KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
05-Jun-2026
Amritsar Police on June 5 busted a cross-border drug and weapons smuggling module and arrested six persons, including an Afghan national, Baz Mohammad, along with Ankush Barthwal, Des Raj alias Vicky, Rajandeep Singh alias Raja, and two juveniles and recovered 1.035 kilograms of heroin, five sophisticated pistols, two live cartridges, and INR 500,000 in suspected drug proceeds during the operation in Amritsar District. Preliminary investigations indicated that the accused were acting in collusion with foreign-based associates and procuring illegal arms and narcotics through contacts established on social media platforms. The consignments were allegedly distributed on the instructions of overseas handlers through a network operating across the Majha and Doaba regions.
05-Jun-2026
According to report, a fresh controversy has erupted within Sikh circles over the venue of the annual commemoration of the June 1984 Operation Bluestar, with Shiromani Akali Dal-SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann and Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhuma publicly exchanging sharp remarks. The dispute centres on the annual June 6 observance held at the Damdami Taksal headquarters in Mehta Chowk. Mann argued that the commemoration should be held exclusively at the Akal Takht, where Sikhs from across the world gather to mark the anniversary. He suggested that the Mehta Chowk programme be held on June 7 instead, adding that he would have no objection to such an arrangement. Mann also criticised Dhuma for participating in Hindu religious rituals, including bathing in the Ganges and offering prayers at a Shivling.
05-Jun-2026
On the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj will felicitate the families of those killed during the operation. With a large number of devotees and visitors expected to gather in the holy city to mark the anniversary, authorities maintained a high level of vigilance and security.
05-Jun-2026
A joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Punjab Special Task Force (STF) on June 5 arrested a youth, identified as Mohtseem, in connection with the 2021 Punjab bomb blast case during a raid in Bachiti village under the Deoband Kotwali area of Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Investigators said the accused had emerged in a suspected network linked to the Pakistan-backed terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed, and the ATS reportedly obtained evidence indicating his association with the outfit.
04-Jun-2026
On June 4, Police busted an eight-member drug trafficking gang and arrested two members, including Sukhdev Singh alias Kala, during an operation at a closed petrol pump on the old bypass in Tarn Taran district.
04-Jun-2026
On June 4, five prominent temples in Punjab—the Durgiana Temple, Mukteshwar Dham Temple, Devi Talab Mandir, Maisar Khana Temple, and Mata Kali Temple—received bomb threat emails days ahead of the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star. The threats prompted Punjab Police and intelligence agencies to remain on maximum alert amid heightened security arrangements already in place for the anniversary period.
04-Jun-2026
On June 4, a special NIA court in Mohali sentenced three students from Awantipora in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir—Zahid Gulzar, Yasir Rafiq Bhat, and Mohammed Idris Shah—to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in a 2018 case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court found them guilty of criminal conspiracy, UAPA offences, and violations of the Explosives Act. The three had remained in judicial custody since their arrest on October 10, 2018. According to the prosecution, the accused were associated with the terrorist outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH) and were allegedly planning unlawful activities. Investigators further alleged that they had been receiving funds to advance the organization’s activities and were attempting to recruit other students from the institution into the group. The case originated from the recovery of arms, ammunition, and explosives during a police raid on the hostel of CT Institution’s Shahpur campus in Jalandhar on October 10, 2018. Investigations revealed that Yasir Rafiq Bhat, a relative of slain militant commander Zakir Musa, allegedly played a key role in procuring explosive material and motivating Kashmiri students at the institution to join the outfit and participate in its unlawful activities. The court, however, acquitted Suhail Ahmed Bhat, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges against him.
04-Jun-2026
In the early hours of June 4, Rattan Lubana, a club owner and relative of a BJP councillor, was shot and injured in an alleged attack by members of the Rohit Godara gang in Panchkula district, Haryana. Another individual, identified as Lalit, was also injured in the firing. The two assailants were subsequently arrested following a police chase and an exchange of fire with security personnel.
04-Jun-2026
On June 4, Punjab Police, on day 460 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 100 drug smugglers, and seized 1.6 kg of heroin, 1,110 intoxicant pills, and INR 16,500 in drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
03-Jun-2026
On June 3, the 134th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 526 raids, arrested 272 persons and recovered seven weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 65 individuals, while 20 persons were verified and released after questioning. Three proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
03-Jun-2026
On June 3, Punjab Police, on day 459 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 71 drug smugglers, and seized 18.4 kg of heroin, 570 intoxicant pills and INR 11,487 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
03-Jun-2026
The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on June 3 recovered 11 kg of heroin concealed in multiple packets scattered near Border Outpost (BOP) Ramkot in Fazilka district.
03-Jun-2026
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on June 3 recovered 6 kg of heroin near Border Outpost (BOP) Kakkar in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations indicated that the consignment had been dropped by drones from across the border and was intended for collection by local smugglers.
