KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
16-Mar-2025
India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval held bilateral talks with United States (US) Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in New Delhi on March 16. They discussed strengthening intelligence sharing and security cooperation in line with the India-US global strategic partnership. The closed-door discussions focused on intelligence-sharing and countering anti-India elements.
16-Mar-2025
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Border Range Amritsar) Satinder Singh on March 16 revealed that the Punjab Police will bring back seven associates of radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, identified as Basant Singh, Bhagwant Singh Bajekhana, Gurmeet Singh Bukkanwal, Daljit Singh Kalsi, Gurinderpal Singh Guri Aujla, Harjit Singh, and Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal, from Dibrugarh jail in Assam to Punjab, as the state government has decided not to extend their detention under the National Security Act (NSA). They will face legal proceedings in the 2023 Ajnala police station attack case. Police stated that the investigation in the case is progressing, and formal arrests will be made upon their return to Punjab.
16-Mar-2025
Amritsar City Police on March 16 rearrested three accomplices of the recently arrested Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) module members—Gurbax Singh, Joban Singh, and Mandeep Singh, alias Bhola—from Amritsar Central Jail in Amritsar district. Their names emerged during the interrogation of Karandeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, and Sajan Singh, who were arrested on March 15 in Bihar while attempting to flee to Nepal. Police revealed that Bhola was the mastermind behind the gang’s cross-border smuggling activities over the past two years.
16-Mar-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) recently expressed displeasure over the Punjab government's inaction in providing information sought by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for an inquiry into illegal drug sales. The court stated that the state's failure was obstructing the court-mandated investigation and harming public interest. The inquiry was initiated following the HC's directive for coordinated action by the CBI, NCB, and police forces of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh. The court ordered the Punjab government to submit the requested data, originally sought on December 26, 2024, within 10 days.
16-Mar-2025
The Amritsar district administration on March 16 announced that 715 panchayats have unanimously declared their refusal to support individuals involved in drug smuggling, theft, or other criminal activities. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sakshi Sawhney stated that panchayats have been urged to cooperate with the police and district administration in combating the drug menace. Various blocks, including Ajnala, Attari, Chogawan, and Majitha, have passed resolutions reinforcing their commitment to a drug-free Punjab. The administration has also introduced free treatment for drug addicts in rehabilitation centers and plans to construct large-scale sports stadiums in villages to engage youth in constructive activities.
16-Mar-2025
On March 16, a grenade was hurled at YouTuber Navdeep Sandhu’s house in Raipur Rasoolpur village, Jalandhar district. Pakistan-based gangster Shehzad Bhatti claimed responsibility for the attack, alleging it was in response to Sandhu’s content. The Jalandhar Rural Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Bhatti, stating the incident was linked to a rivalry between YouTubers. No explosion occurred, and the object hurled has been sent for forensic examination. Authorities are investigating the possible involvement of gangsters Zeeshan Akhtar and Happy Passia in the incident.
16-Mar-2025
Punjab Police on March 16 conducted raids at 424 locations across the state as part of the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” drive, resulting in the arrest of 63 drug smugglers, registration of 45 First Information Reports (FIRs), and seized 385 grams of heroin, 19 kg of poppy husk, 2,673 intoxicating pills and injections, besides INR 15,600 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab.
16-Mar-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) and the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC, in a joint operation on March 16 recovered 10 packets of heroin weighing 5.73 kg from near Natha Singh Wala village in Jalalabad West in Fazilka district.
16-Mar-2025
Ludhiana Crime Branch on March 16 arrested two criminals, after an exchange of fire, identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Gaggu and Mandeep Kumar alias Mithu, and seized an illegal pistol along with live cartridges, a scooter and two mobile phones from their possession in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district. The duo, who had multiple cases related to drug smuggling and snatchings registered against them, attempted to flee when stopped at a naka and fired at the police. In retaliation, the police fired back, injuring them in the legs. They were taken to the Civil Hospital for treatment.
15-Mar-2025
On March 15, two bike-borne assailants hurled a hand grenade at the Thakur Dwara temple in the Khandwala area of Amritsar district. CCTV footage revealed that the attackers arrived on a motorcycle adorned with flags and threw the explosive towards the first floor of the temple complex. This incident marks the 13th grenade blast in Punjab over the past four months, with previous attacks primarily targeting police establishments. Police confirmed that forensic teams have collected samples, and efforts are underway to apprehend the culprits.
15-Mar-2025
According to the police, the grenade attack at a temple in Amritsar on March 15 marks the 13th such incident in Punjab since November 2024, with previous cases revealing the involvement of Pakistan-based elements targeting police installations. So far, eight terror modules have been busted—three linked to Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), four to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and one ISI-backed module operated by foreign-based handlers. The police have arrested 20 individuals, including one juvenile, and recovered arms, grenades, and explosives. Officials suspect that the latest attack was intended to disturb communal harmony in the state.
15-Mar-2025
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on March 15 busted a narco-terror module of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and arrested three operatives, identified as Karandeep Yadav alias Karan Bhaiya, Mukesh Kumar, and Sajan Singh, and seized three mobile phones and 700 Nepali currency notes from their possession, in Madehpur in Mahbubani district in Bihar. The accused, allegedly working under the directions of Pakistan-based BKI terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda, were attempting to flee to Nepal. Their roles surfaced during the investigation into the March 11 arrest of two other operatives, Joban Singh alias Joban and Gurbaksh Singh alias Lala, who were caught with 290 grams of heroin in Amritsar, Punjab.
