KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
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.
11-Jan-2025
Police on January 11 arrested three individuals, Sukhmander Singh, Lakhvir Singh, and Sarwan Singh after a brief encounter near Lubanianwali village in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. The accused had demanded INR 1 crore in extortion in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi but were intercepted after agreeing to INR 15 lakh. One suspect was injured in the exchange of fire. Initial investigations suggest they are not directly linked to the Bishnoi gang.
10-Jan-2025
According to sources, Punjab Police investigations into recent grenade attacks and other acts of violence have revealed links to a second British Army soldier allegedly involved in terror activities. Previously, police had named Jagjeet Singh of the British Army, associated with the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), and now have evidence connecting another British soldier to Harwinder Singh Rinda of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The role of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in recruiting British soldiers for the Khalistan cause is also under investigation. Additionally, police are tracing the money trail linked to KZF members killed in a December encounter.
10-Jan-2025
On January 10, Punjab police and Maharashtra Police, in a joint operation, arrested a trained Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) terrorist identified as Jashanpreet Singh from Ghugus town in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra. Singh, accused of masterminding a grenade attack on Amritsar's Islamabad police station in December 2024, had been evading arrest. He was tracked using mobile surveillance. Security agencies seized firearms, grenades, and heroin from his accomplices. Singh allegedly provided logistical support for terror activities. He was taken into custody under heavy security and transported to Punjab for further investigation.
10-Jan-2025
According to the government, the banned Khalistani terrorist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has compiled a list of children of Indian police officers and politicians studying abroad as an intimidatory tactic, detailing its anti-India activities, including threats to Indian leaders, diplomats, and security officials, often with Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) support, as revealed in its submission before the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) tribunal. Furthermore, SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun allegedly raised funds for terrorist acts and announced rewards for assassinating Indian officials. The tribunal upheld the extension of SFJ's ban, citing 104 cases registered against the group across India.
10-Jan-2025
On January 10, US-based Khalistani terrorist and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia claimed responsibility for the explosion outside the Gumtala police chowki in Amritsar via social media, stating it was an act of revenge for the killing of his associates. However, police rejected his claim, clarifying that the explosion was caused by a car radiator blast, not a grenade. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed that the incident resulted in only minor damage, inconsistent with a grenade attack, and stated that investigations are still underway.
10-Jan-2025
On January 10, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) working committee formally accepted Sukhbir Singh Badal's resignation as party president, following directives from the Akal Takht, in Chandigarh. Badal had resigned on November 16, 2024, to address allegations of religious misconduct (tankhaiya) and was assigned a 10-day religious punishment on December 2. The SAD also announced a membership drive to elect a new president by March 1, with the working committee, led by Balwinder Singh Bhunder, overseeing party affairs in the interim. As part of its reorganisation efforts, the party aims to enrol 25 lakh members.
10-Jan-2025
On January 10, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) took a significant step towards course correction by accepting Sukhbir Singh Badal's resignation as party president while emphasizing that rebel leaders would not be accommodated without an apology for indiscipline. The party rejected the Akal Takht's seven-member reorganisation panel, citing constitutional constraints. It announced a membership drive commencing on January 20 and scheduled the election of a new president for March 1. Senior leaders were assigned regional responsibilities, while dissenting factions disclosed plans to establish alternative Akali outfits.
09-Jan-2025
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has attached the properties of four accused in the 2021 Ludhiana Courts Complex blast case, according to an official statement. The individuals identified are Surmukh Singh alias Sammu, Dilbagh Singh alias Baggo, Harpreet Singh alias Happy Malaysia, and Rajanpreet Singh. The blast was orchestrated under the directives of Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode and involved an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) smuggled into India via drones across the India-Pakistan border.
09-Jan-2025
Damdami Taksal spokesperson Jatinder Singh Khalsa, in an interview with The Times of India, indicated that the organisation might consider an alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab, contingent on the release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners). Khalsa acknowledged the apprehensions within the Sikh community regarding the BJP but suggested that resolving pressing Panthic and farmers' issues could open avenues for collaboration. He stressed that addressing immediate concerns, such as the release of Sikh prisoners, could foster trust and help tackle broader legacy issues.
