KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
23-Oct-2024
On October 23, a former sarpanch and commission agent identified as Gurdeep Singha was shot dead by four unidentified assailants at the grain market in Sathiala village in Baba Bakala in Amritsar district.
23-Oct-2024
According to sources, Vikash Yadav, accused by a United States (US) court of conspiring to murder Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is absconding after being granted bail by an Indian court. Previously arrested in Delhi on charges of extortion and kidnapping following a local businessman's complaint, Yadav is now on the FBI's most wanted list and is being actively pursued by both US and Indian agencies.
22-Oct-2024
A group of shopkeepers, whose families have carried on trades since the time of Guru Ram Das, expressed disappointment after being overlooked by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for invitations to the Guru’s birth anniversary celebrations in Amritsar, Punjab. These traders, whose ancestors were originally invited to help establish the holy city, were last recognized by the SGPC in 2018, but the tradition of inviting them has since been discontinued. Many feel neglected despite their deep historical connections to the city’s foundation.
22-Oct-2024
According to official sources, Delhi Police have written to Telegram seeking information about a handle that posted a message claiming responsibility for a blast near the CRPF School in Rohini, North West Delhi. A post on the Telegram channel ‘Justice League India’ claimed the explosion was in retaliation for actions against pro-Khalistan separatists; however, no substantial evidence has linked any terrorist group to the incident. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities reportedly close to arresting suspects believed to have planted a homemade explosive at the site.
21-Oct-2024
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, speaking at an event on October 21 at the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) headquarters in Jalandhar district, revealed that nearly 80% of extortion calls are made by local criminals posing as gangsters, while only 20% are linked to actual gangsters. He urged citizens to report such crimes and directed police officials to convert complaints into First Information Reports (FIRs). Yadav also paid tribute to the 1,799 Punjab Police personnel who have sacrificed their lives since September 1981.
21-Oct-2024
Police on October 21 arrested a gangster from the Devinder Bambiha gang, identified as Arshdeep Singh, and seized two .32 bore pistols and a country-made .30 bore pistol from his possession in Moga district. During interrogation, Arshdeep disclosed that foreign-based gangster Lucky Patiyal, associated with the Bambiha gang, had arranged the weapons and sent two unidentified shooters to Moga, who managed to flee before Arshdeep's arrest.
21-Oct-2024
Moga Police on October 21 arrested three members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Gurpreet Singh, Gobind Singh and Ramjit Singh, and seized three country-made .32 bore pistols from their possession in Moga in Moga district.
21-Oct-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on October 21 filed a chargesheet against Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, a key associate of Khalistani terrorists Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda and Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, in the NIA special court in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district. Gurpreet was involved in a conspiracy by the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) to spread terror in Punjab and was linked to an RPG attack on the Sarhali police station in December 2022. Gopi also conspired to raise funds for BKI through large-scale extortion from businessmen, recruited youth for the terror module, and conducted reconnaissance on targets identified by Landa.
21-Oct-2024
Ludhiana (Rural) Police on October 21 arrested a migrant labourer from Bihar, identified as Ram Parvesh Chaudhary, and seized 1 kg of marijuana (ganja) from his possession near Sarabha village in Ludhiana West, Ludhiana district.
21-Oct-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on October 21 recovered one packet heroin weighing 567 grams along with a drone, from near Kalia village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a China made DJI Air 3 model.
21-Oct-2024
Kshatriya Karna Sena chief Raj Shekhawat, in a video statement on October 21, offered INR 1,11,11,111 to any police official who kills gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in an encounter. Shekhawat criticized both the Gujarat and central governments, citing Bishnoi's alleged involvement in the 2023 murder of former Karni Sena chief Sukh Singh Gogamedi. Shekhawat's organization also pledged to ensure the safety of the police officer's family who successfully eliminates Bishnoi.
21-Oct-2024
A Khalistani group, Justice League India, claimed responsibility via a Telegram post on October 21 for the blast that occurred near the CRPF school in Rohini, North West Delhi. The post circulated online included a clip of the blast with a 'Khalistan Zindabad' watermark at the bottom, along with a warning of further attacks.
21-Oct-2024
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, while speaking in New Delhi on October 21, criticized the Canadian government for its double standards in handling pro-Khalistan activities and the Hardeep Singh Nijjar row. He condemned Canada’s use of 'freedom of speech' as a defense when India raised concerns about threats to its diplomats. Jaishankar also referenced historical tensions, including the 1985 Air India bombing.
