KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
20-Jan-2025
According to sources in Punjab Police, wanted gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia is evading law enforcement using untraceable burner phones with international codes. Based in the United States (US), Passia is linked to Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda and is accused of orchestrating grenade attacks and extortion in Punjab. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) recently announced a INR 5 lakh reward for his arrest, citing involvement in 17 criminal cases, including a Chandigarh grenade attack in September 2024. Punjab police claim progress in solving recent attacks attributed to him and his network.
19-Jan-2025
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema on January 19 in Chandigarh stated that the meeting of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) members, initially scheduled for January 21, has been deferred to January 22 to address concerns over alleged ineligible voters in the preliminary voter lists for SGPC elections. He added that the party would gather details to file objections by January 23 and discuss the issue with the Chief Commissioner for elections. The SAD will also initiate a month-long membership drive starting tomorrow.
19-Jan-2025
The Jalandhar Commissionerate police on January 19 arrested a member associated with the Gounder gang, identified as Harpreet Singh alias Peda, and seized 100 grams of heroin along with two pistols and magazines from his possession near Jamsher village in Jalandhar district. Singh, wanted in multiple criminal cases, attempted to escape during a weapons recovery operation by opening fire on police officers but was injured in retaliatory fire.
19-Jan-2025
On January 19, Sikhs in Haryana elected the first governing body of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) in a peaceful election with a 69.85% voter turnout. Independent candidates won 21 of the 40 seats, followed by 10 seats secured by the Panthak Dal (Jhinda). The election marked the culmination of decades of struggle for a separate management body, following the Supreme Court's 2022 validation of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Act. The newly elected 49-member committee, including nine nominated members, will soon select office-bearers.
19-Jan-2025
Fazilka police on January 19 arrested Kewal Singh and seized 2.41 kg of heroin along with a Bajaj Platina bike from his possession near Nanak Nagri link road in Jalalabad, Fazilka district.
18-Jan-2025
Ahead of the 76th Republic Day celebrations, Kapurthala Police have intensified security measures across the district. Following instructions from the Director General of Police (DGP), security arrangements have been reviewed, and surveillance has been enhanced with Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) and static CCTV cameras. The public has been urged to report any suspicious activity to the 112 helpline, with assurances of a safe and smooth celebration.
18-Jan-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint operation with Punjab Police on January 18, recovered one drone that collided with a wall of a house and fell near Malikpur village in Batala, Gurdaspur district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic Classic 3 model.
18-Jan-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint operation with Punjab Police on January 18 recovered one Assembled Hexacopter from a farming field near Lodhi Gujar village in Ajnala in Amritsar district. The recovered Chinese-made Hexacopter weighs approximately 20.59 kg.
18-Jan-2025
Police on January 18 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 558 grams from fields near Wan village in Tarn Taran district. The packet was dropped by a drone.
18-Jan-2025
The leadership of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), including Tarsem Singh, father of radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, and Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, son of Beant Singh, an assassin of former Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi, offered ardas at Akal Takht in Amritsar on January 18 before launching the party's membership drive. They announced plans to establish offices in Chandigarh and Amritsar, while a seven-member committee is drafting the party’s constitution. Sarabjit Singh Khalsa confirmed their intention to contest the 2027 Assembly and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections. Additionally, Tarsem Singh criticized Sukhbir Singh Badal for disregarding Akal Takht directives and unveiled plans to create district-level committees to lead the membership campaign.
18-Jan-2025
Police on January 18 arrested two individuals, identified as Navdeep Singh alias Joban and Jaskaran Singh alias Karan and seized two envelopes containing 500 grams of heroin (250 grams each), a 7.65 mm country-made pistol with five live cartridges, and a bike from their possession, at a checkpoint near Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district.
18-Jan-2025
On January 18, a 65-member Indian delegation crossed the Wagah-Attari border to attend the 34th World Punjabi Conference in Lahore, Pakistan, from January 19 to 21. Led by Sehajpreet Singh Mangat and Dr. Deepak Manmohan Singh, the delegation comprises prominent poets, artists, and scholars. The conference, themed around Sufism, will feature the release of new books in Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi scripts.
17-Jan-2025
Police on January 17 registered a case against gangster turned terrorist Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, for allegedly demanding an extortion amount of INR 50 lakh from a shop owner, in Amritsar in Punjab. The complainant reported receiving a WhatsApp call on January 16, where the gangster threatened him with dire consequences if the money was not paid.
