KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
31-Dec-2024
According to official sources, opioid (pharmaceutical drug) addiction in Punjab spiked over threefold in 2024, with the police seizing 2.94 crore pharma opioid units, a sharp increase from 83.17 lakh last year. However, heroin seizures saw a slight decline to 1,099 kg from 1,161 kg in 2023, attributed to a reduced supply from Afghanistan following the Taliban's heroin ban. Despite this, police registered fewer NDPS Act FIRs (8,935 vs 10,786) and made fewer arrests of smugglers (12,255 vs 14,951). In a significant move, the police forfeited 550 properties tied to drug trafficking and credited the transfer of 200 key smugglers to a Bathinda jail's zero-mobile network area for disrupting trafficking networks.
30-Dec-2024
On December 30, an audio clip surfaced featuring a conversation in which a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, Goldy Brar, threatened Punjab’s Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bikram Singh Brar for deploying informers against the gang. In his reaction, DSP Brar dismissed the threats, asserting that the police will continue to take lawful actions and emphasized Goldy Brar's involvement in criminal and terror activities, including the 2022 Mohali RPG attack.
30-Dec-2024
On December 30, a state-wide bandh called by kisan unions in support of farm leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who had been on a hunger strike for 35 days demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) on crops, resulted in a complete halt of road and rail traffic across Punjab. The bandh, which lasted from 7 am to 4 pm, saw significant disruptions, with key roads and toll plazas blocked, affecting daily life in the Malwa, Doaba, and Majha regions.
30-Dec-2024
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced on December 30 in Chandigarh that all eight bomb blast cases targeting police installations in the state have been solved, with fourteen members of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) arrested. The attacks were orchestrated by terror modules linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and handlers based in the United States (US), Canada, and Europe, involving the use of grenades and RDX. The ISI-backed BKI module was operated by Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia and Shamsher alias Honey, with mastermind Abhijot Singh among those apprehended.
30-Dec-2024
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, on December 30, revealed the existence of a nexus involving drug smugglers, terrorists, and gangsters, supported by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), which is actively recruiting unemployed youth for criminal and terror activities. In 2024, Punjab Police dismantled 13 terror modules and 200 gangster modules, leading to 559 arrests and 64 encounters, marking significant strides in countering organized crime and terrorism in the state.
30-Dec-2024
According to official sources, an intensified crackdown on drug peddlers in Punjab's Ferozepur district in 2024 resulted in a notable reduction in cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The police arrested 317 individuals in 244 cases, recovering significant quantities of narcotics, including 63 kilograms of heroin. Compared to the previous year, the district witnessed a decline in arrests and drug seizures, attributed to a comprehensive strategy employing special teams, advanced technology, and preventive actions. Authorities also reported progress in curbing illegal liquor trade and mining activities, further enhancing the district's law enforcement efforts.
30-Dec-2024
Police revealed that Gurjeet Singh and Baljit Singh, the main suspects in the December 17 hand grenade attack on the Islamabad police station, are relatives of US-based drug smuggler Sandeep Singh alias Seepu. Initially involved in cross-border drug trafficking, the suspects were recruited for the attack by terrorist Jeevan Fauji. After the blast, they hid at a house in Khasa, where a hand grenade was subsequently recovered. Investigations further revealed that the duo planned to receive payment for the attack through the sale of 1.4 kilograms of heroin.
30-Dec-2024
The Kendri Sri Guru Singh Sabha, a central body of Singh Sabha Gurdwaras, on December 30 demanded the installation of a statue of General Zorawar Singh in Ladakh to honour his significant contributions during Maharaja Ranjit Singh's military campaigns.
29-Dec-2024
Farmer unions, including the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM-Non-Political), have called for a Punjab Bandh on December 30 to protest against the rising issue of farmer suicides. The bandh, scheduled from 7 AM to 4 PM, will involve blocking roads and halting the supply of milk, vegetables, and other essentials to cities. Government and private institutions will remain closed, except for emergency services. The protest has garnered support from various unions, including the All India Kisan Congress (AIKS), to bring attention to the plight of farmers.
29-Dec-2024
Police on December 29 arrested five members of the notorious gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, identified as Gurmeet Singh alias Rawal, Harpal Singh, Lovepreet Singh alias NP, Shamsher Singh alias Shera Passian and Sandeep Singh alias Goli and seized one 9mm Glock pistol, two .32 bore pistols and one country-made pistol along with 15 live cartridges and three magazines, along with their Hyundai Creta car from their possession, in Khabbe Dogran in Tarn Taran district. The gangsters were planning targeted killings, with weapons supplied by Bhagwanpuria. Investigations are ongoing to trace further connections and crimes linked to the group.
