KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
26-Jan-2025
The counter-intelligence unit of the Punjab Police on January 26 arrested six members of the Kaushal Chaudhry gang, identified as Puneet Lakhanpal alias Sharma, Narinder Kumar alias Lalli, Gurbhinder Singh, Maninderjit Singh, Harpreet Singh, and Sandeep Singh and seized six sophisticated pistols along with 40 live cartridges in Jandiala Guru, Amritsar district. Sharma and Lalli, both sharpshooters, were involved in the high-profile murder of international kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian in 2022. Authorities suspect the gang was planning a targeted killing in Punjab under the direction of foreign-based handlers.
26-Jan-2025
On January 26, the Akal Takht Secretariat announced the postponement of the meeting of the Five Sikh High Priests (Panj Singh Sahibs) scheduled for January 28, 2025, citing personal engagements of Singh Sahib at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, in Amritsar.
26-Jan-2025
On January 26, farmers in Punjab organized tractor marches across multiple districts, including Malerkotla, Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar, demanding a guaranteed Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and the withdrawal of the National Policy Framework on Agriculture Marketing (NPFAM). Led by farmer unions like Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), the protests remained peaceful, with demonstrations outside retail outlets and malls in Amritsar.
26-Jan-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann on January 26 vowed to crush forces inimical to the state and foil conspiracies aimed at disturbing peace and communal harmony while addressing the 76th Republic Day gathering at Polo Ground in Patiala. He emphasized the importance of preserving Punjab’s hard-earned peace and announced the launch of the "Punjab Help Centre" at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi to assist the Punjabi diaspora. Additionally, he recognized individuals for their notable contributions to society and the state.
25-Jan-2025
Ahead of Republic Day celebrations, the Punjab Police on January 25 issued a red alert and deployed over 15,000 personnel across the state due to recent blasts at police installations by pro-Khalistan elements. Special operations are underway in all districts to monitor gangsters, smugglers, and anti-social elements. The Republic Day venue in Faridkot was changed to Patiala after pro-Khalistan slogans were found near the stadium. Security measures have also been heightened in Haryana and Chandigarh, with bomb and dog squads deployed at sensitive locations.
25-Jan-2025
Several schools in Punjab's Patiala district on January 25 received emails, allegedly from the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), urging them to boycott Republic Day celebrations where Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann is set to hoist the national flag. The police are verifying the threat and have reassured that security arrangements are in place, with over 15,000 personnel deployed across Punjab under a red alert. This follows the discovery of fresh pro-Khalistan graffiti in Faridkot, where the venue was initially planned before being shifted to Patiala for "administrative reasons."
25-Jan-2025
The Punjab Police on January 25 criticized Khalistani terrorist and leader of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, as a "fugitive hiding abroad" following threats sent to Patiala schools urging them to refrain from Republic Day celebrations. The police dismissed the threats as baseless and accused Pannun of misleading youth with false promises of immigration. In response to pro-Khalistan graffiti and Pannun's threats to hoist Khalistani flags at district offices, security measures were strengthened, including the deployment of 2,500 personnel in Amritsar and additional measures across Punjab. As a precaution, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Republic Day event was relocated to Patiala.
25-Jan-2025
Punjab police on January 25 arrested an associate of Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar gang in connection with the firing incident at IELTS/Immigration Centre in Dera Bassi, identified as Mehfuj alias Vishal Khan and seized one .32 calibre pistol along with five cartridges from his possession in Dera Bassi in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Police revealed that Khan, along with another gang member, Manjeet alias Gur, was a mastermind behind the September 2024 firing incident intended to extort the centre's owner. All other accused in the case had already been arrested.
24-Jan-2025
The Fatehgarh Sahib police on January 24 arrested three Nihangs, identified as Sunny Singh, Jobanpreet Singh, and Sukhbir Singh, for assaulting three pilgrims from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) at Roza Sharif in Fatehgarh Sahib district, Punjab. The victims, who were purchasing vegetables near a gurdwara, were attacked without provocation, with one pilgrim injured by a sharp weapon. The police responded promptly, and the injured were admitted to Civil Hospital, Fatehgarh Sahib.
24-Jan-2025
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has called a meeting on January 28 with the five Sikh high priests to discuss Panthic issues, following the Shiromani Akali Dal’s (SAD) rejection of a seven-member panel formed by the Akal Takht for its membership drive. The defiance of the Akal Takht’s directives has sparked controversy within the party. Rebel leader Gurpartap Singh Wadala emphasized that the membership drive should only be carried out under the panel formed by the Akal Takht. Meanwhile, the SAD is also seeking an extension of voter registration for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee elections (SGPC).
