KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
25-Sep-2023
Punjab Police conducted search operations at 48 locations targeting Khalistani terrorist Lakhbir Singh Landa and his associates in Ferozepur district on September 25. The crackdown comes after an extortion incident and is part of a broader effort to apprehend these individuals.
25-Sep-2023
According to reports, drug smuggling attempts from Pakistan via drones have been frequent in the border region of Punjab, with over 250 drone sightings this year (2023), showing a significant increase compared to previous years. The Border Security Force (BSF) has been actively intercepting and addressing such drone activities, including the recovery of drones used for smuggling.
24-Sep-2023
An Indian intelligence dossier highlights the involvement of individuals in the Khalistan terror network operating in Canada. It focuses on Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal's radicalization and training for terrorist activities in India. Mandeep was introduced to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar through Gajinder Singh, the chief of Dal Khalsa based in Pakistan. Nijjar played a key role in his radicalization and provided arms training. Moninder Singh Bual, linked to Khalistani outfits, and Parvkar Singh Dulai, a controversial figure with ties to Khalistani elements, are also mentioned in the dossier. Parry Dulai, along with Bual and Satinder Pal Singh Gill, formed the Sikh Liberation Front (SLF) to support the Khalistani movement, and Canadian authorities added his name to the no-fly list due to alleged terrorist-related activities.
24-Sep-2023
United Hindu Front (UHF) working president and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Jai Bhagwan Goyal criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a protest held by UHF at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on September 24. Goyal suggested that if Trudeau supports Khalistanis, he should consider the possibility of breaking up a part of Canada to create a new Khalistan. The UHF organized this protest to express their concerns about Trudeau's alleged support for anti-India Khalistanis and Canada's interference in India's internal affairs.
24-Sep-2023
According to sources, India is reportedly cancelling the registration of more than a dozen Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders due to their involvement in pro-Khalistan activities and anti-India propaganda. This action comes in the wake of visa service suspensions at Indian missions in Canada, Canada's reduction of diplomatic staff in India, and the expulsion of diplomats, all occurring amid strained relations between India and Canada.
24-Sep-2023
According to reports, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to seize the properties of 19 Khalistani terrorists, including individuals based in the United Kingdom (UK), the United States (US), Canada, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other countries, under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The NIA's list includes the following individuals: Paramjeet Singh Pamma, based in the UK; Wadhva Singh alias Babbar Chacha, based in Pakistan; Kulwant Singh Muthada, based in the UK; JS Dhaliwal, based in the US; Sukhpal Singh, based in the UK; Harpreet Singh alias Rana Singh, based in the US; Sarabjeet Singh Benoor, based in the UK; Kulwant Singh alias Kanta, based in the UK; Harjhap Singh alias Jappi Singh, based in the US; Ranjit Singh Neeta, based in Pakistan; Gurmeet Singh alias Bagga Baba; Gurpreet Singh alias Baghi, based in the UK; Jasmeet Singh Hakeemzada, a drug smuggler based in Dubai, UAE; Gurjant Singh Dhillon, based in Australia; Lakhbir Singh Rode, based in Canada; Amardeep Singh Purewal, based in the US; Jatinder Singh Grewal, based in Canada; Dupinder Singh, based in the UK; and S. Himmat Singh, based in the US.
24-Sep-2023
Khalistani separatist and chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun stated that India is alarmed by the Khalistan Referendum's success, after India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 23 confiscated land and part of a house belonging to him. He also asserted that the asset seizures and ‘false cases’ would not deter the Khalistan Referendum movement, which he referred to as Sikhs' ‘Surgical Strike’ against India, with the aim of freeing Punjab and establishing the Democratic Republic of Khalistan (DRK).
24-Sep-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation with Punjab Police, on September 24, arrested two individuals identified as Jagpreet Singh and Surinder Singh and recovered 12 kg of heroin and INR 19.3 lakh from their possession, from near Chaura Kalan village in Gurdaspur district. Three suspects were spotted riding a motorcycle and behaving suspiciously. Subsequently, two of them were apprehended while attempting to flee a checkpoint. The police are currently searching for the third suspect.
