KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
03-Aug-2024
Recent government data indicate that Pakistan-based terrorists are shifting tactics, with a significant increase in drug trafficking cases in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). In 2023, over 2,400 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in J&K, up from nearly 1,660 in 2022. Officials report that Punjab has emerged as a new route for arms supply and infiltration, as terrorists adapt their methods and routes. Previously, Punjab was primarily used for drug trafficking, with local criminals aiding in smuggling operations from Pakistan.
02-Aug-2024
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Jalandhar Member of Parliament (MP) Sushil Rinku met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on August 2, requesting that the Adampur airport be named after Guru Ravidas. Rinku reminded Shah of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promise made during a May 30 rally regarding the airport renaming. He also briefed Shah on the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, including issues such as robbery and gang violence, as well as the ongoing development work in Jalandhar district.
02-Aug-2024
According to sources, the Indian government has requested the social media platform X to block the accounts of Mocha Bezirgan and Journalist V, who have been actively critiquing and addressing pro-Khalistan propaganda in Canada. The removal demand, based on India's Information Technology Act, 2000, is effective in India, although the accounts remain accessible elsewhere.
02-Aug-2024
Faridkot Member of Parliament (MP) Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa and Tarsem Singh, father of radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, announced a Panthic conference focusing on key Sikh issues, including alleged government atrocities and the release of Sikh political prisoners, to be held on August 19 at Baba Bakala in Amritsar district, Punjab. They also called for the withdrawal of the National Security Act (NSA) from Sikh prisoners, including Amritpal, and criticized the state government's handling of sacrilege cases.
01-Aug-2024
Gurpartap Singh Wadala, convener of the rebel Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) group, dismissed concerns about the return of terrorism in an interview with The Tribune, stating that there is no demand for Khalistan in Punjab. He attributed the recent victory of condemned radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh to a leadership vacuum in the state. Wadala criticized the current SAD leadership for not addressing Punjab's issues and suggested that while the slogan of Khalistan may resonate with some Sikhs abroad, it does not reflect the broader sentiment in Punjab. He also condemned Amritpal’s actions at the Ajnala police station but acknowledged his efforts against drug abuse.
01-Aug-2024
The Muktsar police on August 1 arrested two unidentified persons who attempted to extort INR 20 lakh from Dr. Bansal, who runs a hospital in Sri Muktsar Sahib, Punjab. The arrests followed a complaint from Dr. Bansal about an extortion call he received on July 28, demanding the payment or facing severe consequences.
01-Aug-2024
Police on August 1 arrested a criminal identified as Puneet Singh alias Gola and recovered a .32 bore pistol from his possession following a brief encounter in Sanour, Patiala district, Punjab. Gola, who had opened fire on the police, sustained a bullet injury to his leg and was admitted to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. He was previously wanted in 15 criminal cases, including murder and attempted murder.
01-Aug-2024
Amritsar City Police on August 1 busted a cross-border smuggling network, arresting one drug smuggler identified as Gurmej Singh, and seizing 3.5 kg of heroin, INR 1 lakh in drug money, and a motorcycle from his possession near Ghanupur Kale Road in the Chheharta area of Amritsar district. According to the police, Singh was in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers who were using drones for drug transport. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the smuggling network.
31-Jul-2024
On July 31, Faridkot Member of Parliament (MP) Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, while addressing the crowd in Gidderbaha, Muktsar district, urged the public to register as voters for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections before the deadline and to prepare for the polls.
31-Jul-2024
On July 31, a religious ceremony was held at the Gurdwara Chief Khalsa Diwan-run Central Khalsa Orphanage in Amritsar to mark the martyrdom day of Shaheed Udham Singh, who spent 12 years there. Vice-President of Chief Khalsa Diwan, Jagjit Singh, highlighted the orphanage's role in shaping Singh's character and encouraged children to draw inspiration from his life.
31-Jul-2024
According to reports, the recent directive from the five Sikh high priests and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to use either basanti (xanthic) or surmai (navy blue) cloth for the Nishan Sahib has been well received by many within the Sikh community. Despite this, some dissenting voices, including figures like Amrik Singh Ajnala and Banta Singh, have expressed reservations. The move has sparked a debate over adherence to the Sikh Rehat Maryada and the historical use of kesri (saffron).
31-Jul-2024
According to sources, YouTube has blocked access in India to the ABC TV documentary titled Infiltrating Australia – India’s Secret War, based on an order from India's Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). This documentary, part of ABC’s Four Corners series, alleges that Indian intelligence agencies have targeted members of the Indian diaspora in Australia, particularly Sikh activists.
31-Jul-2024
On July 31, following the Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) expulsion of eight rebel leaders, including Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Dhindsa rejected the move, arguing that only the party's working committee has the authority to expel members and that those expelled are loyalists of the Sikh Panth and the Akali Dal. Dhindsa, along with other senior leaders, also revealed plans to call a meeting to restructure the party. SAD senior leader Balwinder Singh Bhunder countered that Dhindsa does not have the authority to halt the disciplinary proceedings.
