KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
07-Mar-2025
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), in a joint operation with the Border Security Force (BSF), on March 7 arrested two smugglers, Joginder Singh and Judge Singh, and seized 2.64 kg of heroin and a DJI Matrice 300 RTK drone from their possession in Khunder Hithar village, Ferozepur district.
06-Mar-2025
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar revealed on March 6 that Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Lajar Masih, arrested in Kaushambi district, was in contact with a Delhi-based gang to obtain a fake passport and flee abroad. He had altered his Aadhaar details using forged documents and had already paid INR 2.5 lakh for the passport. Linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Masih was planning a major terror attack during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj before being nabbed in a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and Punjab Police.
06-Mar-2025
In a joint operation on March 6, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Special Task Force (STF) and Punjab Police arrested Lajar Masih, a terrorist with alleged links to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and seized three active hand grenades, two active detonators, one foreign-made pistol, and 13 cartridges from his possession in Kaushambi district, UP. Masih, a resident of Amritsar, Punjab, had escaped judicial custody in September 2024 and was reportedly working for Germany-based BKI operative Swarn Singh, alias Jeevan Fauji.
06-Mar-2025
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on March 6 in New Delhi condemned the security breach outside Chatham House in London, United Kingdom (UK), where a pro-Khalistan protester attempted to approach External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar’s vehicle. He criticized the misuse of democratic freedoms by such elements and urged the host government to fully uphold its diplomatic obligations. The UK government also denounced the incident, calling any attempts to intimidate or disrupt public events “completely unacceptable.” The Metropolitan Police swiftly intervened, ensuring Jaishankar’s safe departure. No arrests were made following the incident.
06-Mar-2025
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna on March 6 praised the Special Task Force (STF) for arresting an active Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist, Lajar Masih, in a joint operation with Punjab Police, calling it a sign of improved law and order. Masih was reportedly linked to Pakistan-based ISI operatives and worked for a Germany-based BKI module.
06-Mar-2025
Delhi Cabinet Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on March 6 condemned the recent attempt by Khalistani extremists to assault External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in London, United Kingdom (UK), stating that a handful of individuals could not represent the entire Sikh community. He emphasized the patriotism of Sikhs and their contributions to India’s independence.
06-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 6 demolished two properties allegedly belonging to drug traffickers Sandeep Singh alias Sonu and Gurmeet Singh in the Angarh and Maqboolpura areas of Amritsar district. The demolition was part of the state government's crackdown on drug trafficking, with authorities stating that the properties were built using illicit funds. Civic officials had issued demolition orders after following due procedures.
06-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 6 arrested two key members of the Pavittar Chaura gang, Kanwalpreet Singh alias Kanwar and Ranjit Singh and seized one 9mm Glock pistol, one .30 bore pistol, two .32 bore pistols, four magazines, and 39 cartridges from their possession in Batala, Gurdaspur district. Both accused were in contact with US-based gangster Pavittar Singh Chaura and were involved in criminal activities in Punjab at his behest.
06-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 6 conducted raids at 501 locations leading to the arrest of 75 drug smugglers after registration of 53 First Information Reports (FIRs), and recovered 8.2 kg of heroin, 4.5 kg of opium, 1294 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections and INR 1.04 lakh drug money from their possession, across the state.
05-Mar-2025
Punjab New and Renewable Energy Minister and Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) state president Aman Arora announced on March 5 that under the "Yudh Nashian Virudh" (war against drugs) campaign, Punjab Police registered 580 First Information Reports (FIRs) and arrested 789 drug peddlers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between March 1 and 4. Authorities also seized 74 kg of heroin, 19.5 kg of opium, and 77 kg of synthetic drugs, totaling approximately 170 kg of narcotics across Punjab.
05-Mar-2025
The Amritsar Rural Police on March 5 busted a smuggling network operated by a United States (US)-based smuggler, Jasmit Singh alias Lucky, and arrested one smuggler, identified as Sahilpreet Singh alias Karan, seizing 23 packets of heroin, each weighing 1 kg (totalling 23 kg), in Daspura village, Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations indicated that the consignment was smuggled from Pakistan, and efforts are underway to apprehend other individuals linked to the network.
05-Mar-2025
Police on March 5 arrested gangster Navjot Singh, a close associate of Lucky Patial, who runs the Bambiha gang, after a brief encounter and seized a country-made Sten gun, two magazines, and two additional magazines belonging to another firearm from his possession in Mullanpur, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Navjot, who had recently resumed illegal arms trafficking after his release from jail, was shot in the leg during the exchange of fire before being taken into custody.
04-Mar-2025
The new book Sikh Struggle Documents 1920-2022 by senior journalist Jagtar Singh highlights that the demand for Khalistan was first raised in 1940 as a response to the Pakistan Resolution adopted by the Muslim League. Comprising 181 original documents, the book traces the evolution of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), from its early role in the national freedom movement to its shifting political stance over time. It also examines how SAD’s 1946 election campaign, centered on a separate Sikh state, failed the democratic test, offering insights into the party’s changing identity and its influence on Punjab’s religio-political landscape.