09-Jan-2025
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, on January 9, described the drug menace as a national crisis, with Punjab being severely impacted, during a dialogue on drug awareness held at Punjab Raj Bhavan in Chandigarh. The event, organised in collaboration with educational institutions and foundations, stressed collective efforts from the government, NGOs, educational institutions, and society to tackle the issue. Kataria underscored the significance of awareness campaigns, social media outreach, and community-driven initiatives to address the growing threat of synthetic drugs effectively.
09-Jan-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 9 recovered a 520-gram packet of heroin from a sugarcane field near Khanwal village in Ajnala, Amritsar district.
09-Jan-2025
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 9 recovered a PX5 Storm .30 bore pistol with an empty magazine from a field near Rajatal village in Amritsar district. The pistol, wrapped in yellow tape and blue polythene, was found with an iron ring and two illumination strips, indicating it was likely dropped by a drone.
09-Jan-2025
On January 9, an explosion outside the Gumtala police chowki in Amritsar caused initial panic among residents. However, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar later clarified that the noise resulted from a damaged radiator in a policeman's car and not a bomb blast. Bhullar assured the public that there was no cause for concern.
09-Jan-2025
According to sources, the Faridkot police have requested an additional three months from the trial court to complete their investigation into the murder case of Gurpreet Singh, which involves jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, along with four foreign-based accused—Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala and Karambir Singh in Canada, Gurjant Singh in Australia, and Jatinder Singh in the United Kingdom (UK). The police cited the need to obtain transaction records related to funds and weapons sent by the foreign-based accused, as well as pending analysis reports of weapons, ammunition, blood samples, and technical devices.
09-Jan-2025
The counter-intelligence wing of the Punjab Police on January 9 busted a Pakistan-backed arms smuggling module with the arrest of Gurpreet Singh alias Kaka, and seized two Glock pistols and a .30 bore China-made pistol from his possession at a naka (checkpoint) near Khurmanian village in Amritsar district. Singh, an operative of Dubai-based smuggler Manjot Singh, was arrested while delivering a weapon consignment. He was involved in retrieving drone-dropped arms from across the border and supplying them to gangsters in Punjab.
09-Jan-2025
Jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh, on January 9 criticised the imposition of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) on his son, calling it a “conspiracy” to hinder their plans of launching a political party, while speaking to ANI. He also accused Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann of harbouring an anti-Sikh mindset and claimed that actions against Amritpal were being taken without evidence or investigation.
08-Jan-2025
Phillaur police on January 8 dismantled an inter-state poppy husk smuggling racket operating between Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Punjab by arresting two persons, identified as Buta Singh and Kulwant Singh, and seized 1.44 quintal of crushed poppy husk, at a naka (checkpoint) near Lasara village in Jalandhar district. Two accomplices identified as Bir Singh alias Ghona and Surjit Singh alias Jita, are absconding.
08-Jan-2025
Fazilka Police on January 8 dismantled a major intoxicating tablet smuggling network arrested four individuals identified as Raju Ram, Amrik Singh, Saroj Rani and Neelam Rani, and seized 2.10 Lakh prohibited tablets of Alprazolam and Clobidol tablets along with INR 1.70 Lakh drug money, a Balero vehicle and a motorcycle from their possession, at a naka (checkpoint) near Lamoochar Kalan village in Jalalabad (West) in Fazilka district.
08-Jan-2025
The Punjab Police on January 8 invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh and others accused in the murder of Sikh activist Gurpreet Singh from Hari Nau village in Faridkot district, Punjab. The murder, which took place on October 10, 2024, is alleged to have been part of a conspiracy aimed at creating unrest. Facing challenges in filing a chargesheet within the mandated 90-day period, the police invoked UAPA to prevent the accused from securing default bail. Singh, along with nine associates, is already detained under the National Security Act (NSA).