KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
20-Feb-2025
On February 20, newly elected Rajouri Garden Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Manjinder Singh Sirsa was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister in the ninth Legislative Assembly of Delhi. He is the first Sikh to hold a ministerial position in the Delhi Government after a decade of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rule. A former president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Sirsa has won the Rajouri Garden Assembly seat three times. Having joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2021, he is expected to play a key role in the party’s strategy for the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
20-Feb-2025
The Delhi High Court on February 20 disposed of a plea challenging the bail granted to former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, as he was convicted in the matter. The trial court found him guilty on February 12 for the murders of two individuals in Delhi’s Saraswati Vihar. Kumar, already serving a life sentence in another riots-related case, was formally taken into custody. His appeal against a previous conviction in the killings of five Sikhs is pending before the Supreme Court.
20-Feb-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Chandigarh on February 20 informed the court that the accused in the Sector 10 grenade blast case, Rohan Masih and Vishal Masih, received funds, weapons, and explosives from foreign-based entities to carry out terror acts in Punjab and Chandigarh. The agency revealed their links to foreign-based terrorists Harwinder Singh alias Rinda and Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, who conspired to assassinate a retired Punjab Police officer. The NIA is probing cross-border smuggling of weapons and explosives, along with the accused’s involvement in other criminal activities.
19-Feb-2025
The police on February 19 arrested a smuggler, identified as Lovepreet Singh, and seized 3 kg of heroin from his possession near the bus stand in Khasa village, Amritsar district. The arrest followed the interrogation of Harmandeep Singh, from whom 10 kg of heroin had been recovered earlier.
19-Feb-2025
The police on February 19 arrested a Bambiha gang shooter, identified as Aman Kumar alias Golden, and seized two 30-bore pistols along with 10 cartridges from his possession in Liddaran village, Jalandhar district. Authorities revealed that Aman was linked to Bambiha gang leader Harmandar Singh, who is currently lodged in Rohini Jail, Delhi.
19-Feb-2025
All Parties Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) Chairman Jagmohan Singh Raina, on February 19, alleged that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah continues to ignore the issues faced by the Sikh community in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). He expressed disappointment over the community not being recognized as a minority despite meeting the necessary criteria. Raina also urged both majority and minority communities to maintain peace and expose extremist elements. A joint APSCC meeting of members from Kashmir and Jammu divisions was held to discuss these concerns.
19-Feb-2025
Delhi-based Sikh leader Manjit Singh GK, on February 19, urged Sikh leaders and influencers in Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US) to break their silence over the humiliation of Sikh deportees in the US, who were forcibly stripped of their turbans before deportation. He criticized Sikh political figures in the diaspora, including Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, for their silence, particularly as the incident occurred under the Trump administration, which Pannun has previously supported. GK also condemned the Indian government for not arranging its own aircraft to bring back the deportees and called on the global Sikh community to stand united in defending Sikh identity.
19-Feb-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, on February 19 in Chandigarh, ridiculed Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stating that he falsely claims responsibility for attacks in Punjab, sometimes even when no incident has occurred. Yadav emphasized that intelligence agencies from a neighboring country aim to destabilize Punjab but asserted that the police have successfully traced all 12 blast incidents using scientific methods. He dismissed Pannun’s claims as baseless and reaffirmed that Punjab remains safe, with law enforcement determined to counter any threats.
19-Feb-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on February 19 in Chandigarh announced that 52 police officials, ranging from constables to inspectors, had been dismissed from service on corruption charges. The dismissals were part of a statewide crackdown following directions from Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to curb corruption and misuse of power within the police department. The action was taken after complaints emerged regarding police officials allegedly registering fake First Information Reports (FIRs) to extort money.
18-Feb-2025
The Counter Intelligence team of Amritsar Police, on February 18, arrested Harmandeep Singh and seized 10 kg of heroin from his possession in Mahal village in Amritsar district. Police stated that Singh was in contact with Pakistan-based smuggler Chacha Bawa, who sent heroin via drones in the Attari sector for distribution. Authorities are investigating whether Singh retrieved the contraband himself or received it from another source. A case has been registered with the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), and further investigations are ongoing.
18-Feb-2025
Additional Public Prosecutor Manish Rawat, in written sentencing arguments for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case, urged the court to award the death penalty to former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar, citing his prior conviction, the targeted killings, and the brutality of the crime. Kumar was convicted on February 12 for inciting the riots, leading to the murder of Jaswant Singh and his son in Delhi’s Saraswati Vihar. The prosecution argued that his actions amounted to genocide and referenced Supreme Court precedents to justify capital punishment. Sentencing arguments will be heard on February 21.
18-Feb-2025
The controversy over Giani Harpreet Singh’s excommunication underscores the growing political misuse of the Akal Takht. Once a unifying institution for Sikhs, it has increasingly been drawn into political struggles, especially post-Operation Bluestar. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) faces accusations of manipulating religious authority for political gains, with Singh’s removal seen as an attempt to tighten control. The resignation of SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami further highlights the ongoing clash between religious leadership and political influence.
