KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-Feb-2024
Police on February 6 arrested three persons, identified as Jaswant Singh, Karamjit Singh and Lakhwinder Singh and seized 255 grams of heroin from their possession, at a naka (checkpoint) near Kangniwal village in Jalandhar district. The Police seized 105 grams of heroin from Jaswant, 95 grams of heroin from Karamjit and 55 grams of heroin from Lakhwinder. Involved in illegal mining previously, they turned to drug smuggling for quick profits, with indications of cross-border involvement.
05-Feb-2024
According to officials, smugglers in Pakistan are exploiting dense winter fog to use drones for trafficking drugs and arms across the border into Punjab. The Border Security Force (BSF) has been instructed to enhance intelligence gathering and surveillance during foggy conditions. Investigations led to the arrest of four individuals in Tarn Taran district on January 30, revealing that this gang conducted eight sorties and dropped nearly 9 kg of heroin, a pistol, and cartridges. Further investigations also uncovered the use of GPS-equipped drones for drop-offs. Despite countermeasures, drone incursions persisted, with at least 23 locations in Punjab's border districts being affected in January alone. The smuggling trend via drones has posed a growing challenge in recent years, with significant seizures reported, indicating an evolving tactic in cross-border trafficking.
05-Feb-2024
Police on February 5 arrested two youngsters, identified as Suraj Singh and Jashandeep Singh, and seized 1.15 kg of heroin, INR 12,000, and two cell phones from their possession at a checkpoint on Ferozepur Road near Sri Muktsar Sahib in Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
05-Feb-2024
Police on February 5 arrested two men, identified as Navjot Singh alias Mani Baba and Karan and seized two pistols and 20 cartridges from their possession near Mehtan bridge in near Mehtan village in Kapurthala District. The arrests were made based on a tip-off, and the suspects were involved in illegally procuring arms from multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh (UP).
05-Feb-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on February 5 apprehended an Afghan national who was crossing the International Border into Indian territory near Kashi Barman village in the Gurdaspur district. He claimed to have been guided by a Pakistani national but was found with no objectionable items. Despite initial questioning, language barriers limited the information obtained, and he was subsequently handed over to local police for further investigation following a medical examination.
05-Feb-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on February 5 apprehended a 16-year-old Pakistani national and seized a mobile phone and a Pakistani currency note of PKR 100 denomination from his possession near Patti Pallo village in Tarn Taran district in Punjab. On questioning, he revealed that he was a resident of Kasur in Pakistan. Despite protests to Pakistan Rangers about border control, they denied knowledge of missing persons. Following a medical examination, the teenager was handed over to Khalra village police station in Tarn Taran, Punjab, for further investigation.
04-Feb-2024
The Jammu and Kashmir Police, in a joint operation with Punjab Police on February 4, arrested a notorious drug peddler identified as Kulwinder Singh from Gujarpur village in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. Singh, identified as an inter-state heroin smuggler, was apprehended following the arrest of Farman Ali alias Munna, from Balole Khad village in Samba district in Jammu and Kashmir on January 24. Ali was found in possession of heroin and INR 1.29 lakh, having transferred INR 4.50 lakh to Singh for narcotics. This arrest is hailed as a significant achievement in combating narcotics smuggling in the region, with the police intensifying efforts to dismantle inter-state drug networks.
04-Feb-2024
The Amritsar Rural Police on February 4 arrested an alleged drug peddler identified as Rajwinder Singh alias Goldy, and seized a mobile phone from him in Lopoke village in Amritsar district. He is accused of being involved in cross-border drug trafficking using drones and has been booked alongside Ranjit Singh, who is currently at large. Singh is allegedly connected to Pakistan-based narcotic and arms smugglers.
04-Feb-2024
Gharinda police on February 4 arrested an individual identified as Onkar Singh and seized 265 gm of heroin from his possession at the T-Point near Dhanoe Khurd village in Amritsar district.
04-Feb-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently denied bail to an alleged member of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang in an extortion case, emphasizing the need to address the growing gang culture in Punjab with firm measures. The court stated that gang activities promote disharmony, violence, and drug abuse, necessitating strengthened law enforcement to combat this disruptive culture. Highlighting the state's duty to ensure citizen security and maintain a violence-free environment, the court underscored the importance of dealing sternly with elements that erode the social fabric.
04-Feb-2024
The Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in collaboration with central agencies, on February 4 arrested three operatives of gangster Goldy Brar, identified as Amritpal Singh alias Gujjar, Kamalpreet Singh, and Prem Singh in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh (UP). The trio was implicated in a recent firing incident that targeted a businessman's residence in Chandigarh's Sector 5. Investigations revealed their involvement in the shooting and subsequent escape, which was facilitated by Prem Singh. All three individuals have a criminal record, with charges including attempted murder, extortion, and robbery.
04-Feb-2024
The Jalandhar Commissionerate of Police on February 4 busted a gang involved in the smuggling of illegal weapons and heroin across borders using drones by arresting four gang members, identified as Jaspreet Singh alias Jassa, Bhagwant Singh, Gurjant Singh, and Lovepreet Singh along with three pistols and 14 rounds of ammunition near the Verka milk plant in Jalandhar district. Jassa was apprehended while intending to eliminate rivals from gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa's gang. Investigations revealed Jassa's extensive links to arms smugglers in Pakistan, with him facilitating multiple shipments into Punjab amidst a longstanding feud with Landa over a fishing contract.
