KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
21-May-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated an investigation into allegations that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led by Arvind Kejriwal received political funding from the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), following a recommendation by Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena. An Enforcement Directorate (ED) note from October 2022 to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) also pointed out AAP's alleged violations of foreign funding laws, mentioning USD 16 million in donations associated with efforts to secure the release of 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar.
21-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint search operation with the Punjab Police on May 21, raided the house of drug smuggler Jaswinder Singh Kaka and seized 3.124 kg of heroin, two electronic weighing scales, INR 3 lakh in cash, one .30 calibre pistol, six magazines, and 108 rounds of 9 mm calibre, along with 3 rounds of .30 calibre, in Rajoke village in Tarn Taran district
21-May-2024
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) in Mohali on May 21 busted an inter-state illegal firearm smuggling ring, apprehending two gangsters identified as Amritpal Singh alias Amrit and Sukhwant Singh along with six .32 bore pistols and four live rounds at Rajpura bus stand in Rajpura, Patiala district. Further investigation revealed the duo's acquisition of these weapons from a trafficker based in Madhya Pradesh (MP) for INR 80,000.
21-May-2024
Punjab’s former Director General of Police (DGP), Viresh Kumar Bhawra, on May 21 filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) alleging pressure to engage in illegal activities, including the registration of cases against public figures. He claimed coercion to relinquish his post after the current government assumed power in March 2022, challenging his removal as DGP under the guise of a transfer, which he argues violates Supreme Court precedent. Bhawra's petition, represented by senior advocate DS Patwalia, also names the incumbent DGP Gaurav Yadav among the respondents. The case is scheduled for further hearing on July 4.
20-May-2024
Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on May 20 scheduled the 1984 Pul Bangash Sikh killings case for clarification on May 30 after hearing arguments on framing charges. The case involves the alleged killing of three Sikhs by a mob incited by Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, according to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Tytler's lawyer questioned the credibility of the new eyewitnesses, while the CBI emphasized that there is sufficient evidence to frame charges.
20-May-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, incited Punjab's farmers against Prime Minister Narendra Modi via a video, offering USD 100,000 to stop his convoy in Punjab. Pannun urged farmers of Punjab to block roads and airport routes and emphasized Punjab's desire for independence from India. Pannun said “Narendra Modi should not be allowed to speak here… He needs to be made aware that this is Punjab, which wants independence from India… The enemy is coming into the house, there will be an answer in the house”. PM Modi is scheduled to campaign for the Lok Sabha election in the Patiala, Gurdaspur, and Jalandhar districts of Punjab on May 23-24.
20-May-2024
The special court of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Mohali recently framed charges against ten people under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the Arms Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC), in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district in Punjab. The case originated from the April 2020 arrest of Hilal Ahmed and the seizure of funds linked to narcotics intended for terrorist activities.
20-May-2024
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on May 20 busted a gang reportedly involved in making fake passports and documents for hardcore criminals in Punjab to help them flee abroad by arresting three men identified as Jagjeet Singh alias Jeeta alias Sonu, Mohammad Shazeb Abid alias Shazeb alias Sajid, and Mohammad Kaif, from Urban Estate Phase 1 in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district. The Police arrested Jagjeet first, and based on information provided by him, arrested Mohammad Shazeb Abid and Mohammad Kaif from Delhi. The gang assisted around 20 criminals, such as gangster Gopi Nawanshahria, who escaped to Poland, and others who fled to the United States (US) and Canada. Using counterfeit visas and a clandestine route through Bangladesh, they facilitated the smooth transit of these criminals to European countries.
20-May-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet on May 20 before the NIA Special Court in New Delhi against Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, and his three associates, identified as Harjeet Singh alias Harry Maur, Ravinder Singh alias Rajvinder Singh alias Harry Rajpura, and Rajeev Kumar alias Sheela, for their involvement in a terror-gangster syndicate operating in Delhi, Punjab, and other states. The three associates were implicated in targeted killings and logistical support, with plans to execute terror attacks on Dala's instructions. The charge sheet was filed following their arrests between November 2023 and January 2024.
19-May-2024
Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, was assigned the 'mike' as his election symbol for the June 1 elections, where he is contesting as an independent candidate from the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat in Tarn Taran district, Punjab. Singh, currently jailed in Dibrugarh, Assam, was arrested in April 2023 under the National Security Act (NSA) after a 36-day manhunt.
19-May-2024
Amritsar (Rural) police on May 19 arrested an individual, identified as Kirpal Singh and seized 598 grams of heroin from his possession near Rorawala Kalan village in Amritsar district, Punjab. The police stated that Kirpal was intercepted based on a tip-off, revealing his involvement in receiving contraband smuggled from Pakistan via drones.
19-May-2024
Ravneet Singh Bittu, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate and three-time Congress Member of Parliament (MP), on May 19 while campaigning in Ludhiana, warned that electing pro-Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh, currently jailed in Assam, would threaten peace in Punjab. Bittu, the grandson of assassinated former Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, emphasized that the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are crucial for maintaining peace and urged Punjabis to vote against separatist elements to ensure stability in the region.
