KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
14-Jul-2023
The Anti-gangster Task Force (AGTF) and Bathinda Police on July 14 arrested Baljinder Singh alias Bindri, an alleged member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and his three accomplices and recovered a Chinese pistol, five cartridges and 270 grams of heroin from them in Bathinda. According to the Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the investigation revealed that the gang members used drones to smuggle arms and narcotics across the Indo-Pak border, and the suspects have a criminal history with numerous cases related to extortion, kidnapping, and arms and narcotics offenses against them.
14-Jul-2023
The Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD), a central organization comprising various Singh Sabhas across Punjab, on July 14, expressed strong opposition to the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) proposed by the Central government in India. In a joint statement, CKD President Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Vice-President Jagjit Singh, and other members emphasized that in a vast and diverse country like India, implementing a single civil code for different religions is likely to encounter numerous challenges.
13-Jul-2023
Waris Punjab De’s (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh's wife, Kirandeep Kaur, and Daljit Singh Kalsi's wife, Neeru Kalsi, along with their son Simarjeet Sunny Singh Kalsi on July 13 visited Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam to meet their imprisoned family members. The visit follows allegations that Amritpal Singh gave a letter to his wife during her previous visit, in which he urged the Sikh community to reject drugs and adhere to religious principles while seeking martyr status for two recently deceased Pro-Khalistan terrorists.
13-Jul-2023
The British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, on July 13 emphasized the United Kingdom (UK) government's strong stance against any form of extremism, including pro-Khalistan and anti-India protests in the UK. He mentioned that security advisors from both countries recently discussed the matter, highlighting the UK's commitment to dealing firmly with extremism through legal measures and regulations.
13-Jul-2023
Dal Khalsa, a pro-Khalistani outfit, has raised the issues Sikhs are facing in India with the United States (US) government. Through a communique, originally intended for United States (US) diplomats in India, it highlighted concerns regarding the misuse of oppressive laws against Sikh dissidents, detentions under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and the National Security Act (NSA), social media censorship, and state interference in Sikh religious affairs.
13-Jul-2023
Four prisoners identified as Simranjit Singh, Surinder Singh, Amanpreet Singh, and Varinder Singh, were injured in a gang war that took place early in the morning of July 13 in Kapurthala Modern Jail in Kapurthala.
13-Jul-2023
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) on July 13 dismissed Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh's plea to quash an order by the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner (DC) that allegedly denied him and three others the right to be defended by a lawyer of their choice.
12-Jul-2023
On July 12, Pro-Khalistani graffiti and slogans were spotted outside the office and residence of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the Forest Department Building in Barnala in Barnala district. Later, in a video, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), claimed responsibility for the graffiti.
12-Jul-2023
In a video circulated on social media on July 12, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Khalistani leader and the chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), threatened to avenge the death of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar and disrupt the upcoming 2023 Cricket World Cup. In the video, which depicted graphics of a grenade attack on the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Pannun called for halting the Cricket tournament until Sikh self-determination is achieved.
12-Jul-2023
A video went viral on social media on July 12 in which an individual dressed in Nihang robes is seen offering namaz, sparking outrage within the Sikh community. Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala, the chief of a breakaway faction of Damdami Taksal, strongly condemned the act, considering it a violation of Sikh identity and disrespectful to religious sentiments. The person in the video, identified as Boota Singh Inderjit, defended his actions, claiming unity among religions and citing a shabad from Gurbani. The video was reportedly recorded months ago but recently gained attention online.
12-Jul-2023
Police on July 12 arrested two individuals, identified as Gurvinder Singh Bhinda and Analaveet Singh and seized 200 kg of poppy husk from their truck in Khuiyan Sarwar village in Ferozepur district. The onion carrying truck was travelling from Rajasthan to Punjab.
12-Jul-2023
Several Border Security Force (BSF) border outposts were inundated and were subsequently evacuated due to floodwaters on July 12, in Ferozepur district of Punjab.
11-Jul-2023
Punjab Police’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on July 11 arrested a key member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Randhir Singh alias Commando alias Fauji and recovered a pistol and ten live cartridges from him in an unspecified location in Punjab. According to Punjab's Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, Singh had been assigned by his handlers to target specific individuals and assist in the escape of a jailed associate during court appearances. With this arrest, potential sensational crimes in Punjab and Haryana have been averted.
