KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
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.
27-Apr-2024
On April 27, several government offices' walls, including the Deputy Commissioner's office, were defaced with pro-Khalistani graffiti in Bathinda district in Punjab. The police have initiated an investigation and are reviewing nearby CCTV footage to apprehend the culprits. This incident is part of a worrying trend, with similar graffiti appearing in various states over the past year, including Delhi metro stations. While no group has claimed responsibility, previous arrests have linked such actions to individuals associated with the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), allegedly influenced by Khalistani terrorist Gurupatwant Singh Pannun.
27-Apr-2024
Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, issued a threat via video targeting Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Naib Saini and Chief Election Officer Anurag Aggarwal. Pannun vowed to make Haryana part of Khalistan and demanded the distribution of Khalistan Referendum registration forms at every polling booth. He also claimed that slogans supporting Khalistan were written outside the Fatehabad district court in Fatehabad district, Haryana.
27-Apr-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on April 27 recovered 515 grams of heroin along with a drone near Dhanoe Khurd village in Amritsar district.
27-Apr-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, in a joint search operation conducted on April 27, recovered a broken China-made drone from fields near Manawa village in Tarn Taran district.
26-Apr-2024
Official sources revealed on April 26, a day after Inderpal Singh Gaba was arrested for his alleged involvement in the 2023 attack on the Indian mission by pro-Khalistan supporters in London, United Kingdom (UK), that Inderpal had visited India in December 2023 with his family and was arrested based on a lookout circular (LOC) issued by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Inderpal is a UK citizen and owns liquor and grocery stores. NIA investigations revealed that the attacks in London were part of a larger conspiracy in retaliation to actions against pro-Khalistan separatists in Punjab. His lawyer claims that Gaba was a bystander during the London protest on March 22, 2023, stating he was celebrating his birthday nearby and joined under peer pressure. Furthermore, Gaba's trip to Pakistan in December 2023 was for religious pilgrimage and a friend's engagement.
26-Apr-2024
Khalistani preacher and the chief of the Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh’s mother, Balwinder Kaur, stated on April 26 in Dibrugarh, Assam, that Amritpal plans to contest the Lok Sabha elections from the Khadoor Sahib seat in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, as an independent candidate. Amritpal is currently incarcerated in Dibrugarh jail, Assam.
26-Apr-2024
Punjab's Chief Electoral Officer, Sibin C, recently reported that law enforcement agencies in the state have seized illicit goods and assets totalling INR 321.51 crore since the implementation of the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls. The seizures included drugs valued at INR 287.23 crore, unaccounted cash totalling INR 6.89 crore, and 22.8 lakh litres of liquor worth INR 14.93 crore. Additionally, precious metals and other items worth INR 12.46 crore were confiscated. The Punjab Police spearheaded the enforcement efforts with seizures worth INR 276.19 crore, followed by the Border Security Force (BSF) with INR 22.85 crore. Other agencies, including the state excise department, state GST department, customs department, income tax department, and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), also contributed to the crackdown, seizing goods ranging from INR 1.76 crore to INR 7.21 crore. Among districts, Amritsar led with seizures amounting to INR 60.3 crore, followed by Tarn Taran with INR 53.74 crore, Ferozepur with INR 49.34 crore, and Fazilka with INR 41.71 crore.
26-Apr-2024
Superintendent of Police (SP) Vikrant Bhushan recently revealed that the drug trafficking network in Sirsa district in Haryana, bordering Punjab and Rajasthan, has seen a significant rise, with women increasingly participating in the trade. Since 2023, around 50 women have been arrested under the NDPS Act: 36 in 2022, 39 in 2023, and 11 in 2024 so far. Despite police efforts, over 200 women are reportedly involved, often alongside family members. Constraints such as the requirement for female police officers during evening/night questioning hinder police action. Female officers are now deployed in every station to tackle this issue, as women's involvement strengthens the trafficking network, primarily dealing in substances like chitta, heroin, opium, and poppy husk.
26-Apr-2024
The Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with central agencies and the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police, on April 26 arrested gangster Charanjit Singh alias Raju Shooter and his 10 aides and seized four weapons - one double-barrel rifle and three pistols, along with 26 cartridges during a 48-hour operation in Punjab and J&K. Raju Shooter's aides include Husanpreet Singh alias Husan, Gulab Singh alias Gulab, Amritpal Singh alias Chidi, Baljinder Singh alias Lokka, Bobby, Lovpreet Singh alias Love, Amritpal Singh alias Sandeep Singh, Sajan alias Kalu, Sukhchain Singh alias Mogali, and Harmesh Singh alias Chichu. This operation followed Raju Shooter's escape from Civil Hospital, Tarn Taran, where he was receiving treatment. Raju Shooter, a key figure in an organized criminal gang in the Majha region, has been implicated in various crimes, including a foiled bank robbery in September 2023.
25-Apr-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) along with the Punjab Police, in a joint operation on April 25 recovered a drone from a farming field adjacent to Khemkaran village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a China-made DJI Matrice 300 RTK.