KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
31-Mar-2025
According to senior National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials, the Khalistani terrorist group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) has been recruiting local youths to target security personnel in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). The investigation revealed that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is working to forge an alliance between Khalistani terrorists, Jammu and Kashmir-based terror groups, and fundamentalist organisations. The NIA chargesheet, filed in a special court, highlighted BKI’s role in a September 2024 grenade attack in Chandigarh. Security forces in the affected states have been alerted to counter BKI’s growing subversive activities.
31-Mar-2025
Punjab Minister Aman Arora on March 31 revealed that under Punjab’s ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, Punjab Police have so far arrested 4,592 individuals, registered 2,721 First Information Reports (FIRs) and seized nearly 2,400 kg of drugs, over 850,000 drug pills and INR 5.87 crore in cash from the possession of the smugglers, across Punjab.
31-Mar-2025
The Police on March 31 arrested one drug smuggler linked to Pakistan and United States (US) based drug syndicates, identified as Harshpreet Singh and seized 15 kg of heroin along with a white Activa scooter (PB 02 CJ 4165) in Sarai Amanat Khan in Tarn Taran district. The Police stated that the consignment was dropped using drones from Pakistan and was part of a larger network operated by US-based smuggler Gurnam Kallowal in coordination with Pakistan-based trafficker Pahalwan. Police are investigating further to trace the network’s backward and forward linkages.
31-Mar-2025
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria in Chandigarh on March 31 announced a six-day ‘padyatra’ (foot march) in the Majha region starting April 3 to raise awareness against drug abuse. He stated that the march will commence from Dera Baba Nanak and conclude at Jallianwala Bagh on April 8, covering Gurdaspur and Amritsar. Kataria urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, cabinet ministers, MPs, MLAs, and political leaders to join the initiative, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to combat Punjab’s drug crisis.
31-Mar-2025
As part of the ongoing "Yudh Nashian Virudh" campaign, Punjab Police on March 31 arrested 48 drug smugglers, registered 35 First Information Reports (FIRs), recovered 16.7 kg of heroin along with INR 34,300 in drug money from the possession of the arrested smugglers, across Punjab.
31-Mar-2025
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, while interacting with the media in Chandigarh on March 31, announced that the Centre has sanctioned 22 new anti-drone systems for installation along the India-Pakistan International Border (IB) in Punjab to curb the smuggling of weapons and drugs. These systems will complement the nine already in place, strengthening border security measures.
30-Mar-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Punjab Police on March 30 arrested an unidentified smuggler, and seized a packet of heroin weighing 545 grams, near Kathu Nangal Toll Plaza near Kathu Nangal village in Amritsar district.
30-Mar-2025
Police on March 30 arrested a smuggler, identified as Aakash alias Chotu and seized 8 kg of heroin from his possession, near Mallanwala village in Ferozepur district.
30-Mar-2025
The Punjab Police on March 30 arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Hardeep Singh alias Deep and Harjeet Singh and seized 6 kg of heroin from their possession, in Thathi Sohal village in Tarn Taran district. The Police stated that the duo was in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers Billa and Shah, who had been sending drug consignments via drones across the border.
30-Mar-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police, recovered 535 grams of heroin from the premises of Government Senior Secondary School in Chak Wazida village in Jalalabad in Fazilka district.
30-Mar-2025
Tarsem Singh, father of radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, on March 30 stated that while Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) aims to elect its president on April 13 at Talwandi Sabo, the process may be delayed if district-level committees are not formed in the remaining six districts. He confirmed that preparations for the Baisakhi rally venue are underway. Singh also expressed hope that Amritpal Singh’s detention under the National Security Act (NSA), set to expire on April 22, would not be extended.
30-Mar-2025
Ferozepur police on March 30 arrested two individuals, identified as Sukhpreet Singh alias Captain and Baljinder Singh, and seized one .32 bore pistol with a magazine and three live rounds from their possession, in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
30-Mar-2025
Ferozepur police on March 30 arrested two individuals, identified as Lovejot Singh alias Kalu and Akashdeep Singh alias Aakash and seized a pistol and seven live rounds from their possession in Zira in Ferozepur district.
30-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 30 arrested 72 drug smugglers, registered 9 First Information Reports (FIRs) and recovered 8.8 kg of heroin, 500 kg of ganja and INR 99410 drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
29-Mar-2025
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on March 29 urged all Sikh organizations to submit suggestions on the appointment and service rules of the Akal Takht jathedar by April 20. The SGPC seeks inputs on qualifications, tenure, jurisdiction, responsibilities, and retirement to establish clear guidelines. This initiative follows long-standing community demands for standardized rules.