04-Mar-2025
The District Court in Moga on March 4 acquitted Scottish Sikh man Jagtar Singh Johal in one of the nine terror cases against him, ruling that he was not guilty of conspiracy under India’s anti-terror law or of being a member of a "terrorist gang." Johal, who was arrested in Punjab in 2017, weeks after his wedding, has been accused of involvement in targeted killings linked to the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF). Meanwhile, eight other cases against him remain pending in Indian courts.
04-Mar-2025
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on March 4 announced that the state police would soon be equipped with anti-drone technology to intercept transborder drug smuggling, speaking at a demonstration event at PCA Stadium in Mullanpur, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Cheema revealed that three companies showcased advanced anti-drone solutions to counter narcotics, arms, and explosives smuggling from Pakistan. He added that the Punjab Police, in consultation with central security agencies, would finalize the procurement of the most effective systems.
04-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 4 conducted extensive checks to combat the drug menace, and inspected 164 pharmaceutical shops and 524 locations across Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar, Jalandhar Rural, Jalandhar Commissionerate, Kapurthala and Rupnagar to prevent the sale of intoxicating drugs, and arrested 69 drug smugglers and registered 53 First Information Reports (FIRs). A total of 250 police teams, comprising over 1,900 officers under the supervision of 101 gazetted officers, also checked 627 suspicious individuals.
04-Mar-2025
Amritsar police commissionerate on March 4 arrested a father-son duo, identified as Amolak Singh and Mahabir Singh alias Goldy, and seized 3 kg of heroin and INR 5 lakh of drug money along with a .30 bore calibre pistol, two magazines with 15 live cartridges, a .306 single barrel Springfield rifle with five bullets, a fake arms licence along with a Toyota Corolla car from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The duo were arrested in a drug case registered with the Gate Hakima police station in Amritsar on January 20.
04-Mar-2025
Amritsar police commissionerate on March 4 arrested six unidentified smugglers and seized 1.65 kg of heroin, INR 82,300 of drug money, and intoxicants from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
04-Mar-2025
On March 4, the Centre informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the Lok Sabha committee’s recommendations on the leave applications of absent Members of Parliament (MPs), including Amritpal Singh, would be presented before Parliament on March 10. The 15-member committee reviewed the applications in a meeting on March 3. Amritpal Singh, detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam, has petitioned for permission to attend parliamentary sessions, citing his constitutional rights and constituency representation. He has also sought approval to meet officials regarding MPLADS for local development projects.
03-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 3 arrested 70 drug smugglers, including two after an exchange of fire, registered 48 First Information Reports (FIRs) and seized 4.63 kg of heroin, 500 grams of ganja, 100 grams of opium, 1548 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections and INR 1.32 lakh drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers across Punjab, as part of Punjab's anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh”.
03-Mar-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the Gauhati High Court’s Registrar-General to facilitate the service of notice to Khalistani radical preacher and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh, who is lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail, Assam, regarding a petition challenging his election. The petition alleges that Amritpal concealed crucial details in his affidavit, violated election expenditure rules, and engaged in corrupt practices by seeking votes on religious grounds. It also raises concerns over foreign funding and the use of religious venues for campaigning. The petitioner seeks the annulment of the June 2024 election results.
02-Mar-2025
Amritsar Commissionerate Police on March 2 arrested a drug smuggler, Sahil alias Neela, after a brief encounter and seized a .32 bore pistol and a motorcycle from his possession near Palm Garden Colony in Amritsar district.
02-Mar-2025
The Kar Sewa sect of Khadoor Sahib organized its annual congregation on March 2 in Khadoor Sahib, Tarn Taran district, to honour the legacy of Baba Gurmukh Singh, Baba Sadhu Singh, Baba Jhanda Singh, Baba Uttam Singh, and other Sikh figures. The event featured a religious Diwan with Gurbani shabads by Ragi Jathas and a recitation of Zafarnama by Japleen Kaur. Pinderpal Singh delivered Katha, while Baba Sewa Singh honoured Sikh sect representatives with Siropas and urged the community to plant saplings to combat pollution.
02-Mar-2025
On March 2, Punjab Police conducted a massive anti-drug drive, raiding 510 locations and arresting 43 smugglers as part of efforts to curb drug trafficking. The operation led to the seizure of 776 grams of heroin, 14 kg of opium, 38 kg of poppy husk, 2,615 intoxicant tablets, and INR 4.60 lakh in cash across Punjab. A total of 333 individuals were arrested, and 27 first information reports (FIRs) were registered. Over 300 police teams, comprising more than 2,000 personnel, carried out the crackdown.
02-Mar-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann on March 2 described the state government's anti-drug drive as a "historic moment" during his speech at the passing-out parade of 2,500 recruits at a police training center in Jahan Khelan, Hoshiarpur district. He praised the intensified efforts of the police to dismantle supply networks and arrest smugglers. Mann vowed to eradicate gangsters and drug traffickers, accusing previous regimes of shielding criminals, and reaffirmed his commitment to making Punjab drug-free. He also highlighted the success of the Sadak Surakhya Force, which has contributed to a 48.10% reduction in road accident fatalities since its launch.