KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-Apr-2025
Punjab Police on April 6, as part of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh" (war against drugs), conducted raids at 337 locations, registered 37 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 54 drug smugglers and seized 411 grams of heroin, 1617 intoxicant tablets/pills and INR 34,400 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers across Punjab.
06-Apr-2025
The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment recently announced the launch of the ‘Youth of Punjab’ campaign to intensify efforts against drug addiction. Set to roll out across all districts, the initiative aims to raise awareness, engage youth, and provide structured rehabilitation support. It will be launched from Amritsar in collaboration with the National Consultative Committee on De-addiction and Rehabilitation (NCCDR). Sukhwinder Singh Bindra, member of the National Institute of Social Defence, stated that the second phase will include seminars, sports events, and outreach programs to promote drug-free lifestyles.
06-Apr-2025
On April 6, in a historic first for Nagpur’s Sikh community, Sardarni Kashmir Kaur was unanimously elected as the Pradhan Sewadar of Gurudwara Guru Granth Sahib, Baba Deep Singh Nagar, Nari, in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Elected for the 2025–2028 term, her selection marks a significant step toward gender inclusion in religious leadership. The announcement was met with pride and celebration across the city’s Sikh community, with her appointment hailed as a breakthrough for women’s empowerment and a reflection of Sikhism’s core principles of equality.
06-Apr-2025
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, while addressing a press conference in Chandigarh on April 6, strongly condemned Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun’s disgraceful remarks against Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. She asserted that Punjab’s communal harmony remains unshakable and that divisive forces will never succeed. Dr. Kaur criticised Pannun for his ignorance of Sikhism and Ambedkar’s legacy, calling his comments shameful and unacceptable.
05-Apr-2025
Amritsar Rural Police on April 5 arrested a smuggler, identified as Jarman Singh, and seized one Glock 9mm pistol, one .30 calibre pistol, three magazines, and INR 2.15 lakh in Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) from his possession in Gharinda village in Amritsar district.
05-Apr-2025
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, in an interview with The Indian Express, stated that the Punjab government’s anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashe De Virudh’ (War Against Drugs), has significantly curtailed street-level drug supply, prompting many smugglers to flee and abandon their homes. He noted that intensified enforcement has driven a 1.5-fold increase in street drug prices, reflecting reduced availability. Simultaneously, de-addiction efforts have expanded, with a 70.47% rise in new registrations at Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics. Yadav further emphasized that the Punjab Police, in coordination with central agencies, is now targeting high-level traffickers and cross-border smuggling networks.
05-Apr-2025
On April 5, Punjab Police, as part of its “Yudh Nashe De Virudh” (War Against Drugs), conducted raids at 429 locations across the state, registered 48 FIRs, arrested 71 drug smugglers, and seized 1.5 kg of heroin, 500 grams of opium, and INR 6,020 in drug money from their possession.
05-Apr-2025
Lawrence Bishnoi gang member and Kuchaman resident Aditya Jain was produced in court under heavy security in Kuchaman City, Rajasthan, on April 5. Jain, arrested in Dubai and deported to India, is accused of managing the gang’s extortion network and faces seven criminal cases across Rajasthan. Police confirmed his involvement in high-profile extortion, intimidation, and providing support to jailed gangsters.
05-Apr-2025
The Barnala police on April 5 arrested four smugglers, identified as Nirmal Singh, Beant Singh, Inderjit Singh, and Harjinder Singh, and seized 15 quintals of poppy husk packed in 75 bags near Barnala in Barnala district, while a fifth accused, truck driver Jagsir Singh, managed to escape and remains absconding.
05-Apr-2025
Khalistani terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) on April 5 claimed responsibility for a grenade attack on the Jeengarh police post in Kaithal district, Haryana, near the Punjab border. The group posted on Facebook, calling it retaliation for alleged atrocities against Sikhs and warning of more attacks. However, local police have found no physical evidence of the incident and suspect it may be a rumour. Investigations are ongoing, and security has been heightened along the Haryana-Punjab border.
05-Apr-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on April 5 expressed concern over the declining number of Punjabi youths joining the Army’s Sikh Regiment, attributing it to rising migration and drug abuse, while speaking at an event in Phillaur, Jalandhar district. He noted that the Army's Western Command had raised the issue and sought the state’s support, assuring that his government would take steps to preserve the proud legacy of the Sikh Regiment.
05-Apr-2025
Several Sikh organisations on April 5 voiced strong opposition to the upcoming ‘Pride Parade 2025’ planned by the LGBTQ community in Rose Garden, Amritsar, on April 27. Citing the religious sanctity of the city, particularly its association with Sri Darbar Sahib, they demanded a ban on the event. Local leader Paramjit Singh Akali termed the parade a “conspiracy” to disturb Punjab’s social fabric and urged Sikh groups to meet the police commissioner to register their formal protest.
05-Apr-2025
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, officiating chief priest of Akal Takht, on April 5 urged the Centre and Punjab governments to enact a special law to deal strictly with cases of desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib. After visiting a protest site in Samana, Patiala, he expressed concern over recurring incidents of sacrilege and criticised political parties for their inaction. He demanded the harshest punishment for offenders and recommended similar legal protections for all religious scriptures to maintain communal harmony.
