KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
16-Sep-2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, on September 16, while speaking in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, indirectly criticized Rahul Gandhi, accusing 'those filled with hate' of defaming India. This followed Gandhi's remarks in the United States (US) regarding the freedom of religious minorities, particularly the Sikh community.
16-Sep-2024
Punjab Police Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sukhchain Singh Gill revealed in Chandigarh on September 16 that, over the past two and a half years (2022-2024), they have arrested 39,840 drug smugglers, registered 29,152 First Information Reports (FIRs), and seized 2,546 kg of heroin, 2,457 kg of opium, and INR 30.83 crore in drug money. Additionally, the police forfeited properties worth INR 324.28 crore from major smugglers.
16-Sep-2024
Police on September 16 busted an international drug racket by arresting four individuals, identified as Harjinder Pal Singh, Veer Singh, Surmukh Singh, and Malook Singh, and seizing 10 kg of heroin from their possession in Khiche village, Ferozepur district. The arrests followed information provided by Shinda Singh, another smuggler arrested on September 9 with 1 kg of heroin and INR 4 lakh in drug money. The smugglers were linked to Pakistan-based handlers, who used drones to transport drugs, with Harjinder Pal Singh having prior connections to the Pakistan army and handler Riyast Dogger.
16-Sep-2024
Police on September 16 foiled a gang allegedly being operated from behind bars in Kapurthala district with the arrest of three accused, identified as Amritjeet Singh, Akashdeep Singh, and Kamaldeep Singh, and seized three .32 calibre pistols, 26 cartridges, and 20 grams of heroin from their possession in Rajpura in Patiala district. The gang was reportedly working on behalf of the Prince Golu gang, led by brothers Prince and Onkar Singh Golu, who were orchestrating criminal activities from Kapurthala Jail. Authorities are now investigating how the brothers were able to run operations from prison.
15-Sep-2024
Police on September 15 arrested one person, identified as Vishal Kumar alias Vishal and seized 3 grams of narcotic powder (heroin) and sedative injections from his possession, in Mahilpur in Hoshiarpur district in Punjab.
15-Sep-2024
Police on September 15 arrested one person, identified as Kamaldeep alias Deepa and seized 35 grams of heroin and a large quantity of intoxicating pills from his possession, in Hoshiarpur in Hoshiarpur district.
15-Sep-2024
The Tanda police on September 15 arrested one person, identified as Mahesh Kumar and seized a large quantity of intoxicating pills from his possession, in Tanda village in Hoshiarpur district in Punjab.
15-Sep-2024
The Tanda police on September 15 arrested one person, identified as Hari Om and seized 10 grams of heroin from his possession, in Rada village in Hoshiarpur district.
15-Sep-2024
The Dasuya police on September 15 arrested one person, identified as Lovepreet alias Love and seized 68 grams of heroin from his possession, in Himantpur village in Dasuya in Hoshiarpur district.
15-Sep-2024
Gangster Satendra Pal Singh alias Lucky, was killed in a crossfire with police in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, on September 15. Singh, involved in an INR 5 crore jewellery heist earlier in September 2024, had a INR 1 lakh bounty on his head and was part of the notorious 'Karate Gang.' The police arrested his accomplices, identified as Gurdeep Singh and Jaydeep Singh, and seized a country-made pistol along with jewellery worth INR 50 lakh from their possession.
15-Sep-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on September 15 recovered two packets containing 1.14 kg of heroin near Naushehra Dhalla village in Tarn Taran district.
15-Sep-2024
Punjab Police Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on September 15 revealed that U.S.-based gangster turned terrorist Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, along with Pakistan-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda, and the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), provided explosives, weapons, and logistical support for the Chandigarh grenade attack but reneged on promised rewards. The DGP warned against terrorist handlers exploiting vulnerable youth with false promises, stating that investigations continue to uncover the full conspiracy.
15-Sep-2024
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will now investigate the hand grenade attack at a Sector 10 bungalow in Chandigarh, following a meeting with Chandigarh Police. Authorities have detained auto driver Kuldeep, who allegedly transported the attackers. CCTV footage shows the duo hiring an auto, fleeing after the blast, and switching vehicles.
