KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
09-Jan-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on January 9 introduced a dress code for 'granthis' and 'raagis' serving in the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple and other gurdwaras. The dress code, in line with Sikh rehat maryada, emphasizes simplicity and traditional attire. SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that the directive aims to address complaints about individuals modifying traditional clothing during 'Gurbani kirtan' performances in gurdwaras, ensuring adherence to Sikh traditions during religious duties.
09-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on January 9 recovered a packet containing 515 grams of heroin along with a drone, near Dal village in Tarn Taran. The recovered drone was a quadcopter -Model - DJI Mavic 3 Classic, made in China.
08-Jan-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President, Harjinder Singh Dhami, Dhami on January 8 released the report of the inquiry committee of the SGPC, which states that Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Singh Mann, who oversees the home department, is considered the main culprit responsible for the November 2023 police firing and the violation of Sikh religious conduct at Gurdwara Akal Bunga in Sultanpur Lodhi, Amritsar. The report alleges unnecessary police firing without warning disrupted an Akhand Path, and government officials, under pressure from the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) state government, did not cooperate with the inquiry.
08-Jan-2024
Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, through a video message on January 8 called for the shutdown of airports from Amritsar in Punjab to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh (UP) ahead of the January 22 Ram Temple Pran Pratishtha ceremony. Pannun, the leader of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), also urged Muslims to oppose the ceremony and carve out 'Urduistan' from India. Threatening global consequences, he called for Muslims to protest the event, which will be attended by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
08-Jan-2024
Nihang leader Baba Harjit Singh Rasulpur, on January 8, announced his plans to offer 'langar seva' to devotees worldwide who will be arriving for the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh (UP) on January 22. Two trucks loaded with ration and essentials were dispatched from Chandigarh on January 8. Singh emphasized his forefathers' devotion to Lord Ram and expressed his view that the temple's construction is a victory for both Sanatan and Sikhism. He aims to celebrate the occasion by providing langar for everyone. Additionally, he will oversee the stay of dignitaries attending the Satsang in Ayodhya, with langar services commencing on January 14. This initiative aligns with Sikh traditions, promoting equality and unity.
08-Jan-2024
Police on January 8 arrested one person, identified as Fateh and seized 260 grams of intoxicant powder from his possession in Model Town in Hoshiarpur in Hoshiarpur district.
08-Jan-2024
Police on January 8 arrested one person, identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, and seized 80 grams of intoxicant powder from his possession in Model Town in Hoshiarpur in Hoshiarpur district.
08-Jan-2024
Police arrested one person, identified as Gagandeep Singh alias Chhanga and seized 110 grams of narcotics from his possession, in Model Town in Hoshiarpur in Hoshiarpur district on January 8.
08-Jan-2024
Police on January 8 arrested Ajay Kumar alias Ajju, and seized 65 grams of intoxicant powder from his possession, and Jaspal Bassan and seized 45 grams of intoxicant powder from his possession, in Katcha Tobha in Hoshiarpur in Hoshiarpur district.
08-Jan-2024
The Garhshankar police on January 8 arrested Gaurav Kumar and seized 160 grams of narcotic substance from his possession, in Garhshankar in Hoshiarpur district.
08-Jan-2024
Tanda police on January 8 arrested Maano, and seized 65 grams of narcotic substance from his possession, from Chandigarh Colony in Tanda in Hoshiarpur district.
08-Jan-2024
Tanda police on January 8 arrested a fugitive identified as Niramal Sing alias Raju, and seized 65 grams of narcotic substance from his possession, in Khakhan village in Tanda tehsil in Hoshiarpur district. He was previously wanted in three cases that had been registered at the Tanda police station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
08-Jan-2024
On the orders of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the Punjab Police on January 8 conducted a widespread cordon and search operation in all 28 police districts of Punjab, resulting in 202 First Information Reports (FIR) and the arrest of 48 individuals. Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla reported the recovery of 1.9 kg of heroin, INR 6.8 lakh in drug money, 1.1 kg of opium, 87.5kg of poppy husk, 10,125 intoxicating tablets, 18 injections, 885 litres of illicit liquor and 12,350 litres lahan. The operation, executed from 8 am to 2 pm, involved over 600 police teams, with more than 9,000 personnel cordoning off 268 drug hotspots and frisking 5,505 suspicious persons.
08-Jan-2024
Punjab Police on January 8 arrested three more members of the Mannu Muhawa drug cartel, identified as Balraj Singh alias Kaka, Anmol Singh alias Laalu, and Sarabjit Singh, and seized 3.5 kg of heroin along with 10 cartridges and an SUV from their possession, from Sultanwind area in Amritsar district. The cartel's operations involve smuggling contraband and arms from Pakistan through drones. The Police emphasized ongoing efforts to establish the network of drug suppliers, dealers, and buyers connected to the cartel.
