KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
08-Jun-2023
The High Commissioner of Canada in India Cameron Mackay on June 8, faced severe criticism on Twitter after he posted a condemnation regarding a 'Shaheedi' Parade held on June 4 in Brampton, Canada, commemorating the 39th anniversary of Operation Bluestar.
08-Jun-2023
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on June 8 expressed his concerns over the Khalistani tableau depicting the assassination of former Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi. He stated that it is detrimental to Canada's relationship with India. The parade was held in Brampton, Canada on June 4. The EAM also responded to Canada's National Security Adviser( NSA) Jody Thomas's claim on June 2, that India is a top source of foreign interference in Canada, stating, 'Ulta chor kotwal ko daante…If anyone should complain, it's India”. Congress leader Milind Deora on June 7 and Member of Parliament (MP) Meenakshi Lekhi on June 8 and, also criticized the Canadian government for allowing such a celebration.
08-Jun-2023
Rupnagar Police on June 8 arrested one person, identified as Davinder Singh alias Jora and recovered four pistols and 20 cartridges from him in Lodipur village near Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district. Singh is suspected to be an associate of notorious gangster Dilpreet Singh Baba.
08-Jun-2023
The External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on June 8, met with Afghan Sikhs, 1984 riots victims, and other prominent Sikh figures as part of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) outreach program in New Delhi.
08-Jun-2023
The Amritsar City Police on June 8 busted an inter-state gang involved in producing fake passports for smugglers and gangsters and arrested 12 persons along with incriminating materials, arms, drugs, and cash in Amritsar, Punjab. The police seized fake passports, drug money worth Rs 22.15 lakh, a .32 caliber revolver, and 10 grams of heroin out of which Rs 3.15 lakh of drug money, a revolver and 10gm heroin were seized from them.
07-Jun-2023
Anonymous bomb threat letters sent to 10 locations threatening blasts in Bathinda on June 7, turned out to be a hoax, as no such incidents were reported on the day. The letters were posted on May 19. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the responsible party.
07-Jun-2023
Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on June 7 was concerned over the use of drones for drug smuggling across the border during his visit to Gurdaspur as part of his visit to Punjab’s border districts. He engaged in discussions with security personnel and local authorities to understand the prevailing security situation. He praised the efforts of the district administration in setting up a village-level defence committee to combat the drug menace. Governor Purohit called for united action against criminals and urged residents to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
07-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on June 7 intercepted a Pakistani drone near the International Border in Bhaini Rajputana village in Amritsar sector, Amritsar district. Subsequently, they retrieved the broken drone, Quadcopter of model DJI Matrice 300RTK series from a field near Rajatal - Bharopal - Daoke tri junction, on the outskirts of Bhaini Rajputana village.
07-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel intercepted a drone coming from the Pakistani side and recovered 2.5 kg of heroin from near Wan village in Tarn Taran district on June 7.
07-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on June 7, foiled a drug smuggling attempt from Pakistan and seized 2.5 kg heroin near Wan village in Tarn Taran district, Punjab. During the subsequent search of the area a suspicious motorcycle was spotted fleeing the scene. Later, the motorcycle was found abandoned along with a packet of 2.5kg heroin in Mari Kamboke village, Tarn Taran district.
07-Jun-2023
Kamaldeep Kaur Rajoana, the adopted sister of Balwant Singh Rajoana on June 7, responded to Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh's statement made on June 6, that Sikhs should not expect justice from the government. In a Facebook post, she suggested that if Sikhs were not to seek justice, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) should withdraw the mercy petition for her brother. She also took a jibe at the Jathedar's attendance on May 13, at the celebrity engagement event of AAP leader Raghav Chadha and actor Parineeti Chopra.
07-Jun-2023
A Special Court in Mumbai on June 7 sentenced Harpal Singh and Gurjeet Singh Nijjar to 5 years in jail, for their involvement in terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) seeking to revive Khalistan militancy for a separate Khalistan. They were arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on December 2, 2018, and December 22, 2020 respectively. Both individuals pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
07-Jun-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami, on June 7 condemned the installation of Guru Gobind Singh statue in a wax museum inside a mall located in Lodipur, Patna, Bihar. Calling it Against Sikh Principles, he stated that idol worship has no place in the Sikh religion and the act has hurt Sikh sentiments.