29-Mar-2025
On March 29, Punjab Police conducted cordon and search operations (CASO) at 428 identified drug hotspots across the state as part of the Yudh Nashian Virudh 2.0 campaign, where they arrested 217 drug smugglers after the registration of 157 first information reports (FIRs), and seized 7.7 kg of heroin, 500 kg of ganja, 10,992 intoxicant tablets/capsules, and INR 2.17 lakh drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab.
29-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 29 arrested three individuals identified as Abhishek, Gurjant Singh and Gursharan Singh and seized 6 pistols- One Glock Pistol 9mm, two .30 bore Pistols, three .32 bore Desi Pistols) and 9 live rounds of .32 bore from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
29-Mar-2025
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on March 29 announced that its organisational elections to elect office-bearers and a new president would begin on April 2, despite a directive issued by former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh. During a meeting of the party’s parliamentary board in Chandigarh, it was decided that in the first phase, district and state delegates would be elected by April 6. Party spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema stated that members who had not submitted enrolment slips have until 5 PM on March 31. A meeting of party observers will be held on April 1 to finalise delegate lists.
29-Mar-2025
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) staff of the Amritsar (Rural) police on March 29 arrested four persons, identified as Jagroop Singh alias Baba, Hardeep Singh, Rajbir Singh alias Gullu and Arsal Singh alias Rasal Singh, and seized four 9 mm Glock pistols along with five magazines and INR 3.05 lakh hawala money along with two mobile phones and a bike from their possession, in Khasa in Amritsar district.
28-Mar-2025
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on March 28 informed Parliament that multiple Hindu temples in the United States (US) have been defaced with anti-India graffiti in recent years. He stated that these incidents have been taken up with the US government through diplomatic channels and that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the attacks while urging local law enforcement to take strict action.
28-Mar-2025
According to ThePrint sources, Gurjant Singh alias Gurjant Jenta, a close associate of gangster-turned-terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, has become a major concern for law enforcement in Delhi and Punjab. Jenta, who accidentally shot Dala in October 2024, is linked to recent grenade attacks in Punjab and an extortion racket in Delhi, expanding his criminal network. He was arrested in Canada alongside Dala last year but later granted bail. Now operating from abroad, he is reportedly working with the pro-Khalistan gangster-terrorist nexus spanning Canada, the United States, and Pakistan.
28-Mar-2025
An investigation by India Today Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) has revealed that the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has launched an online campaign to collect personal data of Sikhs in India ahead of a planned separatist referendum. The campaign, which began in January 2025, gathers sensitive details such as names, WhatsApp numbers, and family information. SFJ, known for its provocative actions, including threats and propaganda, poses a serious security concern as this large-scale data collection could be exploited to radicalize individuals or incite violence. Despite being banned in India since 2019, SFJ continues its activities through online platforms and international referendums.
28-Mar-2025
Former diplomat and a scholar of Sikhism and South Asian religious traditions at Harvard University, KC Singh on March 28 emphasised the need to locate original sources before making any definitive judgement on serious issues of Sikh history, while speaking at Bhai Vir Singh Sahitya Sadan in New Delhi.
28-Mar-2025
According to sources, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Damdami Taksal, once close allies, are now on a collision course, with the Sikh seminary intensifying its opposition to the SAD-controlled Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) over the ‘unceremonious’ removal of Takht jathedars following the December 2, 2024 hukamnama (Sikh decree). Led by Harnam Singh Dhumma, Damdami Taksal has planned a protest outside the SGPC head office in Amritsar during its budget session on March 28, demanding a reversal of the decision and reforms in the appointment process of jathedars. The rift has deepened as Taksal has previously supported Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led factions, drawing criticism from SAD leaders. Experts believe Taksal is leveraging the controversy to reclaim its influence in Sikh politics.
28-Mar-2025
Police on March 28 arrested two smugglers after a brief encounter, identified as Veerbhadar Singh, alias Kalu and Kewal Singh, and seized a Glock pistol, a .32 bore pistol and a bag of contraband capsules, at a naka (checkpoint) near Barnala in Barnala district. Veerbhadar Singh sustained a bullet injury in his leg during the exchange of fire and was admitted to the hospital, while Kewal Singh was arrested on the spot.