15-Sep-2024
Union Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravneet Singh Bittu, while addressing media persons in Bhagalpur, Bihar, on September 15, referred to Rahul Gandhi as the "number one terrorist of the country" in response to his comments about the Sikh community made in the US. Bittu also claimed that Gandhi "was not an Indian" and suggested offering a reward for his capture, labeling him as the "biggest enemy of the country.
15-Sep-2024
The Counter Intelligence (CI) Jalandhar on September 15 arrested an Army deserter identified as Amritpal Singh alias Fauji and seized 12.5 kg of heroin along with a motorcycle from his possession in Kangniwal village, Jalandhar district. Fauji had been on the run since August after his accomplice, Sartaj, was caught with 33 kg of heroin in Jammu. The drug cartel, operated from Dubai by Amrit Pal Singh Baath, was involved in large-scale smuggling.
15-Sep-2024
The Punjab Police are reviewing the security of retired personnel who were involved during the era of terrorism, following the confirmation that retired Superintendent of Police (SP) Jaskirat Singh Chahal was the target of the recent grenade attack in Chandigarh.
15-Sep-2024
According to sources, United States (US)-based gangster-turned-Khalistani terrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passia, is actively recruiting vulnerable youth from disadvantaged sections in the border areas of Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts in Punjab for criminal and terrorist operations. Passia, wanted in over 15 cases, exploits impoverished individuals by paying them meager sums for illegal activities, as evidenced by the arrest of Rohan Masih in connection with the Chandigarh grenade blast. The Punjab Police have dismantled several terror modules linked to Passia, including those involved in smuggling weapons via drones.
14-Sep-2024
Jalandhar rural police on September 14 arrested seven members of the infamous Ankush Bhaya Gang and seized 1,000 Alprazolam tablets, four pistols, and ammunition from their possession in Jalandhar district. The gang, linked to criminal figures such as Vikram Brar and Ravi Balachoria, was planning a bank robbery and the murder of rival gang members.
14-Sep-2024
According to reports, the recent endorsement of Rahul Gandhi's statement on Sikh rights by Khalistani terrorist and chief of the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has exposed divisions within the Khalistan movement. Many Sikhs find SFJ's support for Gandhi contradictory, given the Congress party's role in past Sikh suffering. This internal schism highlights how some factions exploit historical grievances for personal gain, straying from the original mission of Sikh empowerment.
14-Sep-2024
Faridkot Member of Parliament (MP) Sarabjeet Singh Khalsa, along with radical Khalistani preacher and Khadoor Sahib MP Amritpal Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh, announced on September 14 the candidacy of Mandeep Singh Sidhu, the brother of the chief founder of Waris De Punjab (WPD), Sandeep Singh alias Deep Sidhu, for the Gidderbaha bypoll in Gidderbaha, Muktsar district, Punjab.
14-Sep-2024
Police sources confirmed that former Punjab Police Superintendent of Police (SP) Jasjit Singh Chahal was the target of a recent grenade attack on September 11 at a house he vacated months ago in Chandigarh. US-based gangster and Khalistani terrorist Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia claimed responsibility for the blast. Chahal had been advised to move following the arrest of individuals plotting an attack on him last year.
13-Sep-2024
In a joint operation with central agencies and the Punjab Police on September 13 solved the Chandigarh grenade blast case with the arrest of one of the main perpetrators, identified as Rohan Masih, in Amritsar district. Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, and US-based Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia, were identified as the masterminds behind the attack. The grenade used in the incident was smuggled across the border via drones with the assistance of the ISI. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects.
13-Sep-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 13 conducted raids at three locations in Amritsar, including the residence of Pargat Singh Sandhu, a relative of radical Khalistani preacher and Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, who is currently detained in Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA). Raids were also reported in Moga, with the operation following a successful gathering held by Amritpal's supporters on August 19.
13-Sep-2024
The Police State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), in coordination with central agencies, arrested the second suspect in the Chandigarh blast case, identified as Vishal Masih, in Delhi on September 13. He was produced before a court and remanded to police custody until September 20.
13-Sep-2024
The police on September 13 arrested an individual identified as Kulwinder in connection with the death of a first-year M.Tech student from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Hoshiarpur district, Punjab. The police revealed that Kulwinder had connections with drug smugglers and was linked to a de-addiction centre involved in the drug trade.