21-Oct-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, issued a new threat to Air India via a video on October 21, warning passengers not to travel between November 1 and 19. His threat coincides with what he refers to as the '40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide' in India. Pannun’s warning suggests the possibility of an attack on Air India's flights and follows a pattern, as he issued a similar threat last year.
21-Oct-2024
Intelligence reports reveal that Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, operates freely despite his connections to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and involvement in anti-India activities. These reports indicate that Pannun, with Pakistani support, founded the SFJ and launched separatist movements such as the Kashmir Khalistan Referendum Front (KKRF). Despite clear links to Pakistan's efforts to destabilize India, countries like the United States (US) and Canada have taken little action against Pannun and his associates, allowing them to continue promoting separatist agendas.
21-Oct-2024
According to sources, on the eve of Sidhu Moose Wala's first death anniversary, gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, accused of his murder, claimed to be a nationalist and opposed to Khalistan, while his associate Goldy Brar sought validation from Khalistani militant sympathisers. Brar criticised Moose Wala for his political affiliations and attempted to justify the murder by linking him to Operation Blue Star. However, Brar’s efforts to regain favour after Moose Wala’s death have failed, and his whereabouts remain uncertain, with conflicting reports suggesting he could be in the United States (US) or Canada.
21-Oct-2024
Youth Akali Dal (YAD) President Sarabjeet Singh Jhinjer, in Chandigarh on October 21, urged the Sikh Panth to unite against efforts to suppress and take over Panthic organizations, particularly the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC). He claimed that anti-Panthic forces, backed by Delhi agencies, are attempting to dismantle Sikh institutions, starting with Takht Patna Sahib, Takht Hazoor Sahib, and various Gurdwara Committees, and are now targeting the SGPC.
21-Oct-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in coordination with Punjab Police, on October 21 arrested an unidentified individual and seized 530 grams of heroin along with a broken mobile phone from his possession near Kaholi village in Ajnala, Amritsar district. The accused is currently in police custody, undergoing interrogation to determine any potential links with Pakistan-based narco-smugglers.
21-Oct-2024
The Delhi High Court on October 21 admitted an appeal by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the acquittal of former Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Sajjan Kumar and others in a murder and rioting case linked to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The court granted 'leave to appeal' against the trial court's September 20, 2023 decision, which had acquitted Kumar on the grounds of benefit of doubt.
20-Oct-2024
Police on October 20 arrested a man, identified as Rinku and seized 130 grams of heroin and INR 17,000 in drug money from his possession in Ludhiana district. Rinku, who has a prior criminal record, had recently been released on bail in a drug smuggling case and had resumed his illegal activities.
20-Oct-2024
The Ludhiana police on October 20 arrested a man identified as Navjot Singh alias Bablu and seized 220 grams of heroin from his possession, in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district. The police plan to seek his remand to further investigate the drug supply chain.
20-Oct-2024
Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, in an interview with Canada-based CTV News on October 20, expressed concerns about Canada's handling of relations with India, citing mistrust towards Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his team. He accused them of encouraging Khalistan separatists, whom he referred to as 'deep assets' of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Verma also highlighted that no evidence had been shared regarding allegations linking India to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and questioned the political independence of Canadian police, while emphasizing that Canada remains a friend of India despite the strained political ties.
20-Oct-2024
A strong blast occurred at a CRPF school in Rohini, North West Delhi, on October 20, prompting a multi-agency investigation. Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), National Security Guard (NSG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Delhi Police have been deployed to determine the cause of the explosion and identify the perpetrators. Authorities are probing a potential Khalistani link, spurred by social media posts claiming the blast was in retaliation against the alleged targeting of pro-Khalistan separatists by Indian agents.
20-Oct-2024
A three-member advisory board under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) recently ordered the one-year detention of Ludhiana drug lords Akshay Chhabra, Jaspal Singh alias Goldy, and Balwinder Singh alias Billa Havellian in Dibrugarh jail, Assam. This decision follows their involvement in a massive 20,400 kg heroin smuggling racket spanning Punjab, Gujarat’s Mundra port, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), and Afghanistan.
20-Oct-2024
Zirakpur police on October 20 arrested three members of a Haryana-based gang, identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Fauji, Mahesh Sharma, and Rahul Vaid, seizing a .32 bore (Llama-Spain) pistol, a 30 bore (Px6-Italy made) pistol, 22 live cartridges, and a stolen bike from their possession in Zirakpur, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The accused were involved in a recent jewelry shop robbery in Lohgarh village, SAS Nagar district, and planned to use the stolen money to buy automatic weapons to eliminate a rival gang leader.