KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
12-Mar-2026
The Punjab Police, in coordination with central agencies, on March 12 arrested fugitive Bhuvnesh Chopra alias Ashish after securing his deportation from a Central Asian country, upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi. Bhuvnesh had fled abroad to evade arrest in multiple serious cases, including a triple murder and several narcotics trafficking offences. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said a Red Corner Notice and a Look-Out Circular had been issued to track and restrict his international movements. Sustained coordination with international agencies eventually helped trace his location in the Central Asian country, leading to his deportation. A key role in the operation was played by the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC), recently constituted under the Internal Security wing.
12-Mar-2026
Chandigarh Police have filed an “untraced” report in a case registered against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, head of the banned separatist organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), for allegedly threatening to kill judges through a suicide bomber. Police had registered the case in 2022 under Section 506 of the IPC after Pannun allegedly threatened to target judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court of India. After more than four years of investigation, the police submitted an untraced report before a Chandigarh District Court, which has now accepted the report.
12-Mar-2026
The Supreme Court (SC) on March 12 granted bail to accused Pawan Bishnoi and Jagtar Singh in the 2022 murder case of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. The Bench allowed their petitions challenging the August 1, 2025 order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had rejected their bail pleas. Moosewala was shot dead by assailants on May 29, 2022 in Mansa district.
12-Mar-2026
The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed the regular bail plea of Gagandeep Singh alias Gagan alias Jarmanjit Singh, an accused in the 532 kg heroin haul from Attari on the India–Pakistan border in June 2019. The Bench cited the “serious nature and gravity” of the offences and Gagandeep Singh’s chequered criminal history as the primary reasons for denying bail.
12-Mar-2026
The National Stock Exchange of India office in Kurla, on March 12 received a threatening email warning of a missile and bomb attack on key locations in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The email, allegedly sent from [email protected], claimed that “Mumbai will echo Khalistan” and warned of blasts at multiple locations, including the stock exchange, banks, courts, the Vidhan Bhavan, and metro facilities.
11-Mar-2026
On March 11, the 50th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 550 raids, arrested 207 persons and recovered two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 95 individuals, while 103 persons were verified and released after questioning. Five proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
11-Mar-2026
On March 11, Punjab Police, on day 375 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 96 drug smugglers, and seized 1.8 kg of heroin, 1244 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 5970 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
11-Mar-2026
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on March 11 arrested Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch (village head) Parminder Singh alias Pamma in connection with a drug-related case from Kalsian village in Tarn Taran district.
10-Mar-2026
On March 10, the 49th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 537 raids, arrested 151 persons and recovered two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 75 individuals, while 111 persons were verified and released after questioning. Four proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
10-Mar-2026
On March 10, Punjab Police, on day 374 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 73 drug smugglers, and seized 5.1 kg of heroin, 5387 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 11,040 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
10-Mar-2026
Around 10 city schools and some journalists received bomb threat emails in Ludhiana district on March 10. While anti-sabotage teams conducted checks at the institutions, the schools were not evacuated.
09-Mar-2026
Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence unit on March 9 arrested a man and seized 9 kg of heroin from his possession in Amritsar district. Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav stated that preliminary investigations revealed the accused was in contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler and was acting on instructions from handlers across the border to distribute the contraband in Punjab.
09-Mar-2026
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on March 9, speaking in Patiala, expressed concern over the law-and-order situation in Punjab, describing it as “challenging.” He observed that the state’s law and order had become a weak link, noting that “almost every day, gunshots are being fired and murders are taking place.”
09-Mar-2026
The demand for the release of Khadur Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) and president of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), Amritpal Singh, gained momentum during a panthic conference held at Majitha in Amritsar district on March 9. Several speakers called for Amritpal Singh’s immediate release and urged the government to allow the utilisation of the MP Local Area Development funds for his constituency.
