KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
04-Jun-2020
Facebook users and its photo sharing social media app Instagram complained that the sites were blocking the hashtag #Sikh at a time the community was remembering Operation Bluestar.
04-Jun-2020
The Jammu and Kashmir Youth Social Forum (JKYSF) leader, Angad Singh paid tributes to all Sikh leaders and Sikh Sangat pilgrims who were killed in Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star in Golden temple in June 1984, in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He said that “We in Kashmir remember this day as black day. Also, this day is a proof of Sikh and Muslim brotherhood right from Kashmir to Punjab and all over the world.”
03-Jun-2020
Authorities refused permission to Dal Khalsa to hold ‘Ghallughara Yadgaari March’ on June 5 to mark the 36th anniversary of Operation Bluestar. However, the Dal Khalsa leadership has decided to send its five-member team to the Akal Takht on the same day at 5 pm. Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said the march by five members of the Dal Khalsa will be symbolic in nature.
03-Jun-2020
According to reports, a long-drawn battle is underway within the banned Khalistani terror outfit Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) more than four months after its ‘chief’ Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD was killed under mysterious circumstances in Lahore in January, 2020. Report said, in the fray for the new leadership of KLF are radical elements from Pakistan, UK, Italy, and Switzerland. Pakistan based Lakhbir Singh Rode also ‘chief’ of International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), Paramjeet Singh Panjwar, the UK based Paramjeet Singh Panjwar, Gursharanvir Singh Wahiwala, KLF spokesperson Dhanna Singh, Italy based Gurjinder Singh Shastri and Switzerland based Pappu Singh are trying to take the mantle of the group. Though the KLF has its separatist Khalistani agenda, the mainstay of its existence is by drug trafficking especially in Indian Punjab, and Pakistan’s notorious Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has used the terror group for smuggling illegal weapons and drugs into India. Report added that ISI has been backing Lakhbir Singh Rode and Paramjeet Singh Panjwar. Both are trying to get support from cadre based in Italy, Germany, Canada and the UK to become next KLF ‘chief’. Wahiwala and Shastri do not seem to have the support of the ISI, which can make things difficult for them. KLF is now heading towards a schism with a new faction emerging led by UK based Gursharanvir Singh Wahiwala. Wahiwala is getting support from cadres in Canada, US and Italy. What has increased the infighting is Wahiwala alleging that Dhanna Singh, the spokesperson of KLF, is responsible for the killing of Happy PhD. Meanwhile, house of Gursharanvir Singh was raided by Mid Westland Police in UK on February 19 on the complaint made by Dhanna Singh fueling the acrimony. UK based KLF militants had assembled on February 23 to discuss the future course of the group after the death of Happy PHD. A total of eight persons, Gursharanvir Singh, Amritveer Singh, Avtar Singh Khandaand Amanveer Singh, attended the meeting. Gursharanvir vouched for himself citing his close ties with former KLF ‘chiefs’ -Happy PhD, Mintooo. While asking to avoid Italian and swiss contender he called for the continuation of violent activities.
03-Jun-2020
The arrested pro-Khalistan terrorist, Tejinder Singh alias Teja confessed that he and his close associate Rachpal Singh alias Daula, were planning to loot a bank cash van that was used to transport currency from the main branches of the SBI to ATMs in Maur and Talwandi Sabo. A case was registered against Teja and his associates, at State Special Operation Cell, SAS Nagar, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
03-Jun-2020
Days ahead of the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, Amritsar police properly fenced the boundary of the Golden Temple and devotees are discouraged from going further. There are more restrictions on the entry of devotees as compared to the peak days of the Covid-19 lockdown, when curfew was imposed across the state.
03-Jun-2020
Dal Khalsa alleged that police have made it impossible for devotees to enter Golden Temple due to the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, to be observed on June 6. It also said it has been denied permission by Amritsar police to carry out its annual ‘Ghallughara Yadgaari’ march (an annual activity for the last 15 years) on June 5 in Amritsar city due to Covid-19 protocol. However, Amritsar Police Commissioner Sukhchain Singh Gill denied the allegations of the Dal Khalsa and said that, “We are outside the Golden Temple only to maintain law and order. We are not there to stop anyone.”
02-Jun-2020
Police arrested a proclaimed offender (PO), identified as Yakoob Mohammad alias Jagroop along with 273-gram heroin and Rs 50,000 in cash as drug money from Barnala in Barnala district.
