KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
31-Dec-2023
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kondal on December 31 stated that in 2023, Khanna Police made significant strides against crime. They arrested 91 suspects under the Arms Act, dismantling inter-state arms smuggling rackets, including those operated by jail inmates. Notably, they solved 99% of murders and 40 out of 47 kidnapping cases. Substantial drug seizures included 54kg of opium, and property worth INR 5.97 crore from drug smugglers was frozen. Additionally, the police arrested 120 gamblers, recovering INR 11.45 lakh, and busted an international extortion and targeted-killing module with links to the terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorists.
31-Dec-2023
Punjab Police on December 31 busted a cross-border drug and arms smuggling racket being operated by a United States (US)-based smuggler, Manpreet alias Mannu Mahawa, with the arrest of its two key operatives identified as Sandeep Singh alias Laddi and Roshan and seized 19 kg of heroin, INR 23 lakh in drug money, seven pistols (including one 9mm Glock, three .30 bore pistols, and three .32 bore pistols), along with Pakistan-stamped ammunition, a currency counting machine, drone equipment (including a remote controller and spare fans), and a Hyundai Verna car (PB06BB4064) from their possession in Amritsar district. The arrested individuals were smuggling heroin from Pakistan and distributing it across the state. Further investigations are underway to trace financial links and freeze assets.
31-Dec-2023
In 2023, major concerns in Gurdaspur included the persistent issue of Pakistani drones smuggling narcotics into Dorangla in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, leading to a surge in heroin use among the youth. The Border Security Force’s (BSF) efforts, including anti-drone measures, provided temporary relief, but drone activities resumed after their dismantling.
30-Dec-2023
According to sources, Canadian law enforcement agencies are unlikely to find concrete evidence supporting Prime Minister (PM) Trudeau's claim that the killers of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar were directed by the Indian government. Observers suggest Nijjar's murder may be linked to local criminal gangs or a business dispute rather than state involvement. Canada has not shared any proof with India to support its allegation. Speculation circulates that officials close to Trudeau might resort to physical torture to coerce confessions and save face for the PM. Two suspects in Nijjar's killing are reportedly under close monitoring, and possible arrests are expected in the coming weeks.
30-Dec-2023
The Dal Khalsa, a Sikh organization, expressed concern over the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict in a statement issued to the media on December 30, highlighting its devastating impact on Gaza's population. They urged the international community to break its silence and intervene to end hostilities. The organization praised South Africa for approaching the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding Israel's bombardment of Gaza. The Dal Khalsa called for a resolution to the conflict, emphasizing the need for a balanced role by powerful nations and urging a focus on human rights and values in political decisions.
30-Dec-2023
Police on December 30 arrested two brothers, identified as Gurdeep Singh alias Vicky and Harpreet Singh alias Ricky, for threatening residents who had apprehended a snatcher, and seized an illegal pistol along with seven live cartridges from their possession near Sarabha Nagar in Ludhiana district. The brothers warned the residents to release the culprit or face gunfire. The snatcher, Jatinder Singh, managed to escape. Harpreet already had a previous case related to drug peddling.
30-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in a joint operation with Punjab Police, on December 30 recovered 523 grams of heroin and a drone on the outskirts of Mari Kamboke village in Tarn Taran district. The drone was identified as a made-in-China Quadcopter, Model-DJI Mavic 3 Classic.
30-Dec-2023
Muktsar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bhagirath Singh Meena on December 30 revealed that, in its campaign against drugs, the district police in Muktsar arrested 627 individuals under 468 cases of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2023. Additionally, 971 seminars were organized to raise awareness about de-addiction. The police also reported the seizure of nearly 31 kg of opium, 7.34 quintals of poppy husk, over 76,500 sedative pills, and 6.695 kg of heroin. Furthermore, properties worth approximately INR 5 crore, belonging to 11 drug smugglers, were confiscated, and 431 individuals were arrested under the Excise Act.
29-Dec-2023
Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation, with Punjab Police, on December 29 recovered a drone from the outskirts of village Pallopati in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone is a quadcopter, model: DJI Mavic 3 Classic, made in China.
29-Dec-2023
Police on December 29 arrested a truck driver identified as Budh Raj and seized 204 kg of poppy husk from his possession, near Chak Kala Singh Wala village in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. The Police intercepted his truck on December 28, where 12 bags of poppy husk were discovered in the truck.
29-Dec-2023
In a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) on December 29, Canada-based gangster and Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) leader Lakhbir Singh Landa has been declared an 'individual terrorist' under India's Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Landa, associated with several pro-Khalistan elements, fled to Canada in 2017. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had earlier announced cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of five BKI operatives, including Landa, wanted for terrorist activities, murder, drug smuggling, and aiming to disrupt peace in Punjab.
29-Dec-2023
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, during a press briefing in New Delhi on December 29, stated that India lacks information on reports suggesting Canadian authorities are close to arresting two men linked to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The Globe and Mail had earlier reported that the suspects, under police surveillance, are expected to be arrested in the coming weeks.