09-Mar-2026
The demand for the release of Khadur Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) and president of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De), Amritpal Singh, gained momentum during a panthic conference held at Majitha in Amritsar district on March 9. Several speakers called for Amritpal Singh’s immediate release and urged the government to allow the utilisation of the MP Local Area Development funds for his constituency.
09-Mar-2026
The Border Security Force (BSF) on March 9 shot dead a Pakistani intruder who allegedly attempted to cross the International Border in the Khemkaran sector of Tarn Taran district. The intruder was reportedly trying to secretly enter Indian territory when BSF personnel opened fire. During a search of the body, officials recovered some medicines from his possession. After completing preliminary procedures, the BSF handed over the body to the police for further action.
08-Mar-2026
Punjab Police on March 8 arrested Kulwinder Singh Kinda, a close relative of prime accused Mohabbat Randhawa, in connection with the January 10 Baddowal luxury car showroom firing, from Tharike village in Amritsar district. The arrest brings police closer to Randhawa, whose name, along with that of gangster Pawan Shaukeen, appeared on a slip demanding INR 2 crore in extortion that was left by the miscreants who opened fire at the showroom.
08-Mar-2026
A District and Sessions Court in Sri Muktsar Sahib district has granted bail to Preetpal Kaur, mother of fugitive gangster Goldy Brar, in a case related to an alleged INR 50-lakh extortion demand. She was released after furnishing a bond of INR 60,000. Preetpal Kaur and her husband, Shamsher Singh, residents of Muktsar town, were arrested from Amritsar on January 26. While Preetpal has secured bail, Shamsher Singh remains in judicial custody.
08-Mar-2026
An email bomb threat warned that the Secretariat building in Chandigarh would be targeted with a drone or car bomb attack during the ongoing Assembly session on the afternoon of March 8. The message referenced Punjab’s political leadership and international issues, and invoked the name of a group calling itself the “Khalistan National Army.”
07-Mar-2026
On March 7, the 46th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 471 raids, arrested 163 persons and recovered two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 76 individuals, while 116 persons were verified and released after questioning. Five proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
07-Mar-2026
On March 7, Punjab Police, on day 371 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 72 drug smugglers, and seized 2.3 kg of heroin, 7 kg of ganja, 109 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 1000 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
07-Mar-2026
Chandigarh Police recently filed a chargesheet in a local court against 13 accused allegedly associated with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in connection with the murder of Inderpreet Singh alias Parry in Chandigarh. Parry, once a close aide of Bishnoi, was chased and shot dead in Sector 26 on December 1, 2025. Police said the murder was the result of a gang war linked to the killing of Bishnoi’s close associate, Jora Sidhu alias Sippa, in Dubai in November 2025.
06-Mar-2026
Punjab Police on March 6 arrested two suspects in connection with the daylight murder of Harpinder Singh alias Happy, the sarpanch (village head) of Patto Hira Singh village in Moga district. Police have registered a case against four named suspects and seven unidentified persons in the incident. Following the registration of the FIR and the arrest of two suspects, the victim’s family ended their protest late on the night of March 6.
06-Mar-2026
Four unidentified assailants shot dead a sarpanch (village head), identified as Harpinder Singh alias Happy, in broad daylight at the main market of Baghapurana in Moga district on March 6. According to sources, the assailants fired multiple rounds at close range before fleeing the crowded marketplace. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Gandhi stated that preliminary investigations suggest the killing was likely the result of personal enmity, and that police were examining all aspects of the case. Multiple police teams have been formed to track down the suspects and the vehicle used in the crime.
06-Mar-2026
The Commissionerate Police in Amritsar on March 6 dismantled a cross-border illegal arms smuggling module by arresting five accused and one juvenile and seizing five sophisticated pistols, 34 live cartridges, and a sharp-edged weapon from their possession, in Maqboolpura area of Amritsar District. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were in contact with Pakistan-based arms smugglers through social media platforms and had allegedly coordinated the delivery and distribution of illegal weapons at various locations in and around the city.