KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
18-Jul-2024
Police on July 18 thwarted potential targeted killings with the arrest of Vikramjit Singh, a member of the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)-backed terror module and seized a .32 bore pistol along with two magazines, nine live cartridges, and one empty bullet shell from his possession, as well as his Royal Enfield motorcycle, near Chamrang Road in Amritsar district. Singh was allegedly operating under the direction of United States (US)-based terrorist Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passian, and his Italy-based associate Resham Singh. Further investigations are ongoing to uncover additional connections.
18-Jul-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court held that vehicles seized in drug cases can only be confiscated after the accused is proven guilty and dismissed the Narcotics Control Bureau's (NCB) petitions challenging the release of such vehicles on Supurdari. The court stated that vehicles should not deteriorate while awaiting trial and can be temporarily released on bonds, with confiscation applicable only after a guilty verdict is secured.
18-Jul-2024
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s Punjab State Media Head, Vineet Joshi, addressed a press conference in Chandigarh on July 18, revealing that during the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s 28-month tenure under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, at least 587 youths have officially died due to drug abuse, with actual numbers estimated between 2,000 and 2,500. He also criticized Mann's inaction, noting the lack of state-level anti-drug programs and advertisements during International Day against Drug Abuse events. Joshi highlighted the severe impact on diverse demographics and the rampant availability of drugs in Punjab, accusing the current administration of indirectly supporting drug traffickers.
18-Jul-2024
According to sources, the Punjab government plans to double the strength of the Punjab Police Special Task Force (STF) from 400 to 814 personnel to enhance its capability in combating the drug menace. This proposal, initiated by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, aims to boost technical investigation skills within the STF. The new state-of-the-art STF Intelligence and Technical Unit (SITU) at the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, inaugurated by Yadav, features advanced technology and software for analyzing drug-related data. The initiative follows a ₹14.6 crore allocation earlier this year to augment the STF’s resources.
18-Jul-2024
The Punjab Police's Special Task Force (STF) arrested a constable of Punjab Police, Gurmeet Singh, and a woman, Navdeep Kaur, and seized 440 grams of heroin from their possession in Mauli Baidwan village in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Both suspects were produced in court on July 18 and remanded to four-day police custody.
18-Jul-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 18 arrested a key aide of Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, identified as Baljeet Singh alias Rana Bhai alias Balli, in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Singh, a major weapons supplier to Landa’s agents in Punjab, was involved in large-scale terror activities, including extortions from businessmen. The investigation, registered Suo motu on July 10, 2023, also linked Singh to another Khalistani terrorist, Satnam Singh Satta.
17-Jul-2024
Delhi Police issued a high alert ahead of Independence Day due to a Khalistani plot in Delhi. Security measures have been intensified, with the police enhancing vigilance following increased Khalistani activities and the appearance of supportive posters in the city. Comprehensive security arrangements are being made for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flag-hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort.
17-Jul-2024
Police on July 17 busted a Pakistan-backed drug smuggling racket, arresting two individuals identified as Gurmukh Singh and Jagwant Singh along with 7 kg of heroin, four 9mm Glock pistols, one .32 bore pistol, five live cartridges, five magazines, and a car at a checkpoint near Muhawa village in Amritsar district. The accused were allegedly in contact with Pakistan-based operators and were smuggling weapons and drugs into the state via drones. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the network's connections and identify others involved.
17-Jul-2024
Punjab Police on July 17 arrested two individuals, identified as Ajay Singh and Pargat Singh and seized 950 grams of heroin from their possession in Mode village village in Amritsar district.
17-Jul-2024
Punjab Police on July 17 arrested one person, identified as Rajinder Singh and seized 60 grams of heroin along with a.32-bore pistol along with two live cartridges in Burj Rai Ke village in Ajnala in Amritsar.
17-Jul-2024
The Special Task Force (STF) of Punjab Police on July 17 arrested two individuals, identified as Navdeep Kaur and Gurinder Singh alias Sally, and seized 440 grams of heroin and a car from their possession in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAAS) Nagar district. Investigations revealed that Navdeep obtained the drugs from Gagandeep and Sandeep. Gagandeep was arrested on July 20 with 1.5 kg of heroin. Other involved individuals include Gurvinder Singh, Randeep Kaur, her husband Sohan Lal, Constable Gurmeet Singh, and Gulshan and Lovepreet Singh, who were found in possession of 30 grams of heroin. Further investigation is ongoing to unravel the full network.
