KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
10-Jun-2026
On June 10, the 141st day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 557 raids, arrested 303 persons and recovered two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 123 individuals, while 12 persons were verified and released after questioning. Seven proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
10-Jun-2026
On June 10, Punjab Police, on day 466 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 90 drug smugglers, and seized 5.2 kg of heroin, 35 kg of poppy husk, 360 intoxicant tablets and INR 2,600 in drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
10-Jun-2026
Multiple bomb threat emails, some referencing ‘Khalistan’ and ‘Operation Blue Star’, were sent on June 10 to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur, the Chief Minister’s Office, and the mayoral offices in Mumbai and Pune, in Maharashtra. The threats prompted evacuations and security searches at several locations; however, officials stated that no suspicious objects were found during subsequent investigations.
10-Jun-2026
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced on June 10 the third phase of the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, launching a three-day statewide drive against illegal hawala operators involved in laundering drug proceeds and supporting narcotics networks. He stated that Punjab Police is pursuing a financial disruption strategy focused on identifying, tracing, freezing, and confiscating assets linked to drug trafficking. Since the campaign began, police have targeted the financial infrastructure of organised drug networks through legal action against traffickers, hawala operators, drug proceeds, and illegally acquired assets, with the latest phase aimed at further weakening the economic foundations of drug syndicates in the State.
09-Jun-2026
On June 9, Punjab Police, on day 465 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 100 drug smugglers, and seized 1.8 kg of heroin, 50 kg of poppy husk, 606 intoxicant pills, and INR 1,900 in drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
09-Jun-2026
On June 9, the 140th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 554 raids, arrested 275 persons and recovered five weapons from their possession. Four proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
09-Jun-2026
Punjab Police, in coordination with central agencies, on June 9 arrested two men, identified as Davinder Singh and Rajwinder Singh, and recovered two hand grenades from their possession in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in direct contact with foreign-based handlers and were allegedly acting on their instructions. Police said the recovery of the grenades points to a larger conspiracy aimed at disturbing peace and public order in the border state.
09-Jun-2026
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 9 conducted coordinated searches at 18 locations across nine districts in Punjab and Haryana in connection with three terror-gangster network cases linked to Pakistan-based operative Shahzad Bhatti. NIA teams examined several individuals and seized digital devices, documents, and information related to communication networks, financial transactions, and the activities of persons under investigation. The searches were aimed at identifying Bhatti's associates and other individuals allegedly linked to the broader terror conspiracy being investigated in the three cases.
09-Jun-2026
Ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, rebel Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLA from Dakha in Ludhiana district, Manpreet Singh Ayali, joined Waris Punjab De, led by jailed Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh, on June 8. Ayali ruled out any alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and stated that the organisation would continue to pursue the demand for Khalistan through democratic means.
08-Jun-2026
According to police records, Punjab’s border districts are witnessing a worrying rise in the involvement of juveniles in cross-border drug and arms smuggling. Over the past 14 months, 54 juveniles have been arrested — 32 in drug-related cases and 22 under the Arms Act — prompting security agencies to raise concerns. The warning came days after Amritsar Police arrested two minors and recovered five Pakistan-origin weapons and heroin from their possession. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar described the trend as “very alarming,” noting that juveniles had been involved at some stage in many of the cross-border drug and arms trafficking networks dismantled over the past year. He cited a recent case involving six arrests, including an Afghan national, where the investigation began with the apprehension of two juveniles carrying sophisticated pistols. A senior official of the Border Security Force (BSF) said Pakistani traffickers were increasingly directing their Indian associates to recruit teenagers, as they often lack criminal records and attract less scrutiny from security agencies. The official also noted that juveniles are subject to different legal provisions under India’s juvenile justice framework, making them attractive recruits for smuggling networks.
08-Jun-2026
On June 8, Punjab Police, on day 464 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 81 drug smugglers, and seized 373 grams of heroin, 2.2 kilograms of ganja, 256 intoxicant pills, and INR 792000 in drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
08-Jun-2026
The Amritsar Police on June 8 arrested four persons, including an Afghan national, and recovered eight sophisticated pistols and seven live cartridges while dismantling a cross-border drug, arms smuggling, and hawala network in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations indicate that the accused were in contact with a foreign-based smuggler who supplied illegal weapons through concealed drop locations. Police said the firearms were intended for criminal and gangster networks operating in Punjab and were being distributed through a well-organised supply chain. Investigators suspect the operation was linked to both arms trafficking and hawala transactions, pointing to the involvement of an international criminal syndicate.
