KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
04-May-2024
Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, on May 4 at an event in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, rejected Canadian allegations of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. He attributed these allegations to Ottawa's internal politics and maintained that India hasn't received specific details from Canada regarding the case.
04-May-2024
The Border Security Forces (BSF) troops on May 4 recovered 416 grams of heroin and a broken drone from fields on the outskirts of Kalash village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a China-made DJI Mavic 3 classic.
03-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 3 recovered a drone from fields near Kalia village in Tarn Taran district. The drone was a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
03-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 3 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 460 grams and a small torch tied to it from a field adjacent to Hardo Ratan village in Amritsar district.
03-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 3 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 406 grams from fields near Sankatara village in Tarn Taran district.
03-May-2024
Police on May 3 arrested two individuals, identified as Mandeep Singh Billa, and seized 1.5 kg of opium and 29 kg of poppy husk from their possession in a truck (PB 04 AE 8805) on the outskirts of Dugri village along the Malerkotla-Khanna Road in Sangrur district.
03-May-2024
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the police on May 3 arrested Avtar Singh and seized 4 kg of ICE (Crystal methamphetamine) and 1 kg of heroin from his possession, near Bhindi Saidan village in Amritsar district. Avtar allegedly had connection with Pakistani smugglers, who reportedly used drones for delivery, underscores the cross-border nature of the drug trade. This marks the fourth significant ICE seizure in the border region in the past four months. Pakistani smugglers, facing a decline in opium production due to Taliban policies, appear to be substituting heroin with ICE, as indicated by recent seizures.
03-May-2024
According to experts, Amritpal Singh's candidacy for the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat in Tarn Taran district, Punjab, while being incarcerated in Dibrugarh jail, Assam, under the National Security Act (NSA), raises legal complexities despite no explicit prohibition by the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines. His previous stance against the Constitution conflicts with the oath-taking requirement for nomination, posing a significant hurdle. Moreover, procedural challenges, such as opening a bank account for election expenses in absentia and the absence of technical support like video-conferencing, present further obstacles. While past instances of jailed politicians winning elections offer precedents, recent procedural amendments may complicate matters.
03-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 3 recovered a packet containing 450 grams of heroin along with a drone from the outskirts of Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic quadcopter.
03-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 3 recovered a drone from fields near Nesta village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic quadcopter.
02-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police, in a joint operation on May 2 recovered five small packets of heroin weighing 5.275 kg and a box containing 37 live cartridges in a bag, near Mode village in Amritsar district.
02-May-2024
Police on May 2 arrested four aides of Arsh Dala gang, identified as Himanshu Sekhon, Harmandeep Singh and Gurpiar Singh, along with a juvenile, and seized a .32-bore pistol, four cartridges, five cell phones, a scooter and a car from their possession, in Sri Muktsar Sahib in Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
02-May-2024
On May 2, the 'Dilli Chalo' protest at Shambhu and Khanauri borders marked its 80th day, while the 'rail roko' demonstration by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) persisted for the 16th consecutive day at Shambhu railway station near Shambhu village in Patiala district. This protest resulted in the cancellation of 46 passenger trains from May 2 to 4, including major routes such as Jammu Mail and Kalka Express. Moreover, 100 trains were diverted, and four trains were short-terminated due to the ongoing demonstration, leading to logistical challenges and inconvenience for passengers.
01-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 recovered a pistol without a magazine, found inside a packet wrapped in yellow packing material with a metal ring attached to it, in fields near Kalsian village in Tarn Taran district.
01-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 recovered a packet containing about 570 grams of heroin, attached to a small drone, near Dhanoe khurd village in Amritsar district.
01-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 recovered a drone near Chauntra village in Gurdaspur district. The recovered drone was a China made drone.
01-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 recovered a drone near Dal village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a China made drone.
01-May-2024
Former diplomat Bhaswati Mukherjee, speaking with News9 on May 1, dismissed the notion of a Khalistan movement in India, emphasizing it as a Canadian issue, while suggesting that Khalistan sympathizer Jagmeet Singh may be pressuring Prime Minister Trudeau to support the Khalistan movement in Canada.
01-May-2024
According to analysts, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's participation in a Toronto rally supporting the Khalistani movement has exacerbated tensions with India. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned PM Trudeau's actions, especially the endorsement of separatist slogans during the event, highlighting Canada's perceived leniency towards separatism and extremism. The issue of Khalistan separatism has been a longstanding sensitive matter between India and Canada, amplified by Canada's sizable Sikh community and historical connections to the Khalistan movement. The persistent presence of Khalistani elements in Canada has additionally strained bilateral relations.
01-May-2024
According to security agencies, Khalistani preacher and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) has maintained ties with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) while in jail, with documents suggesting his involvement in a conspiracy to destabilize India upon release. His alleged communication with ISI operatives and attempts to procure weaponry indicate a continued association with the Pakistani intelligence agency. Despite being detained under the National Security Act (NSA), Amritpal is set to contest elections from Punjab's Khadoor Sahib constituency, sparking debate within security circles about the suitability of allowing him to participate.
01-May-2024
A district court in Mansa district, Punjab, on May 1 framed charges against jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and 26 other accused in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case. The prime accused, Canada-based gangster Satinderjit Singh alias Goldy Brar, remains at large. The court scheduled the next hearing for May 20.
01-May-2024
The Range Anti-Narcotics and Special Operation Cell of the Punjab Police on May 1 arrested a woman identified as Salhanta Devi and confiscated 15 kg of marijuana and INR 20,000 from her possession in Sohana village, located in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
01-May-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 conducted a joint operation with the Punjab Police, resulting in the arrest of a drug smuggler identified as Jagroop Singh and the seizure of 500 grams of heroin from his possession near Jathaul village in Amritsar district. The heroin had been smuggled via drone from Pakistan. Singh confessed to being in contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler known as "Shah" and admitted to facilitating around 10 drug consignments in the past.
01-May-2024
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, while speaking at an election rally in Himatnagar in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat, on May 1, criticized the Congress government for sending dossiers to Pakistan despite knowing the origin of terrorism, contrasting it with India's current strategy of taking direct action against terrorists on their home turf. PM Modi's remarks come in the midst of accusations in the Canadian, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and Australian media, which are part of the Five Eyes Intelligence alliance. These reports alleged the involvement of Indian intelligence agencies in various incidents, including the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and assassination plots in the US and UK. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed these reports, viewing them as attempts by the Five Eyes to rein in Indian intelligence's growing influence, especially considering India's assertive stance on terrorism and national security under leaders like National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and former Secretary (RAW) Samant Goel. Despite efforts to tarnish their reputations, the Modi government remains steadfast in its commitment to combating terrorism and safeguarding India's interests, gaining support from a majority of the electorate ahead of the 2024 elections.
30-Apr-2024
Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Raghbir Singh, issued a warning in Amritsar on April 30 to Amrita Waring, wife of Punjab's Congress president, cautioning against politicizing Sikh symbols. This came after she equated the Congress symbol with Guru Nanak Dev's insignia. Singh condemned her actions, highlighting Congress's history of violence against Sikhs, and urged Waring to express remorse. In response, Waring apologized, affirming her respect for Sikh sentiments and acknowledging her unintentional mistake.