24-Jan-2025
Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while addressing the media in New Delhi on January 24, expressed concern over pro-Khalistani elements disrupting screenings of the film Emergency in the United Kingdom (UK), urging accountability for those involved. He emphasized that freedom of speech must not be obstructed and hoped the UK government would take appropriate action.
24-Jan-2025
Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while addressing the media in New Delhi on January 24, expressed concerns about Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who was reportedly seen at Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration event. Jaiswal stated that India will continue raising issues with the United States (US) regarding anti-India activities that impact national security.
24-Jan-2025
On January 24, a Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) delegation met Pakistan High Commission’s Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich in New Delhi and urged the issuance of visas for the full list of Sikh pilgrims visiting gurdwaras in Pakistan. The delegation highlighted visa exclusions in recent years and requested alignment with the amended Nanakshahi calendar for pilgrimage dates, particularly for Guru Arjan Dev’s martyrdom day, which has caused scheduling conflicts since 2012.
24-Jan-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on January 24 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 559 grams along with a drone from farming fields near Kakkar village in Ajnala in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was 01 DJI Air 3 S model.
23-Jan-2025
On January 23, the Batala police attached the Alpine Inn hotel in Amritsar, Punjab, allegedly used as a hub for heroin smuggling from Pakistan and facilitating meetings of narcotics dealers. Room No. 103, kept off the hotel register, was identified as a key location in the drug trafficking operation. The hotel owner, Balbir Singh, and seven others are on the run after an anti-drug raid, with the property valued at INR 4.5 crore. This action is part of an ongoing crackdown targeting drug smuggling networks.
23-Jan-2025
On January 23, two police officers from Khanna, identified as Superintendent of Police (SP) Tarun Ratan and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sukh Amritpal Singh, sustained serious burn injuries while disposing of narcotics in Amritsar district. The fire used for destruction became uncontrollable. SP Ratan suffered burns on 40% of his body, while DSP Singh sustained burns on 25%. Both officers were hospitalized and are reported to be out of danger.
23-Jan-2025
According to senior police officials, with the new Donald Trump administration in the United States (US) prioritizing the deportation of criminals, the Punjab Police has started preparing documentation for the potential deportation of gangsters involved in illegal activities both in the US and Punjab. These individuals, many of whom entered the US illegally or with forged documents, are suspected of running criminal networks from abroad, engaging in activities such as drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and extortion. The Punjab Police is collating material on at least a dozen gangsters with ties to the US and Canada, including notorious names like Goldy Brar and Swaran Bhola. The aim is to present this information to US authorities, hoping for faster deportations under the new administration.
23-Jan-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops and the Special Task Force (STF) of Punjab Police on January 23 arrested an unidentified smuggler and seized 550 grams of heroin along with a phone from his possession near Balharwal village in Ajnala, Amritsar district.
23-Jan-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops in a joint operation with the Punjab Police on January 23 recovered a drone near Rattan Khurd village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
23-Jan-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops in a joint operation with the Punjab Police on January 23 recovered a drone near Wala Hitter village in Fazilka district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
23-Jan-2025
On January 23, Khalistan-related graffiti and a flag were found near Nehru Stadium ahead of Republic Day celebrations in Faridkot district, Punjab. Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun claimed responsibility online. Police swiftly removed the graffiti and launched an investigation. Despite tight security for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's planned visit, the schedule was revised, with Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan now set to hoist the Tricolour at the venue on Republic Day.
23-Jan-2025
On January 23, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann's venue for unfurling the Tricolour was shifted to Patiala after pro-Khalistan slogans and a flag were found near Nehru Stadium, the originally proposed venue in Faridkot.
23-Jan-2025
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on January 23 issued threats via a video to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann. Pannun urged youth to hoist Khalistan flags instead of the Tricolour on Republic Day, stating that "those who walk on the path of Beant Singh will meet the same fate." Pro-Khalistan slogans attributed to the SFJ were discovered near Faridkot Sports Stadium, where Mann was initially scheduled to unfurl the Tricolour. The venue was later shifted to Patiala, with officials citing “administrative reasons” and weather conditions.
23-Jan-2025
According to sources, jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh is moving the Punjab and Haryana High Court to seek permission to attend parliamentary sessions and the Republic Day ceremony. Currently held in Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA), Singh argues that his participation is a matter of national importance and public interest, emphasizing his duty as an MP to represent his constituents. The petition, yet to be listed, has been filed against the Union of India, Punjab, and other respondents.
23-Jan-2025
Senior police officers in Gurdaspur are on high alert following intelligence reports of potential trouble from anti-social elements ahead of Republic Day. The security situation is further complicated by recent attacks on police stations by gangsters linked to Khalistani terror outfits like Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), as well as ongoing drone threats involving arms and narcotics.