31-Jul-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 31 scheduled a hearing for August 28 regarding radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh’s challenge against the extension of the National Security Act (NSA) imposed on him. Singh, currently detained in Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam, argued that his prolonged detention is illegal and a violation of his right to life and liberty, claiming the detention, based largely on social media posts, is unjust and serves only to punish him for his political dissent. The court has also requested fresh replies from the state and Union governments on the legality of the detention order.
30-Jul-2024
On July 31, the Punjab and Haryana High Court is set to hear the challenge by radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh against the extension of the National Security Act (NSA) imposed on him.
30-Jul-2024
A Mohali court on July 30 convicted 17 individuals, including former Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and international wrestler Jagdish Bhola in a money laundering and drug trafficking case in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Bhola received a 10-year prison sentence and a INR 50,000 fine, with additional jail time if the fine remains unpaid. His associates, including family members, received sentences ranging from three to 10 years. The court's decision follows a decade-long investigation into a multi-crore drug racket involving extensive money laundering and property seizures. Bhola, previously convicted in a separate case, was a key figure in a major drug trafficking network.
30-Jul-2024
The Special Task Force (STF) of the Punjab Police on July 30 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Sahil and Rajveer, and seized 353 grams of heroin at a checkpoint near Curo Mall in Jalandhar district. The arrested individuals are in custody for further interrogation, with investigations into their connections and intended recipients ongoing.
30-Jul-2024
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) of Punjab Police and the Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation, on July 30 arrested two individuals, identified as Raj Singh alias Kala and Ramesh Singh, alias Meshu, and recovered 3.597 kg of heroin and a Pakistani drone (hexacopter) from fields near Bareke village in Ferozepur district. The heroin was reportedly smuggled from Pakistan using the drone.
30-Jul-2024
The rebel Akalis organized their first political program under the banner of Shiromani Akali Dal Sudhar Lehar (SAD-SL) to mark the death anniversary of former SAD chief Jathedar Mohan Singh Tur in Tur village in Khadur in Tarn Taran district on July 30. Gurpartap Singh Wadala, the convener of SAD-SL, announced plans for another program on the 100th birth anniversary of former SGPC president Gurcharan Singh Tohra, and a function on August 20 to commemorate Sant Harchand Singh Longowal in Longowal village, Sangrur district, Punjab.
29-Jul-2024
Slain Khalistani terrorist Gurjant Singh Budhsinghwala, a member of the Khalistani terror outfit Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), was among those honored at an annual Shaheedi Samagam hosted at Gurdwara Sahib in Budh Singh Wala village, Moga district, on July 29.
29-Jul-2024
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on July 29 destroyed 119 kg of heroin and 21.455 kg of other narcotics at Punjab Chemicals and Crop Protection Limited in Dera Bassi, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAAS) Nagar district.
28-Jul-2024
The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on July 28 dismantled an international narcotic network and arrested eight individuals identified as Jagroop Singh, Bhavjot Singh, Ravinder Singh, Anil Gupta, Bikramjit Singh, Tarsem Singh, Sumit Chole, and Pratap Singh and seized 100 grams of heroin, a 32-bore pistol, two live cartridges, 106,860 narcotics tablets, 4,320 capsules, and a car from their possession in Jalandhar district. The investigation revealed a network involving drug manufacturing in Gujarat and distribution through Agra and Amritsar, with potential international links. Further investigations are ongoing.
28-Jul-2024
Last week, an anti-drug committee in Gurusar village in Gidderbaha Muktsar district, achieved notable success by securing affidavits from four villagers promising to stop drug use and distribution, and admitting two addicts to a de-addiction centre. The committee, composed mainly of youth, actively shares drug-related information with the police, conducts community policing, and monitors suspicious activity. They have also pledged not to support families of those caught selling drugs and encourage other villages to form similar committees.
28-Jul-2024
The counter-intelligence (CI) wing of the Punjab Police on July 28 arrested two operatives of foreign-based drug modules being run by notorious drug traffickers Gurjant Singh alias Bholu, and Kinderbir Singh alias Sunny Dyal, identified as Dilbagh Singh and Kamaldeep Singh, and seized INR 1.07 crore drug money, along with a cash counting machine, two mobile phones and a car from their possession, near Fatehgarh Churian road in Amritsar in Amritsar district. Intelligence revealed that the money, collected via hawala, was being sent to Bholu and Dyal, who are involved in drug trafficking and illegal weapon distribution. Further investigation is ongoing to uncover additional links in the network.
28-Jul-2024
Police on July 28 arrested one individual identified as Baldev Singh for selling intoxicating pills to labourers, and seized 230 banned capsules from his possession, in Chuhriwala Dhanna village in Fazilka district.