KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
23-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on June 23 successfully shot down a Pakistani drone that had crossed into Indian territory near T J Singh village in the Tarn Taran district. Following the incident, during a search operation, they recovered the drone on June 24. The drone was identified as a DJI Matrice 300 RTK series quadcopter and was found in a damaged state.
23-Jun-2023
According to government officials, Canada's response to extradition and deportation requests from India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding alleged terrorist operatives and pro-Khalistan elements has been slow. The NIA has sought the extradition of individuals such as Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, a member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, associated with the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). Despite the accused's alleged involvement in killings and terror activities in Punjab and other parts of India, the Canadian authorities have not taken significant steps in this regard. The Indian government has raised concerns about Canada providing a safe haven for extremists and separatists.
23-Jun-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) revealed on June 23 that Amarjot Singh, the brother-in-law of Amritpal Singh, the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), has been identified as the primary accused in the attack on the Indian High Commission in Canada on March 23. The NIA has taken over the case and is investigating a larger conspiracy and potential links to Pakistan. According to the NIA's First Information Report (FIR), Singh, led by Baba Sarvan Singh, was part of a pro-Khalistan mob that attacked the Indian High Commission in Canada. The mob raised anti-India slogans, placed Khalistani flags on the boundary wall, and threw two grenades inside the commission building. The NIA has also named eight Khalistan supporters, including Baba Sarvan Singh, for the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. The agency has been gathering evidence and preparing a list of suspects in similar attacks in London and plans to visit the United States (US) and Canada soon.
22-Jun-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 22 announced a cash reward for the arrest of eight absconding individuals, including Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, a designated terrorist of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) based in Canada. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) declared Dalla a designated terrorist on January 9, due to his involvement in serious crimes such as murder, extortion, targeted killings, and terror activities. The NIA has placed a cash reward of INR 5 lakh on Dalla and Gaurav Patyal, and INR 1 lakh each on Sandeep alias Bandar, Sukhdool Singh, Gurpinder Singh alias Baba Dalla, Dinesh Sharma, Neeraj Pandit, and Dalesh Singh Kotia. These individuals are wanted by the NIA in various cases related to terrorism, and the agency has sought a Proclamation under section 82 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) against them as they are operating from abroad and remain absconding.
22-Jun-2023
Newly appointed Takht Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh on June 22, criticised the Punjab government for not waiting for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) decision on the telecast of Gurbani before passing the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, ensuring free broadcast from the Golden Temple.
22-Jun-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on June 22 urged the Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit to nullify the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which allows free-to-air telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple. The SGPC alleges unconstitutional interference by the Punjab government and claims that the issue of the Gurbani broadcast is an administrative matter being used for political interests.
22-Jun-2023
Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence (CI) wing on June 22 foiled a cross-border smuggling attempt and seized four .30 bore caliber pistols along with magazines in the Kakkar village of Lopoke subdivision of Amritsar district, Punjab. Additional Inspector General (AIG- CI) Sukhinder Singh Mann, revealed that acting on a tip-off, the CI intercepted the weapons being smuggled by from Pakistan via drones. The seizure followed the recent arrest of two cross-border smugglers, one of whom was already in custody at Amritsar Central Jail.
22-Jun-2023
A Pakistani drone carrying 2 kg of narcotics was seized by the Border Security Force (BSF) from Jodhawala village near the International Border in the Fazilka sector in Fazilka district on June 22. During the search, BSF recovered a drone and a bag with two packets of narcotics in the fields adjacent to the village.
22-Jun-2023
Giani Raghbir Singh officially took over as the new Jathedar of Akal Takht on June 22, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs.
22-Jun-2023
Former acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Harpreet Singh, on June 22 stated that he resigned voluntarily despite facing pressure, without specifying its nature.
21-Jun-2023
Honey Singh approached Delhi Police headquarters on June 21, after allegedly receiving a threatening call from a man claiming to be Goldy Brar, the prime accused in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case. A complaint was filed stating that a threatening call was received on Honey Singh's manager's phone number on June 19, from someone claiming to be Goldy Brar, demanding INR 50 lakh in extortion. The Delhi Police spokesperson confirmed the incident and stated that subsequent random calls and voice messages were received for extortion from the same number.
21-Jun-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 21, arrested Vikas Singh, a key associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, for providing shelter to members of the Lawrence Bishnoi terror syndicate involved in criminal activities, including the RPG attack on Punjab Police's Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali on May 9, 2022. Vikas Singh, who hails from Lucknow, provided shelter to Deepak Surakhpur and Divyanshu of Faizabad, who were the perpetrators of the attack. He is facing multiple criminal cases, including murder.
