KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
10-Nov-2024
Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, in an interview with The Week, highlighted the growing threat posed by organised criminal networks (OCNs) based in Canada and the United States (US), with approximately 25 wanted criminals from Punjab operating in these regions. He expressed concerns about the links between these OCNs and pro-Khalistan terror groups, with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) facilitating these associations. Yadav also discussed the challenges in combating transnational terror activities, including the use of technology for covert communication and the recruitment of radicalised youth.
10-Nov-2024
According to Border Security Force (BSF) sources, the number of rogue drones intercepted along the International Border in Punjab has surged to 200 in 2024, compared to 107 in 2023. Since November 1, 2024, the BSF has shot down or recovered 11 drones, seizing approximately 3 kg of narcotics. These drones, which primarily originate from Pakistan, are used to smuggle weapons, drugs, and other contraband. Traffickers prefer drones due to the challenges in detecting them, particularly at night. Despite the fencing along most of the border, some stretches remain difficult to patrol, complicating efforts to curb smuggling activities.
10-Nov-2024
Members of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum gathered on November 10 outside the Canadian High Commission to protest recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, but were stopped by Delhi Police at Teen Murti Marg in New Delhi. The Forum, representing Hindu and Sikh communities, called for action against Khalistani extremists, whom they accuse of targeting Hindu and Sikh symbols.
10-Nov-2024
Security was heightened outside the Canada High Commission in New Delhi on November 10 after a protest by the Hindu Sikh Global Forum against the recent attack on a Hindu temple in Canada.
10-Nov-2024
Police on November 10 arrested three drug peddlers, identified as Gurinder Singh alias Ginde, Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan and Baljinder Singh alias Babbu, and seized 2 kg of heroin from their possession near Bhagtawala in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed the suspects were in contact with Pakistan-based drug traffickers, coordinating cross-border smuggling of drugs via drones through social media apps.
09-Nov-2024
Jalandhar rural police on November 9 arrested three drug peddlers, identified as Vinay Pratap Singh alias Vinay, Vishal Singh alias Shalu and Jagdish Singh alias Dishi, and seized 300 grams of heroin along with a motorcycle from their possession, near Sutlej Bridge in Phillaur in Jalandhar district.
09-Nov-2024
Punjab Police on November 9 arrested two key shooters and members of the Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla’s gang, identified as Navjot Singh, and Anmolpreet Singh, from Kharar in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. This arrest follows the murder of Kotkapura-based Sikh activist Gurpreet Singh alias Bhodi, who was shot dead last month in Faridkot in Punjab. According to police, the murder was allegedly orchestrated from abroad by Arsh Dalla with assistance from Canada-based associates.
09-Nov-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami on November 9 expressed dismay over the alleged denial of visas to 1,481 Sikh devotees intending to travel to Pakistan for Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary on November 15. Out of 2,244 applications, the Pakistan embassy approved visas for only 763 devotees, which Dhami termed as unfortunate, urging both governments to address this recurring issue.
09-Nov-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on November 9 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 470 grams along with a drone from fields near Mullakot village in Ajnala in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a China made DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
09-Nov-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on November 9 recovered a broken drone from the rooftop of a BSF building in Attari in Amritsar district.
09-Nov-2024
Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on November 9 recovered a packet of 500 grams of heroin along with a drone from fields near Makhanpur village in Pathankot in Gurdaspur district. The recovered drone was a China made DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
09-Nov-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on November 9 recovered a drone from fields near Kalash village in Tarn Taran district.
09-Nov-2024
Police on November 8 busted a seven-member ring of gangsters and arrested four members identified as Yadwinder Singh Akash, Harmandeep Singh, Tejbir Singh and Harpreet Singh alias Happy Baba, from Amritsar in Amristar district. The three gang members who absconded have been identified as Karanbir Singh, Jarmandeep Singh alias Arman Mana, and Yodhbir Singh Yodha. The gang, involved in multiple looting and extortion incidents, used threats and fired at residences to intimidate victims into paying extortion money.
