KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
13-Apr-2024
A research team from the Jallianwala Bagh Chair at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) recently uncovered 57 additional names of martyrs from the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, bringing the total count to 434 in Amritsar, Punjab. Led by Dr. Amandeep Kaur Bal and Dr. Dilbag Singh, the research project, commissioned by the Punjab Government, meticulously verified claims and documents across Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh (HP).
13-Apr-2024
Police on April 13 arrested one person identified as Baj Singh and seized one country-made pistol and one cartridge from his possession, at Sheron village in Tarn Taran district.
13-Apr-2024
Vishva Hindu Parishad’s (VHP’s) Nangal unit president, Vikas Prabhakar alias Vikas Bagga, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants in his confectionery shop in Nangal, Rupnagar district, Punjab, on April 13. Police are investigating multiple angles, including premeditated murder, and analyzing CCTV footage for leads. The community is deeply saddened by this crime and seeks justice for Vikas Prabhakar's tragic death.
13-Apr-2024
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath on April 13 while celebrating Baisakhi at Naka Hindola Gurudwara in Lucknow, expressed gratitude to the Sikh Gurus for their sacrifices, emphasizing the country's enduring appreciation and lauding their contributions to protecting religion and the nation. He also highlighted the significance of Guru Gobind Singh Maharaj's establishment of the Khalsa Panth.
13-Apr-2024
Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (ad hoc) (HSGMC) spokesman Kawaljeet Singh on April 13 announced in Kurukshetra district, Haryana that the government has revoked its directive to banks regarding HSGMC transactions. The government had earlier instructed banks to suspend all financial transactions, which led to issues with staff salaries and gurdwara supplies. After protests and discussions between HSGMC representatives and the government, the directive has been withdrawn, restoring normal operations.
13-Apr-2024
In a joint operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of Punjab Police on April 13 arrested an unidentified drug smuggler and seized 30 grams of gold and INR 3 lakh in cash from his residence in Muhar Jamsher village, Fazilka district. According to the BSF, the coordinated efforts led to the apprehension of the suspected individual, who has a history of involvement in narcotics smuggling.
12-Apr-2024
Police on April 12 arrested one unidentified drug peddler and seized 500 grams of heroin from his possession, near Sarai Amanat Khan in Tarn Taran district.
12-Apr-2024
Khalra police on April 12 arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Lovepreet Singh Labha and Karanpreet Singh Karan and seized 200 grams of heroin from their possession, in Khalra village in Tarn Taran district.
12-Apr-2024
The Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, speaking at an event in Pune, Maharashtra on April 12, emphasized India's steadfast commitment to combat terrorism originating from across borders. He stated that terrorists operate beyond the boundaries of rules and regulations. Jaishankar highlighted Pakistan as a challenging neighbour, attributing the difficulties in relations to India's historical approach.
12-Apr-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on April 12 seized an immovable property belonging to Khalistani terrorist Ramandeep Singh, following directives from a special NIA court in New Delhi, related to a case from August 2022. The seized property, measuring 31 kanals, 9 marlas, and 4 sarsahi, is located in Jhok Nodh Singh village in Ferozepur district of Punjab. Ramandeep Singh has affiliations with various terror outfits, including the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF).
12-Apr-2024
Punjab Police's State Special Operation Cell on April 12 arrested Prabhpreet Singh, a member of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in New Delhi. Prabhpreet Singh was found to be running a terrorist recruitment and funding network from Germany. Further investigations unveiled that Prabhpreet Singh, in collaboration with his associate Jagdish Singh Bhura based in Belgium, facilitated funding and weapon procurement for associates in India, resulting in the arrest of four operatives and the seizure of weapons and ammunition.
12-Apr-2024
At a media briefing in New Delhi on April 12, Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed the Taliban regime's decision to restore property rights to Afghan Hindus and Sikhs, describing it as a positive development.
12-Apr-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on April 12 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 510 grams from farming fields adjacent to Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar district.
12-Apr-2024
The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on April 12 busted a cross-border drug network associated with the Jaipal Bhullar gang by arresting a key individual identified as Saaraj alias Bau and seizing 3 kg of heroin, two .32 bore pistols, and four cartridges from his possession in Jalandhar district. Initially, Saaraj was arrested with 200 grams of heroin, but further investigations based on his disclosure led to the seizure of 2.8 kg of heroin, along with two .32 bore pistols and four cartridges. Saaraj, previously involved in extortion and attempted murder, joined Jaipal Bhullar's criminal network after being released on bail in 2022. He orchestrated heroin trafficking from Pakistan in collaboration with another gang member, Chandu Firozepuria.