17-Jan-2025
The Batala Police on January 17 announced securing red notices from Interpol against Pavitarpreet Singh and Husandeep Singh, members of the notorious Pavitar Gang, implicated in multiple serious crimes, including murder, attempted murder, arms smuggling, and extortion, in Batala, Gurdaspur district. The duo was arrested in California in April 2023 during an international crackdown on South Asian criminal networks. The red notices aim to expedite their extradition, underscoring the police's commitment to combating organized crime effectively.
17-Jan-2025
Police on January 17 arrested three individuals, identified as Ankit Kumar, Gurwant Singh and Sukhwinder Kaur and seized 52 grams of heroin and INR 25,000 drug money from their possession in Abohar in Fazilka district.
17-Jan-2025
Police on January 17 arrested one individual, identified as Sunny and seized 15 grams of heroin from his possession in Abohar in Fazilka district.
17-Jan-2025
In a submission to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Punjab Government recently outlined its efforts to enhance security across 18 prisons by installing 598 X-ray and security machines, 647 CCTV cameras, body scanners, baggage X-ray machines, and "V-Kavach 2.0" jammers. While the upgrades are reportedly progressing well, delays were attributed to challenges involving the Punjab Police Housing Corporation. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for January 28.
17-Jan-2025
Assam Chief Minister (CM) Himanta Biswa Sarma, during a press conference in Guwahati, Assam, described the security breach involving Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi as a conspiracy to assassinate him. Sarma referenced a sting operation in which Punjab Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sukhdev Singh allegedly disclosed that the protestors involved were Khalistani supporters, not farmers. According to Sarma, Singh had informed senior officials about the conspiracy on January 2, ahead of the January 5 incident.
17-Jan-2025
According to sources, Chandigarh authorities have intensified security following intelligence about potential bomb attacks on police stations by Khalistani terrorist and member of the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia. Enhanced security measures, including checkpoints and constant vigilance, have been implemented as threats typically increase ahead of Republic Day. Passia, operating from the United States (US), coordinates with Pakistan-based handlers to target India.
17-Jan-2025
According to sources, the police are continuing their investigation into the perpetrators behind the hand grenade attack on liquor trader Amandeep Jaintipuria's house in Jaintipur village, Majitha, Amritsar district. Gangster-turned-terrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Forensic samples have been sent for analysis, and the police are reviewing CCTV footage while actively pursuing suspects.
17-Jan-2025
Theatres across Punjab on January 17 cancelled screenings of the movie Emergency, starring actor and Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut, following widespread protests by Sikh organizations and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC). The SGPC called for a ban on the film, alleging it distorted history and hurt Sikh sentiments. Protests led by the SGPC prompted major cinema chains, including PVR Cinemas in Amritsar, to halt showings. SGPC Chief Secretary Kulwant Singh Manan welcomed the theatres' decision, stating it prevented further unrest but warned that protests would resume if screenings were reinstated.
17-Jan-2025
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) staged a statewide protest on January 17 against the release of Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency. SGPC Dharam Parchar Committee member Ajaib Singh Abhiyasi criticized the film for distorting history and misrepresenting Sikhs, particularly in its depiction of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. He clarified that Bhindranwale, inaccurately shown negotiating with Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi during the Emergency, only became the chief of the Damdami Taksal in 1977 and had no involvement in such events. The SGPC accused the filmmakers of disregarding Sikh objections, tarnishing the community’s image, and ignoring concerns raised through legal notices regarding objectionable content.
16-Jan-2025
Police on January 16 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Raviratinder Singh alias Ravi and seized 900 grams of heroin along with a .32 bore pistol from his possession, near Dhone Khurd village in Amritsar district. Both the heroin and the pistol were trafficked from Pakistan through a drone.
16-Jan-2025
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on January 16 in Amritsar expressed strong disapproval over the release of actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut’s film Emergency. Dhami urged Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to impose a ban on the movie in the state and warned of a state-wide protest if the ban is not enforced.
16-Jan-2025
According to reports, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Punjab’s oldest regional party, faces challenges amidst its revival efforts, including a new rival, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), launched by radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, and Faridkot MP Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, the son of former Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi’s assassin Beant Singh. The new party, citing SAD’s deviation from its panthic path, has raised concerns about further fragmentation of the political landscape. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who resigned last year, remains a dominant figure and is expected to contest for leadership again. Despite its declining electoral fortunes, SAD leaders emphasise the party’s legacy, while Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and other leaders have wished the new party well but warned against sowing division.