KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
15-Jan-2025
Tarn Taran Police on January 15 dismantled a Pakistan-backed drug trafficking cartel, arresting the kingpin, Rashpal Singh, and seizing 5 kg of heroin from his possession in Bhai Ladhu village, Tarn Taran district. Police confirmed that Rashpal was in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers, using drones to smuggle drugs across the border.
15-Jan-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 15 recovered heroin gross weight of 8.560 kg containing around 15 small packets, from fields near Balharwal village in Ajnala in Amritsar district.
15-Jan-2025
The Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) on January 15 arrested Gurpreet Singh Teetu, the brother of an aide to international drug kingpin Akshay Chhabra, and seized 1.2 kg of heroin from his possession near Radha Swami Road in Ludhiana district. Gurpreet, linked to a global drug network, reportedly continued smuggling operations even after his brother Sandeep Singh's arrest in 2022 for trafficking over 20 kg of heroin. Authorities are investigating his ties to Chhabra's syndicate, which is responsible for smuggling over 1,400 kg of heroin, with further arrests expected.
15-Jan-2025
Police on January 15 arrested two key aides of the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang, identified as Balraj Singh and Pawan Kumar, following an encounter, and seized four illegal weapons, including a .32 bore pistol with 12 cartridges and a 9 mm pistol with one cartridge from their possession, near Wadala Chowk in Jalandhar district. Acting on a tip-off, the police tracked the duo, who were planning a major crime in the city. During the attempted arrest, Balraj fired at the police and injured himself in the exchange, while Pawan was apprehended while attempting to flee. Both individuals had multiple criminal cases pending against them.
15-Jan-2025
On January 15, three men on a motorcycle hurled a grenade at the house of former Zila Parishad chairman, the late Rajinder Kumar alias Pappu Jaintipuria, at Jaintipur village in Majitha, Amritsar district. No injuries were reported as the family was away at the time. Gangster-turned-terrorist Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia claimed responsibility for the attack. The family had reportedly been receiving threats from foreign-based gangsters, including from Passia's group, which has been active in the region.
15-Jan-2025
Sources reveal that a security review of former Delhi Chief Minister (CM) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal has been initiated following intelligence inputs about a Khalistani extremist outfit’s plot to assassinate him. Kejriwal, who is under Z-Plus security, is protected by a multi-layered team of Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel. The plot, reportedly backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), aims to disrupt law and order. Kejriwal has previously faced threats from Indian Mujahideen and has been a target of physical attacks. The banned Khalistani terror group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) had also targeted him in the past.
15-Jan-2025
Former Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal stated on January 15 in New Delhi that 'God will save me' amid intelligence reports of a pro-Khalistan assassination plot allegedly backed by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Reports suggest a three-member hit squad has been dispatched to target him. Kejriwal’s Z+ security, comprising a 63-member team, is under review as Delhi Police heighten vigilance during the election campaign.
15-Jan-2025
Police on January 15 arrested two members of the criminal gang run by designated terrorist Lakhbir Singh Landa and Gurdev Singh Jaisa, identified as Avtar Singh and Amarbir Singh, and seized five pistols, 13 live rounds, and a snatched car from their possession in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The accused, involved in robbery and extortion cases, had fired at complainant Ekamdeep Singh Brar on January 8 to steal his car. Earlier, on January 7, they had joined a farmers’ protest at the Shambhu border and snatched a bike after firing at a person on the Rajpura-Ambala highway.
14-Jan-2025
Radical Sikh leaders and supporters of jailed Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) and Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh launched a new regional political party, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), on January 14 during the Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. Amritpal, detained under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam, was appointed as the party's 'chief sewadar.' A five-member executive committee and a seven-member recruitment panel were established to oversee operations and membership drives ahead of elections on Baisakhi. The party's stated goals include reviving Sikh principles, addressing Punjab's demographic concerns, and combating drug issues.
14-Jan-2025
Former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on January 14 vowed to make sacrifices for the Panth and Punjab, urging the Sikh community to reconnect with SAD during a rally at the Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. Acknowledging past mistakes, he apologised to the Akal Takht over sacrilege controversies and accepted its punishment. Sukhbir also criticised jailed Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh, accusing him of inciting violence and endangering Punjab’s youth.
14-Jan-2025
Sikh passengers flying internationally from Amritsar and Delhi airports have raised concerns over being barred from carrying kirpans and khanda necklaces, despite their small size. United States (US)-based traveller Prabhpreet Singh reported being asked to remove a tiny kirpan during a flight from Amritsar, a first in his decade of international travel. Amritsar Airport officials clarified that the restrictions are in line with Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) guidelines, which prohibit carrying kirpans or metallic items on international flights. Only the government can review or amend these regulations.
14-Jan-2025
A Delhi court will resume hearing arguments on January 28 in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case against Congress leader Jagdish Tytler. The case involves the murder of three Sikhs at Gurdwara Pul Bangash, with a witness alleging that Tytler instigated the mob. Charges of murder and rioting were framed against him in September 2024. Tytler, on anticipatory bail since 2023, is prohibited from tampering with evidence or leaving the country without permission.
