KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
28-Nov-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is set to convene an emergency meeting on November 30 to discuss the release of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in the Beant Singh assassination case. After a meeting with SGPC officials, Rajoana urged the withdrawal of his mercy petition seeking to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment. He threatened a hunger strike in jail if the petition is not withdrawn by December 5, expressing disappointment with the delay in resolving the issue despite being in jail for 28 years.
28-Nov-2023
On November 28, the annual 'mohalla' event, featuring horse-riding displays and daredevilry by Nihang jathas, proceeded peacefully despite heightened security following a clash between police and Nihangs in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala district.
28-Nov-2023
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on November 28 observed the death anniversary of Bhai Mardana at Gurdwara Sri Manji Sahib Diwan Hall in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar in Punjab.
28-Nov-2023
Pro-Khalistani slogans were discovered inscribed on pillars and walls along Airport Road in the Amritsar district on the morning of November 28. Beneath these slogans, the phrase 'Sikh For Justice (SFJ)' was also written, indicating a possible connection to SFJ operatives. Subsequently, a video featuring SFJ Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun taking responsibility went viral on social media.
27-Nov-2023
The Uttarakhand Police’s Special Task Force (STF) and Delhi Police’s Special Cell on November 27 arrested a close associate of Canada-based terrorist Arsh Dalla, identified as Sushil Kumar, in Manglaur in Haridwar district of Uttarakhand. Kumar was allegedly involved in supplying weapons to shooters associated with Dalla and was booked for making an extortion call to a local trader on Dalla's behalf.
27-Nov-2023
Uttar Pradesh (UP) Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath on November 27 emphasized the role of the Khalsa Panth in the decline of the Mughal Sultanate during an event commemorating Guru Nanak's birth anniversary at Gurudwara Ashiana in Lucknow, UP.
27-Nov-2023
The 554th Prakash Purb, celebrating the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder of Sikhism, is marked by Sikhs worldwide.
27-Nov-2023
Delhi Police on November 27 arrested five members of the Canada-based designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla’s gang, identified as Rajpreet Singh, Virender Singh, Sachin Bhati, Arpit Dhankar, and Susheel Pradhan and seized two revolvers, 13 live cartridges, a hand grenade, and a stolen motorcycle from them in Mayur Vihar in Delhi. The accused were allegedly planning to kill Punjabi singer Elly Mangat and were apprehended after an exchange of fire, with Virender sustaining a gunshot injury.
27-Nov-2023
According to top government sources, the circulated video allegedly showing pro-Khalistani activists heckling India's Ambassador to the United States (US), Taranjit Singh Sandhu, during a Guruparab visit to a New York gurudwara is dismissed as 'wrong and fabricated news.' The video is deemed part of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice's (SFJ) false propaganda. Khalistani groups, linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), have been targeting Hindu temples in Canada, with recent protests in Surrey and Mississauga.
27-Nov-2023
Police on November 27 busted an inter-state drug smuggling racket with the arrest of three peddlers, identified as Javed alias Jaidi, Anwar Khan and his juvenile son, and seized 2.56 kg of opium and INR 16,000 drug money from their possession in Malerkotla in Malerkotla district. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the trafficking network.
27-Nov-2023
Intelligence agencies express concern as the Border Security Force (BSF) intercepted over two dozen Chinese-made Pakistani drones entering Indian territory in the last fortnight, reportedly for cross-border smuggling of narcotics and arms. The surge in drone activity is noted during the foggy winter season, reducing visibility. To address the situation, the BSF is set to deploy additional troops, conduct patrols, and employ dogs for heightened surveillance along the International Border. Meanwhile, authorities are discussing the need for more anti-drone systems to cover larger areas.
26-Nov-2023
Sikh pilgrims expressed disappointment as visas for several were canceled by the Pakistani government at the last moment, causing distress and hurting religious sentiments. A bus carrying Sikh pilgrims was flagged off from Gurdwara Rakab Ganj in Delhi for a visit to Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Nankana Sahib, and Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan on the occasion of Guru Nanak Dev's 554th anniversary. They urged the Pakistani government to prioritize religious visa applications and provide clear communication to avoid such issues in the future.