19-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 19 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 575 grams from farming fields near Dhanoe kalan village in Amritsar district.
18-May-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on May 18 released its poll manifesto in Jalandhar, emphasising that "Panthic principles would stand above politics". New proposals included reserving jobs for Punjabi youth, developing special economic hubs, and opposing the uniform civil code (UCC) and Agniveer scheme. The manifesto reiterated long-standing issues such as including Chandigarh in Punjab, cancelling river water settlements, and opening trade with Pakistan.
18-May-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) released its poll manifesto on May 18 in Jalandhar, Punjab, pledging to seek the transfer of Kartarpur Sahib from Pakistan to India through mutual land exchange and to push for the elimination of passport requirements for pilgrims. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also committed to fighting for Chandigarh's inclusion in Punjab and opposing the Centre's decisions on river waters without Punjab's consent. The manifesto also advocated for opening borders with Pakistan for trade and tourism, securing Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status for border areas, and addressing discrimination against Sikhs and other minorities.
18-May-2024
Police on May 18 arrested one person, identified as Amritpal Singh Palli and seized 55 grams of heroin and INR 8 lakh from his possession in Mohali, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, Punjab. Police reported that Amritpal had been a fugitive in a drug smuggling case for 11 years and was involved in drug trafficking with associates Rocky Mental and Chhinda Sandeep alias Deepa. Police are now investigating his network and supply sources.
18-May-2024
On May 18, the Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, directed Sikhs to observe Gallughara Week from June 1 to June 6, 2024, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Operation Blue Star and honor those killed. The directive includes offering prayers at every Gurdwara on June 6, holding Gurmat ceremonies, and displaying exhibitions of photographs depicting the atrocities committed by the Indian government. This decision was made during a meeting of five Sikh high priests at the Akal Takht secretariat.
17-May-2024
Amritpal Singh, the Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), is running for the Khadoor Sahib seat in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, from jail in Dibrugarh, Assam. Sources indicate he enjoys significant local support despite his contentious history. His campaign centers on tackling drug abuse, eliciting varied reactions. While some support his initiatives, others, cautious of his separatist stance, perceive him as a peace risk. Political analysts note the tension between his electoral involvement and Khalistani separatist goals.
17-May-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently expressed concern over the rampant growth of wild cannabis plants in the Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali (Tricity) area, facilitating drug peddling. The court has directed the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to submit reports on their actions to control this growth. Emphasizing the adverse effects on youth, the court has issued notices to state authorities, requiring them to explain their measures by May 20.
17-May-2024
On May 17, a sharpshooter from the Himanshu alias Bhau gang, identified as Ajay alias Goli, opened fire at the Delhi Police’s Special Cell team and later succumbed to injuries in Rohini, North West Delhi. His criminal record is linked to a series of heinous acts, including a broad daylight murder in Murthal, Sonipat, and a recent firing incident in West Delhi’s Tilak Nagar area. Goli, a close aide of gangster Himanshu alias Bhau, operated under his command, engaging in various criminal activities across Delhi and Haryana. His demise marks a significant blow to the notorious criminal network led by Bhau, who remains a fugitive orchestrating operation from abroad.
16-May-2024
Former National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director-General Dinkar Gupta, who retired as Punjab Police Director-General of Police (DGP) in April 2024, has been granted 'Z-plus' category VIP security by the Centre due to threats from pro-Khalistan elements. A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) VIP security wing will deploy approximately 40 personnel in shifts to protect him in Punjab and Delhi. This decision follows a threat perception report from central intelligence and security agencies, emphasizing his work against pro-Khalistan activities.
16-May-2024
Since the amendment of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in 2019, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has seized 403 properties related to suspected terrorists until May 16, 2024. The highest number of properties were attached in Jharkhand (206) linked to left-wing extremism (LWE), and 100 properties in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) associated with terrorists and separatist leaders. Properties related to pro-Khalistan elements and other terrorist activities were also seized in cities like Kochi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Delhi.
16-May-2024
Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has issued a threat to disrupt the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab and announced a reward of INR 1 lakh for raising Khalistan flags on June 1. He has also announced the allocation of USD 11 million for campaigning for a Khalistan Referendum in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi during the 2024 elections.
15-May-2024
Police on May 15 arrested an associate of Canada-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh Landa and United States (US)-based gangster Gurdev Singh Jassal, identified as Sharanjit Singh alias Sunny and seized six pistols and 20 live cartridges from his possession in Tarn Taran district. Sunny, the main weapon supplier for the Landa gang, was involved in smuggling arms from Madhya Pradesh (MP) to Punjab. This arrest is part of an ongoing investigation that has so far led to the seizure of 13 illegal weapons and 30 live cartridges, linking Sunny to criminal activities including extortion and murder.
15-May-2024
Panthic politics in Punjab has taken an unpredictable turn with the Election Commission of India (ECI) accepting the nomination of jailed Khalistani preacher and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief, Amritpal Singh, as an independent candidate for the Khadoor Sahib constituency in Tarn Taran district, Punjab. While Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar (SAD-A) is backing him, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal has criticized the move, questioning Amritpal's intentions and alleged influence by Central agencies. This area has a history of supporting hardliners.