16-Jul-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal announced on July 16 that he would appear before the Akal Takht to address allegations from a rebel faction within the SAD that he compromised Sikh community sentiments for political gains. Earlier, on July 15, the Akal Takht Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh, had asked Mr. Badal to appear in person and submit a written explanation within 15 days at the Akal Takht in Amritsar, Punjab.
16-Jul-2024
A senior police officer revealed on July 16 that the Punjab Police has inducted three quick response teams (QRTs), specially trained by the Army, to tackle any eventuality, such as a terror attack or hostage situation, in Pathankot district, Punjab. These QRTs, equipped with specialized vehicles and a wide range of equipment, will be deployed in three subdivisions of the district. Each team, comprising ten police personnel trained in commando courses, will undertake regular patrolling to act as a force multiplier.
16-Jul-2024
As part of an experiment planned by the Punjab Police Special Task Force (STF) against drugs, 200 inmates lodged in prisons across Punjab were shifted to Bathinda Central Jail in Bathinda district, a “dead zone” where there is no signal to operate mobile phones. This measure aims to prevent inmates from operating smuggling networks via mobile phones. The STF conducted an intelligence-based study to identify these inmates, and communication from the jail is now only permitted via landline.
16-Jul-2024
The police on July 16 arrested two individuals, identified as Jaswinder Singh and Aman Kaur, and seized 70 banned tablets from their possession near Bhundarhi village in Jagraon, Ludhiana district.
16-Jul-2024
The police on July 16 arrested two individuals, identified as Naseeb Singh and Kuldeep Singh, and seized 45 banned tablets from their possession near the civil hospital in Raikot, Ludhiana district.
16-Jul-2024
The police on July 16 arrested one individual, identified as Harpreet Singh, and seized four grams of heroin from his possession in Basian village, Raikot, Ludhiana district.
16-Jul-2024
The police on July 16 arrested two individuals, identified as Jaspreet Singh and Harjinder Singh, and seized two grams of heroin from their possession near Ratipur village in Samrala, Ludhiana district.
16-Jul-2024
The police on July 16 arrested one individual identified as Saif Ali and seized 1.4 kg of opium from his possession in Khanna, Ludhiana district.
16-Jul-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on July 16 recovered two packets of heroin weighing 1.06 kg, along with three pairs of slippers, one dah (sharp-edged machete), a water bottle, and a gamcha (thin cotton towel), from the outskirts of Mahawa village in Amritsar district.
16-Jul-2024
A local court in Chandigarh on July 16 dismissed the bail applications of two Lawrence Bishnoi gang members identified as Parwinder and Anmolpreet Singh. They were arrested for planning to kill gangster Bhuppi Rana.
16-Jul-2024
Farmer union leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Abhimanyu Kohar, and Surjit Singh Phool announced on July 16 in Chandigarh that the unions protesting at the Punjab and Haryana borders will march towards Delhi once the Haryana Government removes the barricades. The Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) disclosed their plans to commence their "Dilli Chalo" march to press for demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) on all crops. They urged traders and businessmen to join their cause and mentioned a convention in Delhi on July 22 to seek support from Opposition leaders in Parliament.
16-Jul-2024
Punjab Police on July 16 busted an interstate weapon smuggling network with the arrest of three persons identified as Sukhdev Singh alias Mattu, Sahil Kumar alias Mast, and Prabhjot Singh alias Prabh, and recovered three .32 bore pistols along with three magazines and six live cartridges from their possession in Vallah, Amritsar district. The arrests followed information indicating their involvement in procuring weapons from illegal dealers in Madhya Pradesh (MP) for delivery to criminal elements in Vallah. Preliminary investigations suggest that two of the arrested individuals have prior criminal records, including involvement in a murder case. Further investigations are ongoing to trace the weapon dealer in Madhya Pradesh and the intended recipients of the weapon consignment.
15-Jul-2024
According to sources, radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, currently held under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh jail in Assam, has requested permission from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to participate in the upcoming monsoon session starting July 22, 2024.
15-Jul-2024
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, via a written statement on July 15, summoned Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Badal to provide a written explanation within 15 days regarding allegations from rebel Akali members that he failed to represent the panth's sentiments. The Akal Takht also sought clarification from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) over INR 90 lakh spent on advertisements. Rebel leaders accused the former SAD regime of various mistakes, including the failure to punish those responsible for the 2015 sacrilege incidents.