KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
28-Oct-2024
On October 28, the 179-member Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) House will vote to elect its president and office-bearers during a General House meeting at Teja Singh Samundari Hall in Amritsar district. The election is seen as a critical test of the SGPC's direction amid rising political tensions and competing claims for control, with both candidates advocating plans for greater autonomy and reforms within Sikh institutions.
28-Oct-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate Harjinder Singh Dhami was on October 28 re-elected as the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for a fourth consecutive term in Amritsar. SAD leaders hailed the victory as a stand against “anti-Panth forces,” attributing it to the loyalty of SGPC members. Dhami pledged to prioritize Dharam Parchar with support from other Sikh organizations.
28-Oct-2024
Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) President Harmeet Singh Kalka and General Secretary Jagdeep Singh Kahlon have recently urged the Sikh community to refrain from lighting diyas on Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas this year. Given that these celebrations align with the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, the DSGMC has decided not to light diyas in the gurdwaras under its management, calling on the community to honour the martyrs’ memory by observing a somber, reflective approach.
28-Oct-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, issued threats in a video message calling for boycotts of specific Air India routes - AI 187 and AI 189 (New Delhi to Toronto), AI 185 (New Delhi to Vancouver), AI 111 and AI 161 (New Delhi to London), AI 129 and AI 131 (Mumbai to London), AI 302 (New Delhi to Sydney), AI 308 (New Delhi to Melbourne), and AI 121 (New Delhi to Frankfurt). Pannun urged Sikhs to economically target India, advocating attacks on Air India and "Made in India" initiatives.
28-Oct-2024
Police on October 28 arrested Lovepreet Singh, an associate of Turkey-based drug smuggler Navpreet Singh alias Nav Bhullar, and seized 6 kg of heroin along with a Hyundai Aura car from his possession near Umranangal Morh village in Amritsar district.
28-Oct-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on October 28 recovered a plastic bottle containing 480 grams of heroin, along with a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone, from fields near Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district.
27-Oct-2024
Sriganganagar Police, acting on a tip-off from Delhi Police's Special Cell about potential threats linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, on October 27 conducted raids on several paying guest accommodations, detaining 20 individuals, including some from Jammu and Kashmir, for questioning in Sriganganagar district, Rajasthan. Authorities disclosed that five criminals associated with the Bishnoi gang had conducted reconnaissance to target Sunil Pehalwan, the nephew of former Member of Legislative Assembly Raj Kumar Gaur, and the Special Cell also recovered a GPS tracking device from a suspect linked to Arzoo Bishnoi, a former gang member now operating independently.
26-Oct-2024
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the Punjab Police during an operation on October 26 arrested two associates of Turkey-based drug smuggler Navpreet Singh alias Nav Bhullar, identified as Navjot Singh and Lovepreet Kumar, and seized 105 kg of heroin, 31.93 kg of Caffeine Anhydrous, 17 kg of dextromethorphan (DMR), and six firearms, including five foreign-made pistols and one country-made pistol (desi katta) in Baba Bakala, Amritsar district. The operation was prompted by intelligence regarding Bhullar's Pakistan-backed smuggling racket, with drugs reportedly smuggled through the riverine belt along the Indo-Pak border. Further investigations are ongoing to trace the broader network involved in the cartel.
26-Oct-2024
On October 26, the Bambiha gang demonstrated a significant show of force as two assailants fired multiple rounds outside a businessman's residence in the Rani Bagh area of North West Delhi. A threat note referencing Kaushal Chaudhary and the Bambiha gang was found at the scene. While no extortion demands have been reported, police have launched an investigation to track down the perpetrators.
26-Oct-2024
Police on October 26 arrested four individuals, identified as Gurbhej Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Satinder Singh alias Kala, and Bharat alias Bhau, and seized 100 grams of heroin, 10 cartridges of 12 bore, and eight cartridges of 315 bore from their possession in Jalandhar district. The arrests are linked to cases of illegal arms possession, drug trafficking, and extortion, with authorities noting the group’s involvement in an active racket aimed at destabilizing law and order in the state. Gurbhej Singh is reportedly the chief of the Khalistani outfit Waris Punjab De (WPD) and serves as a personal gunman for jailed Khalistani preacher and MP Amritpal Singh.
26-Oct-2024
According to sources, Canada has yet to provide the death certificate of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, despite India’s request under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) reportedly requires the document to update court records in multiple cases against Nijjar, but Canada has instead asked for an explanation for the request.
