KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
13-Aug-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF), on August 13, during a search operation, recovered a packet of heroin weighing 530 grams on the outskirts of Dhanoe Kalan village in Amritsar district.
13-Aug-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police, on August 13, during a joint operation, recovered a broken quadcopter near Lakhna village in Tarn Taran district.
12-Aug-2023
On August 12, the president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sukhbir Singh Badal, made a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), in which he praised Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's remarks concerning the 1984 Operation Blue Star, which PM Modi referred to as a "shocking assault" on the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Badal further expressed that this statement should be accompanied by an unconditional apology from the Government of India.
12-Aug-2023
According to reports, the absence of a Full Body Truck Scanner (FBTS) at the Attari international border located at Amritsar district in Punjab, poses a risk of contraband influx from Afghanistan via commercial trucks passing through Pakistan. Legal disputes have hindered the FBTS installation, resulting in conventional inspection methods. The need for FBTS arose from a 2009 incident where heroin was found in pomegranate boxes. Despite attempts to install FBTS, heroin seizures in 2019 and 2022 underscore the urgency of implementation. Importantly, goods like dry fruits and herbs from Afghanistan through Pakistan provide opportunities for smuggling illicit items.
12-Aug-2023
An alleged drug smuggler, identified as Jora Singh Waseer was killed in a police encounter near Kairon village in Tarn Taran district of Punjab on August 12. His accomplice, Kuldeep Singh, was arrested. The police, acting on a tip-off about heroin smuggling from Pakistan, intercepted a vehicle at a checkpoint between Patti and Kairon villages in Tarn Taran district, leading to a shootout in which Jora Singh died.
12-Aug-2023
Police on August 12 arrested one person, identified as Rajan Kumar and recovered 2 kg heroin from his possession in Ferozepur Cantonment in Ferozepur district.
12-Aug-2023
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) branch of Punjab Police on August 12 arrested two persons, identified as Swaranjit Singh alias Sabbu and Shubham and seized 1.5 kg heroin, a motorcycle and a mobile phone from their possession in Ferozepur city in Ferozepur district.
12-Aug-2023
The Police on August 12 arrested two persons, identified as Chhinder Kaur and Simarjit and seized 13.4 kg poppy husk from their possession near Fazilka in Fazilka district.
12-Aug-2023
Police on August 12 arrested two persons, Deepika and Lakhwinder and seized 35 gm heroin from their possession in Malout in Muktsar district.
12-Aug-2023
Police on August 12 arrested a man, identified as Khema Sahu and recovered 71 kg poppy husk from his possession in Abohar in Fazilka district.
12-Aug-2023
The Police on August 12 arrested two persons, identified as Kali and Maluk Ram and recovered 10 kg poppy husk from their possession in Abohar in Fazilka district.
12-Aug-2023
A mutilated body of an unidentified Pakistan national aged 40-45 was discovered by the Border Security Force (BSF) on August 12 near Guddar Bhaini village in Fazilka district of Punjab. The body is assumed to have entered the Indian territory through the Sutlej River.
12-Aug-2023
Ludhiana Police Range Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kaustubh Sharma on August 12 stated that, over the past seven months, the Khanna police, under the leadership of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amneet Kondal, have successfully dismantled four major criminal modules and arrested key members of notorious gangs involved in heinous crimes. The individuals arrested include kingpins and active members of gangs led by notorious criminals like Amrit Bal, Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, Lovejeet Kang, and Gagandeep Singh. These operations have resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, thwarting potential criminal activities. Additionally, the police have disrupted several interstate weapons supply modules through arrests and seizures.
11-Aug-2023
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) on August 11 acknowledged the growing issue of drug trafficking and consumption in Punjab, emphasizing the need to address the drug menace and peddlers firmly.
