KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
01-May-2024
According to security agencies, Khalistani preacher and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) has maintained ties with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) while in jail, with documents suggesting his involvement in a conspiracy to destabilize India upon release. His alleged communication with ISI operatives and attempts to procure weaponry indicate a continued association with the Pakistani intelligence agency. Despite being detained under the National Security Act (NSA), Amritpal is set to contest elections from Punjab's Khadoor Sahib constituency, sparking debate within security circles about the suitability of allowing him to participate.
01-May-2024
A district court in Mansa district, Punjab, on May 1 framed charges against jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and 26 other accused in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case. The prime accused, Canada-based gangster Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar, remains at large. The court scheduled the next hearing for May 20.
01-May-2024
The Range Anti-Narcotics and Special Operation Cell of the Punjab Police on May 1 arrested a woman identified as Salhanta Devi and confiscated 15 kg of marijuana and INR 20,000 from her possession in Sohana village, located in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
01-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 conducted a joint operation with the Punjab Police, resulting in the arrest of a drug smuggler identified as Jagroop Singh and the seizure of 500 grams of heroin from his possession near Jathaul village in Amritsar district. The heroin had been smuggled via drone from Pakistan. Singh confessed to being in contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler known as "Shah" and admitted to facilitating around 10 drug consignments in the past.
01-May-2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, while speaking at an election rally in Himatnagar in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, on May 1, criticized the Congress government for sending dossiers to Pakistan despite knowing the origin of terrorism, contrasting it with India's current strategy of taking direct action against terrorists on their home turf. PM Modi's remarks come in the midst of accusations in the Canadian, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and Australian media, which are part of the Five Eyes Intelligence alliance. These reports alleged the involvement of Indian intelligence agencies in various incidents, including the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and assassination plots in the US and UK. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed these reports, viewing them as attempts by the Five Eyes to rein in Indian intelligence's growing influence, especially considering India's assertive stance on terrorism and national security under leaders like National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and former Secretary (RAW) Samant Goel. Despite efforts to tarnish their reputations, the Modi government remains steadfast in its commitment to combating terrorism and safeguarding India's interests, gaining support from a majority of the electorate ahead of the 2024 elections.
30-Apr-2024
Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Raghbir Singh, issued a warning in Amritsar on April 30 to Amrita Waring, wife of Punjab's Congress president, cautioning against politicizing Sikh symbols. This came after she equated the Congress symbol with Guru Nanak Dev's insignia. Singh condemned her actions, highlighting Congress's history of violence against Sikhs, and urged Waring to express remorse. In response, Waring apologized, affirming her respect for Sikh sentiments and acknowledging her unintentional mistake.
30-Apr-2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally in Latur, Maharashtra on April 30, highlighted his government's approach of direct action against terrorists instead of relying solely on diplomatic measures, contrasting it with the Congress's practice of sending dossiers to Pakistan. He emphasized anti-terror operations such as surgical strikes as emblematic of a 'New Bharat'.
30-Apr-2024
The Sadar Police on April 30 arrested two members of an extortion gang responsible for a shooting incident in Pandori Gola village on March 14, identified as Navraj Singh Nav and Gurlal Singh, and seized one country-made pistol with two cartridges from their possession, in Tarn Taran Sahib in Tarn Taran district. The suspects, along with two accomplices named Satta and Jaisal, were part of a group that demanded a ransom of INR 20 lakh from a local goldsmith. When their demand was refused, they fired at his shop. Satta, believed to be the mastermind or leader of the gang, has been operating the gang from abroad.
30-Apr-2024
On April 30, parents and supporters of jailed Khalistani preacher and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh launched his poll campaign for the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat after performing 'ardas' at Akal Takht in Amritsar district. Currently imprisoned in Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA), Amritpal will contest as an Independent.
30-Apr-2024
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in New Delhi on April 30, refuted allegations made by The Washington Post regarding plots by Indian officials to assassinate pro-Khalistan activists in the United States (US) and Canada, calling them unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations. He also stated that an ongoing investigation by a high-level committee is examining security concerns previously shared by the US.
29-Apr-2024
Dal Khalsa working president Paramjit Singh Mand, while addressing a press conference in Amritsar on April 29, announced their decision to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, citing that the Indian democratic system does not facilitate achieving a sovereign Punjab. He emphasized the right to self-determination under the United Nations (UN) as the solution to the Punjab dispute. Mand also criticized the Indian government's refusal to release Sikh political prisoners. Despite decades of Sikh participation in Indian politics, he argued that the Sikh community's situation hasn't improved, advocating for a focus on self-determination rather than electoral processes.