11-Jul-2023
Delhi Police’s Special Cell on July 11 arrested a gangster, identified as Rohit Sharma alias Anna, and recovered a 32-bore pistol and 4 live cartridges from him
11-Jul-2023
The United States (US) Ambassador Eric Garcetti, on July 11 met with Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah in New Delhi to discuss enhancing bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism, drug trafficking, and national security. The meeting aimed to build upon the positive outcomes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the US. The discussion gains significance in light of recent attacks by pro-Khalistan activists on the Indian consulate in San Francisco, US.
11-Jul-2023
Two members of the Bambiha gang, identified as Surinder Lal alias Rahul and Surinder Pal, were arrested by the Faridkot police after an encounter near Bir Sikhan Wala village Kot Kapura Tehsil in Faridkot district of Punjab on July 11. During the encounter, one of the criminals sustained a gunshot injury in the leg. According to Faridkot Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harjeet Singh, the arrested individuals were involved in an extortion racket and linked to a recent firing incident in Jaitu town in Faridkot district of Punjab. They were acting on the instructions of gangster Deepak Maan, another member of the Bambiha gang known for making extortion threats in the area.
11-Jul-2023
The Amritsar Police on July 11 arrested three gangsters, identified as Paramdilip Singh alias Pamma alias Sukhchain Singh, Abhishek Mahajan, and Sonu Goswam and recovered Two 9-mm and .32 bore pistols, a motorcycle, a jammer and a mobile phone from Kosi Kalan area in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh (UP). According to police, the accused were getting financial and other aid from two Australia-based entities, who were identified as Ankush Kumar, alias Bahman, and Rittik Rally.
10-Jul-2023
According to sources, Indian security officials suspect that Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the slain Khalistani terrorist, was involved in the killing of Ripudaman Singh Malik, an ex-Khalistani who was accused of masterminding the 1985 Air India bombing. Nijjar had an alliance with Punjab gangster Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla, who fled to Canada and worked as a muscleman for Nijjar. Both Nijjar and Malik were targeted in gangland-style killings, highlighting the involvement of Canadian gangsters, many of whom are from the Punjabi diaspora. The presence of gangsters and the turning of a blind eye to Khalistani activities in Canada by local authorities due to vote bank politics pose a danger of Khalistan gaining traction there. The narco-terror nexus involving Punjab gangsters and Khalistani elements in Canada exacerbates the situation, the report added.
10-Jul-2023
Amritpal Singh, a Pro-Khalistan activist and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), along with Harjit Singh, Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi, and Varinder Singh Fauji, on July 10 approached Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) to challenge the order by the Amritsar Deputy Commissioner (DC) that denied them the right to consult and be defended by a lawyer of their choice.
10-Jul-2023
Giani Raghbir Singh, the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht on July 10, in Amritsar, expressed significant worry about the flood-like conditions in the state of Punjab. He has called upon the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and all Sikh organizations to provide assistance to the individuals affected by the heavy rains.
09-Jul-2023
In a joint operation, the Punjab Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) on July 9 recovered a Pakistani drone from Kakkar village in Amritsar sector in Amritsar district. The recovered drone is an assembled Quadcopter.
09-Jul-2023
Former Indian Ambassador Anil Trigunayat on July 9 highlighted that the low turnout at the anti-India rallies is a setback for Khalistani extremists and separatists who have been making threats against Indian diplomats and engaging in anti-India activities. He urged foreign countries to prohibit seditious activities if they intend to uphold a strategic partnership and maintain a special relationship with India.
09-Jul-2023
Kirandeep Kaur, the wife of Amritpal Singh, the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), on July 9 issued a statement alleging the misuse of her photographs to create fake profiles on social media platforms. She expressed concern that these fraudulent accounts are disseminating false information and promoting hatred and conflict.
08-Jul-2023
On July 8, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh kick-started a campaign against drugs from Roungla village in Patiala tehsil of Patiala district.
08-Jul-2023
Three gangsters, identified as Manraj Singh, Navjot Singh and Ravinder Singh were arrested by the police following an encounter in Bhilowal village near Chabbewal town in Hoshiarpur district on July 8. The police recovered three 7.65 mm pistols from the arrested suspects, who were allegedly working for Balwinder Singh alias Binder, residing in the United States (US).