26-Nov-2023
The recent case involving Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who issued a threat against Air India flights, has raised concerns about his open activities despite India's criminal proceedings and ban against his outfit Sikhs for Justice. The lack of action by the United States (US), despite being a close strategic partner of India, has led to suspicions about Pannun's connections. A British media report suggesting that the US warned India of a plot against Pannun has further fueled speculation. The contrasting responses between Canada's allegations and the US's actions raise questions about the evidence and potential connections to other cases.
26-Nov-2023
Punjab Police on November 26 busted a cross-border drug smuggling racket being operated by United States (US) based smuggler Jasmit Singh alias Lucky with the arrest of two persons identified as Mohinderpal Singh and Sourav Sharma and seized 6 Kg of heroin and a car from their possession in Amritsar in Amritsar district. The arrested individuals were allegedly in direct contact with Jasmit Lucky, smuggling heroin from Pakistan and distributing it across the state.
26-Nov-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police during a joint operation on November 26 intercepted and recovered a drone from the fields near Agwan village in Gurdaspur district. The drone was a China-made DJI Matric-300 RTK.
26-Nov-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on November 26 evening recovered a drone from the fields near CB Chand village in Tarn Taran district.
26-Nov-2023
Indian ministers S. Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri recently condemned threats to India's sovereignty made on foreign soil and urged Canada to take action against those conspiring against India. The ministers criticized Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau for baseless allegations against India and his failure to address anti-Indian elements and Khalistani terrorism.
25-Nov-2023
Khalsa College educational institutions on November 25 organized a nagar kirtan, a religious procession to celebrate the 554th Parkash Purab of Sikhism's founder Guru Nanak Dev, in Amritsar in Punjab.
25-Nov-2023
On November 25, approximately 3,000 Indian Sikhs crossed the Wagah Border into Pakistan's Punjab province to participate in the celebrations marking the 554th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism. Officials from the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) welcomed the pilgrims and assured them of security and accommodations.
25-Nov-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF), on the intervening night of November 25-26, intercepted a drone and recovered five smaller packets of heroin weighing 5.240 kg, along with a pistol, two magazines, and 20 bullets from the outskirts of Chak Allah Baksh village in Amritsar district.
25-Nov-2023
According to sources, the Kangra police are set to investigate individuals arrested in Gurugram, Haryana, by the Delhi Police for creating "Khalistan Zindabad" graffiti on government office walls in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. The graffiti in Dharamshala, credited to Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, occurred three days before an ICC World Cup match. Earlier in 2022, miscreants, including Harbir Singh and Paramjit Singh, displayed 'Khalistan' banners at the Vidhan Sabha complex, leading to arrests and charges under various acts, including the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
24-Nov-2023
Ludhiana police on November 24 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Vir Karan Singh and seized 135 grams of heroin, two country-made 0.32 bore pistols, three live cartridges and INR 10,000 drug money from his possession in Tibba in Ludhiana district. Singh, with a criminal history, including a murder case, had recently been released on bail and resumed drug peddling, prompting the police action.
24-Nov-2023
Police on November 24 arrested five individuals from Punjab identified as Gurmail Singh, Jagseer Singh Atwal, Prince Singh Arfawala, Vipin Kumar, and Ajay Khokhar and seized 12 country-made firearms and five bullets from their possession in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh (MP). The accused, residents of Firozpur, Kapurthala, and Jalandhar districts in Punjab, revealed that they purchased the weapons for INR 50,000 each from the Nimar region in MP. The arrests were made while they were en route to Punjab.
24-Nov-2023
The United States (US) reportedly foiled an assassination attempt on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on its soil, prompting India to take the information seriously and initiate an investigation. This stands in contrast to India's strong reaction to Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of a Khalistani terrorist in Canada, leading to diplomatic expulsions and strained relations. The differing responses highlight the complexity of India's diplomatic engagements, particularly with key partners like the US and Canada, amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics and shared interests.
24-Nov-2023
The United Sikh Mission (USM), a United States (US)-based charitable organization, is set to establish the Khalsa Health Centre, aiming to provide accessible and affordable health services in Jalandhar district. The center, dedicated to the memory of Mata Pal Kaur and Mata Swaran Kaur, is scheduled to be completed by October 2024.