29-Apr-2024
India on April 29 summoned Canadian Deputy High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler over the raising of separatist slogans 'Khalistan Zindabad' at an event addressed by Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau on April 28 in Toronto, Canada. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed deep concern, citing the incident as illustrative of Canada's tolerance towards separatism, extremism, and violence.
29-Apr-2024
Former Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Jitender Singh Shunty on April 29 filed a complaint with the Delhi Police alleging death threats from a Khalistani extremist at the Vivek Vihar Police station in Shahdara district, Delhi. He claimed to have received a WhatsApp call where the caller, speaking in Punjabi, threatened him and his son Jyot Jeet, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state spokesperson, for speaking against Khalistan. Shunty, president of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sewa Dal and a Padma Shri recipient, also wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of Shahdara and the Station House Officer (SHO) of Vivek Vihar police station.
29-Apr-2024
Punjab Police, on April 29, dismantled an international drug syndicate with the arrest of three members identified as Satnam Singh alias Babbi, his daughter Aman Rozi, and his son-in-law Hardeep Singh, seizing 48 kg of heroin and INR 21 lakh in drug money from their possession in Jalandhar district, Punjab. The syndicate operated across five countries: Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Canada, utilizing Gujarat's sea route and Jammu and Kashmir's land route for drug smuggling into India. The mastermind, Turkey-based smuggler Navpreet Singh alias Nav, was also linked to a previous 350 kg heroin seizure in Delhi in 2021.
29-Apr-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on April 29, recovered one packet of heroin weighing 510 grams and a drone from fields near Gandhu Kilcha village in Ferozepur district. The Recovered drone was a China-made drone DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
29-Apr-2024
India lodged a strong protest on April 29 against Pro-Khalistan slogans raised during the Khalsa Day celebration in Toronto, Canada, summoning Canadian Deputy High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler to New Delhi. The incident, which took place in the presence of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, signals a sharp rise in anti-India sentiment in Canada. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the incident, citing Canada's tolerance towards separatism and extremism. Tensions between the two nations escalated after PM Trudeau implicated India in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023, leading to diplomatic expulsions. India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar had earlier reiterated concerns over the prominence of Khalistani forces in Canadian politics.
28-Apr-2024
The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on April 28 arrested a gangster associated with the Vicky Gounder gang identified as Surinder Kumar, and seized 260 grams of heroin along with a .32-bore pistol with a magazine and five cartridges from his possession, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district.
28-Apr-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar (SAD-A) announced on April 28 their support for jailed Khalistani preacher and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh as an Independent candidate for the Lok Sabha elections in the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency, Tarn Taran district, Punjab. SAD-A president Simranjit Singh Mann stated that his party would withdraw its candidate from the seat once Amritpal Singh, currently held in Assam jail, files his nomination papers. Previously, SAD-A had announced Harpal Singh Baler as its candidate for the Khadoor Sahib seat.
28-Apr-2024
The Border Security Forces (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on April 28 recovered 440 grams of heroin from fields near Rajatal village in Amritsar district.
28-Apr-2024
The Border Security Forces (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on April 28 recovered a Chinese drone from fields adjacent to Rajoke village in Tarn Taran district.
28-Apr-2024
The Border Security Forces (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on April 28 recovered a Chinese drone from fields adjacent to Kalsian Kalan village in Tarn Taran district.
28-Apr-2024
Police on April 28 arrested one unidentified operative of the Vicky Gounder gang and seized 3 weapons from his possession, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district. The gang, notorious for various heinous activities including arms and drugs trafficking, faces intensified scrutiny. Further investigations are underway to uncover the gang's network.
28-Apr-2024
Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, is preparing for an intense electoral contest. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has nominated senior leader Virsa Singh Valtoha, who will compete against Khalistani preacher and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, with both advocating a 'Panthic agenda'. Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar (SAD-A) has withdrawn its candidate in support of Amritpal.
28-Apr-2024
Police on April 28 arrested a woman, identified as Dalip Kaur and seized 33 kg of Ganja (Marijuana) from her possession near Bharatgarh village in Rupnagar district in Punjab. Initially, 15 kg was seized from her with an additional 18 kg found hidden near her hut in the forest area close to Bharatgarh.
27-Apr-2024
The Border Security Forces (BSF) on April 27 detained a Pakistani national near the border fencing in Fazilka Sector in Fazilka district. During interrogation, it was revealed that he had unintentionally crossed over due to a lack of awareness about the border alignment. No objectionable items were found in his possession. After a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers, the individual was returned to the Pakistani side.