KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
04-Nov-2023
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra on November 4 called for the arrest of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who recently threatened individuals planning to travel via Air India on November 19. Earlier, Pannun, the chief of the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), urged Sikhs to avoid Air India flights on that day.
04-Nov-2023
Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, issued a warning on November 4 via a video message which cautioned Sikh people against flying via Air India on November 19, claiming that doing so could endanger their lives. Pannun's video message also asserted that there would be a global blockade against Air India operations on that day. He further suggested renaming Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport as "Shahid Beant Singh and Shahid Satwant Singh Khalistan Airport" once Punjab is "liberated." The warning comes amid persisting tensions between India and Canada over allegations of Indian involvement in the shooting of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim denied by India.
04-Nov-2023
The Batala Police, on November 4, dismantled an extortion racket operated by gangster Harry Chatha with the arrest of its key associate identified as Navneet Singh alias Nav, along with Gagandeep Singh, alias Kaala, Balraj Singh alias Baaz, and Prem Kumar alias Ghulla from Balpurian village in the Gurdaspur district. They seized four pistols - including a Glock and three country-made pistols - along with live cartridges, two motorcycles used in the crime, and one car from their possession. They were arrested when, acting on a tip-off, the police confronted their car, prompting the occupants to open fire. In the ensuing shootout, a suspect, Navneet Singh, was injured, and a police officer sustained minor injuries. The other three accused persons, identified as Harpreet Singh, alias Preet, Sukhraj Singh, and Darshan Singh, alias Darshi, were brought on a production warrant from different jails for providing logistic support to the racket.
04-Nov-2023
According to reports, the personal life of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), including his marital status, is not publicly known, as he has maintained privacy about it. His family background includes his father, Mohinder Singh, mother, Amarjit Kaur, and a sibling named Magwant Singh Pannun, who possess substantial assets, including agricultural land and ownership of a local school and college in Khankot village in Amritsar District of Punjab.
04-Nov-2023
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) on November 4 arrested two drug peddlers identified as Gagandeep Singh and Kulwant Singh, seizing 28,500 intoxicating tablets from their possession in Fazilka district.
04-Nov-2023
Police on November 4 arrested three peddlers identified as Vikram Bishnoi, Karan Kumar and Dinesh and seized 700 gm of opium from their possession in Gumjal village in Fazilka district.
04-Nov-2023
The police on November 4 arrested Sucha Singh and recovered 4 grams of heroin along with INR 13,700 in drug money from his possession in Dharam Nagari in Fazilka district.
03-Nov-2023
Police on November 3 arrested two persons, identified as Mandip Kumar alias Munny and Jarnail Singh alias Jaila and seized four pistols and six cartridges from their possession in Rupnagar in Rupnagar district. They were arrested for their alleged involvement in various cases of dacoity, robbery, and snatching, and both suspects face multiple criminal cases in the district and were also wanted for an attempted robbery in Nawanshahr.
03-Nov-2023
The police on November 3 registered a First Information Report (FIR) after Dr. Chandan Chopra, who runs a general hospital in Tarn Taran district of Punjab, received an extortion call from the notorious gangster-turned-cross-border smuggler Happy Jatt. Happy Jatt demanded INR 2 crore. Dr. Chopra received calls from October 30 to November 3 and submitted a police complaint after the threat escalated, especially when he was threatened to harm his family.
03-Nov-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) shot down a drone near Tendi Wala village in Ferozepur district on the intervening night of November 3 and 4. The drone, a China-made DJI Mavic-3 Classic quadcopter, was recovered on November 4.
03-Nov-2023
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Mohali on November 3 arrested two operatives of the Davinder Bambiha gang, identified as Harmanpreet Singh alias Hammy and Sukhvir Singh, and seized a .32-bore pistol in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district of Punjab. They were apprehended based on the disclosure of Lovepreet Singh, who was arrested on October 27. The gang was allegedly tasked with killing Punjabi singers and a member of the rival Lawrence Bishnoi gang, following instructions from Canada-based gangster Jahar Singh alias Prince Chauhan, known for extorting money from singers and businessmen in the state.
03-Nov-2023
The Fazilka police on November 3 claimed to have dismantled a terror module linked to the banned Khalistani terror outfit, Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) with the arrest of its four operatives identified as Sharanjeet Singh, William Masih, Sehajpreet Singh alias Nirwair Singh alias Sunny, and Amarjeet Singh alias Nikka. The police seized five foreign-made pistols, smuggled from Pakistan via drone, along with 9 magazines and 23 cartridges from their possession. Sharanjeet and William were arrested on September 10 at the Punjab-Rajasthan border, where the police seized two pistols, 3 magazines, and 20 cartridges. Based on the information obtained during their interrogation, the police arrested Sehajpreet on October 27 in New Delhi, recovering three pistols, six magazines, and three cartridges from his possession. Sehajpreet confessed to operating on behalf of BKI head Harvinder Singh, communicating with other BKI operatives in different countries. Amarjeet was arrested on October 30, and an arms supplier identified as Kailash Khichan has also been implicated in the case.
