KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
20-Sep-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in an intelligence-based operation on September 20, recovered a large hexacopter drone near Bharopal village in Amritsar district. Authorities received inputs about the drone's movement near the international border, prompting an intensive search operation that led to the recovery.
20-Sep-2024
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) team on September 20 raided the residence of a factory worker identified as Kulwant Singh, who shared pro-Khalistan content on social media, and questioned him about the material he read and listened to in Bilaspur village, Moga district. He was not served any notice.
20-Sep-2024
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and vice-president of the BJP's Varanasi Mahanagar unit, Ashok Kumar, filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly hurting the sentiments of the Sikh community during his recent visit to the United States (US), at the Sigra police station in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Kumar accused Gandhi of making comments that undermine the country's integrity and of making remarks about reservation.
20-Sep-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 20 conducted searches related to a case involving Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), and seized incriminating materials, including digital devices, from four locations: one in Moga, two in Bathinda, and one in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, Punjab.
20-Sep-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in collaboration with the Punjab Police, conducted a search operation on September 20, recovering five small packets of heroin weighing 2.838 kg and one motorcycle from the outskirts of Dal village in Tarn Taran district. The operation was initiated after two individuals on a motorcycle fled when signaled to stop by BSF troops at a checkpoint.
20-Sep-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) recently revealed the extensive criminal network of Satwinder Singh alias Goldy Brar through a chargesheet filed in Chandigarh. Brar, designated as an "Individual Terrorist" by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), currently faces 54 cases in Punjab and Haryana. The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently emphasized the societal threat posed by gangster culture, particularly extortion rackets, while rejecting the bail plea of an accused member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
19-Sep-2024
According to sources in the Punjab Police, the hand grenade and RDX used in the September 11 explosion in Chandigarh were military-grade equipment smuggled from Pakistan using a drone. This has raised concerns about the persistent use of drones by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and terrorist operatives to smuggle arms and drugs across the Punjab border. The attack was masterminded by ISI-backed terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda and United States (US)-based gangster Happy Passia, who utilized drones to drop the weapons. Despite efforts to combat this threat, Punjab has witnessed around 1,100 drone sightings since March 2022, with the Border Security Force (BSF) shooting down 150 drones.
19-Sep-2024
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated in New Delhi on September 19 that during the bilateral meeting between Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and United States (US) President Joe Biden, all issues of mutual concern would be discussed. While he did not confirm whether the Khalistan issue would be specifically raised, he emphasized that a wide range of topics would be covered in the talks.
19-Sep-2024
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in New Delhi on September 19, strongly rejected the lawsuit filed by Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States (US), labelling it as 'unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations' against the Indian government. Misri reaffirmed India’s position on Pannun, highlighting his links to the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organization, which is designated as a terrorist group under Indian law. He emphasized that the lawsuit does not alter India’s stance on Pannun or his activities.
19-Sep-2024
The Akal Takht, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) recently condemned actor and Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut’s remarks against Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, labelling her upcoming film “Emergency” as anti-Sikh. Kangana Ranaut stated, 'Ninety-nine percent of the people of Punjab don’t consider Bhindranwale a saint; he was a terrorist… sitting with an AK-47 in a temple.'
19-Sep-2024
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravneet Singh Bittu stated in New Delhi on September 19 that he would not apologize for calling Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi a 'number 1 terrorist,' asserting that the Gandhi family was responsible for burning Punjab and causing the loss of generations. He expressed his pain as a Sikh and claimed that Gandhi's comments on the Sikh community were supported by Khalistani separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has been designated a terrorist in India.
19-Sep-2024
The global anti-terror watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on September 19 awarded India the highest rating in its Mutual Evaluation Report, recognizing the country’s strong anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CFT) framework. The report highlighted serious terrorism and terrorist financing threats from groups like ISIL and Al-Qaeda, urging India to conclude prosecutions and appropriately sanction terrorist financiers. It also commended India’s financial inclusion efforts while advising improvements in addressing money laundering cases and implementing preventive measures in certain sectors.
