KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
25-Jan-2022
According to a senior official in Delhi Police, with an aim to carry out terrorist attacks on Republic Day and derail elections in five states, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has reactivated its Kashmir-Khalistan (K2) desk to bring pro-Khalistan and anti-India supporters in Kashmir at a common platform. Delhi Police on January 25 pasted posters with names and pictures of suspected terrorists belonging to the Al-Qaeda terror group and banned terrorist outfits of pro-Khalistan in central Delhi. A senior official said that the idea behind the K2 desk is to exploit sentiments in Punjab and Kashmir. Intelligence agencies said that around 350 terrorists are ready to infiltrate India. The videos released by pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) push the part of the K2 plan and is backed by ISI. In a recent video released by SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh, he had shared the screen with a burqa-clad woman in the video. The woman, in her message, urged "Kashmiri Freedom Fighters" to leave the Valley and reach Delhi on January 26 to free Kashmir and Khalistan." The purported video of SFJ also featured a picture of terrorist Burhan Wani, who was killed in an encounter in Kashmir. Pannun claimed that the burqa-clad woman is a Muzaffarabad- (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir) based woman "activist".
25-Jan-2022
The security agencies warned Delhi Police that on the occasion of Republic Day Khalistani terrorists can strike in the national capital. Police have also released posters of eight Khalistani terrorists. According to sources, Delhi Police have also reportedly got a few calls in this connection and they are taking the input seriously. Delhi Police released posters of the Khalistani terrorists from different organisations, and have urged the people to inform them immediately if they come across anything suspicious. The posters have been pasted across the national capital.
25-Jan-2022
According to Border Security Force (BSF), the International Border (IB) in Punjab remains the most vulnerable stretch along the entire western front with Pakistan, with the highest number of drone sightings, apprehensions of intruders and recovery of arms and narcotics in 2021 being reported in this sector. Sources said that, of the 100-odd drone sightings reported by the BSF in 2021, as many as 67 have been in Punjab Frontier, followed by 24 in Jammu Frontier and six in Rajasthan Frontier. Gujarat Frontier and Kashmir Frontier reported two and one sighting, respectively. A senior BSF officer revealed that in 2021, there were 62 incidents where enemy drones operating in the vicinity of the border were fired upon by BSF personnel. These included 43 in the area of Punjab Frontier and 17 in Jammu Frontier, followed by two in Rajasthan Frontier. BSF data also showed there have been 58 incidents of hostile drones crossing over into the Indian territory, out of which 45 were in Punjab alone. There have also been instances of drones being recovered after being shot down by the BSF.
25-Jan-2022
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) arrested two persons, identified as Vikram and Arun Bhatti and recovered a Chinese-made pistol (.30 bore) along with 25 live rounds, besides fake Indian currency worth Rs 80,000, five mobiles, an internet dongle, a car and three motorcycles from their possession in Ferozepur district.
24-Jan-2022
Several Supreme Court lawyers again received threat calls, allegedly from terrorist group Indian Mujahideen, over the removal of Article 370 that granted special rights to Kashmir. The callers threatened to hoist the flag of Kashmir in Delhi on Republic Day. The callers also referred to threats by the pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and vowed to "take the fight to Delhi”. “We will take the fight to Delhi...The way Article 370 was removed is against the rights of the people of Kashmir, and the Supreme Court is just as responsible as the government...The fight for Freedom of Kashmir will take place in Delhi and the world will watch...Even the organisation 'Sikhs for Justice' which supports the idea of Khalistan is taking the fight to Delhi," transcript of the call recording said.
24-Jan-2022
According to sources, Delhi Police ramped up security measures ahead of Republic Day on the basis of specific intelligence inputs. The intelligence agencies have asked the Delhi Police to keep a watch on people who were actively involved in the protests against the CAA, the NRC and the three farm laws. Sources added that some of these individuals are in touch with anti-social elements backed by foreign sources to destabilise normalcy in India.