29-Dec-2024
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police revealed on December 29 that Kulveer Singh Sidhu, an operative of the banned Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) with a INR 10 lakh bounty from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), was the primary financier of the three Khalistani terrorists killed in an encounter in Pilibhit on December 23. Sidhu, who fled India in 2018, is accused of arranging fake Aadhaar cards and facilitating the militants' stay at a Pilibhit hotel. Authorities are now probing the broader network supporting Khalistani activities in the region.
29-Dec-2024
Unidentified assailants opened fire on the car of Sikh activist Bakshish Singh near the Patiala South Bypass in Patiala district on December 29. Singh, known for his advocacy on issues concerning Sikh prisoners, escaped the attack unscathed.
29-Dec-2024
Punjab Police on December 29 dismantled a Pakistan-ISI-backed terror module operated by Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) under the direction of foreign-based operatives Harpreet Singh alias Happy Passia and Shamsher alias Honey, and arrested five operatives, identified as Abhijot Singh, Kuljit Singh, Rohit alias Ghessi, Shubham, and Gurjinder Singh alias Raja and seized one 9mm Glock pistol and one .32 bore pistol in Batala, Gurdaspur district. Investigations are ongoing to trace the network's broader links and activities.
29-Dec-2024
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police on December 29 filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Gursewak Singh, a Sikh man from Haryana's Sirsa, at Nagar Kotwali Police Station in Bijnor district for allegedly posting pictures of himself carrying weapons on social media and expressing support for Khalistan. The action follows heightened vigilance after the killing of three suspected Khalistan supporters in a joint encounter by UP and Punjab Police in Pilibhit. Authorities have reiterated their commitment to taking strict measures against the dissemination of inflammatory content on social media platforms.
29-Dec-2024
Police on December 29 arrested two associates of gangster Prabh Dasuwal, identified as Rajdeep Singh alias Raja and Kajal, for allegedly demanding an INR 30 lakh ransom from goldsmith Lovepreet Singh on behalf of Dasuwal in Amritsar.
29-Dec-2024
Punjab Police, on December 29, arrested two individuals, Anmol Preet and Navjot Singh, in connection with the murder of Jaswant Singh Gill, a murder convict on parole, who was shot dead during an evening walk in Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh (MP), on November 7, in Gwalior in MP. The police revealed that the primary suspect, Satyapal, is currently residing in Canada. The suspects are linked to Canadian gangster Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dala. Both individuals are under interrogation by Punjab Police and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to explore further connections and the broader network behind the crime.
29-Dec-2024
According to official sources, the use of drones for trafficking heroin, arms, and ammunition remains a significant challenge for the Border Security Force (BSF) and other intelligence agencies in 2024. The BSF intercepted 286 drones along the 553-km India-Pakistan border in Punjab, with 164 seizures made in Amritsar and 75 in Tarn Taran. The contraband smuggled included 280 kg of heroin, 36 pistols, and explosives intended for attacks on police establishments. Despite the implementation of counter-drone measures, many drones manage to return undetected after delivering their consignments, suggesting involvement from Pakistan-based agencies.
28-Dec-2024
According to Uttar Pradesh (UP) Police, the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) facilitated the stay of three Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) operatives killed in a crossfire in Pilibhit, UP. Acting under the directives of wanted BKI operative Kulbeer Singh, the trio was linked to grenade attacks in Punjab. They reportedly used fake Aadhaar identities for their stay, arranged by a local accomplice, Jaspal Singh alias Sunny, who has been arrested. Investigations are underway to trace their movements, identify the source of their weapons, and ascertain the motive behind their presence in the region.
28-Dec-2024
Punjab police on December 28 arrested two members of a narco-terror module being operated by foreign-based handlers who had also lobbed a hand-grenade at the Islamabad area police station in Amritsar on December 17, identified as Gurjeet Singh and Baljit Singh, and seized 1.4 kg heroin, one hand grenade and two sophisticated pistols - one 9 mm Zigana and one 9 mm Glock pistol along with ammunition from their possession, in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The module was run by United States (US) based Sandeep Singh alias Seepu and Pakistan-based operatives. Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operative Jeevan Fauji, based abroad, had claimed responsibility for the attack on social media.
28-Dec-2024
Police on December 28 arrested two unidentified Nihang Sikhs for allegedly attacking an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), near Gurdwara Sheesh Ganj Sahib in Fatehgarh Sahib in Fatehgarh Sahib district. The ASI, Harminder Singh, reported that the accused, while assaulting a boy with kirpans and sticks, turned on him when he intervened to save the boy.