23-Sep-2023
According to sources, Patiala Police suspect the involvement of 'sleeper cells' within prisons and have written to the Jail Department to investigate the connection between Amrik Singh and the terrorist Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda. They are looking into how Amrik managed to escape in 2022 and repeatedly obtain cell phones within the jail. The police have confirmed that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) sent two AK-47 rifles and ammunition, while Amrik provided them with a 140-page report on an Army camp in Himachal Pradesh (HP).
23-Sep-2023
According to sources, Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar obtained Canadian citizenship through questionable means, which enabled him to evade Interpol Red Corner Notices (RCN). He travelled to Thailand to assist another Khalistani terrorist, Jagtar Singh Tara, who was later arrested and deported, but Nijjar's Canadian citizenship allowed him to escape arrest.
23-Sep-2023
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) wing of the Punjab Police on September 23 registered a First Information Report (FIR), based on a tip-off against 32 individuals, eighteen of them are Pakistani nationals, for allegedly running a cross-border drug smuggling network using drones and riverine routes along the Punjab border. The individuals have been identified as Arif, Asif, Sadiq, Chaudhary Akram, Haidar, Rustam, Mirza, Nasir, Imran Shah, Imtiaz, Mia, Bilal, Mnesha, Bhola Sandhu, Abdul Hamid Bagga, Jawed, Aslam, and Shera, all of whom are Pakistani nationals. Additionally, Kinderbir Singh alias Sunny Dial, Gurjant Singh alias Bholu, Rajesh Kumar alias Sonu Khatri, Satnam Singh, Gurlal Singh, Talveer Bedi, Randeep Singh alias Romi, Vinodh Kumar alias Lucky, Navpreet Singh alias Nav Bhullar, and Akshey Chhabra, Vinay Agarwal, Naveen Bhatia, Lovejeet Singh, and Manjit Singh are also involved. It is suspected that the proceeds from the smuggled drugs are being sent to Pakistan and Afghanistan via Dubai to fund anti-India operations and sleeper cells in Punjab. The accused are interconnected in running this smuggling network, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend those in India involved in the operation.
23-Sep-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on September 23 confiscated land and a portion of a house belonging to Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), in Khanoti village in Amritsar district of Punjab and Chandigarh. The properties confiscated include a 46-kanal (5.7-acre) agricultural land in Khankot village and a one-fourth share of a house in Sector 15/C area of Chandigarh. Pannun, who has been on the NIA’s radar since 2019, was designated as an ‘individual terrorist’ by the Government of India on July 1, 2020. while the SFJ was declared an ‘unlawful association’ by the Government on July 10, 2019.
23-Sep-2023
According to a chargesheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Canada-based Khalistani leaders and gangsters reportedly used money generated in India through activities like extortion and smuggling to fund violent acts and invest in various ventures. The NIA uncovered 13 instances from 2019 to 2021 when gangster Lawrence Bishnoi sent sums ranging from INR 5 lakh to INR 60 lakh to Canada and Thailand using hawala channels. Bishnoi, through his associate Satwinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, had close ties with Canada-based Khalistani groups, including Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) leader Lakhbir Singh alias Landa. These funds were invested in activities such as purchasing yachts, financing movies, and organizing the Canadian Premier League in Canada. Additionally, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang invested money in nightclubs and bars in Thailand.
23-Sep-2023
According to reports, several Punjabi singers and artists, including Sidhu Moose Wala, Shubhneet Singh alias Shubh, Jazzy B, Hard Kaur, and Diljit Dosanjh, have come under scrutiny for their perceived support for the Khalistan cause. Some have faced criticism for sharing distorted maps of India or making references to Khalistani leaders like Bhindranwale. This has led to controversies and cancellations of their engagements, as their music and social media posts are seen as promoting anti-India sentiments and sectarian supremacy. The trend of Punjabi artists expressing pro-Khalistan views has raised concerns, particularly within the Indian diaspora.