21-Jun-2023
Punjab Police on June 21, arrested two individuals, Gurpreet Singh alias Gora alias Armaan Chauhan and Rohit Singh, for their involvement in a cross-border smuggling module and seized two .30 bore pistols along with 10 cartridges from their possession in Mohali. According to State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Mohali Ashwani Kapur, this module was backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
21-Jun-2023
According to reports, several Khalistani terrorists in countries such as the United States (US), Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and Pakistan have gone into hiding following the murders of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Panjwar, and the suspicious death of Avatar Singh Khanda. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who leads the Khalistan Referendum campaign from the US, has been in hiding since Nijjar's murder. The two individuals were closely linked and had jointly initiated the campaign across different nations. Pannun's lack of communication regarding recent events has left pro-Khalistani organizations uncertain, while speculations regarding the potential role of Indian agencies in these deaths have sparked fear among wanted Khalistani terrorists and Punjab gangsters residing living abroad.
21-Jun-2023
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh said on June 21 that Punjab is considering decriminalizing the possession and use of small quantities of illicit drugs to shift the focus towards treatment and rehabilitation instead of mandatory incarceration. The proposed policy aims to treat drug addicts as patients rather than criminals by sending them to de-addiction centers for treatment and rehabilitation instead of imprisoning them.
20-Jun-2023
A controversial row has arisen in Punjab since June 20, regarding the broadcast of gurbani, the sacred hymns recited in the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab and televised to millions of homes. The issue stems from the Punjab Assembly passing a bill allowing free broadcast of gurbani on all platforms, which is seen as an attempt to break the monopoly held by the private channel PTC, in which Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has a stake.
20-Jun-2023
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the banned group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), in a video released on June 20 accused Indian intelligence agencies, including the Research and Analysis Wing (RA&W), of orchestrating the execution of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Pannun alleged that Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing was orchestrated on the orders of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, holding his associates, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, responsible for the crime. Pannun argued that while SFJ pursues liberation through peaceful means, India has resorted to violence, and he further warned that Modi, Shah, and Doval may face international justice for ordering the killing of pro-Khalistan Sikhs.
20-Jun-2023
Punjab government has proposed the establishment of a National Security Guard (NSG) hub in the state to counter cross-border terror, drug trafficking, and drone attacks. The government has sought 103 acres of land in Pathankot district for the proposed hub, citing concerns over frequent border trespass by drones from Pakistan, cross-border shipment of drugs and weapons, and attempts to fuel Khalistani terrorism in the region. The NSG, an anti-terrorism unit under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), is known for its expertise in handling emergency situations. The proposed NSG hub in Pathankot aims to strengthen border security and provide rapid response capabilities.
20-Jun-2023
According to reports, recent deaths and mysterious circumstances surrounding Khalistani terrorists Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Panjwar, and Avtar Singh Khanda have dealt a blow to Khalistani propaganda. However, the threat of Khalistani terrorism remains as young individuals, lured by support from the ISI and other outfits, continue to join their ranks. The new guard includes operatives like Harvinder Singh Rinda, Arshdeep Dalla, and Goldy Brar, while the old guard comprises individuals like Lakhbir Singh Rode and Gurmeet Singh Bagga. Countries such as Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia remain key locations for Khalistani operatives.
20-Jun-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami, on June 20 rejected the Sikh Gurdwara (Amendment) Bill,2023, which aimed to ensure free telecast of Gurbani from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Dhami stated that the bill would not be allowed to be implemented at any cost and described it as an unconstitutional interference in Gurudwara management.
20-Jun-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has shifted its focus to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief, following the deaths of Avtar Singh Khanda and Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Pannun, who is believed to be hiding in the United States (US), has been missing for two days. The NIA is intensifying efforts to locate him.
20-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on June 20 arrested four persons and seized 2 kg of heroin valued at Rs 10 crore in Abohar in Fazilka district. The incident occurred when a BSF team detected the sound of a drone and pursued it. The drone crashed due to a technical issue and was subsequently seized.
20-Jun-2023
A controversy erupted when Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on June 20, made gestures mimicking the opening and tying of a beard, seemingly referring to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal's beard in the State Assembly. The comment has sparked demands for an apology from Mann, as it is perceived as an insult to the sacred symbol of the Sikh faith.
19-Jun-2023
Police arrested a close associate of slain gangster Mandeep Singh alias Toofan, identified as Harjinder Singh alias Ladi from his home in Khakh village in Tarn Taran district on June 19. Police also seized a .32 bore pistol from his possession. Harjinder Singh, also known as Ladi, was previously out on bail in the murder case of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
19-Jun-2023
A day after Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in Canada, on June 19, Twitter was abuzz with claims that Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), is missing for over 48 hours following the recent killings of Khalistani terrorists. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a top leader of the Khalistani Tiger Force (KTF), was shot dead in Canada on June 18, while Paramjit Singh Panjwar of the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) was killed in Pakistan on May 6. Avtar Singh Khanda, a pro-Khalistani leader involved in plotting an assault on the Indian Embassy, passed away in the United Kingdom (UK) on June 15. The decline in the size and influence of Khalistani terror organizations has been attributed to these recent eliminations. India has been actively seeking action against these groups in the UK, Canada, and the United States (US).