24-Jan-2022
Radical group Dal Khalsa, while accusing Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal of blocking the release of 1993 bomb blast case convict Devinderpal Singh Bhullar, said in Chandigarh that both BJP and AAP were chips of the same block and their silence on Sikh prisoners’ issue was criminal. Dal Khalsa leaders Kanwarpal Singh and H S Dhami also announced to take out a march in Amritsar on January 26.
24-Jan-2022
Punjab police teams raided different places and arrested 10 peddlers and recovered a total of 37.05 gm of smack, 1.5-kg opium, 1.7 kg of poppy and 685 gm of ganja from their possession.
23-Jan-2022
Punjab Police have been carrying out search and combing operations in villages along the Indo-Pak border in the border districts in Punjab. This is being done to thwart any untoward incident in view of the ensuing Assembly elections and Republic Day celebrations. Police have been carrying out intelligence-based operations as there has been regular seizure of explosives including RDX, hand grenades and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) being pushed into the country by Pakistan-based banned terror modules.
23-Jan-2022
The Khanna district police arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Tirath Singh and Ramjan Mohammad and seized nearly 142 kilograms of poppy husk and 2 vehicles used in the crime from the accused following two connected raids in Sihar and Shahpur villages in Khanna district.
22-Jan-2022
The Special Task Force (STF) arrested four persons for allegedly harbouring Sukhpreet Singh, the key accused of the terror attacks that took place in Punjab in November from Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand. The four accused were identified as Shamsher Singh (26), Harpreet Singh (24), Gurpal Singh (24), and Ajmer Singh (30). The STF has also recovered a 0.32 bore pistol and a hatchback car from their possession. Senior Superintendent of Police, Udham Singh Nagar, Barinderjit Singh said, “The four accused were arrested after Punjab police shared intelligence that prime accused Sukhpreet was hiding in the district and being helped by the operatives of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), an outlawed militant group. An STF team raided several suspected hideouts in Pantnagar town of the district and managed to nab the four accused. Sukhpreet, however, is still at large.”
22-Jan-2022
According to reports, the Special Task Force (STF) of drugs has failed to make any breakthrough in the seizure of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) recovered from near Dhanoe Khurd village located on the Attari-Bachiwind border village road in Amritsar over a week ago. The IED contained over 2.7-kg RDX along with 1.36-kg iron ball packed in three containers to enhance its potency. Mohinish Chawla, IG, Border Range, said investigations were still under progress to identify sleeper cells involved in sneaking explosives to India for creating law and order problem, especially when the Republic Day and Assembly elections were round the corner. According to sources privy to the investigations, the IED was smuggled into India with a drone. There was different module used in sneaking this IED (from Dhanoe Khurd village), while RDX seized from Gurdaspur was smuggled by another module. The police had booked gangster Sukh Bikhariwal, who was deported from Malaysia along with Sukh Ghuman, Tharanjot Singh besides ISYF chief Lakhbir Singh Rode and fugitive gangster Arsh Dhalla in the case.
21-Jan-2022
The Punjab Police January 21 thwarted a possible terror attack around the Republic Day and recovered a 40-mm Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) with two compatible grenades, 3.79 kg RDX, nine detonators, and two sets of timer devices from Gurdaspur. The recovery was made on the disclosure of Malkeet Singh, a resident of village Gazikot in Gurdaspur who was arrested January 19 by the Gurdaspur Police based on a tip-off in a terror module and conspiracy case. The consignment of explosives was sent from across the border by Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode. Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh said, “An FIR naming Rode, Sukh Bhikhariwal, Sukh Ghuman, Malkit Singh and Arshdeep Singh Dalla has been registered at the Dinanagar police station. Of these, Malkit Singh of Gazikot village has been arrested and the recovery was made after we interrogated him. Sukh Bhikariwal is lodged in Tihar jail and we will be bringing him here on a production warrant. A manhunt has been launched to nab the remaining accused.”
