KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-May-2025
Police on May 6 shot dead an unidentified gangster and arrested two of his unidentified associates in Shekhchak village, Tarn Taran district. Preliminary reports suggest the trio had gone to extort money from a local family but were intercepted by the police. When the gangsters opened fire, the police retaliated, resulting in the death of one gangster and the arrest of the other two.
06-May-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint search operation with Punjab Police on May 6 arrested three unidentified smugglers and seized 25 grams of heroin along with one pistol, one magazine, four live rounds, INR 2000 in drug money, four smartphones, one motorcycle, one tractor from their possession, in Ajnala in Amritsar district.
05-May-2025
On May 5, Bhagwant Singh alias 'Pradhan Mantri Bajeke', a close aide of jailed Khalistani radical preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, cautioned the youth of Punjab against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia while speaking to the media in Bathinda district. Bajeke alleged that Majithia was misleading the youth about Amritpal Singh and suggested that Majithia should seek medical treatment, even offering financial assistance if needed.
05-May-2025
On May 5, India lodged a strong protest with the Canadian High Commission over a pro-Khalistan rally held in Toronto on May 4, which featured derogatory imagery of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar. The Indian government expressed deep concern over slogans promoting extremism and targeting Indian-origin Canadians. This was the first diplomatic communication since Mark Carney assumed office as Canada’s PM.
05-May-2025
Executive Chairman of the Maharashtra State Punjabi Sahitya Academy and Convenor of the Maharashtra Sikh Association Bal Malkit Singh, on May 5 strongly condemned Khalistani terrorist and the chief of banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s recent anti-India remarks where he claimed that two crore Sikhs, including those serving in the Indian armed forces, would side with Pakistan in the event of a war between India and Pakistan, calling them baseless and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) driven. He asserted that the Sikh community firmly rejects such propaganda and stands united with India and Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. Singh emphasised that Sikhs are rooted in nationalism, sacrifice, and service, and will not be swayed by foreign agendas.
04-May-2025
According to sources, Punjab is witnessing a troubling rise in the involvement of women in drug trafficking and consumption, with over 400 women arrested since March 2025 under the state’s anti-drug campaign. Data indicates that women are increasingly being used as couriers, operatives, and even cartel leaders—often driven by poverty, addiction, or coercion. High-profile arrests and forensic investigations suggest systemic exploitation, while the lack of gender-specific rehabilitation services exacerbate the crisis. Authorities have pledged a decisive crackdown, setting a May 31 deadline to reduce narcotics on the streets.
04-May-2025
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson RP Singh on May 4 responded to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, asserting that if Gandhi truly meant what he said and was ready to take responsibility, he should expel Jagdish Tytler, Kamal Nath, and Sam Pitroda from the Congress party. Singh stressed that mere acknowledgment of past mistakes was insufficient, and only concrete actions—such as removing those linked to the riots—would demonstrate genuine repentance.
04-May-2025
On May 4, hundreds gathered in Phagwara, Kapurthala district, Punjab, to pay tribute to the great Sikh warrior and founder of the Kapurthala state, Nawab Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, on his 307th birth anniversary. The royal family, led by Brigadier (Retd) Sukhjit Singh Ahluwalia and his son Tikka Raja Shatrujit Singh Ahluwalia, organised an Akhand Path, which was attended by people from all walks of life.
04-May-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 4 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 550 grams from fields near Mahawa village in Amritsar district.
04-May-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on May 4 recovered a drone from fields near Mehdipur village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a DJI Air 3S model.
04-May-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 4 recovered a packet containing parts of a pistol with two magazines from a field adjacent to Lakha Singh Wala village in Ferozepur district.
04-May-2025
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on May 4 led anti-drug awareness events in Patiala under the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, as part of a state-wide initiative by cabinet ministers. They emphasized that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government had dismantled drug networks and demolished smugglers’ assets, unlike previous administrations. Meanwhile, other ministers addressed similar gatherings across Punjab.
04-May-2025
Police on May 4 arrested an individual, identified as Honey Kumar and seized 41.83 grams of heroin from his possession, near cremation ground in Phase 1 Industrial Area in Chandigarh.
04-May-2025
On May 4, security agencies conducted a half-hour blackout drill in the border town of Ferozepur, turning off all lights from 9:00 to 9:30 p.m. as per an advisory issued by the Cantonment Board. While officials, including Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma, described it as a routine exercise, residents expressed anxiety amid heightened border tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack.