08-Jan-2024
On January 8, drug peddlers fired around 200 bullets in broad daylight during a disrupted narcotics sale, leading to a shootout at a wedding in Jeera village, Ferozepur district. The incident, fueled by longstanding rivalry among the parties involved, resulted in a girl sustaining gunshot wounds. Police have initiated a thorough investigation into the incident.
08-Jan-2024
During the Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on January 8, the police arrested 16 individuals and seized 1.1kg of opium, 1,450 habit-forming tablets, 1.5 kg of cannabis, 10 g of heroin, 30 g of intoxicants, 120 bottles of liquor, two motorcycles and INR 1.25 lakh in drug money in Patiala district of Punjab.
07-Jan-2024
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) recently designated four individuals associated with Khalistani terror groups as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Three individuals linked to the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) are Lakhbir Singh alias Landa; Satwinder Singh alias Goldy Brar; and Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda. Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, is associated with another Khalistani terror outfit, the Khalistani Tiger Force (KTF). The National Investigation Agency (NIA) played a crucial role leading to the declaration of these terrorists since 2020. The move aims to expedite justice in India and garner global attention, despite facing diplomatic challenges, particularly from Canada.
07-Jan-2024
According to sources, in 2023, the Border Security Force (BSF) along India's western border with Pakistan shot down and recovered a total of 119 drones, marking a substantial increase from the 22 drones seized in 2022. Of these, 108 drone retrievals occurred in Punjab, and 11 in Rajasthan. On the eastern frontier, there was the seizure of 22,000 kg of narcotics, 2.5 lakh units of Phensedyl, and over 10 lakh Yaba tablets. In contrast, the western border reported a total of 841 kg of seized drugs, with Rajasthan witnessing a four-fold rise compared to 2022. Despite the deployment of anti-drone systems, traffickers have adapted tactics, leading to an increase in drone sightings and altered smuggling methods.
07-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 7 recovered a broken drone from Hazara Singh Wala village in Ferozepur tehsil in Ferozepur district of Punjab. The recovered drone was a Chinese Quadcopter, model number-- DJI Matrice 300 RTK.
07-Jan-2024
Activists commemorating the anniversary of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha's (QIM) establishment on January 7 will gather on the road between Sectors 51 and 52 near YPS Chowk, demanding the release of 'Bandi Singhs' in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district, Punjab. The event, led by Morcha leaders, is expected to draw over 500 participants. On January 11, a march is scheduled from Fatehgarh Sahib to the morcha site as part of the event.
06-Jan-2024
In the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) crackdown on January 6 on Lawrence Bishnoi’s organized terror-crime syndicate, the house owned by Dalip Kumar Bishnoi in Bishanpura village, Abohar tehsil, Fazilka district of Punjab, was among the properties attached. Bishanpura and Dottaranwali, Lawrence's native village, are part of Asia's large wildlife sanctuary. Dalip, a former village sarpanch, was arrested for suspicious activities, and his property allegedly harbored criminals and concealed weapons. While Lawrence and Dalip share a community, they have no family relations.
06-Jan-2024
Radical Sikh outfits Dal Khalsa and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), in Amritsar on January 6, announced a protest against Indian intelligence and security agencies, citing concerns over transnational repression and the misuse of laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and National Security Act (NSA) to curtail Sikh activism. The protest is set to take place on January 26, Republic Day, in Moga, Punjab.
06-Jan-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) attached four properties belonging to members of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's organized terror-crime syndicate on January 6 in a coordinated operation across Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh (UP). The attachments, carried out under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), include a property in Lucknow owned by Vikas Singh, two properties in Fazilka owned by accused Dalip Kumar alias Dalip Bishnoi, and a seized Fortuner vehicle belonging to Joginder Singh. The NIA identified Vikas Singh as a terror gang harborer, linking him to the RPG attack on the Punjab Police Headquarters in Mohali, Punjab, in 2022. The gang, with international connections, was involved in crimes such as the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala and extortion activities.
06-Jan-2024
Delhi Police's Special Cell on January 6 arrested a sharpshooter connected to the Lawrence Bishnoi-Kala Rana gang, identified as Pradeep Singh, and seized two semi-automatic pistols of .32 bore with nine live cartridges from his possession, in Rohini in North West Delhi district in Delhi. Singh was allegedly recruited by gangster Virender Partap alias Kala Rana through Instagram and Signal App, and tasked with criminal activities in Delhi.
06-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 6 recovered three packages suspected to be containing 3.210 kg of heroin wrapped with adhesive tape and one Android mobile phone from a farming field, near Daoke village in Amritsar II tehsil in Amritsar district.