21-Jan-2022
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 21 said it has conducted at five locations in Taran Tarn, Fazilka and Ferozepur districts of Punjab in connection with its investigation into the bike Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast case of Jalalabad in the state. The NIA official said, “During the searches conducted today, electronic gadgets, ammunition, documents and other incriminating materials have been seized.”
20-Jan-2022
The pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) released a video provoking the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) ahead of Republic Day. In the video message, SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and a veiled woman are seen parroting the Pakistan line by exhorting the people of the J&K to raise their voice for the "freedom" of J&K. Pannun exhorted Kashmiris to not only block Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hoisting the national flag on January 26 but also unfurl the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) flag in Delhi. He said, "Now is the time people of Kashmir, you should reach Delhi. Block PM Modi from hoisting the tricolour. Just as the Sikh community will unfurl the Khalistani flags, you should unfurl the flag of Kashmir in Delhi. You are getting killed in fake encounters in Baramulla, Shopian, Anantnag every day and nobody knows in the world. When you reach Delhi on January 26, the entire world will watch that Kashmir and Sikhs wants freedom."
20-Jan-2022
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered around 7.25-kg heroin, smuggled from Pakistan with the help of a drone, near Muhawa border outpost in Amritsar district on the intervening night of January 19 and 20. The BSF troops fired at the unmanned aerial vehicle and also lit up the area with illumination bombs to locate the drone after hearing a humming sound. The technique was used for the first time by the BSF. It said the troops heard a sound of dropping from the flying object. The area was immediately cordoned and a search operation was launched in the morning that led to the recovery of seven packets of 7.25-kg heroin, the officials said.
20-Jan-2022
Infamous drug peddler, Poonam alias “Bhabi” and her accomplice, Sandeep Khatri, were arrested with heroin in Chandigarh on January 20. Police recovered 404gm heroin from Poonam and another 205.9gm heroin was recovered from Khatri. According to police, Khatri had come to deliver heroin to Poonam.
19-Jan-2022
According to the Intelligence Bureau (IB)’s input, the banned Khalistani outfit Sikh for Justice (SFJ) is in the process of carrying out a terrorist attack on Republic Day. The outfit is likely to attack India Gate and Red Fort by placing explosives in a car. According to IB input, SFJ may repeat hoisting the religious flag at Red Fort like last year (2021). It also claimed that terrorists had brought explosives from Pakistan to India.
18-Jan-2022
Banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), in a video message, threatened to run an international campaign on Republic Day. In the video message, SFJ's chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said Khalistan Referendum activists Jaswinder Singh Multani who was detained by German police after the recent Ludhiana court blast for allegedly furthering pro-Khalistan agenda but was later released, and Gurmit Singh Bagga would 'Raise Khalistan' and 'Block Tiranga' at the Indian embassy in Frankfurt, while Paramjeet Singh Pamma would do the same in London, UK, and Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver, Canada. Pannun also said, "Citing infamous Article 25(b) of the Indian Constitution, a global anti-India campaign #SikhsAreNot Hindus has been launched, emailing UK Prime Minister (Boris) Johnson, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Biden and Trudeau administrations urging them to support the first-ever Khalistan Referendum for secession of Punjab from India." SFJ has already announced an offer of 1 million dollars for the project 'Raise Kesri-Khalistan', and 'Block Modi-Tiranga' coinciding with India's Republic Day celebrations this year. Pannun had earlier released a video asking Sikhs to raise the 'kesri' flag in place of the Indian Tricolour.
18-Jan-2022
Intelligence Bureau (IB), in its alert, said that according to inputs received in March 2021, the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) is planning to attack India's top leaders, VVIP, at the behest of Pakistan intelligence agency ISI. According to the alert, the Khalistan Liberation Force has joined hands with Islamic militants and all this has been done by the Pakistani agency ISI, so elaborate security arrangements should be made. According to the alert, on January 26, top leaders from 5 Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan are expected to be the chief guests at the event. IB alerts sent through the Home Ministry provide information on SOPS, countermeasures and active terror outfits in India at a total of 32 points.
