KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
29-Jan-2025
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), on January 29 issued a statement threatening to target Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta and raise the Khalistan flag at his Delhi residence after the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal upheld the government's five-year ban on SFJ. Pannun accused the judge of "judicial oppression" and warned of consequences for rulings against the Khalistan referendum. Following the threat, Delhi Police was put on high alert.
29-Jan-2025
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), in its note to a tribunal on January 29 in New Delhi, revealed that the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) is allegedly inciting Christians in Manipur to secede from India. The note, part of the tribunal order upholding the five-year ban on SFJ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, also highlighted the organisation’s operations from offices in New York and California in the United States (US).
29-Jan-2025
The Patiala House Court in New Delhi on January 29 granted bail to United Kingdom (UK) national Inderpal Singh Gaba, accused in the 2023 attack on the Indian High Commission in London, citing a lack of evidence linking him to the vandalism or secessionist activities. The court observed that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) failed to establish his involvement in organizing the protest or providing logistical support.
29-Jan-2025
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on January 29 issued a statement rejecting the report accusing India of interference in Canadian affairs. The MEA strongly dismissed the claims, accusing Canada of consistently interfering in India’s internal matters. The statement also highlighted Canada’s role in enabling illegal migration and organized criminal activities.
29-Jan-2025
The World Sikh Organization of Canada (WSO) on January 29 called for a full public inquiry into the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and alleged transnational repression by India, following the Foreign Interference Commission’s final report. While the report found “no definitive link” between Nijjar’s murder and a ‘foreign state’, it accused India of targeting Sikhs in Canada through intimidation, surveillance, and disinformation. It also alleged Indian electoral interference and illicit financial support to politicians. WSO urged the Canadian government to take decisive action against India’s alleged activities.
29-Jan-2025
A tribunal of the Delhi High Court on January 29 upheld the extension of the five-year ban on the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), led by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, citing its subversive activities. The tribunal noted SFJ’s threats to Indian leaders, incitement of Sikh soldiers, and collusion with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
29-Jan-2025
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on January 29 informed a tribunal in New Delhi that the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) was spreading anti-India propaganda through protests and baseless legal cases against Indian dignitaries in Europe, Canada, and the United States (US). The UMHA highlighted SFJ’s threats, including a recorded voice note received on the landline of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s residence, warning Members of Parliament (MPs) about the Khalistan referendum. A total of 141 First Information Reports (FIRs)—96 by state/Union Territory (UT) police and 8 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA)—have been registered against SFJ.
29-Jan-2025
The police on January 29 arrested a member of the Jeevan Fauji gang, identified as Sunil Maseeh, near Inorbit Mall in Vadodara, Gujarat. Maseeh was wanted by Punjab Police in an attempt to murder case and under the Arms Act, with authorities stating that the gang is involved in multiple crimes in Punjab. The police confirmed that Maseeh will be handed over to Punjab Police for further investigation.
29-Jan-2025
The court of the Judicial Magistrate in Faridkot on January 29 acquitted gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in an extortion case due to a lack of evidence. The case involved a demand for INR 50 lakh from a textile businessman in Kotkapura via a WhatsApp call, allegedly made by Bishnoi’s associate Goldy Brar, who is absconding. The complainant failed to provide evidence to support the allegations. Bishnoi, who appeared in court via video conferencing, continues to face other charges, while Brar remains wanted in several criminal cases, including the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
29-Jan-2025
The police on January 29 busted a gang involved in drug smuggling by arresting two of its members, identified as Nitin Gogna and Harpreet Kashyap, and seized 3,200 intoxicant tablets from their possession in Jalandhar district.
28-Jan-2025
Police on January 28 arrested a peddler, identified as Gaurav Makkar alias Sunny and seized 14 grams of heroin and 20 pouches from his possession, from Kundanpuri area in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district.
28-Jan-2025
Police on January 28, based on information from arrested drug peddler Gaurav Makkar alias Sunny, uncovered a 13-year-long drug smuggling racket run by Sonia alias Naachi and her two daughters, from Mohalla Peeru Banda area in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district in Punjab. Police arrested Sonia, and seized 4 grams of heroin and INR 2.9 lakh in alleged drug money from her possession.
28-Jan-2025
A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on January 28 recorded the evidence of a senior scientific assistant who had taken a voice sample of former minister Jagdish Tytler at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in April 2023, in New Delhi. Tytler is facing trial for the killing of three Sikhs near Gurdwara Pul Bangash on November 1, 1984. The court played an audio clip containing his voice sample and scheduled the cross-examination of the scientific officer for February 7.
