee, ex-militant, and key figure in the 2004 Burail jailbreak, attempted to assassinate former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab. Chaura, identified as a pro-Khalistan activist and a member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), has been implicated in multiple terror-related cases and was under surveillance by intelligence agencies.
04-Dec-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on December 4 condemned the assassination attempt on its leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, labelling it an attack on the sanctity of Sri Darbar Sahib. SAD accused Congress leader Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa of shielding the assailant, Narain Singh Chaura, a former militant linked to terror cases. Party leader Bikram Singh Majithia demanded a High Court-monitored probe and criticized the Punjab government for security lapses, citing Chaura's movements in the area prior to the attack.
04-Dec-2024
According to sources, Narain Singh Chaura, a former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) employee and militant turned social activist, attempted to shoot Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, was known for his strong criticism of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) over sacrilege cases. In a Facebook post, he condemned the SAD, stating that its "sins" could not be undone and opposing efforts to absolve the party through symbolic punishments. Chaura had a history of militancy, with links to the Khalistan National Army (KNA) and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and was involved in the 2004 Burail jailbreak.
04-Dec-2024
The Muktsar police and the Counter Intelligence (CI) Wing on December 4 arrested four members of the Bambiha gang, identified as Gurjivan Singh, Maninder Singh, Surinder Singh, and Sukhpreet Singh alias Shampy and seized a pistol, four live cartridges, and a country-made weapon in Gidderbaha, Sri Muktsar Sahib district, Punjab. Gurjivan Singh, Maninder Singh, and Surinder Singh were arrested on December 2 with the pistol and cartridges, while Sukhpreet Singh, alias Shampy, was apprehended on December 4 with the country-made weapon.
03-Dec-2024
The Jalandhar Police on December 3 arrested four smugglers, identified as Palwinder Singh alias Sona, Amardeep alias Harman, Vishal, Balbir Singh alias Bira, and seized 150 narcotics pills, 50 grams of heroin, and INR 4,800 in drug money from their possession, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district.