09-Nov-2024
Police on November 9 arrested one individual, identified as Gurjeet Singh alias Jeeta and seized two country-made pistols and eight live cartridges from his possession, in Abohar in Fazilka district.
08-Nov-2024
On November 8, the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) two-day Anti-Terror Conference concluded in New Delhi, with Home Secretary Govind Mohan urging states to enhance capacity building by deputing skilled officers to the NIA, thereby strengthening both the agency and state-level anti-terror efforts. Participants emphasized the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) as a vital legal tool for countering terrorism, underscoring the need for its careful and judicious application to prevent misuse.
08-Nov-2024
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal, speaking at a function in Dhanansu village, Ludhiana, on November 8, acknowledged drug abuse as Punjab's most pressing issue, emphasizing the need for public support to combat it. He urged newly elected sarpanches to report drug-related cases and assured strict action against police personnel failing to address such complaints.
08-Nov-2024
A young shoe trader, identified as Prinkle, was shot multiple times by 4-5 masked assailants in a gang-related attack in Ludhiana district on November 8, leaving him critically injured, while his female companion sustained a gunshot wound to her back.
08-Nov-2024
National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Chairperson Iqbal Singh Lalpura recently disclosed to The Tribune that in the 40 years since the anti-Sikh violence, only 14 victims' relatives have secured jobs, while numerous families in Tilak Vihar, New Delhi, continue to lack ownership rights. Lalpura vowed to prioritize the matter, requesting a detailed status report on rehabilitation efforts, which remain incomplete in several regions, including Haryana.
08-Nov-2024
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of Punjab Police on November 8 dismantled an illegal arms smuggling network with the arrest of Aditya Kapoor alias Makhan and Ravinder Singh and seizing one 9MM Glock pistol, two foreign-made .30 bore pistols, one .32 bore pistol, five magazines, and 14 live cartridges from their possession in Amritsar district. The accused were connected to US-based gangsters Balwinder Singh alias Dony Bal and Prabh Dasuwal, as well as Portugal-based criminal Manpreet Singh alias Mannu Ghanshampuria, and were involved in a rivalry with a syndicate led by gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.
07-Nov-2024
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on November 7 criticised Canada’s decision to ban the Australian media outlet Australia Today, highlighting Ottawa's hypocrisy on free speech. He also expressed concerns over the surveillance of Indian diplomats, baseless allegations against India, and Canada’s tolerance of anti-India elements within its borders, following remarks by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Khalistani extremism.
07-Nov-2024
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on November 7 condemned the recent attack by Khalistani extremists on Hindu temples in Canada, stating that such acts hurt the sentiments of over 1.2 billion Hindus and insult the teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus.
07-Nov-2024
Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah, speaking at the inaugural session of the Anti-Terror Conference in New Delhi on November 7, announced that the Centre would soon introduce a National Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy to strengthen efforts against terrorism across the country. Shah stressed the need for equipping young officers with advanced technology and called for the effective application of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in terrorism-related cases. He also highlighted the critical role of leveraging data from the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) to combat crime and terrorism.
07-Nov-2024
Bajrang Dal Hindustan activists gathered at Shaheed Chowk in Abohar, Fazilka district, on November 7 to protest against recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada and the perceived anti-Hindu stance of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
06-Nov-2024
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, speaking in Amritsar on November 6, condemned the recent violence in Canada, describing it as a conspiracy to defame the Sikh community and disrupt peace. He emphasized that Sikhs have never attacked the temples of any other faith and criticized efforts to portray the community negatively.
06-Nov-2024
Amritsar City Police on November 6 busted a trans-border drug smuggling racket and arrested three persons identified as Karandeep Singh, Jeevan Singh and Manjinder Singh, and seized 1 kg of heroin and 1 kg of ‘ICE (methamphetamine) from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. According to the Police, Karandeep had established contacts with Pakistan-based smugglers and was involved in trafficking drugs into Punjab, and the drugs were smuggled from Pakistan using drones and were linked to foreign-based gangster Gurdev Jaisal. The police are investigating the network's broader connections.