KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
24-Feb-2023
The Senior Superintendent of Punjab Police (SSP) Harpal Singh Randhawa stated that, "What happened on February 23 should not have happened. Because Amritpal (Singh) had brought Guru Granth Sahib with him, the Punjab Police did not retaliate. Things would have gone wrong if we had retaliated. We respected Guru Granth Sahib”. The SSP also said that Amritpal had previously stated that he would only hold peaceful dharnas. "But he lied to us. His supporters attacked the Punjab Police, but we did nothing since Guru Granth Sahib was in the midst."
24-Feb-2023
'Waris Punjab De' leader Amritpal Singh stated on February 24 that the goal of Khalistan should not be viewed as evil or taboo. The statement comes after massive protest over his close aide Toofan Singh's arrest. Amritpal Singh openly stated that it was his right to demand the separation of the Sikh homeland from India. "It should be seen from an intellectual point of view as to what could be its geopolitical benefits. It's an ideology and ideology never dies. We are not asking for it from Delhi," Meanwhile, several Sikh leaders have criticized the separatist leader for his divisive agenda and attempts to incite animosity between the Sikh and Hindu communities in Punjab, which have coexisted peacefully for generations.
24-Feb-2023
Two drug peddlers identified as Raj Singh Raju and Amandeep Singh, were arrested along with 75,500 intoxicating tablets on NH 62 in Abohar, Fazilka district on February 24.
23-Feb-2023
On February 23, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav assured Himachal Pradesh DGP Sanjay Kundu of his full support in combating organised inter-state crime, notably the smuggling of drugs and illicit liquor across the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border. He also mentioned that in order to stop the smuggling of illegal narcotics and liquor, it was decided to strengthen the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera network at the entry and exit points across the border.
23-Feb-2023
Amritpal Singh on February 22 released a video claiming that his statements regarding Union Home Minister Amit Shah were twisted and portrayed in the wrong sense. Reportedly, a few days back Amritpal Singh released a video stating Shah will face the same fate as Indira Gandhi if he tries to stop Punjab from turning into Khalistan. On February 21, he did a press conference and said that “I did not threaten the Home Minister in any way. The agencies want to kill me. And my words were twisted and misconstrued by people.” Earlier, during Deep Sidhu’s anniversary, he stated that neither Indira nor Shah or Modi can stop from turning Punjab into Khalistan.
23-Feb-2023
During the recent nationwide raids conducted by National Investigation Agency (NIA) at 76 locations across eight states, it arrested six suspects, including a close associate of designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla, identified as Lucky Khokhar alias Denis, said NIA on February 23. According to the central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency, the other five accused who were arrested in the raid, identified as, Lakhvir Singh, Harpreet, Dalip Bishnoi, Surinder alias Chiku Chaudhary and Hari Om alias Titul. So far, NIA has revealed that they have been involved in smuggling arms, ammunition, explosives etc. across international and inter-state borders in India for several Khalistani terror outfits, including the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF).
23-Feb-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed an application before the Special Judge, NIA court at Chandigarh, for issuing of proclamation proceedings against Jaswinder Singh Multani, one of the key accused of planting a bomb near the Model Jail in April 2022. In regard to the application, the NIA court has fixed the next date of hearing in the case for March 2, 2023.
23-Feb-2023
An associate of the gangster Tajinder Singh alias Teja, identified as Harinder Singh alias Soni, was arrested by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) at Bassi Pathana of Fatehgarh Sahib district on February 23. Six cartridges and a foreign-made pistol were recovered from him. He was arrested after a brief chase and shootout, said AGTF.
23-Feb-2023
Supporters of pro-Khalistan idealogue and the 'Chief' of Waris Punjab De, Amritpal Singh, armed with swords, guns, and sharp weapons on February 23 clashed with roughly 600 Punjab Police officers, injuring several persons. According to sources, two senior policemen were injured, and a police vehicle was damaged. The protest occurred in response to the arrest of Lovepreet Singh aka Toofan who was allegedly accused in a kidnapping and assault case. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Amritsar, Satinder Singh, stated that Lovepreet would shortly release on February 24, after the completion of formalities "as per the evidence submitted before the Punjab Police" according to media reports.
22-Feb-2023
Three gangsters, identified as Teja Mehandpuria and two of his associates were shot dead in an encounter with Anti- Gang Task Force (AGTF) near the Bassi Pathana bus stand in Fatehgarh Sahib district on February 22. Two police personnel, Sub-Inspector (SI) Gurpreet Singh and constable Sukhraj, were injured in the gunfight. Police also recovered six pistols from the gangsters. Teja, who is facing around 35 cases including murder and robbery, and his accomplices were allegedly involved in the January 8 killing of constable Kuldeep Singh Bajwa in Phillaur. The policeman was part of a team chasing gangsters who had robbed a car at gunpoint in Kangjagir village. According to sources, AGTF’s operation was code-named “Fast-track” after ‘Teja’ (fast) to arrest him.
21-Feb-2023
Punjab Police on February 21 conducted a cordon and search operation (CASO) at several locations across the state and arrested 205 persons and recovered 2.8 kg of heroin and INR 2.20 lakh drug money while registering 187 cases in this connection. According to sources, the operation was conducted simultaneously in all 28 police districts of the state and targeted the ‘notorious/infamous mohallas/villages’ where drugs are prevalent or certain areas which have become shelter/safe haven for criminals and anti-social elements. Police searched 324 hotspots and questioned 5,781 people during the operation.