18-Feb-2025
SGPC Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh announced a special executive committee meeting on February 21, following SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami’s resignation. While the agenda remains undisclosed, the meeting will be held at the SGPC office within the Golden Temple premises. Dhami also stepped down from the Akal Takht-constituted panel overseeing the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) membership drive, which the party had rejected. Meanwhile, former Takht Damdama Sahib Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and other Sikh leaders have urged SGPC to reject Dhami’s resignation.
18-Feb-2025
The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, led by Commissioner Swapan Sharma, recently seized assets worth INR 34.36 lakh from drug smugglers Vijay Kumar and Anant Ram in Basti Sheikh, Jalandhar. The confiscated assets include Vijay Kumar’s house, valued at INR 33.83 lakh, and Anant Ram’s Honda Activa 5G (2018 model), worth INR 53,511. The police confirmed that both had accumulated wealth through drug smuggling.
18-Feb-2025
Radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking permission to attend parliamentary proceedings. Currently detained in Assam’s Dibrugarh Central Jail under the National Security Act (NSA), he claims his absence leaves his constituency unrepresented and risks his seat being declared vacant. He has also requested approval to meet officials regarding MPLADS funds. The court is expected to hear the case soon.
18-Feb-2025
Viresh Bansal, a Liberal Party candidate in the Ontario provincial election, apologized on February 18 for offensive social media posts from 2023, where he made controversial remarks about Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing and used a homophobic slur against PM Justin Trudeau. Bansal expressed regret, particularly to the Sikh and LGBTQ2S+ communities, acknowledging his remarks were hurtful. Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie condemned his comments, stating they do not reflect the party’s values. Despite calls for his candidature to be revoked, no decision has been announced yet.
17-Feb-2025
A blast occurred outside the house of police constable Jatinder Singh in Raimal village, Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district, on February 17. No casualties were reported. Singh, posted at Ramdass police station, was involved in anti-gangster operations against the Happy Passia group.
17-Feb-2025
The banned Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), through members Happy Passia and Shera Maan, on February 17 claimed responsibility for the blast outside police constable Jatinder Singh’s house in Raimal village, Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district, citing alleged police harassment. No casualties were reported. The Punjab government has directed police stations to enhance security amid rising attacks, suspecting a nexus between terrorists and gangsters.
17-Feb-2025
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami resigned on February 17 on moral grounds following criticism over the removal of Giani Harpreet Singh as Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib. The dismissal, based on misconduct allegations, was contested by Singh, who termed it a character assassination attempt. Dhami’s resignation has sparked further controversy, with Singh accusing Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders of undermining Panthic institutions for political gains.
17-Feb-2025
Indian national Mandeep Singh, among 116 illegal immigrants deported by the United States (US), on February 17 recounted his harrowing journey via the 'donkey' route outside Amritsar airport. Arrested on January 27 at the US-Mexico border, he described facing crocodiles, snakes, and starvation in Panama’s jungles. Singh, a Sikh, was also forced to trim his beard. He paid INR 60 lakh to agents, traveling through multiple countries before reaching Tijuana, Mexico. The US, under President Donald Trump, has intensified its crackdown on illegal immigration, deporting 332 Indians so far.
17-Feb-2025
The Delhi Police on February 17 informed the Supreme Court (SC) that it would file appeals in six cases related to acquittals in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. This decision followed the court's questioning of delays in challenging these acquittals. The petitions will be tagged with a 2016 Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by former Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) member S. Gurlad Singh Kahlon. Senior advocate H.S. Phoolka emphasized lapses in investigations and prosecutions, calling for a fresh probe and disciplinary action against officials involved.
17-Feb-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on February 17 recovered two packets of heroin weighing 1 kg near the Lakha Singh Wala border outpost along the Indo-Pakistan border, in Ferozepur district.
16-Feb-2025
Sources indicate that India is likely to witness multiple high-profile extraditions of wanted criminals from the United States (US) in the coming months, based on a list shared by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with US officials. The list includes Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Goldy Brar—accused in Sidhu Moose Wala’s murder—and Anmol Bishnoi, currently detained in Iowa, US. Several others linked to Khalistani separatist activities, including Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa, are also under scrutiny. Many of these criminals frequently move between the US and Canada, exploiting legal loopholes to evade law enforcement. However, growing India-US cooperation is expected to accelerate their extradition.
16-Feb-2025
Ludhiana Police on February 16 arrested Gurwinder Singh, who was deported from the United States (US), over pending non-bailable warrants in a 2021 snatching case in Meharban village, Ludhiana district. He was among the second batch of deportees who landed at Amritsar International Airport on February 15 and was detained for verification at Meharban police station.
16-Feb-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on February 16 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 550 grams, along with a drone, from fields near Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.