KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
16-Jun-2026
According to reports, Indian security agencies have flagged the emergence of the Khalistani Liberation Army (KLA), a new and potentially dangerous Khalistani terror outfit, describing it as one of the most trained, armed, and organised groups to emerge under the Khalistani extremist umbrella in recent years. Sources indicate that Khalistani elements, allegedly with support from other international terrorist networks, have established a trained militant wing aimed at disrupting law and order in India. The group claimed responsibility for recent explosions in Punjab and had previously surfaced in investigations following a blast in Punjab's Sirsa district in November 2025. Security agencies have now formally identified the KLA as an emerging threat, raising concerns that India may face a new proxy terrorist structure modelled on Pakistan-backed militant networks.
15-Jun-2026
Gursharan Singh Chhina, Chairman of the Punjab Health Systems Corporation, on June 15 stated that more than 90,000 individuals struggling with substance abuse have received de-addiction, rehabilitation, and recovery services across Punjab under the state government's flagship anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashian Virudh, launched in March 2025. Chhina noted that while enforcement agencies continue their crackdown on drug traffickers and suppliers, equal emphasis is being placed on prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and public awareness to ensure the long-term success of the campaign.
15-Jun-2026
On June 15, Punjab Police, on day 471 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 83 drug smugglers, and seized 3.7 kg of heroin, 70 kg of poppy husk, 446 intoxicant pills, and INR 2,500 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
15-Jun-2026
Police on June 15 arrested Advocate Rohit Bhardwaj, former president of the BJP’s Bathinda district legal cell, and his assistant Gurpreet Singh and recovered 13.53 grams of methamphetamine (ICE) and 14.03 grams of heroin from their car, in Bhai Ghanaiya Chowk in Bathinda district.
15-Jun-2026
According to reports, the arrest of Saurav Biswas, a Bangladeshi national who had illegally entered India and settled in West Bengal, enabled Chandigarh Police to crack two hoax bomb threat cases that had triggered panic at Chandigarh schools and the Punjab Civil Secretariat earlier in 2026. Biswas, described by police as a tech-savvy freelance web designer and animator, was arrested on June 2 after Chandigarh Police obtained a production warrant from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where he was already in the custody of the Cyber Crime Police Station for a similar offence. He was subsequently remanded to police custody by the Sector 17 and Sector 3 police stations for further interrogation.
15-Jun-2026
Police on June 15 arrested two persons, Ashok Singh (40) and Akashdeep Singh (22), after uncovering a surveillance operation conducted by anti-national elements based in Pakistan and Canada targeting the movement of security personnel near the high-security military zone in Bathinda district. The unauthorised solar-powered Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera, fitted with a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, was installed on an electricity pole along the Bathinda-Sriganganagar Road and had reportedly been operational for nearly three months. Camera feed was being transmitted to anti-national elements based in Pakistan and Canada.
14-Jun-2026
Patiala Police on June 14 arrested five alleged members of a robbery and extortion gang and seized five .32-bore pistols, four .315-bore pistols, one .32-bore revolver, and 20 live cartridges from their possession, in Patiala district. Police suspect the firearms were intended for use in gang-rivalry attacks.
14-Jun-2026
On June 14, Janki Das, an employee of Shri Kumar Medical Hall and a native of Rohru in Himachal Pradesh, was shot dead at point-blank range by unidentified assailants in Sector 11, Chandigarh. The three accused, who reportedly arrived on a stolen motorcycle bearing a Punjab registration number, fired 13 rounds at the cashier before fleeing to a neighbouring state. Police have rounded up several individuals for questioning, while photographs of the suspects have been widely circulated on social media. Soon after the killing, Canada-based gangster Goldy Dhillon claimed responsibility for the attack through a Facebook post. The post identified the “Kumar brothers” as the target, although the shooting occurred at Shri Kumar Medical Hall, raising suspicions that the owners of nearby establishments may have been the intended targets. The message also warned of consequences for those allegedly supporting the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
14-Jun-2026
According to sources, Chandigarh Police have identified the three accused involved in the June 14 killing of an employee at Kumar Medical Hall in Sector 11, Chandigarh. Two of the suspects are reportedly residents of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir, although the police have not disclosed the identity of the third accused. Meanwhile, sources claim that two chemist shop owners in Sector 11 and a businessman in Sector 19 have also received threat calls. However, the police have not officially confirmed these reports.
14-Jun-2026
Police on June 14 arrested two persons, identified as Balraj Sharma and Raj Kumar and recovered 4.1 kg of opium in a car on the Bathinda-Barnala Road in Bathinda district.
14-Jun-2026
On June 14, the 145th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 529 raids, arrested 302 persons and recovered four weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 126 individuals, while two persons were verified and released after questioning. Nine proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
14-Jun-2026
On June 14, Punjab Police, on day 470 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 70 drug smugglers, and seized 3.7 kg of heroin, 250 intoxicant pills and INR 9500 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
14-Jun-2026
Amritsar Police on June 14 arrested two more accused, identified as Abhishek alias Abhi alias Bhindi and a juvenile, and recovered an additional 5.041 kg of heroin in Amritsar district. The arrests were made following disclosures by six accused who had been arrested on June 11 with 30.045 kg of heroin. Police stated that Abhishek has a criminal history and is involved in multiple cases, including snatching, assault, narcotics offences, and violations of the Arms Act.
13-Jun-2026
Two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire at the residence of Harbhagwan Singh in Kamalgarh Kalan village, Ferozepur district on June 13. The attackers reportedly fired four rounds before fleeing the scene. No injuries were reported. Harbhagwan Singh alleged that the attack was linked to an ongoing property dispute with a relative residing in Canada, claiming that the dispute had persisted for the past two to three years and that the firing was intended to intimidate him and his family. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.
13-Jun-2026
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on June 13 arrested two alleged members of a criminal network, identified as Kuldeep Singh and Abhiman Singh, and recovered two country-made .32-bore pistols and five live cartridges from their possession, from the Ring Road area in Bathinda district. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were linked to a criminal network operated by a jailed gangster active in the Ferozepur region. Both suspects have a criminal history and are allegedly involved in multiple criminal cases, including attempted murder and offences under the Arms Act.
13-Jun-2026
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on June 13 arrested a suspected drug trafficker, identified as Davinder Singh alias Ekam and recovered 3.55 kg of heroin from his possession, in Ferozepur district.
13-Jun-2026
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on June 13 arrested a person, identified as Ranjeet Singh alias Rana and recovered 3.1 kg of heroin from his possession, in Machhiwara in Ferozepur district.
13-Jun-2026
On June 13, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) arrested a suspected drug trafficker, identified as Ranjeet Singh alias Rana and recovered 2.795 kg of opium, 485 grams of a white intoxicating powder, and 1.35 kg of an intoxicating black liquid from his possession, in Ferozepur district.
13-Jun-2026
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on June 13 arrested an alleged drug peddler, identified as Harinderpal Singh and recovered 336 grams of heroin and INR 919,000 in suspected drug proceeds from his possession, near Jandiala Guru in Amritsar district.
13-Jun-2026
On June 13, Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan claimed that more than 67,000 drug peddlers had been arrested since the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) assumed power in the State. Reiterating the government's zero-tolerance policy towards narcotics, Sandhwan asserted that those involved in drug trafficking would face stringent legal action. He also emphasised the need for active societal participation to eradicate the menace of drug addiction from Punjab.