KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
15-May-2024
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on May 15 accepted the nomination of jailed Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, for the general election in the Khadoor Sahib seat in Tarn Taran district, Punjab. Despite being incarcerated in Dibrugarh Jail, Assam, under the National Security Act (NSA) since April 2023, Singh filed his nomination as an independent candidate on May 10.
15-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 15 intercepted the movement of a drone and recovered a packet of heroin weighing 550 grams along with a small drone near Havelian village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model, made in China.
15-May-2024
To ensure peaceful polling in Punjab, authorities have mobilized approximately 64,000 police officers and 225 companies of Central forces. Special Director General of Police (DGP), Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, announced that 25 companies of Central forces have been deployed since May 15, with additional units en route.
15-May-2024
The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on May 15 arrested notorious gangster Gourav Kapila alias Kapila, associated with the Vicky Gounder gang and seized five pistols from his possession in Jalandhar, Jalandhar district. Kapila, a prime suspect in a shooting incident during a birthday party in March 2024, was arrested following a complaint by Sunny, alias Kaka, who alleged that Kapila and his associates fired shots, severely injuring him.
15-May-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has recently taken charge of the probe into the targeted killing of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Prabhakar alias Vikas Bagga, which took place on April 13 in Nangal town in Rupnagar district of Punjab. Sources reveal that the assassination was orchestrated by Pakistan-based masterminds operating through terror networks in Portugal, Germany, and Dubai.
15-May-2024
Following the Punjab and Haryana High Court's inquiry into the protocol for granting armed licenses, Justice Harkesh Manuja on May 15 requested Punjab's Director-General of Police (DGP) to join the proceedings via video conferencing due to the failure to file a comprehensive affidavit by the next hearing date. The court sought comprehensive data on arms glorification on social media platforms, including FIRs registered and actions taken in the last five years.
14-May-2024
In a joint operation, the Counter-Intelligence (CI) unit of Bathinda and the district police on May 14 arrested three operatives of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), identified as Gogi Singh, Johny Singh, and Pritpal Singh and recovered three mobile phones, two dongles, an ATM card, and an Aadhaar card from their possession in Bathinda district. These arrests followed investigations that linked the individuals to pro-Khalistan graffiti slogans found in various public places in Bathinda, Punjab, and Delhi. Gogi Singh, identified as a key operative, was in constant communication with SFJ leader and Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
14-May-2024
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) on May 14 dismantled a terror module operated by foreign-based mastermind Iqbalpreet Singh alias Buchi, arresting four module members identified as Gurwinder Singh alias Shera, Gurpreet Singh, Ranjit Singh alias Sonu, and Jagjit Singh alias Jashan and seizing three pistols, 13 live cartridges, and a car from their possession near Liberty Chowk in Rajpura, SAS Nagar district. Police disclosed that Gurwinder Singh, previously arrested in 2022 for plotting target killings, had reassembled under Iqbalpreet Singh's guidance to plan new criminal activities in Punjab. Iqbalpreet Singh was linked to the late Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and another Khalistani terrorist, Ramandeep Bagga alias Canadian, a key perpetrator in multiple target killings, currently incarcerated in Tihar Jail in Delhi.
14-May-2024
In the 60 days following the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for India's ongoing general election, the Border Security Force (BSF) has either taken down or recovered 49 drones along the India-Pakistan international border. Most of these drones, predominantly of Chinese origin, were intercepted in Punjab, with a few in Rajasthan. This significant increase, 13 times more than in 2022, highlights an ongoing security threat, as drones are being utilized for smuggling drugs and weapons across the border from Pakistan. Despite the efforts of security agencies like the BSF and local police, the challenge persists, emphasizing the necessity for sustained vigilance.
13-May-2024
The Special Task Force (STF) on May 13 arrested five shooters associated with notorious gangsters Lawrence Bishnoi and Rohit Godara, identified as Dinesh, Pradeep, Jagdish and Vishnu, and seized five automatic pistols and 55 cartridges from their possession, in Farrukhnagar in Gurugram district in Haryana. Dinesh, who was initially arrested on May 11, revealed the whereabouts of the other four shooters. They were subsequently arrested on May 13 from Abohar, Fazilka district, Punjab. The shooters were allegedly planning serious crimes in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab.
13-May-2024
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, speaking at the Constitution Club in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on May 13, stated that India has not received any actionable evidence from Canada regarding the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He affirmed that India remains open to investigation if Canada provides relevant information.
13-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 13 intercepted a drone and recovered one packet of heroin weighing 560 grams along with the drone from fields near Ratankhurd village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was identified as a Quadcopter, Model DJI Mavic 3 Classic, manufactured in China.
13-May-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 13 recovered a drone from a dry well in Dhanoe Khurd village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic made in China.
