KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
31-May-2025
Police on May 31 arrested fugitive sharpshooter Bhupendra Singh alias Bhinda and Raghuvir, a key member of the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang, in Yavatmal, Maharashtra. Bhinda, wanted in 17 criminal cases including murder and extortion, was found hiding in Yavatmal and was reportedly receiving monthly payments from the gang’s United States (US) operative to fund his activities.
31-May-2025
Police on May 31 arrested one drug peddler, identified as Harpreet Singh alias Happy and seized 1.62 kg of heroin and INR. 1.30 lakh in drug money from his possession, in Ratta Khera village in Ferozepur district.
31-May-2025
Police on May 31 arrested one drug peddler, identified as Rajwinder Singh and seized 1.1 kg of heroin from his possession, in Kilche village in Ferozepur district.
31-May-2025
Police on May 31 arrested one drug peddler, identified as Sandeep Kumar alias Aalu and seized 360 intoxicating tablets and INR 7 lakh from his possession, in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
31-May-2025
A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on May 31 sentenced three former police officials, identified as Station House Officer (SHO) Manjit Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Karamjit Singh, and SHO Gurmej Singh, to imprisonment and fines in a 1993 fake encounter case involving two Phagwara youths, in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Manjit Singh and Gurmej Singh were each sentenced to eight years of rigorous imprisonment and fined INR 50,000, while ASI Karamjit Singh was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and fined INR 50,000. Constables Harjit Singh and Kashmir Singh were acquitted.
31-May-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on May 31 announced plans to introduce GPS-enabled anklets for drug smugglers released on bail to monitor their movements, following the example set by Jammu and Kashmir Police for Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) accused. He said the proposal is being examined legally and will be implemented on a case-by-case basis, respecting the right to privacy.
31-May-2025
According to police sources, following the powerful blast on May 27 near the Majitha Road bypass in Amritsar district, Punjab, which killed one person identified as Nitin Kumar—suspected to have links with the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)—authorities are awaiting forensic reports to determine the exact nature of the explosive. Investigators are examining whether the blast was triggered by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) or by hand grenades.
31-May-2025
Damdami Taksal chief Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa on May 31 issued a stern warning to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), cautioning against any attempt to allow Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj of Sri Akal Takht to deliver a message to the nation or honour families of martyrs on June 6, observed as Ghallughara Day. The day, commemorating those killed during Operation Blue Star in 1984, holds profound emotional and political significance.
31-May-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, speaking in Chandigarh on May 31, announced that the state’s anti-narcotics campaign, “Yudh Nashian Virudh,” will be extended for another 60 days. He claimed the drive has already dealt a significant blow to drug trafficking networks. Since its launch on March 1, Punjab Police have registered 8,344 First Information Reports (FIRs), arrested 14,734 drug smugglers, seized 586 kg of heroin, 247 kg of opium, and 14 tons of poppy husk, frozen assets worth INR 74.27 crore, and demolished 104 properties linked to the drug trade.
30-May-2025
On May 30, Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint operation with Punjab Police, recovered a packet of heroin weighing 589 grams from fields near Dal village in Tarn Taran district.
30-May-2025
Amritsar Police on May 30 arrested two operatives of the Kishna gang, identified as Chand Anand and Bachitar Singh alias Likhari, and seized a Glock pistol with three live rounds and a .32 bore pistol with four bullets from their possession, near Sun city road in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
30-May-2025
On May 30, police in Amritsar arrested a man identified as Surinder Yadav on charges of hurting religious sentiments. He allegedly set fire to pictures of the Golden Temple and Sikh Gurus and dumped the burnt images on the roadside. The images were discovered by Sikh activists who raised an alarm, prompting swift police action. Yadav, a tea seller and longtime resident of the city, claimed he was clearing waste from a nearby shop when the incident occurred. Police have also summoned the shop owner to investigate his possible involvement.
30-May-2025
Police on May 30 demolished illegal properties of two brothers identified as Rajiv Kumar and his brother Sajan Kumar, involved in drug smuggling in Patti town in Tarn Taran district.
30-May-2025
On May 30, Punjab Police, on day 90 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 78 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 103 drug smugglers and recovered 3.8 kg of heroin and INR 2.04 lakhs drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
29-May-2025
On May 29, Border Security Force (BSF) recovered one packet of heroin weighing 500 grams, along with one small drone, from fields near Mahawa village in Amritsar district.
29-May-2025
On May 29, Border Security Force (BSF) recovered one drone from fields near Roranwala Khurd in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
29-May-2025
On May 29, a Pakistani intruder was caught near the International Border (IB) by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and handed over to Narot Jaimal Singh police station, in Narot Jaimal Singh village in Pathankot district in Punjab.
29-May-2025
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, on May 29 in New Delhi, reiterated India’s consistent stance and urged Canada not to provide political space to extremist pro-Khalistan elements promoting violence and secession. He highlighted the ongoing security concerns conveyed to the Canadian side and expressed hope for concrete action.
29-May-2025
A Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) Himdhara bus traveling from Shri Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham to Vrindavan Dham was attacked by three motorcycle-borne assailants near Rupnagar in Rupnagar district on May 29. The attackers pelted stones at the moving bus, shattering its front windshield, but no passengers were injured.
29-May-2025
On May 29, activists of the Dal Khalsa pasted posters announcing the Amritsar Bandh scheduled for June 6, ahead of the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
29-May-2025
On May 29, Punjab Police, on day 89 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 97 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 141 drug smugglers and recovered 3.1 kg of heroin, 10 kg of poppy husk, 51790 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 38700 drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
29-May-2025
The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) on May 29 arrested an arms smuggler and key member of the notorious Anil Banji gang, identified as Dhirendra Singh alias Pintu Dadhi, near the Kankarkheda area in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Singh was allegedly involved in an arms trafficking network operating between Punjab and western UP, linked to the Sanjeev Jeeva-Anil Banji syndicate. His arrest is connected to an ongoing investigation that began with the seizure of 17 firearms and 700 live cartridges from Rohan, the son of a UP Police sub-inspector (SI), on November 23, 2024. During interrogation, Singh admitted that about ten months ago, he procured a .30 bore foreign-made pistol from Rohan for INR 1.5 lakh and later sold it to an acquaintance for INR 2.5 lakh.
28-May-2025
On May 28, wanted gangster Naveen Kumar was killed in an encounter during a joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Special Task Force (STF) and Delhi Police’s Special Cell near Hapur Kotwali area in Hapur district, UP. Kumar, a sharpshooter affiliated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, faced over 20 criminal cases, including charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). During the interception attempt, he opened fire on the joint team, resulting in a gunbattle in which he was critically injured and later died in hospital.
28-May-2025
On May 28, Punjab Police, on day 88 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 90 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 141 drug smugglers and seized 959 grams of heroin, 2 kg of opium and INR 3.4 lakhs drug money from the possession, across Punjab.
28-May-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, on May 28, launched a sharp attack on Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia, accusing him of hypocrisy and of exploiting a recent tragedy for political gain. Mann cited past incidents during the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) regime, linking Majithia to drug mafias and widespread lawlessness. He contrasted the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) governance with what he termed the Akalis’ 'empire of corruption,' urging the public to reject their false narratives.