26-Oct-2024
According to sources, investigation agencies remain puzzled a week after a blast struck a CRPF school in Rohini, North West Delhi. Despite questioning around 50 individuals and examining CCTV footage, no suspects have been identified, and no evidence suggests a Khalistan link. Technical assistance has yet to yield leads, and a senior official noted that the lack of clues is stalling progress in the case.
26-Oct-2024
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, speaking at an event in Pune on October 26, criticized Canada for fostering a "permissive atmosphere" that overlooks organized crime, asserting that India's repeated concerns over criminal activities linked to pro-Khalistan elements were ignored. Jaishankar condemned the Canadian government’s actions against Indian diplomats, calling them unjustified, and emphasized that India would resolutely defend its national interests and sovereignty.
26-Oct-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on October 26 recovered a packet of heroin weighing approximately 550 grams, along with a broken China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone, near Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar district.
26-Oct-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on October 26 recovered a broken drone near Uttar Dhariwal village in Amritsar district.
26-Oct-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on October 26 recovered a packet of heroin weighing around 510 grams and a drone, near Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
26-Oct-2024
Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on October 26 recovered a drone from fields near Wan village in Patti in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
25-Oct-2024
Fazilka police, In the past week, arrested five individuals allegedly involved in supplying arms to Lawrence Bishnoi gang members, identified as Manpreet Singh, Sandeep Singh, Akash, Jaspreet, and Avinash (alias Gagan), and seized four .32 bore pistols, 13 cartridges, and three magazines from their possession in Fazilka district. The arrests took place sequentially, with Manpreet Singh apprehended on October 15, followed by Sandeep Singh on October 18, Akash and Jaspreet on October 19, and Avinash on October 25.
25-Oct-2024
The Punjab state Home Department on October 25 suspended seven Punjab Police personnel—Deputy Superintendents (DSPs) Gursher Singh Sandhu and Sammer Vaneet, Sub-Inspectors Reena, Jagatpal Jangu, Shaganjit Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mukhtiar Singh, and Head Constable Om Parkash—for allegedly facilitating a televised interview with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi while in custody.
25-Oct-2024
The Punjab state Home Department on October 25 suspended seven Punjab Police personnel—Deputy Superintendents (DSPs) Gursher Singh Sandhu and Sammer Vaneet, Sub-Inspectors Reena, Jagatpal Jangu, Shaganjit Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Mukhtiar Singh, and Head Constable Om Parkash—for allegedly facilitating a televised interview with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi while in custody.
25-Oct-2024
Kapurthala police on October 25 arrested two members of the Kaushal Chaudhary gang, identified as Munish alias Mani, and Lalit Kumar, in connection with a firing incident at a mobile phone store in Kapurthala on October 7, seizing two country-made pistols and seven live rounds from them in Dudholo village, Palwal district, Haryana.
25-Oct-2024
India’s recalled High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, recently asserted in an interview with ANI that only a small fraction of Canadian Sikhs support Khalistani separatism. He urged that if Canada sympathizes with such individuals, it should allocate land within Canada for a “Khalistan.” Verma emphasized that while these extremists represent a Canadian domestic issue, any attempts to threaten India’s territorial integrity would prompt intervention from Indian authorities. He also clarified that the broader Sikh diaspora in Canada largely seeks a peaceful, family-oriented life and contributes positively to society.
25-Oct-2024
Former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh, while addressing reporters in Ludhiana on October 25, criticized Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau for “ruining” India-Canada relations, alleging that Trudeau’s focus is solely on securing Sikh votes by aligning with Khalistani supporters. Singh recounted Trudeau’s 2018 India visit, during which he reluctantly met Singh, highlighting Trudeau’s support for figures linked to Khalistani sympathies.
25-Oct-2024
India’s recalled High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Verma, recently recounted an alarming incident in Alberta during an interview with ANI, where Khalistani assailants came within inches of harming him with a sword, rather than a kirpan, while he attended a business event with his wife. Verma condemned the Khalistani agitators for threatening peace-loving Indo-Canadians, noting the intervention of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Despite the strained India-Canada relations, Verma emphasized his hope for restoring ties between the two countries.
25-Oct-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a reward of INR 10 lakh for information leading to the arrest of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's brother, Anmol Bishnoi, who has been named in two chargesheets under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Anmol is wanted for his involvement in criminal networks, including incidents linked to a political party and a shooting outside Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s residence. The NIA believes his arrest could expose broader “Gangster-Terror” connections and has appealed to the public for assistance in its crackdown on organized crime and terror activities across India.