07-Jun-2023
According to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema, preparations are underway for Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections, but it's unlikely to happen before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The registration process for voters from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh will be time-consuming and may take over a year to complete.
06-Jun-2023
Akal Takht's officiating jathedar, Giani Harpreet Singh on June 6 expressed concern over the gradual erosion of Sikh religious, political, social, and economic power, in Amritsar. He called for panthic unity and urged the community to initiate revival efforts in rural Punjab. The jathedar emphasized the need for influential Sikhs to guide and inspire Sikh youth affected by drug addiction and negative influences of social media.
06-Jun-2023
Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised by some people on the 39th anniversary of Operation Blue Star (June 1984) at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on June 6. Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) activists, led by Member of Parliament (MP) Simranjit Singh Mann and former MP Dhian Singh Mand, raised "Khalistan Zindabad" slogans at the Akal Takht. Activists from the radical Sikh group, Dal Khalsa were seen holding placards featuring portraits of the slain militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale while raising pro-Khalistan slogans.
06-Jun-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 6 conducted raids at nine locations in Ferozepur and Muktsar districts of Punjab and also conducted searches at the house of a suspect in Kaithal district of Haryana. Officials, privy to the matter, said one person was also arrested by the NIA from Ferozepur. The Crackdown was conducted at locations associated with terrorist Arshdeep Singh Dalla and his absconding associate Manpreet Singh alias Peeta of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). A total of six persons have been so far arrested in the case. Incriminating materials and digital devices were seized during the operation.
06-Jun-2023
Two accused, Amritpal Singh alias Ammy and Amrik Singh, allegedly associated with Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) operative Arshdeep Dhalla, were sent to judicial custody till July 4 by Patiala House Court in Delhi on June 6 after their NIA custody ended. They were involved in an extortion racket to raise funds for the banned outfit.
06-Jun-2023
Police on June 6 busted an interstate gang involved in drug trade with the arrest of four persons and recovery of INR 7 lakh in drug money, 2.34 lakh intoxicating tablets and 330 vials and a car from them in Fatehgarh Sahib district. The arrested individuals were identified as Naveen Kumar, Tajinder Pal alias Bawa, Rajinder Pal, and Karnail Singh alias Kelly. Another member of the gang who is at large, was identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Sukhdarshan Singh.
06-Jun-2023
The 39th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, called as Ghallughara Divas, was relatively subdued compared to previous years. Police deployment helped maintain peace, while the Akal Takht officiating Jathedar called for unity among Sikh sects and emphasized the importance of strengthening Sikh institutions.
06-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on June 6, detained two Pakistani nationals near Tarn Taran sector in Tarn Taran district who crossed over to Indian territory inadvertently. Nothing objectionable except personal belongings and Pakistani currency amounting to Rs 1,000 was recovered from them. Later, on June 6, around 1 am, they were handed over to the Pakistan side on humanitarian grounds.
06-Jun-2023
In response to the plea made by various Sikh organizations to express their discontent regarding the lack of justice for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, known as Ghallughara Divas, a complete shutdown was observed in Amritsar on June 6.
06-Jun-2023
The Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on June 6 expressed concern over Sikh conversions to Christianity in rural Punjab. He gave a call to all Sikh organisation to join hands to work towards strengthening the religion, especially in rural belts.
06-Jun-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 6 arrested Gagandeep Singh alias Miti, a close aide of two foreign-based operatives of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Canada-based Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala and Philippines-based Manpreet Singh alias Peeta from an undisclosed place during raids in Haryana and Punjab. Gagandeep Singh was involved in supporting their smuggling of weapons from across the border and participating in an extortion racket to raise funds for the KTF.
05-Jun-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel successfully intercepted and shot down a Pakistani drone that was carrying narcotics across the Attari-Wagah border and recovered 3.2 kg of heroin in the early hours of June 5 in Amritsar district. The drone violated Indian airspace and was promptly taken down by alert BSF personnel.