15-Mar-2025
The acting jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, on March 15 directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to convene a meeting of Sikh scholars to analyze the Centre's New Education Policy and propose necessary reforms specific to the panth (Sikh community) and Punjab, in Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district. Expressing concerns over threats to Gurmukhi and Punjabi, he called for serious efforts to preserve them. Emphasizing panthic unity, he announced the launch of a religious awareness campaign on Vaisakhi under the banner of Akal Takht, beginning from the homes of economically disadvantaged Sikhs.
15-Mar-2025
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab president Aman Arora, while addressing the media in Chandigarh on March 15, announced that as part of the ongoing campaign against drugs, 1,488 cases were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the last 15 days. This led to the arrest of 2,049 individuals involved in drug peddling and smuggling, along with the seizure of 1,270 kg of various narcotics, 7.16 lakh intoxicant capsules and tablets, and INR 63 lakh in drug money from the arrested smugglers. He also stated that the police demolished 28 drug-related illegal properties built using drug money, sending a strong message to those profiting from the drug trade.
15-Mar-2025
On March 15, on the 15th day of the "Yudh Nashian Virudh" campaign, Punjab Police conducted raids at 557 locations, arrested of 114 drug smugglers, after the registration of 72 first information reports (FIRs), and seized 945 grams of heroin, 43 kg of poppy husk, 3,098 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections, and INR 76,310 in drug money from the possession of the arrested smugglers, across Punjab.
15-Mar-2025
Police on March 15 busted a gang of snatchers, and arrested two of its members, identified as Manjit Singh and Manbir Singh, and seized a knife, a black motorcycle without a number plate and chilli spray, along with a stolen gold karrah (bangle), from their possession, in Phagwara in Kapurthala district. The third accused in the case, identified as Sunny is still absconding.
15-Mar-2025
Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on March 15 arrested three operatives of Pakistan-based banned Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) identified as Jagjit Singh, alias Jaggi, Shubham Khelbude and Gurdeep Singh, alias Deepa, and seized a pump-action gun with 15 cartridges and a pistol with eight cartridges from their possession, in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The arrests follow the earlier detention of three others linked to the February 10 Nanded murder case, bringing the total number of arrests to six. The Police revealed that the suspects were involved in providing logistics, extortion, and shelter to operatives on the directions of BKI terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda
14-Mar-2025
The Bathinda police on March 14 arrested six gangsters following a brief encounter, identified as Gurdeep Singh, Sunil Singh, Satwant Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Hargurn Singh and Arshdeep Singh, and seized a stolen AK-47 rifle and 24 rounds of ammunition from their possession, in Bathinda in Bathinda district. Two of the accused, Gurdeep and Sunil were army jawans posted in Jammu and Srinagar, allegedly stole the rifle before using it in a hotel robbery on March 11. The police tracked the suspects using CCTV footage, leading to the encounter in which one accused sustained a bullet injury. Authorities are coordinating with the army for further investigation.
14-Mar-2025
Police on March 14 arrested three accused, in the case of the murder of Shiv Sena leader Mangat Ram alias Manga, identified as Deeepu, Arun alias Singha and Rajveer alias Laddo, and seized a 32-bore pistol and a 30-bore pistol from their possession, in Malout in Sri Muktsar Sahib district in Punjab. The trio were arrested after an encounter after they opened fire on the police.
14-Mar-2025
Kunnamangalam police on March 14 arrested two Tanzanian nationals, Kilekamajenga David Nteme and Myonga Atka Haruna, involved in a series of inter-state synthetic drug trafficking cases, in Phagwara, Kapurthala district, Punjab. The accused, both students at Lovely Professional University, were linked to the seizure of 227 grams of MDMA in Kerala on January 2. Investigations revealed large financial transactions in their accounts, which led to their arrest from a house near their college. Police stated that efforts to target wholesale drug suppliers have disrupted trafficking networks.
14-Mar-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on March 14 recovered three packets of heroin weighing 1.7 kg from fields near Awan Vasau village in Ajnala in Amritsar district. An improvised copper wire loop was found attached to each packet indicating that they were smuggled via drones, from across the border.
14-Mar-2025
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in a joint operation with Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) Jaito on March 14 arrested a shooter of the Davinder Bambiha gang identified as Manpreet Singh alias Mani, and seized a .30-bore pistol, four live cartridges and a motorcycle from his possession, at a naka (checkpoint) near Ghugiana village in Faridkot district. The accused, wanted in multiple cases of murder and arms-related offences, opened fire at the police while attempting to flee but was injured in the retaliatory action before being arrested.
14-Mar-2025
On March 14, a man identified as Zulfan, armed with an iron rod, attacked and injured five people on the premises of the Golden Temple in Amritsar district. Among the injured were two sewadars, three devotees, and a victim from Bathinda who remains in critical condition. The police have arrested the attacker and his yet-to-be-identified accomplice, who allegedly conducted a recce before the assault.
13-Mar-2025
On March 13, Mangat Ram alias Manga, the Moga district president of the Shiv Sena, was shot dead in the Baghiana Basti area of Moga district. Three bike-borne assailants opened fire on him, also injuring an 11-year-old child.
13-Mar-2025
Damdami Taksal head Baba Harnam Singh Khalsa, in a statement in Amritsar on March 13, criticized the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for exceeding its mandate by removing the jathedars of Akal Takht and Takht Kesgarh Sahib. He accused the SGPC of undermining Sikh traditions at the behest of its political bosses. His remarks came ahead of a Panthic congregation at Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar district, organized by the Sikh seminary during the Hola Mohalla celebrations, to discuss the issue.