KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
16-Aug-2024
Punjab Police on August 16 arrested four members of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, identified as Asrat Kanth alias Sabi, Kamalpreet Singh alias Komal Bajwa, Pardeep Kumar alias Gora, and Gurmeet Raj alias Juneja and seized one China-made 7.65 mm Glock, two .30 bore pistols, one revolver, four cartridges, three magazines, and two cars (a Mahindra XUV and a Maruti Brezza) from their possession following a hot chase on the Jalandhar-Batala Highway near Maqsuda in Jalandhar district. The operation exposed an international arms supply network linked to the gang, with weapons funneled through a key figure identified as Aman alias Anda in Germany and a local contact, Sanju alias Sahil Kumar, who is currently in jail. A fifth suspect, identified as Sajandeep, managed to escape.
15-Aug-2024
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, on August 15 in Chandigarh, announced an annual award of INR 36 lakh from his discretionary quota to recognize the top three border village-level defence committees in six districts for their efforts in eradicating drugs. The awards include INR 3 lakh for the first, INR 2 lakh for the second, and INR 1 lakh for the third-best performing committees in each district. He also emphasized the importance of collective efforts against drug-related challenges and anti-national activities along the Punjab-Pakistan border.
15-Aug-2024
The Drug Disposal Committee of Amritsar rural police on August 15 incinerated 18.05 kg of heroin, 5,275 intoxicant tablets and capsules, poppy husk, and ICE (a type of drug), all linked to 34 cases, both pre-trial and post-trial, at Khanna Paper Mill in Amritsar, Punjab.
15-Aug-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, on August 15 in Ludhiana, urged the Sikh community to recognize 'traitors' whose aim is to 'weaken' the community, amid calls for his resignation following the party's poor performance in the Lok Sabha polls. Badal also emphasized the need to identify true leaders and warned against those who support the community's enemies.
14-Aug-2024
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on August 14 announced the names of Punjab Police officers to be awarded the Medal for Gallantry, the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service, and the Medal for Meritorious Service in New Delhi. Members of the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) team, including Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Sandeep Goel, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bikramjit Singh Brar, DSP Rajan Parminder Singh, Inspector Pushvinder Singh, Sub-Inspector (SI) Jaspreet Singh, SI Gurpreet Singh, and Constable Sukhraj Singh, will receive the Medal for Gallantry.
14-Aug-2024
All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina recently announced that Sikhs will field independent candidates in various constituencies for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) assembly polls, in an interview with The Week. This decision addresses long-standing grievances, including the exclusion of Punjabi from school curricula and unmet promises regarding minority status and job opportunities. Raina emphasized the need for fair representation and support from other local communities to address these issues effectively.
14-Aug-2024
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh cautioned against misinformation regarding the Nishan Sahib colour code on August 14 in Amritsar. He clarified that the recent directive, stipulating the use of either Basanti or Surmai colours for the Nishan Sahib, aligns with the 1936 Sikh code of conduct. The resolution aims to restore traditional practices and address confusion, rather than introduce a new colour code.
14-Aug-2024
On August 14, ahead of Independence Day (August 15), the intelligence department and police were placed on high alert due to threats of a fidayeen attack in Delhi or Punjab. Recent intelligence suggested that terrorists from Jammu might target major cities with explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Enhanced security measures, including 25,000 police personnel and AI-enabled surveillance, have been implemented for the Independence Day events, with particular focus on the Red Fort and other high-profile locations.
14-Aug-2024
In his Independence Day message on August 14, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria highlighted the challenges Punjab faces from Pakistan, which he described as waging a proxy war by sending drugs and weapons to disrupt India. He emphasized the need for collective action against such threats, including joint operations by Central and State forces, the installation of AI-enabled cameras, and the use of anti-drone technology.
14-Aug-2024
Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on August 14 prevented major criminal activities by arresting five individuals, identified as Sunil Bhandari alias Nata, Rahul Bhandari, Varinder Singh, Karan, and Amandeep Singh and recovered three .30 calibre Chinese pistols, two .32 calibre pistols, 40 cartridges, a Mahindra XUV 700, and an Innova Crysta near the National Highway in Rajpura in Patiala district. The accused are linked to several heinous crimes, including recent killings in Ferozepur, and further investigations are underway.
