KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
04-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops and Punjab Police on July 4 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 550 grams from fields near Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district. The heroin was wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, and a metal ring along with an illuminating strip was found attached to the packet, indicating it had been dropped by a drone.
04-Jul-2024
Radical Khalistani preacher, chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), and Member of Parliament (MP) elect from Khadoor Sahib, Amritpal Singh, is set to be brought to New Delhi on July 5 on parole to take his oath as MP. The conditions of his parole specify that he can meet his family but cannot leave New Delhi or make media statements. An eight-member Punjab Police team arrived in Dibrugarh, Assam, to escort him to Delhi for the swearing-in, with plans to transport him on a military aircraft. Amritpal will be escorted back to Dibrugarh jail on the same day, where he is currently held under the National Security Act (NSA).
04-Jul-2024
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 4 arrested a prominent drug peddler, identified as Saktar Singh alias Laddi, as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to drug trafficking, in Tarn Taran district. Singh was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act following searches at about 10 locations in Sheron, Nausheran Pannuan, and Bugha villages of Tarn Taran district, during which some arms and drugs were recovered. The case is based on First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Punjab Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), revealing Singh's deep involvement in drug trafficking along the India-Pakistan border. The police stated that Singh's family is also implicated in illicit drug sales.
04-Jul-2024
After a group of Akali rebels submitted a joint written apology to the Akal Takht for their role in the Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) mistakes, political observers suggested that the SAD needs a complete overhaul with new, energetic leadership. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has remained silent on the matter, but according to sources, the issue will be discussed by the Five High Priests. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Kiranjot Kaur and Global Sikh Council representative Gurpreet Singh emphasized the need for fresh, non-controversial leadership and true remorse from the rebels.
03-Jul-2024
Faridkot Member of Parliament (MP) Sarabjit Singh Khalsa on July 3 revealed that jailed radical Khalistani preacher and MP-elect from the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency, Amritpal Singh, has been granted a four-day parole to take the oath as an MP on July 5. After a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa disclosed Amritpal's oath-taking plans. Amritpal is currently held at Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA).
03-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 3 recovered a drone along with two pistols, four magazines, and 40 rounds of Pakistan-made bullets near Nissoke village in Ajnala, Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a China-made DJI Matrice 300 RTK.
03-Jul-2024
Amritsar Rural Police on July 3 arrested a drug peddler identified as Jatin Singh and seized 2.5 kg of heroin from his possession near Maude village in Amritsar district. During the investigation, two more suspects, Sajan Singh and Daler Singh, were identified, and raids are underway to arrest them.
03-Jul-2024
Multiple media outlets on July 3 reported that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable Kulwinder Kaur, who had slapped actress and Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh Airport on June 6, 2023, was reinstated and transferred to Bengaluru in Karnataka. However, CISF sources confirmed she remains suspended pending a departmental inquiry.
03-Jul-2024
According to reports, in the past week, Bathinda district witnessed the deaths of five youths due to drug overdoses.
03-Jul-2024
Senior police officers from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh (HP), and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), along with the Border Security Force (BSF) and central agencies, held a high-level meeting in Pathankot, Punjab, on July 3. The meeting focused on reviewing and improving security arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, which commenced on June 29 and will conclude on August 19. Despite recent hoax reports of suspicious activities near Pathankot, a high alert remains in place.
02-Jul-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 2 issued a public notice announcing a cash reward of INR 10 lakh each for designated terrorist Goldy Brar and gangster Gurpreet Singh, both wanted in a case of extortion and firing at a businessman's house in Chandigarh. Goldy Brar, a key accused in the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala and an affiliate of Lawrence Bishnoi's gang, is suspected to be based in Canada or the United States (US). The NIA assured the anonymity of anyone providing information leading to their arrest.
02-Jul-2024
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the police, on July 2, arrested three drug smugglers identified as Rasal Singh, Jaskaran Singh, and Amritpal Singh, and seized 5 kg of heroin from their possession in Amritsar district. The suspects were allegedly in direct contact with Pakistan-based drug smugglers, having retrieved the consignment via drone.