08-Jun-2026
According to data compiled by Punjab Police and central security agencies, more than 40 per cent of the 128 Pakistani drug smugglers on a watch list for trafficking narcotics into Punjab are based in Lahore and Kasur districts of Punjab province in Pakistan. A police dossier identifies the two border districts as key hubs for narcotics smuggling into northern India, listing 27 suspected smugglers from Lahore and 26 from Kasur. The assessment indicates that these networks use a combination of drone drops, cross-border land routes, and container shipments to traffic heroin and other contraband into India.
08-Jun-2026
On June 8, the 139th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 469 raids, arrested 263 persons and recovered one weapon from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 69 individuals, while 24 persons were verified and released after questioning. Two proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
08-Jun-2026
Police on June 8 arrested two persons, identified as Karan Arora alias Laddu and Vicky Kumar Ravani alias Buvan, and recovered a .30 bore pistol, 10 live cartridges, and a motorcycle from the accused, in connection with the May 30 firing incident at Shri Ganesh Scan Centre in Nurpur Bedi, in Rupnagar district. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Maninder Singh said the suspects had allegedly opened fire at the scan centre during the intervening night of May 30 after its owners failed to comply with an extortion demand. Police described the arrests as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on gangsters and anti-social elements in the district.
07-Jun-2026
On June 7, the 138th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 541 raids, arrested 281 persons and recovered 11 weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 74 individuals, while 20 persons were verified and released after questioning. Two proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
07-Jun-2026
On June 7, Punjab Police, on day 463 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 66 drug smugglers, and seized 2.3 kg of heroin, 279 intoxicant pills and INR 3450 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
07-Jun-2026
Punjab Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, on June 7 arrested two alleged shooters, identified as Vishnu Kumar and Rahul Mahawar, in connection with the June 1 killing of a shopkeeper in Makhu, Ferozepur district of Punjab and recovered a .30-bore Beretta pistol along with 10 live cartridges from their possession, in Jammu and Kashmir. Preliminary investigations revealed that Vishnu Kumar has a criminal history involving extortion, robbery, theft, and Arms Act violations. He was also carrying a reward of INR 10,000 announced by the Rajasthan Police.
06-Jun-2026
On June 6, the 137th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police arrested 320 persons and recovered eight weapons from their possession. Seven proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
06-Jun-2026
An assailant accused of snatching a self-loading rifle (SLR) from a Punjab Armed Police (PAP) trooper on May 30, identified as Shamsher Singh, was injured in an encounter with Fazilka Police near the Ladhuka seepage drain area in Fazilka district on June 6. The snatched weapon was recovered from his possession. According to official sources, the accused allegedly opened fire when a police team reached the spot. In the ensuing exchange of fire, he sustained a bullet injury to his leg.
06-Jun-2026
Protesters gathered in front of the Akal Takht within the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar and displayed posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale while raising pro-Khalistan slogans during the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star.
06-Jun-2026
Speaking on the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star in Amritsar, acting Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj urged the Sikh community to remain united and stay connected to its roots in Punjab. He also expressed concern over what he described as increasing attempts to target Sikh identity and religious symbols globally.
06-Jun-2026
Two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants shot and critically injured village sarpanch and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Gurbindar Singh in Qadian Rajputa village, Gurdaspur district on June 9. According to reports, Gurbindar Singh had just stepped out of his uncle's house and was about to enter his vehicle when the attackers opened fire. Three rounds were fired, with two bullets striking his legs. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack. Meanwhile, unverified claims circulating on social media suggest that a gangster group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Police, however, stated that they are verifying the authenticity of these claims.
05-Jun-2026
On June 5, the 136th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 548 raids, arrested 295 persons and recovered one weapon from their possession. Seven proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
05-Jun-2026
On June 5, Punjab Police, on day 461 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 91 drug smugglers, and seized 1.1 kg of heroin, 476 intoxicant pills, and INR 5,100 in drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.