04-Feb-2024
The president of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Harjinder Singh Dhami condemned the recent incident where police forcefully entered a Gurdwara Sahib at night, beating attendants and violating rules in Boha in Mansa district. Dhami expressed concern over the government's actions, citing previous incidents like the firing at Gurdwara Akal Bunga Sahib Sultanpur Lodhi. Dhami called for a thorough investigation into the Mansa incident and urged swift action against the perpetrators, emphasizing that such actions tarnish the sanctity of Sikh religious sites.
03-Feb-2024
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit tendered his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu on February 3, citing personal reasons amid allegations of tampering in Chandigarh's mayoral elections in favour of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate. Purohit's tenure saw frequent clashes with Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over various issues, including withholding bills passed by the State Assembly and warning of imposing President's rule.
03-Feb-2024
Police on February 3 arrested three drug smugglers, identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopa, Rashpal Singh alias Bhapa, and Rajdeep Singh alias Raja, and seized 650 gm of heroin from their possession near Bidhipur Chowk in Maqsudan in Jalandhar district. Gopa was arrested with 100 gm of heroin, revealing details of the operation, based on which the Police arrested Raja from Gharinda village and Bhapa from Muhawa village, both in Amritsar district. It was revealed that the operation utilized fields belonging to Bhapa, whose wife, a former sarpanch, facilitated access to the border.
03-Feb-2024
Police on February 3 arrested a woman drug peddler identified as Kamaljit Kaur alias Toti and seized 11 loose intoxicant injections from her possession in Sangowal village in Ludhiana district.
03-Feb-2024
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on February 3 arrested Lawrence Bishnoi’s aide, Mandeep Singh alias Chotta Mani, and his accomplice Jatinder Singh and seized two .32 caliber pistols and 12 cartridges in Mani Majra in Chandigarh. The arrests were made in connection to their involvement in Sidhu Moose Wala's murder and their role in facilitating gangster Deepak Tinu's escape in 2017. Both individuals, who were working for Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, are facing charges of attempt to murder, extortion, and Arms Act violations.
02-Feb-2024
According to reports, in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, heroin addiction among the youth is rampant due to the regular infiltration of narcotics-laden Pakistani drones. This has resulted in an overwhelming workload at the Red Cross De-addiction Centre. Abha Sharma, a dedicated counselor at the center, was recently honored for her pivotal role in rehabilitating addicts. She emphasizes patience and perseverance in overcoming addiction, guiding patients through the challenges of temptation and motivation.
02-Feb-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on February 2 recovered 500 grams of heroin in a packet wrapped with yellow adhesive tape along with a drone near Pallopati village in Tarn Taran district.
02-Feb-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on February 2 recovered three packets containing 1.6 kg of heroin, wrapped with yellow adhesive tape with a metal hook attached to them, from fields near Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district.
02-Feb-2024
The Wahabwala police on February 2 arrested an individual identified as Vijay Kumar and seized 39 kg of poppy husk from his possession at Mehrajpur village in Fazilka district.
02-Feb-2024
The police on February 2 arrested an individual, identified as Dilbagh Singh, for supplying 65 gm of heroin to his customers in Malout in Muktsar district.
02-Feb-2024
Police on February 2 arrested a sharpshooter from the infamous Neeraj Bawana gang, identified as Aehsaan Ali alias Usman alias Lal Singh, from Karni Singh Shooting Range area in Tughlakabad in South East Delhi in Delhi. Acting on specific intelligence, the police intercepted the duo on a motorcycle around 8:30 p.m. on February 2. Aehsaan attempted to flee but fell after losing control of the bike, while Neeraj escaped into a nearby jungle, leaving his firearm behind. Aehsaan fired at the police, hitting an officer's bulletproof jacket, but was eventually subdued. Interrogation revealed his criminal background and affiliation with the Neeraj Bawana gang.
01-Feb-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on February 1 filed a charge sheet against Khalistani terror outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) members, Manpreet Singh alias Peeta and Mandeep Singh, who were deported from the Philippines in 2023, at a special court in New Delhi. They were associated with 'listed individual terrorist' Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla, recruiting youths for Dalla's Terror and Crime Syndicate. Peeta and Mandeep played a significant role in raising funds for KTF through extortions, routing money into drug businesses via hawala networks, and smuggling arms from Pakistan.
01-Feb-2024
According to sources, Delhi Police deployed nearly 200 personnel to analyse CCTV footage from over 1000 cameras, leading to the arrest of Jaswinder, a cab driver from Tilak Nagar in West Delhi, for creating pro-Khalistani graffiti in the area. Jaswinder confessed to the act, stating he was promised INR 15,000 by his friend Gagandeep but had not received the payment. Earlier, two individuals from Punjab were detained by the Special Cell for similar graffiti incidents at Delhi metro stations ahead of the G20 Summit.