13-Jan-2025
Punjab Police, in an official statement on January 13, cancelled all officers' leaves in the state until January 27 in preparation for Republic Day. All previously approved leaves were also revoked. Police will be on high alert during this period and have initiated cordon and search operations targeting criminals and anti-social elements.
13-Jan-2025
Al Jazeera English’s documentary, The Khalistan Assassinations, alleges Indian officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Samant Goel, were involved in the June 2023 assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The film highlights Nijjar's advocacy for Khalistan, his 2024 terrorist designation by India, and the diplomatic fallout after his killing. It also claims Indian intelligence’s role in a failed assassination attempt on Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States (US), raising concerns over India’s alleged transnational actions.
13-Jan-2025
Supporters of jailed Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh anticipate 15,000 attendees at the Maghi Mela in Sri Muktsar Sahib for the announcement of a new Panthic political party. The party, spearheaded by Amritpal and Faridkot MP Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, son of Indira Gandhi's assassin Beant Singh, is claimed by Khalsa to signify a transformative moment in Punjab's political history.
13-Jan-2025
On January 13, a blast occurred in Jujhar Singh Nagar, a residential area in Amritsar district, prompting police to cordon off the site and restrict media access. Authorities stated that investigations are underway, exploring all possible angles, including a potential terror link. Forensic teams are analysing the incident to determine the nature of the explosion.
12-Jan-2025
According to Delhi Police sources, Sunil Yadav, a suspected drug smuggler from Punjab and operator of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang's narcotics network, was killed in Stockton, California, on December 23. Contrary to claims by Lawrence Bishnoi's aides Rohit Godara and Goldy Brar, his death was not revenge for Ankit Bhadu's killing but stemmed from suspicions that Yadav was attempting to form a parallel organization within the gang.
12-Jan-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on January 12 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 548 grams and a pistol near Tendiwala village in Ferozepur district. The consignment, attached to an iron hook, is suspected to have been dropped by a drone.
12-Jan-2025
Muktsar Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Tripathi on January 12 arrested two unidentified drug peddlers and seized some banned pills, capsules and poppy husk from their possession, at a rickshaw stand near Kotkapura Road in Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
12-Jan-2025
Ahead of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) elections on January 19, candidates from SAD-Azad, Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal, Sikh Samaj Sanstha, and Panthak Dal Jhinda Group intensified allegations. SAD-Azad leader Baljit Singh Daduwal accused opponents of misusing gurdwara funds, while Baldev Singh Kaimpur of Haryana Sikh Panthak Dal accused Daduwal of misleading voters. Didar Singh Nalvi and Jagdish Singh Jhinda criticised government interference and pledged to enhance gurdwara management if elected.
11-Jan-2025
Jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh’s father Tarsem Singh on January 11 in Bathinda in Bathinda district alleged that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) abandoned Sikh and Punjabi principles during its 2007–2017 rule. He further claimed Amritpal’s imprisonment under the National Security Act (NSA) is politically motivated to curb his influence. He also announced the launch of Shiromani Akali Dal (Anandpur Sahib) at the Maghi Mela on January 14 in Sri Muktsar Sahib in Sri Muktsar Sahib district in Punjab.
11-Jan-2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, on January 11, called for a unified fight against drug trafficking at the regional conference on ‘Drug Trafficking and National Security’ in New Delhi. He highlighted challenges such as the dark web, cryptocurrency, and drones, urging state governments to work with High Courts to establish more NDPS courts. Shah announced the disposal of 44,792 kg of seized drugs worth INR 2,411 crore during a fortnight-long campaign and reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy, emphasizing the use of technology and databases like ‘MANAS’ and NIDAAN to combat the menace.
11-Jan-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on January 11 requested INR 600 crore in financial assistance from Union Home Minister Amit Shah to establish 79 special NDPS courts to address 35,000 pending drug cases, while speaking via video conferencing at the regional conference on 'Drug Trafficking and National Security.' Mann also highlighted Punjab's porous 552-km border with Pakistan, drone smuggling, and international drug cartels funding terrorism. He urged increased funding for the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and additional jamming systems to counter drone threats.
11-Jan-2025
Chheharta police on January 11 arrested five drug peddlers, including a woman, identified as Jugraj Singh, Navraj Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Simranjit Kaur, and Manjit Singh Bhola and seized 530 grams of heroin, INR 10,000 in drug money, and an electronic weighing machine in Amritsar district. Investigations are ongoing to trace their network linkages for further recoveries.
11-Jan-2025
According to Punjab Police sources, Khalistani leaders Harvinder Singh Rinda of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Ranjit Singh Neeta of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) are recruiting Punjabi-origin youth in India to join the British Army and support the Khalistan movement. Arrested Canadian operative Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala, has been replaced by Happy Passia, who, along with Jeevan Fauji and Nawashahri, is accused of planning terrorist attacks in Punjab. Investigations reveal that UK-based Jagjit Singh alias Fateh Singh Buggy, a British Army soldier, carried out grenade attacks under Neeta’s direction, with coordination from Greece-based Jaswinder Singh Mannu.