11-Aug-2023
The Kapurthala police on August 11 registered a case against singer Manpreet Singh alias Singga, producer BK Singh, director Amandeep Singh, Virun Verma, Sonu Gill and song editor Jatin Arora, for promoting obscenity and gun culture in his 2022 song ‘Still Alive’ at the Kapurthala city police station under Sections 294 (obscenity) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The case has been filed based on a complaint by Bhim Rao Force president Amandeep Sahota who has alleged that through his songs, the singer incited the youth of Punjab to take the wrong path by promoting weapons.
11-Aug-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on August 11 arrested two close associates of Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Dala alias Arsh Dala, identified as Manpreet Singh alias Peeta and Mandeep Singh, from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, following their arrival from Manila, Philippines. They were wanted for terror activities, including funding and threats for the banned group Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). The duo had been involved in arms smuggling, extortion, and recruitment for the KTF, operating from Canada.
11-Aug-2023
The Additional Sessions Court in Chandigarh on August 11 framed charges against Jagtar Singh Hawara in two cases registered against him. The charges include waging war against the government, conspiracy, arms collection, and doing acts for the revival of terrorism and the formation of Khalistan. Hawara is currently serving a life term for assassinating former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh in Tihar Jail in New Delhi.
11-Aug-2023
A group of activists, led by Gursimran Singh Mand on August 11, attempted to hoist the Tricolour (Indian National Flag) at a house linked to the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in Sector 15 of Chandigarh. The group also raised slogans against Khalistan and Pannun; however, Chandigarh Police intervened, citing concerns about law and order.
11-Aug-2023
Representatives of Qaumi Insaaf Morcha on August 11 stated that around 50 Sikh leaders plan to lead a peaceful protest march towards Chandigarh on August 15. Despite seeking permission for the march route, they have not received a response from the Chandigarh administration. The protesters have been demonstrating since January 7 at YPS Chowk, Mohali, demanding the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their jail sentences. The high court warned the police to remove the protesters by force if necessary, deferring the hearing for August 17.
11-Aug-2023
A Delhi court on August 11 provided a 10-day period to senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Jagdish Tytler to review the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) charge sheet and accompanying documents concerning the Pul Bangash killings case connected to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The court will reconvene on August 21. The charge sheet accuses Tytler of inciting a mob that burned a gurdwara and resulted in the deaths of three Sikhs.
11-Aug-2023
A Pakistani infiltrator was shot dead by the Border Security Forces (BSF) on August 11 near the international border near Thekalan village in Tarn Taran District. Despite being challenged by the troops, the intruder ignored commands to halt and continued advancing. Consequently, the BSF personnel fired shots, resulting in the immediate death of the individual.
11-Aug-2023
Punjab Police on August 11 arrested a suspected smuggler, identified as Harpal Singh alias Bhala and recovered five kilograms of heroin from his possession at a checkpoint near Wan Tara Singh village in Tarn Taran district. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, Singh was actively participating in trans-border drug smuggling, with the narcotics being transported via drones, and investigations are ongoing to uncover Pakistan-based smugglers and intended recipients of the drugs.
11-Aug-2023
Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with Moga police on August 11, arrested gangster Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Dallewalia and recovered a pistol and five cartridges from his possession in Moga in Moga district. Gopi Dallewalia, along with Gaurav Sharma alias Goru Bacha are the alleged mastermind behind the murder of a rival gang member's father, Santokh Singh, who was shot dead by four assailants in his house on July 16, 2023. The killing was part of an ongoing gang war between the Bishnoi and Bambiha gangs in Moga, with Gopi Dallewalia being linked to the Bishnoi gang.
10-Aug-2023
The Jagraon city police on August 10 arrested an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Pahara Singh and his two accomplices for allegedly extorting a couple who were facing charges in multiple drug peddling cases in Ludhiana district. The case was filed based on a complaint and audio recordings submitted by Inderjit Kaur alias Indu.
10-Aug-2023
According to sources, Indian authorities are working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the United States (US) to extradite international arms dealer Dharmanjot Singh Kahlon who was recently detained in California, US. Kahlon is accused of smuggling weapons for various gangs, including AK-47 rifles, and for supplying weapons allegedly used in Sidhu Moose Wala murder. Kahlon is also a close associate of gangsters Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi.