KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
25-Oct-2024
The Mumbai crime branch, in collaboration with the Ludhiana crime branch, on October 25 arrested Sujit Kumar, an associate of Lawrence Bishnoi, in connection with the Baba Siddiqui murder case in Ludhiana district. A joint team conducted the raid, and following his arrest, Kumar was taken to the Jamalpur police station before being flown to Mumbai for further investigation.
24-Oct-2024
The Ludhiana court of Additional Sessions Judge Shiv Mohan Garg on October 24 acquitted drug lord Ranjit Singh alias Raja Kandola, and his accomplice Gurnam Singh in a 2017 drug case in Ludhiana district. The Punjab Police had alleged that Kandola facilitated heroin smuggling while in custody; however, the court cited insufficient evidence to support these claims.
24-Oct-2024
Punjab Police on October 24 arrested two unidentified individuals following an encounter in the Diamond Avenue area of Amritsar. Gunshots were exchanged during the encounter, injuring one of the accused. The police revealed that the arrests were linked to an inter-gang rivalry incident involving gunfire on October 18-19, during which two pistols, including a Glock 9mm and a .32 bore pistol with 13 rounds, were seized. Two additional suspects from the same gang are still being pursued.
24-Oct-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on October 24 arrested Baljeet Singh alias Baljeet Maur, an absconding close associate of designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh Dalla alias Arsh Dalla of the Khalistan Terrorist Force (KTF), at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi. Singh, who had arrived from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was wanted in connection with terror activities linked to the proscribed KTF and had a non-bailable warrant against him since June 2024. NIA investigations revealed that he played a significant role in providing logistical support, identifying extortion targets, and recruiting new members for the KTF's conspiracy to instigate terror in Punjab.
24-Oct-2024
India’s recalled High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, on October 24 criticized Canada’s handling of bilateral relations, describing it as "the pits" and highly unprofessional. He expressed disappointment over Canada’s tolerance toward a small but vocal Khalistani faction, which he described as being involved in criminal activities like gun-running and human trafficking. Verma emphasized that Canada’s actions felt like a “backstab” in an otherwise productive relationship, stressing the need for professionalism given the significant Indo-Canadian diaspora and shared democratic values.
24-Oct-2024
India’s recalled High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, revealed in an interview on October 24 that Canada had unexpectedly removed notorious gangster Goldy Brar from its wanted list. Verma explained that India had previously shared the names of Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi with Canadian authorities, who initially placed Brar on the list but later removed him without prior notice.
24-Oct-2024
India’s recalled High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, on October 24 advised Indian students in Canada to stay vigilant against potential radicalization efforts by Khalistani extremists. Verma highlighted that these groups offer financial incentives to students, encouraging them to join protests or seek asylum under false pretexts. He also urged parents to maintain close communication with their children in Canada to help guide them away from such influences.
24-Oct-2024
Geostrategist Brahma Chellaney, in an interview with India Today on October 24, criticized Canada’s role as a hub for the Khalistan militant movement, pointing to its lenient asylum policies toward Indian militants despite repeated warnings. Chellaney also condemned Canada’s inaction in the Air India bombing case, describing it as a significant failure of international justice.
24-Oct-2024
Jathedar of the Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, stated in Amritsar that Sukhbir Singh Badal, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has been barred from participating in any political activities, including campaigning for the upcoming assembly by-elections. This decision, based on Sukhbir's designation as 'tankhaiya' for past misconduct, prevents him from contesting the Gidderbaha by-election, with the nomination deadline set for October 25.
24-Oct-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, via a video message, called for a shutdown of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) schools on October 26. He linked his statements to a recent blast outside a CRPF school in Rohini, Delhi, which was claimed by the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). Pannun also offered a USD 1 million reward for advance intelligence on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's foreign trips. Additionally, he accused former CRPF officials of human rights abuses against Sikhs and urged students and parents to boycott CRPF schools due to alleged atrocities committed during events such as the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
24-Oct-2024
Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Anil Sarin announced on October 24 the expulsion of former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Satkar Kaur Gehri from the party’s primary membership following her arrest in a drug peddling case. Kaur and her nephew were arrested by the Punjab Police’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF).
23-Oct-2024
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Chandigarh Police on October 23 arrested a notorious drug peddler identified as Bala alias "drug queen," and seized 1.8 grams of heroin and INR 5 lakh in cash from him in Chandigarh. Bala, aged 62, has a lengthy criminal history spanning 32 years, involving 34 cases, with 17 convictions and 15 acquittals, including charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
23-Oct-2024
Amritsar City Police on October 23 arrested three drug peddlers, identified as Jagroop Singh, Jagjit Singh and Jashanpreet Singh and seized 2.15 kg of heroin from their possession in Chheharta Sahib in Amritsar district.
23-Oct-2024
According to sources, pro-Khalistan elements in Canada and the United States (US) have been operating "control rooms" to coordinate targeted killings and terror strikes in states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) found that these centres, located in South America and Spain, were set up to evade Indian surveillance. Initially established by criminal gangs led by figures like Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldy Brar, these control rooms later aligned with pro-Khalistan groups, resulting in their booking under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
23-Oct-2024
According to sources, Vikash Yadav, accused of plotting to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is currently on the run, with both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Delhi Police actively searching for him. If Yadav is arrested in India, he will first face legal proceedings for domestic charges; however, a potential extradition request from the United States (US) could complicate matters. The India-US extradition treaty requires compelling evidence for extradition. Additionally, Interpol may issue a Red Notice, further restricting Yadav's movements and increasing his chances of arrest abroad.
23-Oct-2024
The Delhi High Court dismissed three appeals related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which were filed 27 to 36 years after the accused were acquitted. The court noted a delay of over 13,000 days in filing these appeals, emphasizing that while it recognizes the tragic loss of life during the riots, such delays cannot be condoned. This ruling sets a precedent for at least ten other similar cases, with the court underscoring that similar appeals had previously been rejected.
23-Oct-2024
According to sources, India has not appealed Interpol's rejection of a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), due to insufficient evidence. Interpol previously denied two requests for the RCN, citing a lack of adequate evidence and concerns that the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act might be used to target minorities.
23-Oct-2024
Police on October 23 arrested former Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Ferozepur (Rural), Satkar Kaur Gehri, and her nephew, Jaskeerat Singh, seizing 138 grams of heroin and INR 1.56 lakh in cash from their possession in Kharar, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
23-Oct-2024
The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, on October 23, busted an inter-state gang involved in opium smuggling by arresting Bablu and Akash Kumar and seizing 2 kg of opium from their possession near Bhagat Singh Colony in Jalandhar district.
23-Oct-2024
On October 23, a former sarpanch and commission agent identified as Gurdeep Singha was shot dead by four unidentified assailants at the grain market in Sathiala village in Baba Bakala in Amritsar district.
23-Oct-2024
According to sources, Vikash Yadav, accused by a United States (US) court of conspiring to murder Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is absconding after being granted bail by an Indian court. Previously arrested in Delhi on charges of extortion and kidnapping following a local businessman's complaint, Yadav is now on the FBI's most wanted list and is being actively pursued by both US and Indian agencies.
22-Oct-2024
A group of shopkeepers, whose families have carried on trades since the time of Guru Ram Das, expressed disappointment after being overlooked by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) for invitations to the Guru’s birth anniversary celebrations in Amritsar, Punjab. These traders, whose ancestors were originally invited to help establish the holy city, were last recognized by the SGPC in 2018, but the tradition of inviting them has since been discontinued. Many feel neglected despite their deep historical connections to the city’s foundation.
22-Oct-2024
According to official sources, Delhi Police have written to Telegram seeking information about a handle that posted a message claiming responsibility for a blast near the CRPF School in Rohini, North West Delhi. A post on the Telegram channel ‘Justice League India’ claimed the explosion was in retaliation for actions against pro-Khalistan separatists; however, no substantial evidence has linked any terrorist group to the incident. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities reportedly close to arresting suspects believed to have planted a homemade explosive at the site.
21-Oct-2024
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, speaking at an event on October 21 at the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) headquarters in Jalandhar district, revealed that nearly 80% of extortion calls are made by local criminals posing as gangsters, while only 20% are linked to actual gangsters. He urged citizens to report such crimes and directed police officials to convert complaints into First Information Reports (FIRs). Yadav also paid tribute to the 1,799 Punjab Police personnel who have sacrificed their lives since September 1981.
21-Oct-2024
Police on October 21 arrested a gangster from the Devinder Bambiha gang, identified as Arshdeep Singh, and seized two .32 bore pistols and a country-made .30 bore pistol from his possession in Moga district. During interrogation, Arshdeep disclosed that foreign-based gangster Lucky Patiyal, associated with the Bambiha gang, had arranged the weapons and sent two unidentified shooters to Moga, who managed to flee before Arshdeep's arrest.