KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
12-Dec-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on December 12 arrested Amritpal Singh, a key conduit involved in circulating drug money, in connection with the April 2022 seizure of 102 kg of heroin, valued at INR 700 crore, at Amritsar International Airport while attempting to flee to Dubai. Amritpal Singh is the third person arrested in the case, and investigations reveal that he played a significant role in laundering drug proceeds through banking and hawala channels as part of a global drug cartel.
11-Dec-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), in Amritsar, on December 11 announced that a protest is set to take place in New Delhi on December 20, organized by them, expressing concern over the release of 'Bandi Singhs'. Representatives from local gurdwara committees in Punjab are set to participate in the demonstration, which will commence from Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib to Rashtrapati Bhavan. The protest aims to emphasize the release of Sikh political prisoners and the implementation of a 2019 notification commuting Balwant Singh Rajoana's death sentence to life imprisonment.
11-Dec-2023
Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on December 11 expressed disappointment that the bodies of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Avtar Singh Khanda and Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) head Paramjit Singh Panjwar were not allowed to enter India, calling it a violation of rights and a disgrace. He also condemned targeted killings, citing the murder of Rajput leader Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi, emphasizing that no law permits such acts in India or abroad.
11-Dec-2023
Punjab Police on December 11 released United Kingdom (UK) national Paramjit Singh Dhadi alias Punjab Singh, from a terror case days after arresting him, acknowledging he was not the individual they were seeking. Dhadi, traveling with a legal passport, was arrested on December 5 at Amritsar airport, initially linked to terror funding and subversive activities. He expressed surprise at the arrest's handling and intends to continue visiting India.
11-Dec-2023
United States (US) Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Chris Wray commenced his two-day visit to India on December 11 in New Delhi. The primary focus is on the alleged assassination attempt of Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Wray met with Praveen Sood, the director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in India, focusing on enhancing information exchange for better coordination against transnational crimes.
11-Dec-2023
Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Ravneet Singh, in New Delhi on December 11, urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to present a robust case against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to United States (US) authorities. Singh expressed frustration that despite 26 letters from the Indian government, no action has been taken by the US against Pannun, the leader of the banned Khalistani terror group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
11-Dec-2023
Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, Special Director General (SDG) of Western Command, Border Security Force (BSF), revealed on December 11, at a press conference held in Chandigarh, that the Border Security Force (BSF) has provided Punjab Police with a list of suspected drug traders in border areas, recommending their detention under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The BSF is also working on technology to detect drones in the air, as they have been used for smuggling drugs and weapons into Punjab from Pakistan. Plans are underway to install CCTV cameras 5-6 km inside the Indo-Pak border to monitor key roads and crossroads, addressing illegal activities in the region.
11-Dec-2023
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters, Sukhchain Singh Gill, revealed that in the past week, Punjab Police have arrested 302 drug smugglers and suppliers, registering 221 FIRs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, including 34 for the possession of a commercial quantity of drugs. The arrests led to the recovery of 24.08 kg of heroin, 10 kg of opium, 1.57 quintals of poppy husk, and 1.05 lakh tablets/capsules/injections/vials of pharma opioids, along with INR 20.72 lakh in drug money. Additionally, the police have taken strict action against extortion calls, registering 130 FIRs and arresting 117 individuals involved in extortion, resulting in a decrease in such calls in the state. Awareness events against drugs have also been organized, with 175 events held to sensitize people about the ill effects of drugs.
11-Dec-2023
The police on December 11 arrested six persons, identified as Aniket Talwara, Kartik Chinki, Varun, Sukhmandeep Singh, Gurkirat Singh, and Vikramjit Singh, and seized 51 grams of heroin, INR 70,000 in drug money, four weapons, and 14 cartridges from their possession near Bhai Chattar Singh Park in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district.
11-Dec-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on December 11 recovered a drone along with 450 grams of heroin near the border fence in Roran Wala village in Amritsar district.
11-Dec-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on December 11 recovered a packet containing 400 grams of heroin, with a metal ring attached to it, during a search operation in fields on the outskirts of Hardo Rattan village in Amritsar district.
11-Dec-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) troops along with Punjab Police, during a joint search operation, recovered a drone from a field on the outskirts of Dal village in Tarn Taran district.
11-Dec-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) troops along with Punjab Police, during a joint search operation, recovered three packets containing 3.182 kg of heroin stored inside a white waterproof bag with a strip of radium blinkers attached to it, from Dhyani Natha Singh Wala village in Fazilka district.