03-Nov-2023
A local court on November 3 sent two members of the designated Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla’s gang, identified as Paramjit Singh and Kamaljit Singh, to a 5-day police remand in Dera Bassi in the Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. The accused were allegedly involved in a recent encounter and are suspected of participating in criminal activities orchestrated by Arsh Dalla. Preliminary investigations revealed their connection to the murder of an eatery owner in Bathinda, leading to additional charges against them.
03-Nov-2023
On November 3, in a joint operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police recovered a packet of heroin weighing 490 grams from a field on the outskirts of Rattan Khurd village in Amritsar district.
03-Nov-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police, in a joint operation, on November 3 recovered a drone from a field near Dhanoe Khurd village in Amritsar district. The drone was a Model - DJI Mavic 3 Classic made in China.
02-Nov-2023
The Special Task Force (STF), on November 2, arrested a drug smuggler identified as Lal Ji and seized 50 grams of heroin from his possession in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. He was produced in court and taken into one day of police remand. He used to obtain the drugs from the Fazilka border area and sell them in Mohali.
02-Nov-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on November 2 recovered a packet containing 850 grams of heroin near Bharopal village in Amritsar district.
02-Nov-2023
Police on November 2 arrested a drug smuggler, identified as Sunil Kumar, and seized 10 grams of heroin from his possession at a blockade at Railway Crossing on Sotran Road in Banga in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district of Punjab.
02-Nov-2023
A Sikh community delegation, led by former Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Manjeet Singh GK, met the Palestinian Ambassador to India, Adnan Abu Al-Hija, on November 2 in New Delhi and expressed concerns about the ongoing crisis, emphasizing their commitment to global peace and harmony. The delegation also stated their willingness to provide aid to both Israel and Palestine.
02-Nov-2023
Controversy arose when rose petals were showered on the Golden Temple from a helicopter during a religious procession, with some Sikh groups raising concerns about religious sanctity and security protocols. Advocate Neena Singh called for a ban on flights over the Golden Temple due to the perceived lack of religious decorum and head covering. While some criticized the act, others, like Balwinder Singh of the Hawara committee, argued that previous helicopter flights over the Golden Temple didn't violate religious codes or security significantly.
01-Nov-2023
Senior Advocate and former Punjab Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), Harvinder Singh Phoolka has alleged receiving a threatening email on November 1 from the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), targeting him and journalist Sanjay Suri. Phoolka stated that in the email, addressed to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, SFJ threatened to eliminate both him and journalist Sanjay Suri. Suri serves as the main witness against Congress leader Kamal Nath in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case. Phoolka has requested PM Narendra Modi to investigate the email's authenticity and ensure Suri's security, as he works for CNN in the United Kingdom (UK). Sanjay Suri's book details his encounter with Kamal Nath during the riots, raising questions about Nath's influence and involvement in the violence against Sikhs.
01-Nov-2023
The All India Sikh Students Federation (AISSF) on November 1 organized a Kirtan Darbar ceremony at Sonari Gurdwara Sahib to pay tribute to the victims of the 1984 Sikh massacre, with family members of the victims receiving 'Saropa’, in Jamshedpur in Jharkhand. The event emphasized the Sikh community's unwavering quest for justice and accountability, with appeals to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and a strong commitment to remember and honour the victims.
01-Nov-2023
A senior official in the security establishment said on November 1 that Khalistani terrorists are using advanced communication methods such as VoIP, encrypted chat apps, VPNs, and virtual phone numbers to evade law enforcement while conducting operations and spreading anti-India propaganda. They also make use of various social media platforms for both private and public communication. Additionally, they employ domestic, cross-border, and international logistics. Some individuals have found refuge in the United States (US), Canada, and European countries, owing to differing perspectives and support for the Khalistan cause.
01-Nov-2023
State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Mohali, along with local police on November 1 arrested three members of the designated Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla’s group, identified as Lovejeet Singh, Paramjit Singh and Kamaljit Singh and seized two illegal weapons, including a .32 bore and .30 bore pistols from their possession from a hotel in Baltana in Zirakpur in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. These arrests were made in connection with the recent murder of the president of the Mall Road Shopkeepers Association in Bathinda. The operation lasted approximately 20 minutes and involved an exchange of gunfire between the accused individuals and the police. During the crossfire, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Pawan Kumar sustained a bullet injury to his right leg, and one of the arrested individuals, Lovejeet, was also wounded.
01-Nov-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab police, in a joint operation on November 1 recovered a drone carrying 3.242 kg of heroin near Rajatal village in Amritsar district.