13-Aug-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on August 13 intercepted and recovered 538 grams of heroin along with a drone near Pacharian village in Ferozepur district. The recovered drone model was a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
13-Aug-2024
In a joint operation on August 13, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Punjab Police arrested notorious drug smuggler, identified as Balwinder Singh alias Billa Havelian, in Gurdaspur in Gurdaspur district. Billa was detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act and will be held in Dibrugarh jail in Assam for a year without bail. Billa has extensive ties to Pakistan-based drug syndicates, faces charges related to heroin smuggling and counterfeit currency, and was previously out on bail.
13-Aug-2024
On August 13, a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Jalandhar convicted drug dealer Ranjit Singh Kandola, alias Raja Kandola, and his wife on money laundering charges. Raja Kandola was sentenced to nine years in prison, while his wife, Rajwant Kaur, received a three-year sentence. The case stems from a 2012 drug seizure and allegations that Kandola was involved in a major drug manufacturing and smuggling operation.
13-Aug-2024
The Chief Judicial Magistrate in Chandigarh on August 13 granted bail to Gurmeet Singh, a convict in the Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh assassination case. Gurmeet Singh, who has served over 27 years in prison, was granted bail pending a decision on his premature release application. His legal team cited a January 2023 Punjab and Haryana High Court order allowing bail for convicts who have completed life sentences while permanent release decisions are still pending.
13-Aug-2024
A delegation from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) led by its president Harjinder Singh Dhami on August 13 met with Justice (retired) SS Saron, the chief commissioner for gurdwara elections, in Chandigarh. They urged him to ensure transparent voter registration for the SGPC elections, citing concerns that rules are being ignored and registration is occurring without proper verification.
12-Aug-2024
A suspected Pakistani intruder was shot dead by the Border Security Force (BSF) while attempting to infiltrate India across the International Border near Dal village in Patti, Tarn Taran district on August 12. The BSF, on high alert ahead of Independence Day, observed the intruder’s suspicious movement and intercepted him. When the intruder advanced, the BSF neutralized him on the spot, thwarting the infiltration attempt.
12-Aug-2024
Police on August 12 intercepted a truck, arrested an individual identified as Gurtajinder Singh Pintu, and seized 150 kg of poppy husk from his possession in Malerkotla district.
12-Aug-2024
Police on August 12 arrested two individuals, identified as Imran Khan Kaka and Mohammad Anish, and seized 20,000 habit-forming tablets in Gattu Wala Khooh village in Malerkotla district.
12-Aug-2024
Police on August 12 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Kamla and Jagiro, and seized 5 grams of heroin from their possession in Goraya, Jalandhar district. Kamla was initially arrested on August 11 and, during interrogation, revealed that she obtained the heroin from Jagiro, who was subsequently arrested on August 12. Both individuals have prior drug-related criminal records and are facing charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, with further investigations underway to uncover their connections to larger trafficking networks.
12-Aug-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar (SAD-A) and Dal Khalsa are set to participate in protests in Hoshiarpur on August 13 and Tarn Taran on August 15, against the central government’s alleged injustices towards Sikhs. Dal Khalsa's 'Freedom March' on August 13 will commemorate Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Dal Khalsa founder Gajinder Singh. Both parties plan to mobilize hundreds of activists for these demonstrations.
12-Aug-2024
In the past week, twenty Afghan Sikhs have been granted citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019, in New Delhi. This marks progress for many who had been living in India on long-term visas or awaiting citizenship under the 1955 Act. The CAA, which eases the citizenship process for non-Muslim migrants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, has accelerated approvals by removing state government involvement. Over 400 Afghan Sikhs have applied through a camp set up to assist with the new process.
12-Aug-2024
Punjab Police on August 12 arrested Mukul Mishra, a suspect wanted in the murder of Nangal-based Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Bagga, in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Bagga was shot dead on April 13, 2024, by two assailants, and Mishra is accused of facilitating the payment for the weapons used in the crime. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is overseeing the case, and Mishra is also wanted in another criminal case in Ludhiana.
12-Aug-2024
Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) Chandra Arya, a critic of the Trudeau government’s stance on pro-Khalistani elements, met with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on August 12 in New Delhi. Arya highlighted the importance of the Canada-India relationship and urged for stronger action against extremist activities in Canada. Jaishankar has previously criticized Canada for accommodating individuals advocating violence and terrorism against India.
11-Aug-2024
On August 11, an individual identified as Gajinder Singh died from a drug overdose in Bathinda, Punjab. The police arrested four suspects, identified as Gurdeep Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Kamaljit Kaur, and Ranjit Kaur, in connection with the case.
11-Aug-2024
Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, expressed condolences on August 11 over the death of Paramjit Singh Khalsa, a senior leader of the All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) and a supporter of Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale during his Dharam Yudh Morcha.