02-Jul-2024
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on July 2 busted a trans-border narcotic smuggling network and arrested a drug smuggler identified as Lakhwinder Singh alias Lakha, seizing 5 kg of heroin and a motorcycle from his possession near Amritsar in Amritsar district. Acting on reliable inputs, police teams arrested him while he was en route from Khemkaran to deliver the consignment in Amritsar. Lakha was in direct contact with a Pakistan-based drug smuggler named Ali and was actively involved in drug trafficking, using drones to transport drug consignments from Pakistan.
02-Jul-2024
Nurpur Police on July 2 issued an alert after two individuals in Border Security Force (BSF) uniforms were spotted near the Nangal area in Rupnagar district of Punjab, in Nurpur in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh (HP). The alert, issued by Nurpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashok Rattan, instructs all district check posts to monitor for the suspects.
02-Jul-2024
The Punjab government has sent an application to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding the swearing-in of Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) elect and Khalistani preacher, and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, who is currently held under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh jail in Assam until 2025. An application for parole was initially submitted to the Amritsar District Commissioner (DC) due to the NSA case against Amritpal in Amritsar, Punjab. This application was forwarded to the Punjab Home Department and then to the Lok Sabha Speaker. Amritpal, who won the Lok Sabha seat from jail, must take the oath within 60 days to retain his membership.
01-Jul-2024
A group of dissident leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) approached the Akal Takht Sahib in Amritsar on July 1, seeking atonement for four major 'mistakes' they believe led to the party's decline between 2007 and 2017. These included the mishandling of sacrilege cases and controversial decisions by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. The party has faced continuous electoral losses since 2017, with recent rifts further weakening its position. Political commentator Harjeshwar Singh cited additional factors, such as the party's stance on farm laws and the rise of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), as contributing to its downfall.
01-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 1 foiled an infiltration attempt by neutralizing a Pakistani intruder near Sadarpura village in Abohar, Fazilka district. The intruder, after being spotted, ignored warnings and continued towards the security fence, prompting BSF troops to fire. The BSF stated that this action thwarted the plans of cross-border terror syndicates, maintaining a high alert at the border.
01-Jul-2024
Radical Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, who won the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat in Punjab, is set to take his oath as a Member of Parliament (MP) after approval was granted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Singh, currently in Assam’s Dibrugarh Jail, won as an independent candidate by over 4 lakh votes and faces 12 cases, including charges involving illegal weapons. His arrest under the National Security Act (NSA) was extended by one year.
01-Jul-2024
Dal Khalsa leaders, expressing concern over the misuse of the Akal Takht for political gains by warring Akali factions, met with Jathedar Gaini Raghbir Singh in Amritsar, Punjab, on July 1. They criticized the Akali Dal's leadership for their political blunders and shifting loyalties, which have led to a loss of credibility among Sikhs. After the meeting, party president Paramjit Singh Mand, speaking to the media, called for an overhaul of the Akali Dal's leadership and structure, urging the Jathedar to take command and consult with panthic experts to address the crisis.
01-Jul-2024
Rebel Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders on July 1 apologized to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh for mistakes made during their party's rule from 2007 to 2017, including failures related to the 2015 sacrilege incidents and the pardoning of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. They held SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal responsible and sought forgiveness, expressing readiness to face any punishment as per Sikh tenets.
01-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 1 recovered a large packet containing 2.320 kg of heroin near the garbage dump of Kalsian village in Tarn Taran district.
01-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 1 recovered a packet wrapped in white cloth containing 545 grams of heroin on the outskirts of Kalsian village in Tarn Taran district.
01-Jul-2024
Police on July 1 arrested four members of the Shishu gang, identified as Jagsir Singh alias Shishu, Vicky alias Sundi, Kapil, and Sachin, from Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
01-Jul-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on July 1 criticized the rebel Akali group for visiting the home of radical Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar district before meeting the Akal Takht Jathedar in Amritsar, accusing them of prioritizing politics over religious duties. The rebels, including leaders such as Prem Singh Chandumajra and Jagir Kaur, submitted a letter to the Akal Takht listing mistakes made during the SAD-BJP rule from 2007 to 2017.
01-Jul-2024
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on July 1 arrested a member of the Bambiha group involved in an extortion racket, identified as Harjeet Singh alias Pokhi in Faridkot in Faridkot district.