11-Dec-2023
On December 11, at a press conference held in Chandigarh, Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, Special Director General (SDG) of Western Command, Border Security Force (BSF), revealed that security agencies, including the BSF, are creating a database of individuals with criminal records and suspicious elements residing in border areas. The purpose is to monitor their activities and prevent cross-border smuggling. The collaboration with law enforcement agencies involves compiling data on individuals previously involved in smuggling or drug trafficking, who may pose a risk upon release. The initiative aims to enhance surveillance, especially in light of increased incidents of drones and narcotics smuggling along the International Border.
10-Dec-2023
According to a report by The Intercept, a secret memorandum titled "Action Points on Khalistan Extremism" from India's Ministry of External Affairs, dated April 2023, instructs its consulates in North America to launch a "sophisticated crackdown scheme" against Sikh diaspora organizations, especially those advocating for Khalistan.
10-Dec-2023
The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Arindam Bagchi, on December 10 strongly denied reports of a written order issued last April to address the threat of Khalistan sympathizers in Western countries. The denial came in response to The Intercept's report that such an order, signed by Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, listed pro-Khalistan figures, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in Surrey, British Columbia, in June. Bagchi labelled the reports as "fake and completely fabricated," part of a "sustained disinformation campaign against India," and linked the outlet to propagating narratives by Pakistani intelligence.
10-Dec-2023
According to reports, there is considerable public anger in India over the perceived capitulation to United States (US) pressure in the alleged plot targeting Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The formal indictment of Nikhil Gupta for plotting the murder on US soil, allegedly orchestrated by an Indian government official (code-named 'CC-1'), has resulted in widespread discontent. Critics argue that the Indian government, which initially expressed concern and announced a high-level committee to examine security concerns raised by the US, has exhibited a weak response, with some describing it as a significant setback for India's national security image
10-Dec-2023
Amritsar Rural Police on December 10 busted a drug module being operated from Ferozepur jail, by arresting two individuals, identified as Bhupinder Singh and Rahul Singh, and seizing 1 kg of heroin, INR 32,000 in drug money, and three expensive mobile phones from their possession at BR Resort, located on the Amritsar-Attari bypass road near Khasa in Amritsar district. The investigation revealed that they were instructed by a jailed drug peddler named Prince to collect narcotics. Prince provided them with money and directions through Instagram.
10-Dec-2023
The Amritsar City Police on December 10 arrested five individuals in separate incidents for allegedly possessing narcotic substances in Amritsar district. The arrested individuals were identified as Raju, who was found with 20 grams of heroin; Roop Singh and Gagandeep Singh, each arrested with 15 grams of heroin; Mandeep Singh, arrested with 20 grams of heroin; and Kamal Kishore, arrested with 50 grams of heroin in Amritsar.
10-Dec-2023
Amritsar city Police on December 10 arrested an individual identified as Hasanpreet Singh and seized 180 grams of opium from his possession in Putlighar area in Amritsar district.
10-Dec-2023
The All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) on December 10 expressed objections to specific scenes in the film "Animal" and wrote a letter to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), firmly requesting the CBFC to promptly take action in removing these offensive scenes. They claimed that the scenes caused deep offense to Sikh sentiments.
10-Dec-2023
According to data shared in Parliament by Union Minister of State (Home) Nityanand Rai, Punjab, the second-highest state in drug-related arrests, has not received any funds from the Centre for narcotics control over the past five years, despite recording 16,831 arrests in 2022.
10-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police have observed a four-fold increase in the interception of Pakistani drones attempting to smuggle narcotics and weapons into India along the Punjab border, rising from 21 in 2022 to 91 in 2023 (until December 9). The spike is attributed to the use of smaller and cheaper Chinese drones, each costing around INR 1 lakh, compared to larger drones costing between INR 18 to INR 20 lakh. The intercepted drones are mostly China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classics, capable of carrying loads of 400 to 500 grams. Authorities employ anti-drone technology and conduct joint operations to counter this threat.
10-Dec-2023
Despite consistent requests from the Indian Government, Pakistan continues to charge a fee of USD 20 from every pilgrim visiting Kartarpur Sahib gurdwara through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, in response to MP Manish Tewari's question in the Lok Sabha, mentioned the agreement for visa-free travel to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib and clarified that the Indian Government charges only visa fees from Pakistani applicants. Tewari emphasized the need for renewed efforts to waive the travel fee or for the Indian government to bear the entire burden.
09-Dec-2023
Police on December 9 arrested a smuggler identified as Deepak Kumar alias Kochar, and seized 5.020 kg of heroin from his possession at Aima Khurd village in Tarn Taran district. The smuggler is suspected to have collected the consignment brought from across the border using a drone.