KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
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.
06-Jan-2024
Police on January 6 registered a First Information Report (FIR) against gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, the main accused in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case, for allegedly breaking an LED TV at Kapurthala Central Jail after a verbal spat with a fellow inmate on December 29 in Kapurthala district.
06-Jan-2024
A team of four senior officers from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to visit the United States (US) to meet with Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials, to discuss various cases, including the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the extradition of Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana, in the US. The visit follows discussions between FBI Director Christopher A. Wray and NIA Director Dinkar Gupta during Wray's December 2023 visit to India. The discussions will cover issues such as Tahawwur Rana's involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, activities of terrorist-organized criminal networks, and investigations into the San Francisco consulate attack.
06-Jan-2024
Two suspected terrorist’s aides, Sharanpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh, linked to Canada-based gangster Happy Pashian, who were arrested on January 4 in Mohali for their involvement in cross-border weapon smuggling and drug distribution revealed that they were working with Pakistan-based Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Harwinder Singh alias Rinda, and received weapons and drugs via drones from Pakistan. Their arrest revealed a significant connection between criminal activities in India and Pakistan-based elements, underscoring the transnational nature of the illicit operations.
06-Jan-2024
The State Crime Branch Police station on January 6 filed two First Information Reports (FIRs) in accordance with the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, against Lawrence Bishnoi and unidentified gang members, accusing them of alleged extortion, withholding information, and destroying evidence related to two interviews telecast by a TV channel. The interviews were reportedly conducted in Bathinda jail. Notably, the FIRs do not include the journalist's name, although the TV channel is mentioned.
05-Jan-2024
On January 5, a ceremony with Sri Akhand Path Sahib bhog took place on the death anniversary of Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh at Gurdwara Jhanda Bunga Sahib within the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar in Punjab.
05-Jan-2024
Crystal meth, commonly known as ICE or methamphetamine, is reportedly entering the drug market in Punjab, as revealed during the interrogation of Simranjit Singh, alias Simar Maan, the prime suspect in the recent 2 kg ICE seizure that occurred on January 4. The drug was smuggled from Pakistan through a drone. Singh has allegedly been involved in the illegal drug trade for several months. Although details about the intended recipients were not disclosed, it is suggested that the seized drug was meant for distribution in metro cities, both within and outside Punjab. It has gained particular popularity among addicts in the Doaba region. Singh was produced in court and has been sent to three-day police remand.
05-Jan-2024
A special court designated under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Mumbai, on January 5, rejected the discharge petition of Mohiuddin Siddiqui, a former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) operative accused of aiding in reviving Sikh militancy for a separate 'Khalistan' state in Punjab. Siddiqui allegedly provided ammunition and international SIM cards to convicted individuals. The court cited evidence from mobile phones and noted the conviction of others as sufficient grounds to proceed. Siddiqui claimed a conspiracy against him by corrupt superiors, emphasizing the lack of specific terrorist activity and challenging the reliability of witness statements and evidence collected by the NIA.
05-Jan-2024
The Mohali district administration on January 5 introduced a WhatsApp number, 80541-00112, for residents to report drug traffickers and victims, in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The number is under the direct supervision of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohali Viraj Shyamkaran Tidke.
04-Jan-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 4 filed a charge sheet against Manpreet Singh alias Peeta, a close associate of the Canada-based designated gangster-turned-terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla, before a special NIA court in New Delhi. Peeta played a significant role in weapons collection, extortion calls, and recruitment for the terror outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), raising funds for Arsh Dalla. Arrested last year after deportation from the Philippines, Peeta's charge sheet represents a major step in the NIA's efforts to dismantle the terror-gangster nexus spanning multiple Indian states and other countries.
04-Jan-2024
The Supreme Court (SC) on January 4 rejected a petition seeking consular access for Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who is detained in a Czech Republic prison over an alleged plot to kill Khalistani terrorist separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States (US). The court cited the Vienna Convention, stating that Gupta has already received consular access. The bench emphasized the importance of respecting the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the foreign court, and it denied the petitioner's requests for intervention by the Indian government in extradition proceedings and cooperation in legal proceedings in the Czech Republic.
04-Jan-2024
According to Punjab Police sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has requested comprehensive information from the Punjab Police regarding gangsters and individuals involved in terrorist activities currently residing in Canada, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US). This move comes amid growing diplomatic tension between India and Canada following the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The NIA aims to gather details on individuals who have fled abroad using fake passports in recent years. Additionally, it is compiling a list of associates and accomplices involved in facilitating their escape.
04-Jan-2024
The Union Ministry of Communications on January 4 issued a warning about fake calls from international numbers advising people to sell their shares before March 12, 2024, claiming an impending destruction of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE). The calls are considered malicious and aimed at causing panic. The government urges people to ignore such messages and report them to telecom service providers or the National Cyber Crime Portal. This advisory follows threats from Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to target BSE and NSE for 'economic destruction,' leading to calls for enhanced cybersecurity measures at the stock exchanges.
04-Jan-2024
Punjab Police on January 4 busted a cross-border drug module being operated from Pakistan, by arresting a drug peddler identified as Simranjit Singh alias Simar Maan, and seized 2 kg of ICE (methamphetamine), a .30-bore China-made pistol and five bullets from his possession, in Chheharta area in Amritsar district. The suspect was in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers who allegedly supplied drugs and weapons using drones.
04-Jan-2024
Police on January 4 arrested four drug smugglers identified as Gurpreet Singh, Harmohan Singh, Jagjeet Singh and Jarnail Singh, and seized 63 kg of opium from their possession, at a special check post near Goraya in Jalandhar district. One of the accused, Jagjit, was convicted for 10 years in a poppy husk smuggling case and was out on parole
04-Jan-2024
Police on January 4 arrested an individual identified as Gourav, and seized 20 grams of ICE (methamphetamine) from his possession, near Jharamari Barrier in Derabassi in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
04-Jan-2024
A team of Range Anti-Narcotics-cum-Special Operation Cell on January 4 arrested an individual identified as Jatinder Singh and seized 50 grams of heroin from his possession at Phase-7 in in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district.
04-Jan-2024
The sarpanch of Dadiyana village, identified as Sandeep Singh, was shot dead on January 4 by three armed men on a motorcycle around 10 am in Dadiyana village in Hoshiarpur district. The assailants, known to the deceased, approached him, shook hands, and then shot him at close range.