18-Jan-2022
According to sources, security agencies are on high alert in wake of reports indicating that Pakistan purchased more drones from China which are likely to be used for dipping arms and ammunition in India. Intelligence documents show that Islamabad recently purchased drones from China. According to security agencies, Pakistan may try to target important installations in India using drones. This alert came after two Indians and a Pakistani were killed along with 6 wounded in a suspected Houthi drone attack near the Abu Dhabi airport in UAE.
17-Jan-2022
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) declared a reward of INR 10 lakh on Germany-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) operative, Jaswinder Singh Multani, who has been booked along with his associates from other banned outfits like the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) for allegedly attempting to revive terrorism in Punjab. According to reports, the preliminary findings have also indicated the role of Multani in the recent Ludhiana court complex blast. The NIA has accused him of coordinating with Pakistan-based pro-Khalistani elements and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and conspiring to carry out terror attacks in Mumbai and other parts of the country. The NIA registered the case following a direction from the Central government to investigate the allegations against Multani. Along with Multani, the NIA has named Jagdish Singh Bhura of KZF, his deputy Gurmeet Singh, who is also associated with SFJ; Ranjeet Singh Pakhoke of KTF (Germany); Sukhdev Singh Heran and Hardeep Singh Nijjar of Babbar Khalsa International; and Paramjit Singh Pamma and Ranjeet Singh Neeta, both KTF members, in the case. Meanwhile, at the instance of the Indian agencies, the German police had last month detained and then released him after he submitted an affidavit promising to cooperate with the authorities concerned.
17-Jan-2022
Supreme Court lawyers on January 17 received the 5th threat call from Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) since Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's security breach. The call which was received by lawyers such as Apoorv Shukla and Maharashtra's former Chief Standing Counsel Nishant Katneshwarkar contained a pre-recorded message from SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. It threatened the lawyers for filing a complaint against Pannun for announcing a 1 million dollars reward to block PM Modi and raise the Khalistan flag instead of the tricolor in Delhi on Republic Day. Pannun reportedly warned of protests against apex court lawyers whenever they go abroad. Moreover, he maintained that SFJ will not allow retired SC judge Indu Malhotra to proceed with the inquiry into the PM's security breach. Maharashtra's former Chief Standing Counsel Nishant Katneshwarkar said, "I received this call from a UK number. It is from Mr. Pannu of SFJ. But today it is saying that the SFJ will identify the advocates. Because of the filing of the complaint, the advocates have put themselves in a dangerous position. And it further says that SFJ will not allow Justice Indu Malhotra to proceed with the inquiry committee and SFJ will block the Honourable Prime Minister on 26th of January." In the recorded call Pannun said, "You have filed complaint against SFJ and put yourself in a dangerous position. Now we will hold anti-Sikh, anti-Muslim advocates accountable. While we will block Modi on January 26 and raise Khalistan flags, we will not allow Indu Malhotra to investigate Modi terror plot. We are preparing a list of advocates who visit foreign nations and you will hear from us peacefully, democratically and loudly."
17-Jan-2022
A hand grenade was found on a bank of a seepage drain near Muthianwali border village in Fazilka district near the International Border (IB).
17-Jan-2022
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified more than twelve individuals related to Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Jaswinder Singh Multani. On December 27, he was detained in Germany at India’s request. According to the officials, Multani’s suspected contacts with a smuggling network sponsored by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have also been exposed. According to claims, the allegations have spurred German authorities to launch an independent investigation into Multani’s and his accomplices’ behavior. Multani is accused by the NIA of gathering cash to provide weaponry and explosives through a smuggling network in Punjab. Officials further stated he was actively utilizing social media channels to spread SFJ’s beliefs.