21-Feb-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on February 21 conducted raids on gangsters, working in tandem with terrorist groups and drug smugglers based in foreign countries such as Pakistan and Canada, at 76 locations in Punjab, Haryana, and six other states and seized a large cache of arms and ammunition and cash amounting to Rs 2.3 crores. It was the fifth raid by the NIA against the nexus. In Punjab, the raids were conducted in Bathinda, Muktsar, Moga, Fazilka, Ludhiana, Mohali, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Faridkot, Sangrur and Jalandhar districts. In Haryana, the raids covered Gurugram, Yamunanagar, Rohtak, Mahendragarh, Sirsa and Jhajjar districts. According to reports, the NIA also raided places linked to Canada-based Arshdeep Singh Dalla alias Arsh Dalla who was declared a terrorist by the Union Ministry of Homa Affairs (UMHA) on January 9. Dalla’s native house, which situated in Dalla village in Moga district, has been closed for a long time as his family had already migrated from India. Earlier, the NIA had raided the dens of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi at Duttaranwali village in Fazilka district and gangster Goldy Brar at Muktsar. A senior Punjab Police officer said the NIA had not shared the details of its raids.
21-Feb-2023
Police February 21 conducted a cordon and search operation across Jalandhar district and recovered 50 intoxicating capsules, five injections, 18 gm heroin in two different cases, a total of 4-kg poppy husk and 12 bottles of liquor. Police team raided the houses of drug peddlers and also questioned suspicious persons.
21-Feb-2023
The National Investigation Agency's (NIA) continued crackdown on the gangster-terror funding case and on February 21 conducted a raid at the house of Akali leader Lakhvir Singh from Punjab and seized several weapons from him. However, Singh said that he and his kin have licensed weapons that the central agency took for verification. "The arms licences are renewed up to 2025. The NIA is the country's big agency. Whether they call us in day or night for the investigation, we will cooperate," he said.
21-Feb-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on February 21 conducted simultaneous searches at 76 locations in eight states to dismantle the nexus between terrorists, gangsters and drug smugglers and traffickers based in India and abroad. About INR 1.5 crore cash, 11 pistols and rifles with ammunition and incriminating material, including documents, hard drives and mobile phones, were recovered by NIA during search. As per the sources, preliminary investigations have revealed that the gangs were carrying out targeted killings and were also raising funds to carry out such criminal activities through hawala network and smuggling of drugs and weapons.
21-Feb-2023
Punjab police on February 21 conducted a cordon and search operation (CASO) across the state aimed to identified safe haven of criminals and anti-social elements in the state. The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) said that police teams cordoned off over 324 hotspots and 5,781 persons were frisked of which 205 persons have been arrested. The police have also registered 187 first information reports (FIRs) and arrested nine proclaimed offenders. Police teams also recovered 2.8 kg heroin and 2.20 lakh drug money.
20-Feb-2023
On February 20, the Counter Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Border Security Force (BSF) troops conducted a search and recovered a drone identified as DJI Matrice 300 RTK (made in China) from the outskirts of New Hasta Kalan village in Fazilka district.
20-Feb-2023
The Punjab Police's state special operations cell (SSOC) has booked nine people, including Pakistan-based International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode, allegedly for smuggling arms, ammunition, drugs, and explosives across the Punjab border. According to sources, the Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI and the ISYF has been working together through his associates imprisoned in Punjab.
20-Feb-2023
On February 20, Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in the assassination of former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh, distanced himself from the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha, which is leading the protests for the release of Sikh prisoners. Rajoana, asserting to be an Akali, stated that he has nothing to do with the morcha that has been protesting at the Chandigarh-Mohali border for more than a month.
20-Feb-2023
Amritpal Singh, who is the head of ‘Waris Punjab De’ has given a life threatening warning to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on February 20. In his recent address in Budhsingh Wala village of Moga District, Singh said, "We will do the same to Amit Shah as happened to Indira Gandhi." He came to the village to attend the death anniversary program of Punjabi singer Deep Sidhu. He is also facing arrest along with five of his aides on the charges of several crimes, including kidnapping, theft, rioting, causing injury, and unlawful assembly.
19-Feb-2023
On February 19, Waris Punjab De leader Amritpal Singh attended Deep Sidhu's first death anniversary at Budh Singh Wala village in Moga district and talked about his dream of creating Khalistan and stated that neither Indira Gandhi nor Narendra Modi will be able to stop them from doing so. He stated that each and every child in Punjab is raising its voice for Khalistan. He also added that many ancestors have sacrificed their lives to turn Punjab into Khalistan.
19-Feb-2023
Barnala Police on February 19 arrested 10 gang members along with six rifles, two pistols, one revolver, 35 live cartridges from Barnala district. According to police, the gang is involved in murder, burglary and snatching incidents, a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered in this case. Further investigations are being conducted by police to check into the linkages of the gang with other gangs operating in the state, police said.
19-Feb-2023
On February 19, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel recovered a crash drone with 3 kg of heroin at Zero Line near Ghania-Ke-Bet border outpost in Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district.
19-Feb-2023
The Waris Punjab De president Amritpal Singh gave a call to the 'sangat' to meet at his native village of Jallupur Khera to discuss the future course of action, adding that they would pass a 'gurmata' (resolution in the name of the Guru) against the police action. Also, he has threatened "state-wide action" if the police do not release his two associates and continue to pick up his followers.
19-Feb-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) personnel recovered a drone with around 2.7 heroin from a field near the border fence in Ghaniake village in Gurdaspur district on February 19.