KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
30-Jun-2025
On June 30, the X (formerly Twitter) handle of prominent Indo-Canadian journalist Sameer Kaushal was restored, 72 hours after its suspension. The suspension followed Kaushal’s posting of an interview with former Khalistani extremist Jaspal Atwal, in which Atwal alleged that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) maintains multiple covert agents in Canada who collaborate with anti-India separatist elements.
30-Jun-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on June 30 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 460 grams from fields near Chak Bazida village in Fazilka district.
30-Jun-2025
Punjab Police on June 30 busted a major drug racket and arrested Sukhjeet Singh alias Sukha and seized 100 grams of heroin along with three illegal pistols and 6 live cartridges from his possession, in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district. The operation, part of an ongoing anti-narcotics drive, brought the total seizure to 13.1 kg of heroin, five illegal pistols, 12 bullets, three magazines, three luxury vehicles, and INR 22,000 in drug money. Earlier arrests included Shivam Sodhi alias Shiva and Barinder Singh alias Babbu, who were held on May 20 and May 22, respectively.
30-Jun-2025
According to Border Security Force (BSF) sources, over 130 drones were recovered along the International Border (IB) with Pakistan in Punjab between January 1 and June 30, 2025. During the same period, the BSF also seized approximately 135 kg of narcotics, including heroin, and 79 weapons of various types. The Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur regions remain major hotspots for drone-based smuggling, with China-made Mavic series drones frequently used to drop drug consignments from across the border.
30-Jun-2025
On June 30, Punjab Police, on day 121 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 56 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 83 drug smugglers and seized 65.4 kg of heroin, 1.2 kg of opium and INR 1.04 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
30-Jun-2025
On June 30, Australia-based associate of the Lucky Patial–Davinder Bambiha gang, Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal, who was earlier linked to the murder of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s mother Harjit Kaur and cousin Karanvir Singh through a viral social media post, denied any involvement in the killings. Speaking to freelance journalists on YouTube, Dhaliwal claimed that the post circulating in his name was fake and that he had no role in the incident.
29-Jun-2025
On June 29, under the patronage of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) held a special religious function to mark the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, at the historic Hawa Mahal in Rambagh in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The event featured recitations, Kirtan, and performances highlighting Sikh history and heritage. Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj emphasised the importance of preserving Sikh heritage sites and announced plans to hold annual commemorative events at Rambagh.
29-Jun-2025
On June 29, Punjab Police, on day 120 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 77 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 114 drug smugglers and seized 4.1 kg of heroin and INR 9.6 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
29-Jun-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police, on June 29 recovered a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone from fields near Kalash village in Tarn Taran district.
29-Jun-2025
On June 29, Inder Mohan Singh, President of Dashmesh Sewa Society and former member of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), welcomed the official inclusion of Takhat Sri Damdama Sahib, Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda, as the fifth Sikh Takhat under the Delhi Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1971. He noted that the President of India’s assent was received after a delay of over three and a half years, with the Delhi Government issuing the official Gazette notification on June 24, 2025.
28-Jun-2025
On June 28, family members of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria staged a protest at the Batala bypass in Gurdaspur district, blocking the Amritsar-Pathankot national highway by placing the bodies of his mother, Harjit Kaur, and cousin, Karanvir Singh, on the road. The demonstration, which lasted nearly four hours, was triggered by allegations of political involvement in the killings, with accusations directed at a sitting Member of Parliament (MP) and a local liquor contractor. The protest was called off after police assured the family of a thorough investigation within a week.
28-Jun-2025
Punjab Police on June 28 announced the formation of multiple teams to identify and apprehend the assailants involved in the fatal shooting of Harjit Kaur, mother of jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and his associate Karanvir Singh, in Batala in Gurdaspur district. Karanvir Singh succumbed to his injuries at Batala Civil Hospital, while Harjit Kaur died later at a hospital in Amritsar. Although a social media post by the rival Bambiha gang claimed responsibility for the attack, police have yet to officially confirm the gang’s involvement.
28-Jun-2025
Senior police officers on June 28 confirmed escalating tensions between rival gangs following threats of retaliation from jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s group over the murder of his mother, Harjit Kaur, and cousin, Karanvir Singh, in Batala, Gurdaspur district. The Davinder Bambiha gang, which initially claimed responsibility, later posted on social media that Harjit Kaur was killed accidentally. Officers expressed serious concern, noting that this marks the first instance of a gang targeting a rival’s family members in Punjab, and warned that the incident could trigger a dangerous new cycle of gang violence in the region.
28-Jun-2025
The Government of India on June 28 appointed Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Parag Jain as the new Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for a two-year tenure. A 1989-batch officer of the Punjab cadre, Jain currently heads the Aviation Research Centre (ARC) and will assume charge from incumbent chief Ravi Sinha on July 1. Known for his operational acumen during Operation Sindoor and significant experience in Pakistan-related intelligence, Jain's appointment comes at a crucial time following recent intelligence lapses, including the Pahalgam terror attack.
28-Jun-2025
On June 28, Punjab Police, on day 119 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 78 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 101 drug smugglers and seized 3.5 kg of heroin, 4.1 kg of opium and INR 1.83 lakh drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
28-Jun-2025
On June 28, Jalandhar Municipal Corporation (MC), in coordination with the police, demolished an illegal construction belonging to a drug smuggler identified as Vishal, in Basti Gujan area in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district.
28-Jun-2025
On June 28, two police constables sustained injuries after being attacked with a sword by a Nihang identified as Amandeep Singh, during an attempt to arrest him in connection with a June 26 armed robbery case in Himachal Pradesh (HP), near Nijjher Chowk in Kharar in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district in Punjab. Singh, who was accompanied by two women, assaulted the officers when asked to step out of his vehicle. A case of attempt to murder and obstructing a public servant has been registered against all three.
27-Jun-2025
Ludhiana Rural police on June 27 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Sajan and seized 2.5 kg of heroin, an empty kit bag, an electronic weighing scale, and a motorcycle from his possession near Sidhwan Bet village in Ludhiana district.
27-Jun-2025
Punjab Police on June 27 busted a terror module run by the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and arrested three individuals Sehajpal Singh and Vikramjit Singh, along with a juvenile, and seized two hand grenades, a 9MM Glock pistol, and live cartridges from their possession, in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Police revealed that the module was being operated by United Kingdom (UK) based handler Nishan Singh, under the direction of designated terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, and was planning targeted killings and attacks on police infrastructure in Amritsar.
27-Jun-2025
Punjab’s former Director General of Police (DGP) Siddharth Chattopadhyay while talking to reporters in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district on June 27 stated that there was “100 per cent evidence” linking former state minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia to drug traffickers and illicit financial gains. Chattopadhyay was DGP when a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS), and provided the Punjab Vigilance Bureau with documents and background information.