12-Apr-2024
On April 12, a spokesperson for the Canadian High Commission announced the dismissal of Indian staff from its diplomatic missions in New Delhi, India. The spokesperson also expressed sincere gratitude for the resilience, dedication, and service of its local staff in India.
11-Apr-2024
Gunshots were fired at Punjab Police Inspector Gabbar Singh, who serves as the SHO Mataur in Mohali, while he was traveling in his bulletproof car in Kurali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, Punjab, on April 11. Although the shooters managed to escape, police are actively investigating the case to determine if there is any potential gang involvement.
11-Apr-2024
Police on April 11 arrested Gurkirat Singh, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi and Dipu Banur gang, and seized a country-made pistol and two live rounds from his possession in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, Punjab. This arrest was made based on information provided by Aman Kumar, who was previously arrested on March 4, 2024.
11-Apr-2024
Delhi Police on April 11 announced the arrest of Satender Kumar alias Sikander, a sharpshooter associated with the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang from the outskirts of Delhi. He was apprehended based on specific intelligence indicating his participation in a recent extortion-related shooting on March 31 in Moti Nagar, West Delhi.
10-Apr-2024
Amritsar Police on April 10 arrested three associates of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed terrorist and drug smuggler Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, as well as United States (US)-based gangster and drug peddler Harpreet Singh alias Happy Pachhia, identified as Mandeep Singh alias Arsh, Gagandeep Singh, and his brother Piara Singh and seized a 9 mm pistol along with five rounds from their possession in Amritsar district, Punjab.
10-Apr-2024
Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of the late Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi's assassin Beant Singh, on April 10 announced his candidacy as an Independent from the Faridkot parliamentary constituency in Punjab. He has previously contested elections in 2004 and 2007 and is aiming to enter Parliament once again. His family has a political legacy, with his mother and grandfather having served as Members of Parliament (MPs) from Ropar and Bathinda, respectively.
10-Apr-2024
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on April 10 accused the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of patronizing the drug mafia, citing the arrest of Prakash Singh Langah, identified as the son of former Cabinet Minister in Punjab and a leader of SAD Sucha Singh Langah, with heroin in Shimla as evidence of their alleged involvement. The AAP urged strict action against the accused and criticized SAD for purportedly contributing to Punjab's drug crisis.
10-Apr-2024
Moga Police on April 10 arrested six members of the Davinder Bambiha gang, identified as Lovepreet Singh alias Labhi, Sunil Kumar alias Baba, Karan, Vicky alias Gandhi, Harmeet Singh alias Cheema, and Sahil Sharma alias Shallu and seized three pistols, a country-made revolver, and cartridges from their possession in Moga district. According to the police, Labhi, currently in jail, allegedly directed the gang's activities, leading authorities to procure a production warrant for him. The arrested individuals faced multiple criminal charges, with Gandhi and Baba having extensive criminal records in Moga.
09-Apr-2024
According to sources, the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India Rajiv Kumar allegedly received threat calls from pro-Khalistan elements abroad. These threats were reportedly conveyed through pre-recorded calls to Indian numbers, featuring a well-known pro-Khalistan leader who has a history of making such threats via internet-based voice calls and social media. As a result, the Union Ministry for Home Affairs (UMHA) has taken steps to enhance Rajiv Kumar's security, with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) now providing "Z-category level" protection, extending across India. Kumar, currently under Delhi Police protection, is expected to receive round-the-clock security from CRPF commandos, including an escort vehicle, as part of his upgraded security detail.
09-Apr-2024
The Sikh high priests, including Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, Takht Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Sultan Singh, along with Giani Gurdev Singh and Giani Gurminder, held a meeting on April 9 at the Akal Takht secretariat in Amritsar and directed community members to hoist Khalsa flags on their homes to commemorate 325 years of Khalsa on Khalsa Sajna Divas on April 13.
09-Apr-2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, while addressing a rally in Pilibhit district in Uttar Pradesh (UP) on April 9, reached out to the Sikh community and condemned the 1984 anti-Sikh riots orchestrated by the Congress, stating that India can never forget what the Congress did to the Sikhs in 1984. PM Modi criticized the Congress and Samajwadi Party for their alleged role in the riots while highlighting the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) solidarity with the Sikh community through various initiatives like opening the Kartarpur Corridor and celebrating Sikh festivals.