03-Jun-2026
Amritsar police on June 3 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Sukhdev Singh alias Sukh and recovered 2.225 kilograms of heroin from his possession, in Chicha village under Gharinda in Amritsar district. Preliminary investigations revealed that he was actively involved in narcotics trafficking and had procured the consignment for further distribution. During interrogation, police uncovered links to a Pakistan-based smuggler, identified as Maula, who allegedly used drones to deliver consignments of heroin and weapons across the International Border for distribution through local operatives to criminal elements in Punjab.
03-Jun-2026
Police on June 3 arrested a arms smuggler, Harjinder Singh alias Jinder and recovered four sophisticated pistols—one China-made .30 bore pistol, two Austria-made Glock 9mm pistols, one US-made Glock 9mm pistol—and eight live cartridges, in Lopoke, Ajnala in Amritsar district. Acting on Harjinder's disclosure, police subsequently recovered two additional Turkey-made .30 bore pistols and four live cartridges. Both accused belong to border villages and have previous criminal records.
03-Jun-2026
An unidentified caller allegedly made multiple extortion calls demanding INR 5 million from immigration agent Karanpreet Singh of JS Immigration Centre at Gill Chowk in Ludhiana district. The caller claimed to be based in England and originally from Tarn Taran, and identified himself as gangster Ghanshyam Puria.
03-Jun-2026
A bomb threat email received by the District and Sessions Court in Mohali on June 3 triggered a major security alert, leading to the temporary suspension of court proceedings and extensive search operations across judicial complexes in Mohali, Kharar, and Dera Bassi in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district. Authorities conducted thorough checks of the premises, while investigations were launched to trace the source of the threat.
03-Jun-2026
The agitation against the Himachal Pradesh Government’s entry tax on out-of-state vehicles intensified on June 3 when a group of Nihang Sikhs imposed a symbolic “Khalsa tax” on Himachal Pradesh-registered vehicles entering Punjab via the Kiratpur Sahib–Manali highway in Rupnagar district. The levy was collected for one hour, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as a protest against Himachal Pradesh’s entry tax.
03-Jun-2026
Ahead of the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6, Punjab Police implemented extensive security measures across the border belt, deploying around 4,000 personnel and 11 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents. Reviewing the arrangements in Amritsar on June 3, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) PK Sinha said a comprehensive security grid had been established covering Amritsar city and the adjoining districts of Amritsar Rural, Batala, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran. The coordinated mechanism is intended to facilitate seamless intelligence sharing and ensure a swift response to any potential security threats during the sensitive period.
03-Jun-2026
The State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Mohali, on June 3 arrested two associates of a foreign-based terror operative, identified as Mani Singh and Abhishek Kumar and recovered a fully assembled RDX-based improvised explosive device (IED) weighing approximately 2.5 kilograms, near a park opposite YPS Chowk in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the IED was ready for use, and the operation successfully foiled a plot to target critical public infrastructure in Mohali, averting a potentially catastrophic threat to public safety and security.
03-Jun-2026
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Soni, convener of the party’s district trade cell in Gurdaspur, on June 4 said he narrowly escaped a shooting attack at his petrol pump in Gurdaspur district on the evening of June 3. According to Soni, two motorcycle-borne assailants with covered faces opened fire at the premises, with several bullets striking his nearby vehicle and one hitting a wall. He escaped unhurt and allegedly returned fire with his licensed weapon, prompting the attackers to flee. Soni further claimed that prior to the incident, he had received an audio message from a foreign number demanding INR 20 million in extortion money and giving him 10 days to comply.
03-Jun-2026
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vijay Soni, convener of the party’s district trade cell in Gurdaspur, on June 4 said he narrowly escaped a shooting attack at his petrol pump in Gurdaspur district on the evening of June 3. According to Soni, two motorcycle-borne assailants with covered faces opened fire at the premises, with several bullets striking his nearby vehicle and one hitting a wall. He escaped unhurt and allegedly returned fire with his licensed weapon, prompting the attackers to flee. Soni further claimed that prior to the incident, he had received an audio message from a foreign number demanding INR 20 million in extortion money and giving him 10 days to comply.
02-Jun-2026
On June 2, the 133rd day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 499 raids, arrested 221 persons and recovered two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 81 individuals, while 10 persons were verified and released after questioning. Three proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
02-Jun-2026
On June 2, Punjab Police, on day 458 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 91 drug smugglers, and seized 910 grams of heroin, 285 intoxicating tablets, and INR 5,07,000 lakh drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
02-Jun-2026
A grenade attack targeted Multani Hospital, a private hospital near the bus stand in Kalanaur, Gurdaspur district, on June 2, shattering windowpanes and the glass door of the emergency ward. No one was injured in the incident. Police subsequently arrested the main perpetrator, who is reportedly linked to a foreign-based handler. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities examining both forward and backward linkages to identify and dismantle the entire network behind the attack.