02-Jun-2020
The Organized Crime Control Unit (OCCU) of Punjab police arrested a pro-Khalistan terrorist and one of the most wanted gangsters, Tejinder Singh alias Teja, from Mohali in SAS Nagar district while he was allegedly, trying to mobilize funds for the Khalistan movement. According to police, Teja had recently executed a dacoity in Ludhiana, where he looted 2kg gold. He has, reportedly, confessed that he was arranging money for a spate of targeted killings as part of the Khalistan agenda, and to disrupt the ongoing Operation Blue Star anniversary week in Punjab. Teja has over 25 criminal cases against him, including murder, attempt to murder, car-jacking, and dacoity. He had started out as a gangster but was soon radicalized. He planned the targeted killings at the instance of some hardcore terrorists he met during his stints in various prisons. Police say he has the support of banned Khalistani outfits. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta, a set of Punjab Police uniform, along with an ID card of Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB), were seized from Teja. He planned to use the uniform and the card to gain access to restricted areas for commission of various kinds of crimes, including terrorist actions, the DGP said, adding that the accused clearly posed a high security risk to the state. A Chinese 30 caliber pistol, 10 cartridges and a car were also seized from Teja’s possession, DGP said.
02-Jun-2020
The pro-Khalistan terrorist Tirath Singh, who was arrested from Meerut, UP on May 30, during interrogation, mentioned that he had spoken to Gursharanbir Singh, primarily based within the UK, by way of Facebook Messenger. Tirath Singh was being made a supporter of Khalistan. In lieu of this, cash has additionally been reported to be in his account. Tirath Singh has been given a four-day remand by the court docket to the Punjab Police
02-Jun-2020
A team of the Delhi Police arrested the alleged mastermind of the drug smuggling gang from Hoshiarpur in in Hoshiarpur district on the basis of the information given by two Hoshiarpur residents, who were arrested with 12 kg opium in Delhi on May 29.
01-Jun-2020
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court dismissed the bail application of one of the accused in September 4, 2019, Tarn Taran blast case. The accused Malkit Singh alias Shera had applied for the bail on health grounds which was rejected by the court. The court observed that evidence pointed to the accused was active member of pro-Khalistan terrorist gang. The court said it was of the opinion that there was sufficient ground for believing that accusation against the applicant/accused is prima facie true.
01-Jun-2020
A day after Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh warned China that India wouldn’t tolerate any bullying by Bejing and had also cautioned it to not take India lightly, the Sikh for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun wrote a letter to Chinese premier Xi Jinping justifying China’s position against India and extending support of pro Khalistani Sikhs. "We consider China's counter military action against India as legitimate and justified to protect its territorial integrity under international laws", writes Pannun to Jinping. In an attempt to rope in China in SFJ’s separatists campaign Referendum 2020, Pannun urged the Chinese president to take up before the UN Security Council, the issue of Sikhs right to ‘self-determination and secession’ of Punjab from India through referendum. Pannun in his letter also said that a delegation of SFJ’s Referendum campaigners would reach Bejing in the third week of August 2020. Meanwhile, according to sources, intelligence agencies are of view that Pannun feared action against SFJ in US since India and US enjoys a cordial relation and Pannun was exploring to get support from China, at least in media, that has tense relations with both India and US. “SFJ’s claims of being a human rights group with several million followers in Punjab and around the globe is also questionable and has no evidence of same” said sources.
01-Jun-2020
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh asked Sikhs to maintain peace while observing the 36th anniversary of operation Bluestar in Amritsar on June 6 and urged those who cannot travel to stay home. He said, “Since restrictions on opening places of worship will last till June 7, it seems impossible for many devotees to reach Sri Harmandar Sahib on June 6. So, I appeal to the entire Sikh community to observe the anniversary with peace, love and harmony at Akal Takht or wherever they are. The sangat which will not be able to reach Akal Takht should remember the martyrs from home and tune in to watch the ceremony’s live telecast,” he said.
01-Jun-2020
The Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to install a portrait of former Sikh militant Waryam Singh, who died of a cardiac arrest on May 24, at the central Sikh museum at Golden Temple. “He spent his entire life for the Sikh struggle. In view of his sacrifice for the community, the SGPC is directed to install his portrait in the museum as a tribute to him,” the Jathedar said.
31-May-2020
According to investigation agencies, the investigations into the seizure of 532 kg of heroin on the Wagah-Attari border in Punjab last year revealed that the network through which drug consignments were being pushed from Pakistan was also being used to transfer funds to the terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir. The contraband, concealed in six rock salt consignments, was detected by the Customs Department on June 29, 2019. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case in July 2019 and has so far filed two charge sheets. While the Enforcement Directorate (ED) may soon initiate a money-laundering investigation into the drug haul, probe agencies have gathered several crucial details about the accused persons.