29-Dec-2023
The All-India Conference of Director/Inspector Generals of Police in Jaipur, Rajasthan, scheduled from January 5 to 7, is set to address emerging cyber threats posed by national state actors, challenges presented by AI tools like ChatGPT, fraudulent identity issues, and concerns related to banned Khalistani outfits. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi is expected to attend the conference, focusing on topics such as the C-Rad initiative, border management challenges, inter-state coordination, and prison infrastructure. The event, hosted by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), aims to facilitate discussions on internal security, crime, and law and order challenges among state and central agencies.
29-Dec-2023
According to sources, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) are considering relocating the security fence closer to the International Border (IB) with Pakistan in Punjab and parts of the Jammu region. The move aims to address agrarian challenges by allowing farmers access to their lands, protecting crops from wild boars originating from Pakistan. Additionally, the realignment aims to curb drone-mediated smuggling operations, with the BSF incorporating advanced technology for enhanced border surveillance. The proposal has garnered support from the Punjab Border Area Kisan Union.
28-Dec-2023
Police on December 28 arrested a woman identified as Kulwant Kaur and seized 4 kg of heroin from her possession in Maajimian village in Amritsar district. Her accomplice, Sucha Singh, managed to escape, prompting ongoing police raids for his arrest. The seizure and arrests were made during a police patrolling operation, and investigations are underway to determine the source and network involved in the narcotics racket.
28-Dec-2023
On December 28, a consignment comprising 2,503 plastic crates of apples from Afghanistan, concealing 33.92 kg of heroin-soaked paper sheets, was seized at the Integrated Check Post in Attari, Amritsar district. The operation was prompted by intelligence inputs from the Crime Branch of Delhi Police and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). The seizure was made under the provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985, highlighting efforts to curb drug trafficking through unconventional means.
28-Dec-2023
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Punjab Police on December 28 arrested an operative of the Lawrence Bishnoi-Goldy Brar gang, identified as Vikramjit Singh alias Vicky and seized a Chinese pistol with 8 live cartridges and a Toyota Fortuner car from his possession in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. Vikramjit, with a criminal history that includes 20 cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), was allegedly assigned by a foreign-based handler to eliminate a rival gang member. Additionally, he was involved in cross-border weapons and drugs smuggling and served as a shooter/co-accused in the murder of rival gangster Jordan in 2018.
28-Dec-2023
Police on December 28 arrested a woman, identified as Renu Kaur and seized 8,000 intoxicating tablets from her possession, at Gumjal barrier on the Abohar-Sriganganagar highway, near Gumjal in Fazilka district.
28-Dec-2023
Police on December 28 arrested an individual, identified as Sandeep Singh and seized 10 kg of poppy husk near Rajpura barrier on the Abohar-Sadulshehar road, near Rajpura in Fazilka district.
28-Dec-2023
Abohar City Police on December 28 arrested four persons identified as Manpreet Singh, Ravi Kumar, Sunil Kumar and Anil Kumar, while they were consuming ‘chitta’ (heroin), in Abohar in Fazilka district.
28-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police in a joint operation on December 28 recovered a drone, near Roranwala Village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a Hexacopter.
27-Dec-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police in a joint search operation, on December 27 recovered a drone near Mari Kamboke village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a Quadcopter, model - DJI Mavic 3 classic, made in China.
27-Dec-2023
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters, Sukhchain Singh Gill, at the year-end media briefing in Chandigarh on December 27 stated that Punjab Police achieved a record drug seizure, confiscating 1,161 kg of heroin in 2023. He also mentioned that during the year (till December 26), 14,951 drug smugglers were arrested, including 2,424 major offenders, with 10,786 FIRs registered. Additionally, authorities recovered 795 kg of opium, 403 quintals of poppy husk, and 83.17 lakh tablets, capsules, injections, and vials of pharma opioids. The police also seized drug money amounting to INR 13.67 crore and confiscated 294 properties worth INR 127 crore, targeting major smugglers. The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), in 2023, arrested 482 gangsters and criminals, dismantling 188 gangster/criminal modules while recovering 519 weapons, 102 vehicles used in criminal activities, 4.5 kg of heroin, and INR 71.08 lakhs in drug money.
27-Dec-2023
Divulging details on the action against terrorists, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters, Sukhchain Singh Gill, said on December 27 that in 2023, Punjab’s Internal Security has busted 13 terror modules with the arrest of 67 terrorists. The operations resulted in the recovery of two rifles, 55 revolvers/pistols, two tiffin Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), 2.14 Kg RDX, and other explosives, along with two hand grenades and 111 drones. A total of 303 drone sightings were recorded this year, reflecting the growing challenges in maintaining security.
27-Dec-2023
On December 27, the Punjab Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed a fourth charge sheet at the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Mansa district regarding the murder case of singer-turned-politician Sidhu Moose Wala. The charge sheet names gangster Sachin Thapan alias Sachin Bishnoi, as a key conspirator. Sachin, the nephew of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, was detained in Azerbaijan in 2022, extradited to India in August 2023, and is currently in the custody of the Delhi Special Cell. He is accused of conspiring to kill Moose Wala and managing logistics for the murder.