12-May-2024
The Jalandhar Commissionerate police on May 12 arrested 10 more drug peddlers and seized INR 84.78 lakh in drug money and 500 grams of heroin from their possession in Jalandhar district, related to a case involving 48 kg of heroin. The police revealed that the kingpin, Turkey-based Navpreet Singh, led the syndicate with operations extending across Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Canada. Earlier, three family members associated with the syndicate were arrested, exposing a complex network smuggling drugs via routes in Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K).
12-May-2024
Indian-American oncologist Dr. Bharat Barai, in an interview to PTI on May 12, criticized Western misinformation about Indian democracy during an election cycle, accusing some in the West of harbouring a colonial mentality. He also condemned Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau for not taking action against Khalistani separatists who support violence in India. Dr. Barai emphasized that the Khalistan issue is primarily confined to Canada and a small fraction of foreign-born Sikhs. He defended India's vibrant democracy and progress, dismissing Western criticisms as grounded in misinformation and false narratives.
12-May-2024
Dr. Dharamvira Gandhi, Congress candidate from Patiala in Punjab, is advocating for the legalization of opium cultivation in Punjab as a solution to the state's drug menace. Gandhi, a cardiologist, argues that regulated opium cultivation will increase farmers' income and combat the use of synthetic drugs like "chitta." He contends that banning drugs has led to the proliferation of more harmful substances like cocaine, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. He proposes regulated access to traditional intoxicants like opium and poppy husk as a safer alternative to synthetic drugs, emphasizing the failure of previous anti-drug campaigns.
12-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 12 recovered a packet containing 520 grams of heroin from fields near Hardo Rattan village in Amritsar district.
12-May-2024
Police on May 12 busted a drug racket and arrested 13 unidentified individuals, recovering drug money worth INR 84 lakh, luxury vehicles, and a truck in Jalandhar district. These arrests are connected to a case involving 48 kg of heroin. The arrested individuals were involved in various roles within the drug network, including suppliers, purchasers, and hawala operators.
12-May-2024
On May 12, Pro-Khalistan graffiti and slogans against Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi were discovered on the pillars of Karol Bagh and Jhandewalan Metro stations in New Delhi. The Delhi Police swiftly removed the graffiti and filed a First Information Report (FIR) regarding the incident, while also requesting CCTV footage from the metro stations. The slogans were attributed to supporters of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
12-May-2024
In the current Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, the focus has shifted from drug addiction to the menace of drug-dispensing drones reportedly originating from Pakistan. Political rhetoric, once centered around combating drug addiction, now emphasizes cross-border smuggling and the need for a robust government to address the issue. While Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) nominee Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal avoids drug-related statements, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Taranjit Singh Sandhu vows to curb smuggling with United States (US)-inspired medical treatments. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) nominee Anil Joshi highlights the AAP-led government's failure to uproot addiction despite promises. Data from the Border Security Force (BSF) underscores increased drone activity and heroin seizures, indicating evolving tactics by Pakistan-based operatives, marking a departure from previous elections where drug addiction was a prominent political issue.
12-May-2024
On May 12, international drug smuggler Gurpreet Singh alias Gopa, wanted in multiple cases, was shot dead near Wadala Chowk in Jalandhar in Jalandhar district, Punjab.
11-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 11 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 2.175 Kg from fields near Sankatara village in Tarn Taran district.
11-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on May 11 recovered one packet of heroin weighing 569 Kg from fields near TJ Singh village in Tarn Taran district.
11-May-2024
Reports indicate a surge in pro-Khalistani leaders' participation in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, including Simranjit Singh Mann (Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar – SAD-A), Sandeep Singh, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa, and jailed Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh. This trend raises concerns about national security, given their advocacy for separatism, which challenges India's sovereignty. Simranjit Singh Mann's admission of accepting payment for issuing counterfeit asylum certificates adds complexity to the electoral landscape. Amritpal Singh's leadership of the Waris Punjab De (WPD) organization draws comparisons to extremist figures like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, hinting at a resurgence of radical ideologies. Sandeep Singh's association with pro-Khalistani sentiments, despite being in jail for alleged involvement in a murder, underscores simmering tensions in the region. Sarabjit Singh Khalsa's familial ties to prominent political figures, despite past electoral losses, highlight the entrenched pro-Khalistani sentiments within Punjab's political sphere.
11-May-2024
Reports highlight the deep-rooted communal politics affecting India's democracy, particularly in Punjab, tracing back to a history of religious terrorism in the 1980s and 1990s followed by heightened communal polarization. Despite a decrease in inflammatory rhetoric post-Sudhir Suri's killing, instances of lynchings and killings due to alleged 'sacrilege' by Sikh extremists persist, showcasing ongoing religious tensions. Punjab's persistent sacrilege cases underscore the seriousness, worsened by political exploitation and institutional failures. Religious leaders, including the Akal Takht's Jathedar, contribute to a hardening of Sikh identity and steer followers away from core principles, fostering religious intolerance and authoritarianism. This mirrors broader chauvinism and repression across India, highlighting the need for a collective realization against political manipulation of noble faiths.