23-Sep-2023
According to reports, Punjabi students invest INR 68,000 crore per year for education in Canada. Canada has become a top choice for Punjabi students due to its flexible education policies, work opportunities, and post-graduation immigration options. In 2022, Canada approved 226,450 visas under the Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), with a significant number of students coming from Punjab. Around 3.4 lakh Punjabi students are currently studying in Canada, with nearly 60% of all Indian students in Canada being of Punjabi origin.
23-Sep-2023
Since September 11, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mohali, Punjab, has reportedly been hearing a case involving the attachment of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's house in his native village of Bharsingpura in Jalandhar district. The case is related to a 2021 incident in which priest Kamaldeep Sharma was shot at. Nijjar, along with three others, faces charges under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Notices regarding the case have been posted outside Nijjar's house multiple times since October 2021, and the NIA has also conducted raids on the property.
23-Sep-2023
According to reports, the nexus between Indo-Canadian gangsters and Khalistani separatists has persisted for decades, with gangsters often evading Indian law enforcement by seeking refuge in Canada. Notorious figures such as Goldy Brar and Arsh Dalla, among others, have been involved in various criminal activities, including weapons smuggling and drug trafficking. Some gangsters, like Goldy Brar, are believed to continue operating their gangs from Canada, recruiting new members and authorizing criminal activities. This nexus has raised concerns about the intersection of organized crime and Sikh extremism on Canadian soil, with certain gang members receiving financial support from pro-Khalistan leaders.
23-Sep-2023
According to intelligence reports, Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar played a significant role in training, financing, and operating his outfit and individuals on Canadian soil. Nijjar received training in Pakistan with the assistance of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and maintained links with other Khalistani leaders. He organized arms training camps in Canada, instructed individuals in firearm use, and allegedly sent people to India for targeted killings and attacks.
23-Sep-2023
The counter-intelligence (CI) wing of Punjab Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) on September 23 recovered a small drone and 500 gm of heroin on the outskirts of Mahawa village in Amritsar district. The recovered drone is a Quadcopter (Model - DJI Mavic 3 classic) made in China.
22-Sep-2023
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring expressed opposition to the idea of Khalistan while also rejecting the labelling of Punjab's youth as 'anti-nationals' in a post on the social media site X on September 22.
22-Sep-2023
According to reports, Canadian National Security and Intelligence Advisor Jody Thomas made two trips to India, including a meeting with National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and intelligence officials in August 2023. She also accompanied Prime Minister (PM) Trudeau to the G20 Summit in New Delhi and had a bilateral meeting with Doval to discuss Canadian security agencies' pursuit of credible allegations linking Indian government agents to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
22-Sep-2023
India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on September 22 shared credible information with global leaders, including representatives from Quad member states Japan and Australia, during a meeting in New York, United States (US). The information pertained to Canada's failure to take action against Khalistani terrorists on its soil, despite receiving solid evidence from India. Jaishankar conveyed India's message that terrorism must be dealt with strictly worldwide and that the global community should match rhetoric with action against terrorism, whether in Pakistan, Canada, or elsewhere.
22-Sep-2023
Renowned Indian defence analyst Qamar Agha on September 22 emphasized that the overwhelming majority of Punjabis in India, estimated at 99%, do not espouse Khalistani ideology or endorse Khalistan-related actions. He also alluded to Pakistan's potential involvement in promoting the resurgence of the Khalistan movement.
22-Sep-2023
According to sources, Indian intelligence agencies have compiled a dossier alleging that Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar assumed leadership of the Sikh temple by coercing his cousin and the former temple president, Raghbir Singh Nijjar. The document also suggests that Nijjar had previous connections with Gurdeep Singh, a member of the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) known for his involvement in numerous killings in Punjab during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Additionally, it reveals that Nijjar's criminal activities began under the influence of another gang leader, Gurnek Singh alias Neka.
22-Sep-2023
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Chandigarh President Arun Sood on September 22 assured parents of students in Canada that the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of Indian students. He emphasized that Indian students in Canada are and will remain one hundred percent safe, with the government taking measures to ensure their well-being and uninterrupted education.