04-Apr-2025
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura on April 4 in Chandigarh strongly condemned Khalistani supporter Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for making derogatory remarks against Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, stating that such hate-filled individuals do not represent Sikh values, which are rooted in peace and universal welfare. He warned Pannun against provoking people from abroad and vowed to uphold Ambedkar’s legacy on April 14 by ensuring the protection of his statues across Punjab.
04-Apr-2025
Punjab is witnessing record-breaking drug-related arrests this year, with enforcement efforts intensifying sharply following the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Delhi Assembly poll debacle. Police have arrested an average of 64 suspects daily—totalling 5,835 by March 31—surpassing the previous record of 47 daily arrests (17,001 total) set in 2014. The ongoing 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' (War Against Drugs) operation alone resulted in 4,706 arrests in March. AAP spokesperson and Member of Parliament Malvinder Jit Singh Kang defended the crackdown, while Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson Dr. Daljeet Cheema dismissed the arrests as 'political theatre.'
04-Apr-2025
vSenior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal recently moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging police bias and political interference in the investigation of the December 4, 2024 assassination attempt on him in Amritsar, Punjab. Badal was attacked by former militant and Khalistan supporter Narain Singh Chaura while performing sewa at the Golden Temple. His security personnel foiled the attempt, but Badal claims the investigation was delayed and weakened. He is seeking an independent probe, as the accused was granted bail due to alleged lapses in the investigation. The High Court has directed the Punjab government to respond by April 30.
04-Apr-2025
Sikh radical leaders on April 4 bestowed a siropa (robe of honour) upon Gurmeet Kaur, wife of deceased Khalistani terrorist and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) deputy chief Mehal Singh Babbar, during a bhog ceremony at Gurdwara Baba Gurbaksh Singh Shaheed in Amritsar. Akal Takht officiating jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj was prevented from performing the honour by radical leader Jarnail Singh Sakhira, who claimed Gargaj was not recognised as the community’s jathedar.
04-Apr-2025
Former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjit Singh GK on April 4 informed a Delhi court that he received a pen drive in 2018 allegedly containing a recording of Congress leader Jagdish Tytler confessing to involvement in the killing of 100 Sikhs during the 1984 riots in New Delhi. GK stated that the pen drive, played at the DSGMC office, featured Tytler making explosive claims, including political favours and financial dealings. The hearing was adjourned to April 21 due to GK’s health issues.
04-Apr-2025
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, while addressing Parliament, demanded a central probe into attempts to disturb communal harmony in Punjab by targeting statues of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar and temples. She criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for its failure to prevent or take action against repeated attacks on Ambedkar’s statues over the past three months. Badal highlighted that even after the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) claimed responsibility, no concrete steps were taken.
04-Apr-2025
As part of its “Yudh Nasheyan Virudh” campaign, Punjab Police on April 4 conducted raids at 469 locations across the state, arresting 46 drug smugglers, registering 30 FIRs, and seizing 643 grams of heroin, 450 grams of opium, 4,318 intoxicant tablets/pills, and INR 5,760 in drug money.
04-Apr-2025
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Rajasthan Police on April 4 arrested a key member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, identified as Aditya Jain alias Tony, in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Jain, who was extradited from Dubai, played a central role in the gang’s extortion and firing cases, operating as its overseas “control room.” He was wanted for managing threat calls and facilitating communication for gang members. His arrest followed a Red Corner Notice issued by Interpol, leading to his detention by United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities. His interrogation is expected to yield crucial information about the gang’s operations across Rajasthan.
04-Apr-2025
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Jalandhar Range, Naveen Singla, on April 4 announced that 56 statues of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in rural areas of Jalandhar and the wider Doaba region have been placed under strict surveillance following a threat issued on March 31 by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, leader of the banned secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), which coincided with the vandalism of an Ambedkar statue in Nangal village in Phillaur tehsil of Jalandhar district; in response, police have installed CCTV cameras, deployed Police Control Room (PCR) vans, activated night patrol teams and checkpoints, and engaged village councils (panchayats) to maintain vigilance, with 700 personnel and six to seven Gazetted Officers (GOs) remaining on duty across the Jalandhar Range.
04-Apr-2025
The Phillaur police on April 4 arrested two individuals, identified as Sukhveer Singh and Avtar Singh, for writing Khalistani slogans on the statue of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, and seized a motorcycle and four mobile phones from their possession, in Nangal village in Jalandhar district. Police stated that the accused were also involved in other provocative activities involving pro-Khalistan slogans and flags across multiple states.
04-Apr-2025
According to sources, Punjab is witnessing record-breaking drug-related arrests in 2025, with intensified enforcement following the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) poor performance in the Delhi elections; the Punjab Police have arrested an average of 64 suspects daily (5,835 by March 31), surpassing the previous record of 47 daily arrests in 2014, with 4,706 arrests made in March alone under the ongoing “Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh” (War Against Drugs) campaign.
04-Apr-2025
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on April 4 arrested Ludhiana-based drug kingpin Akshay Kumar Chhabra, currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail in Assam, in connection with a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Previously held by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for smuggling 2,000 kg of heroin into Punjab with the assistance of Dubai-based trafficker Haji Yusuf, Chhabra allegedly used shell companies to import drugs hidden in tomato puree and juice consignments and laundered the proceeds through real estate and liquor businesses.