28-Jan-2025
The Punjab Police on January 28 arrested two operatives of United States (US) based terrorist Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passian and US-based drug smuggler Sarwan Bhola, identified as Bagga Singh and Puskaran Singh alias Sagar, and seized a hand grenade and two sophisticated pistols along with ammunition from their possession, from Amritsar in Amritsar district. Bagga Singh was arrested from Sirsa in Haryana and Pushkaran Singh from Amritsar. The two were involved in the hand grenade attack outside the Gumtala police post in Amritsar in December 2024.
28-Jan-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on January 28 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 500 grams from fields near Lakha Singh Wala village in Ferozepur district.
27-Jan-2025
All India Congress Committee Treasurer and Member of Parliament (MP) Ajay Maken, along with former Deputy Chief Minister and former Home Minister of AAP-ruled Punjab, on January 27, stated that Khalistani sentiments and radicalism are on the rise. They criticized the AAP government for its inaction on 11 grenade attacks in the state and accused it of fostering a dangerous governance model. The Congress also linked AAP to radical elements, including alleged connections with Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. They warned voters in Delhi and Punjab against supporting AAP, calling the party a threat to national security.
27-Jan-2025
On January 27, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh, accused Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) of orchestrating efforts to remove him from his position, in Chandigarh. He alleged that a three-member SGPC-appointed committee was attempting to gather accusations of violating Sikh maryada against him but had found no evidence. Giani Harpreet Singh hinted at plans to expose those behind the campaign and criticised the SGPC for being influenced by political figures, escalating tensions between religious and political leadership in Punjab.
27-Jan-2025
The Ludhiana police on January 27 arrested a smuggler, identified as Raju Kalia, and seized 265 grams of heroin from his possession in Guru Har Rai Nagar, Ludhiana. Police revealed that Kalia, already facing three drug smuggling cases, resumed the illegal trade after being released on bail in October 2023.
27-Jan-2025
The police on January 27 arrested Gurpreet Singh Gopi and seized a country-made pistol along with 21 empty cartridges near Fazalpur village in Tarn Taran district. Authorities confirmed Gopi’s involvement in a recent shooting at a farmhouse in Fazalpur village.
26-Jan-2025
The counter-intelligence unit of the Punjab Police on January 26 arrested six members of the Kaushal Chaudhry gang, identified as Puneet Lakhanpal alias Sharma, Narinder Kumar alias Lalli, Gurbhinder Singh, Maninderjit Singh, Harpreet Singh, and Sandeep Singh and seized six sophisticated pistols along with 40 live cartridges in Jandiala Guru, Amritsar district. Sharma and Lalli, both sharpshooters, were involved in the high-profile murder of international kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian in 2022. Authorities suspect the gang was planning a targeted killing in Punjab under the direction of foreign-based handlers.
26-Jan-2025
On January 26, the Akal Takht Secretariat announced the postponement of the meeting of the Five Sikh High Priests (Panj Singh Sahibs) scheduled for January 28, 2025, citing personal engagements of Singh Sahib at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, in Amritsar.
26-Jan-2025
On January 26, farmers in Punjab organized tractor marches across multiple districts, including Malerkotla, Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar, demanding a guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and the withdrawal of the National Policy Framework on Agriculture Marketing (NPFAM). Led by farmer unions like Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the protests remained peaceful, with demonstrations outside retail outlets and malls in Amritsar.
26-Jan-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann on January 26 vowed to crush forces inimical to the state and foil conspiracies aimed at disturbing peace and communal harmony while addressing the 76th Republic Day gathering at Polo Ground in Patiala. He emphasized the importance of preserving Punjab’s hard-earned peace and announced the launch of the "Punjab Help Centre" at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi to assist the Punjabi diaspora. Additionally, he recognized individuals for their notable contributions to society and the state.
25-Jan-2025
Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, the Punjab Police on January 25 issued a red alert and deployed over 15,000 personnel across the state due to recent blasts at police installations by pro-Khalistan elements. Special operations are underway in all districts to monitor gangsters, smugglers, and anti-social elements. The Republic Day venue in Faridkot was changed to Patiala after pro-Khalistan slogans were found near the stadium. Security measures have also been heightened in Haryana and Chandigarh, with bomb and dog squads deployed at sensitive locations.
25-Jan-2025
Several schools in Punjab's Patiala district on January 25 received emails, allegedly from the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), urging them to boycott Republic Day celebrations where Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann is set to hoist the national flag. The police are verifying the threat and have reassured that security arrangements are in place, with over 15,000 personnel deployed across Punjab under a red alert. This follows the discovery of fresh pro-Khalistan graffiti in Faridkot, where the venue was initially planned before being shifted to Patiala for "administrative reasons."