KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
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.
04-Jan-2024
Punjab Police on January 4 arrested two Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operatives, who were being handled from abroad, after a brief encounter and seized 4 pistols and 10 live cartridges from their possession inside Bal Gopal Gaushala in Balongi village in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. One of the operatives, identified as Sharanjit Singh alias Sunny, sustained injuries. Both operatives were part of an Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-backed terror module led by Harvinder Rinda and were involved in various killings.
04-Jan-2024
The three-day conference of Director Generals of Police (DGPs) and Inspector Generals of Police (IGPs) in Jaipur, Rajasthan, starting on January 5, will address key issues such as terror threats in Jammu and Kashmir, cyber frauds, and the activities of pro-Khalistan groups. Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah will participate, discussing topics such as the implementation of recent criminal laws, the Maoist issue, inter-state police coordination, and preparations for general elections. Approximately 250 officers will attend physically, with over 200 participating virtually, delivering presentations on counterterrorism, online fraud, and other security challenges. The conference, initiated outside New Delhi since 2014, has historically influenced significant policy changes in policing.
04-Jan-2024
Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala is anticipated to serve as the Guest of Honour during the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit scheduled from January 10-12 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The current attention surrounding PM Fiala's visit is connected to the arrest of an Indian national named Nikhil Gupta by Czech authorities on June 30, 2023.
03-Jan-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops on January 3 recovered a packet containing around 530 grams of heroin, wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, on the outskirts of Naushera Dhalla village in Tarn Taran district.
03-Jan-2024
The Shahkot police on January 3 arrested a drug peddler identified as Harpreet Singh alias Happy and seized 305 intoxicant tablets from his possession, in Baupur village in Jalandhar district.
03-Jan-2024
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, in an interview with ANI warned that Canada's political environment is creating a space for the growth of Khalistani separatism, enabling radicals to propagate their ideology. These remarks come amid escalating tensions between Canada and India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar accuses Canada of providing room for Khalistani forces to engage in activities detrimental to bilateral relations, refuting Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's allegations of an Indian plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorists.
03-Jan-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on January 3 arrested Ashok Kumar, a key accused linked to gangster Rohit Godara, in connection with the murder of Shri Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena (SRRKS) chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi. The arrest was made as part of raids conducted at 31 locations in Rajasthan and Haryana. During the operation, law enforcement recovered a large number of pistols, ammunition, digital devices (including mobile phones, SIM cards, and DVRs), as well as incriminating documents related to financial transactions. This arrest, part of an ongoing probe, brings the total number of individuals detained in the case to nine.
03-Jan-2024
Punjab Police are puzzled by the recovery of 19 kg of heroin and weapons in Amritsar city, Amritsar district, which occurred on December 31. Despite finding drone parts at the scene, the police suspect the use of a piped method for smuggling. The contraband is believed to have been trafficked by inserting a PVC pipe through the electrified barbed fence at the Indo-Pak border, taking advantage of dense fog. While smaller quantities have been previously smuggled using China-made drones, the large haul suggests a different method, leading to the arrest of two individuals in connection with the smuggling operation.
03-Jan-2024
Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict awaiting a decision on his mercy petition for 12 years, has written to Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah, questioning the delay. Rajoana was convicted in the assassination of former Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh and is currently held in Patiala Central Jail in Punjab. Having spent 28 years in jail, Rajoana accused the government of biased justice, emphasizing the long-pending decision on his mercy plea.
03-Jan-2024
Police on January 3 arrested two members of a Khalistani terror module associated with the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as Karan Gujjarpuria and Vishaldeep Singh, and recovered three weapons and eight live cartridges from their possession in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
03-Jan-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on January 3 called for the promotion of trade ties with Pakistan and declared its intent to organize a 'Punjab Bachao Yatra,' aimed at addressing concerns about the weakening federal structure and alleged misgovernance by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government. The party's core committee, which met on January 3, decided to extend an invitation to rebels and expelled Akali leaders to return and contribute to the strengthening of the SAD.
03-Jan-2024
The Australian High Commissioner to India, Philip Green on January 3 expressed concern about allegations linking India to a failed assassination attempt on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and the death of another Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, as raised by the United States (US) and Canada, respectively. Green emphasized the importance of addressing such issues sensitively with India, portraying their engagement as allies rather than solely as part of the Five Eyes alliance. Despite maintaining a stable relationship with the US, Green acknowledged the rapidly evolving nature of Australia-India ties, highlighting opportunities for growth. He also underscored Australia's commitment to addressing acts against any religious element, referencing recent attacks on Hindu temples in the country.
02-Jan-2024
The Punjab Police on January 2 arrested 11 individuals involved in a drug racket, including seven jail officials and four drug smugglers, in connection with a case involving over 43,000 calls made from mobile phones by three inmates of Ferozepur Central Jail in Ferozepur district.
02-Jan-2024
Punjab Police on January 2 conducted a special Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) named 'OPS Eagle-III' at bus stands and railway stations across the state, resulting in the arrest of 24 suspected criminals. The operation involved 500 police teams with over 4,000 personnel, focusing on frisking individuals arriving and departing from the stations. A total of 917 suspicious individuals were questioned, and 21 First Information Reports (FIR) were registered during the operation.