KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
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.
23-Jan-2025
Police on January 23 arrested a history sheeter facing over 14 First Information Reports (FIR), identified as Deepak Kumar Verma alias Deepu, along with his associate Rishab Sharma alias Rishu, and seized 15.20 grams of heroin, a .32 bore pistol with three live cartridges and three empty cartridges along with a car from their possession, in Sector 38/A in Chandigarh. The duo had fired at police personnel on January 23 while attempting to evade a check post. The police confirmed their involvement in drug trafficking across multiple states.
23-Jan-2025
The police on January 23 arrested two youths, identified as Maninder Singh and Gursharan, for attempting to extort INR 50 lakh from a hotel owner by posing as members of the Harry Chatha gang in Jalandhar, Jalandhar district.
22-Jan-2025
Punjab Police, in a joint operation with the Health Department, conducted raids at several pharmaceutical outlets on January 22 and seized 28,491 intoxicating tablets and 1,448 capsules in Ferozepur district. At M/s Nitin Medical Store, 17,180 tablets and 260 capsules were seized, leading to the booking of Raman Kapoor and Kunal Kapoor. In a separate raid at M/s PK Medical Agency, 11,111 tablets and 1,188 capsules were seized, with owners Pawan Kumar and Raj Badwar booked. Additionally, 200 intoxicating tablets were seized from Aulakh Medical Store, and owners Angrej Singh and Rakesh Kumar were also booked.
22-Jan-2025
Several schools in Delhi received emails on January 22, allegedly from the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), urging them to suspend participation in Republic Day celebrations. The email cited a “high risk of violence” and called for protests against the Indian Constitution. The Delhi Police are verifying the authenticity of the emails and investigating their source, while remaining on high alert for potential disturbances.
22-Jan-2025
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Chandigarh Police on January 22 arrested Gagan alias Gogi Gagandeep Singh (23) and Gagandeep (24), seizing 125.83 grams of heroin, 77.80 grams of charas, five knives, a dummy pistol, and a weighing scale from their possession in Chandigarh. The arrests followed the earlier detention of a woman smuggler, Aarti, who was caught with 30 grams of heroin on January 2. Gagandeep was identified as the main drug supplier.
22-Jan-2025
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) has ranked the Jamalpur police station in Ludhiana as the best police station in Punjab and placed it among the top 35 across the country. Located in a migrant-dominated area, Jamalpur was one of two police stations nominated by the Punjab government for UMHA's annual rankings. The ranking process evaluates police stations based on performance, citizen satisfaction, and willingness to report crimes. The Khanauri police station in Sangrur, also nominated, did not secure the top position but was praised for its inclusion.