03-May-2025
Punjab Police on May 3 arrested two men who were allegedly leaking sensitive information about Indian military installations in Amritsar to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), identified as Palak Sher Masih and Suraj Masih and seized a mobile phone which allegedly contained images of Army movements and the Air Force base, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The Police revealed that duo were in contact with ISI through Harpreet Singh alias Pittu alias Happy, who is an inmate at Amritsar Central Jail. The accused were paid INR 5,000 for small information and INR 10,000 for more sensitive details about troop movements and military installations.
03-May-2025
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, speaking in Mansa on May 3, claimed that the drug menace in the state was on the verge of elimination and urged addicts to rebuild their lives. His remarks came in the wake of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav’s announcement of a May 31 deadline to apprehend all drug traffickers. Cheema credited the progress to public participation and the role of village defence committees, while criticising previous governments for their inaction. He also called on citizens to support rehabilitation efforts through active coordination with district administrations and the police.
03-May-2025
Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh, while chairing a district-level meeting in Mohali (SAS Nagar) on May 3, announced that the state government would launch 'Nasha Mukti Yatras' from May 7 to transform the anti-drug campaign into a mass movement. He outlined a dual strategy—intensifying action against drug peddlers and focusing on the rehabilitation of addicts through skill development and financial assistance. Singh highlighted that the bed capacity at de-addiction centres has tripled to 5,000 and that skill training is being provided in collaboration with non-governmental organisations. He stressed the importance of public participation in sustaining the campaign's momentum.
03-May-2025
Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, speaking at a district-level meeting at Kingsville Resort in Mullanpur Dakha, Ludhiana district, on May 3, stated that the 'Yudh Nashian Virudh' campaign would evolve into a transformative movement to make the state drug-free. He pledged strict action against traffickers, including arrests and property seizures, and introduced the concept of village and ward guardians to combat drug abuse at the grassroots level. Mundian also announced a special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly on May 5 to address drug-related concerns. Additionally, officials launched a WhatsApp helpline to encourage the public to report drug trafficking.
03-May-2025
According to reports, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), escalated his efforts by sending pre-recorded calls to residents in Punjab, urging them to support Pakistan and advocate for Punjab's secession, after his social media videos failed to gain traction.
03-May-2025
Ludhiana police on May 3 revealed that five individuals—identified as Manish, Deepak Kumar alias Deepu, Shivam alias Golu, Bablu Verma alias Stay Boy, and Sooraj alias Sexy—who were previously arrested in connection with the April 22 firing that left 19-year-old Tony Chauhan injured in an attack allegedly linked to an Instagram rivalry, were found to have connections with the notorious Canada-based gangster, Devinderpal Singh alias Gopi Lahoria. During a recovery operation, police seized a revolver, two pistols, 29 live cartridges, and a motorcycle from their possession. The gang’s ties to Gopi Lahoria were uncovered through interrogation, revealing that the suspects had been recruited via virtual communication. Further investigations indicated that the illegal weapons had been procured from Madhya Pradesh (MP).
03-May-2025
A Special Court on May 3 sentenced three inter-state drug smugglers, identified as Sona Singh, Chiman Singh and Sumit Kumar to 10-year rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of INR1 lakh each, in Fazilka in Fazilka district. The trio was arrested on April 24, 2022, after 260 grams of heroin was seized from their possession while they were travelling on the Ferozepur-Fazilka road.
03-May-2025
Police on May 3 arrested a key member of the notorious Gopi Lahoria gang, identified as Sumit, and seized an illegal weapon and several live rounds from his possession, in Bagge Kalan village in Ludhiana district.
03-May-2025
The Mohali district court in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar on May 3 issued a production warrant against Jagtar Singh Hawara, a key member of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), for failing to appear in a scheduled hearing related to a 2005 case registered at Kharar police station. The court directed that he be produced via video conferencing on May 8 and warned against further delays. Hawara, currently serving a life sentence for the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, is lodged in Mandoli Jail, Delhi.
03-May-2025
Pro-Khalistan slogans were allegedly raised at a rally organised by the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) [SAD(A)] near the cantonment area in Amritsar district on May 3. The party had planned a protest near the International Border but was reportedly denied permission. SAD(A) president Simranjit Singh Mann criticised the Central Government over the Pahalgam terror attack and demanded the opening of border points like Hussainiwala for trade with Pakistan.
02-May-2025
Maharashtra Sikh Association (MSA) on May strongly condemned Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's remarks and reaffirmed the Sikh community's unwavering commitment to India's unity and democratic values. In response to Pannun's claim that Sikhs in the Indian Army side with Pakistan, the MSA labeled the statement as misleading and divisive. The association emphasized that Sikhs across India, including Maharashtra, stand firmly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reject all separatist propaganda.