31-May-2020
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Vinit Goenka said that “Twitter is involved in willful collection of money from terrorist organisations perpetrating crimes against citizens of this country.” “Would we tolerate someone who would take blood money to promote the cause of separatism,” asked Goenka. He said that he had been investigating the promotion of hashtag ‘Khalistan 2020’, which was being backed by US-based group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a secessionist outfit that advocates the creation of a separate Sikh homeland. The outfit is also a primary backer of an online referendum ‘Khalistan 2020.’
31-May-2020
Punjab police, ahead of the Operation Bluestar anniversary that falls on June 6, tightened security in and around the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This move comes in the wake of clashes between Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) workers and pro-Khalistan activists in the Golden Temple in recent years. A police officer said, “We apprehend that some Sikh activists might gather inside the shrine in advance. Moreover, we want to ensure social distancing in view of the Covid pandemic. Section 144 has been imposed, and carrying any weapon, including the “kirpan”, has been banned.” According to reports, Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh is yet to take a call on the programme. His “parallel” counterpart Bhai Dhyan Singh Mand, however, has said he would offer at Akal Takht and deliver a “public address”.
31-May-2020
The Dal Khalsa head H S Cheema stated that Narendra Modi led Indian government has turned out to be disastrous and terrible for the minorities during its second tenure. He said the six years of Modi on the seat of Prime Minister has spell doom for the minorities.
30-May-2020
Police, during a search at the Amritsar central jail, three mobile phones were recovered from a member of a narco-terror module, a gangster and another inmate. The accused are Rahul Chauhan of Ambala, a former army man and a key member of a narco-terror module busted by the Amritsar police in January 2020, gangster Amanpreet Singh alias Rinka of Amritsar, and Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu of Tarn Taran district. According to the police, the module members were involved in smuggling of narcotics and weapons from Pakistan by using drones. Two highly sophisticated China-made drones, two walkie-talkie sets, Rs 6.22 lakh, and a magazine of an Insas rifle were recovered from them.
30-May-2020
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Special Operation Group of the Punjab Police, in a joint operation arrested a suspected terrorist owing allegiance to Khalistan movement, identified as Tirath Singh (32) from Thaparnagar in Meerut. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) - ATS, DK Thakur said that cache of literature pertaining to Khalistan movement and posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were recovered from his possession. "Social media account and WhatsApp of Tirath were filled with messages showing his support to the Khalistan movement," said Police. Police also said that Tirath was arrested in the past also by Punjab Police for supplying arms and ammunition to the supporters of Khalistan in the state.
30-May-2020
Police arrested a key accused in cross-border smuggling of drugs and weapons, identified as identified as Ajay Pal Singh from Chheharta area in Amritsar district. The accused is the kingpin in the drone module case. He has been absconding since long and was hiding at different places by changing his identity. A total of ten accused have been arrested so far in connection with the Drone Module. The module members have disclosed that they were involved in cross-border smuggling, including drugs and weapons over drones over the past few months.
29-May-2020
According the reports, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)’s scheduled referendum 2020 programme - an exercise to know the opinion of Sikhs for a separate Sikh state - has been deferred to 2022. According to a Pakistani private TV channel, Referendum 2020 was scheduled to be held in November 2020 but has been deferred due to coronavirus pandemic. The new date for holding the referendum would be announced soon, the report said. Interestingly, Pakistan’s Khalistani Sikh leader Gopal Singh Chawla had earlier hinted at a delay in holding the referendum, saying that, “Neither is it written in Quran nor in Guru Granth Sahib that Referendum 2020 has to be held in 2020 only.”
29-May-2020
According to reports, keeping in view the history of clashes at Akal Takht on anniversaries of Operation Bluestar, Punjab police are doing all they can to prevent an untoward incident on June 6. Police personnel said that they had special instructions from seniors to prevent the gathering inside the shrine till the Operation Bluestar anniversary. “We are apprehending that members of some Sikh bodies may gather inside the shrine in advance. Actually, we want to prevent any untoward incident. Secondly, gathering is violation of the Covid-19 guidelines. So, we are taking these measures. However, we are letting people go who have genuine reason to visit the shrine,” said the Police.
29-May-2020
The state special operation cell (SSOC) arrested two persons with links with the terror outfit, Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) for “disruptive activities” in Punjab. The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Rakesh Kumar refused to reveal their names and other details as the matter is under investigation. According to sources, the suspected persons are having contacts with Gursharanveer Singh, an ‘active member’ of KLF.