19-Sep-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) emphasized the urgent need to address the escalating gangster culture in Punjab, highlighting the threats posed by extortion rackets and the erosion of public trust in the justice system. The court noted a spike in extortion cases following a controversial interview with Bishnoi, urging swift action against gang activities to restore societal order. It also condemned the media's portrayal of gangsters, warning that it fosters a dangerous sense of impunity among youth, and called for stringent law enforcement to dismantle criminal enterprises.
19-Sep-2024
Sources in the Delhi police on September 19 revealed that gangster Lawrence Bishnoi has launched online gaming apps operated from Dubai, enlisting the help of major bookies in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi. Bishnoi, an accused in the 2022 murder of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, is using the gaming business to invest black money and has delegated various operational responsibilities to close associates. A businessman based in Dubai is running the app under Bishnoi's instructions, while Goldy Brar and Rohit Godara handle its promotion. Bishnoi is currently imprisoned in Sabarmati jail in Gujarat, and his younger brother Anmol is managing gang-related matters abroad.
18-Sep-2024
According to reports, Punjab's heroin crisis is worsening, driven by the increasing use of drones for smuggling, often with support from Pakistani state actors. Independent analyst Antariksh Singh highlighted the scale and sophistication of these operations, with drones now playing a major role in narcotics drops near the International Border. Despite efforts such as forming Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and deploying a Drone Emergency Response System (DERS), the crisis persists, with smugglers using encrypted communication and hawala transactions to evade authorities. Singh emphasized that until security agencies target the middlemen, the heroin epidemic will continue to devastate Punjab.
18-Sep-2024
The Ludhiana police on September 18 busted a gang of robbers, arresting seven of its members and seizing 68 mobile phones, one toy pistol, two motorcycles, two sharp weapons, and five baseball bats from their possession in Ludhiana district. The arrests followed a police complaint by Manpreet Singh, who reported being attacked and robbed by a group of around 15 youths armed with sharp weapons. The police are actively working to identify and apprehend the remaining gang members.
18-Sep-2024
Punjab Police on September 18 arrested one person, identified as Jagroop Singh, and seized 5 kg of heroin, two phones, and his motorcycle from his possession in Vaniye Ke village, Ajnala, in Amritsar district. Acting on a tip-off, police teams apprehended Jagroop, who was allegedly en route to deliver the drugs.
18-Sep-2024
Punjab Police on September 18 recovered 5 kg of heroin and a hexacopter from fields near Manjh village in Ajnala, Amritsar district.
18-Sep-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) on September 18 condemned the misuse of police protection as a status symbol, emphasizing that state security should be reserved for individuals facing genuine, verifiable threats. The court highlighted that resources should be allocated judiciously to address broader societal issues, particularly in Punjab, a border state facing significant challenges from illegal activities and smuggling.
18-Sep-2024
The Delhi High Court on September 18 rejected the bail plea of United Kingdom (UK) resident and Khalistani terrorist Jagtar Singh Johal, who is accused of funding the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and involvement in targeted killings in Punjab. The court cited Johal's association with other conspirators and his role in funding arms procurement, categorizing the offences as serious with 'trans-national links' under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
18-Sep-2024
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, via a video message on September 18, 2024, questioned the Congress for not condemning Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's support of Rahul Gandhi’s recent statement on Sikhs in India and accused the party of aligning with anti-national elements.
18-Sep-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) on September 18 questioned the Punjab and central governments, as well as Dibrugarh jail authorities, regarding the extension of the National Security Act (NSA) against Khalistani radical preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh and his associate, actor Daljeet Kalsi. The court has requested all relevant records to be presented at the next hearing on October 3.
18-Sep-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami, while speaking at a centenary congregation at Gurdwara Sri Baoli Sahib in Sri Goindwal Sahib, Tarn Taran district, on September 18, criticized Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann for not declaring a holiday in Punjab on the occasion of Gurgaddi Diwas of Guru Ramdas and Joti Jot Diwas of Guru Amardas.
18-Sep-2024
Former Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Som Parkash, via the social media site X on September 18, urged actress and Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut to refrain from making unnecessary comments against the Sikh community, stating that such remarks hurt their sentiments.
17-Sep-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on September 17 recovered a packet containing 545 grams of heroin from near Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar district.