KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
30-Jan-2023
According to reports, taking a vow to make Ferozepur, a drugs free district, panchayats of more than 100 villages, passed resolutions to oppose and socially boycott drug sellers.
29-Jan-2023
Delhi Police Special Cell on January 29 arrested two men, identified as Vikram Singh (29) and Balram Singh (34) in connection with the pro-Khalistan posters and graffiti purportedly popped up in several West Delhi localities. According to police, the duo allegedly worked with a banned Khalistani organisation which was “plotting to carry out terror attacks in the city”. Police said graffiti and posters were seen on walls in Vikaspuri, Janakpuri, Paschim Vihar, Peeragarhi, Meera Bagh and other parts on January 19 and 20. Soon after, banned organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) released a purported video claiming responsibility. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, general counsel at SFJ, said in the video that the organisation will target Delhi on Republic Day and “raise” Khalistani flags.
29-Jan-2023
The Moga police on January 28 registered a fresh First Information Report (FIR) against four gangsters hiding abroad, including Canada-based designated terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), for allegedly smuggling weapons to create unrest in Punjab. Three other gangsters booked from Dalla’s gang and also allegedly hiding abroad are Jackpal Singh, a native of Kothe Patti Mohabbat of Moga (currently believed to be hiding in Malaysia); Amritpal Singh of Chand Nawan of Moga (currently believed to be hiding in Manila of Philippines) and Manpreet Singh alias Peeta, a native of Buiyan Wala village of Ferozepur (currently believed to be hiding in Philippines). A fifth accused named in the FIR is Harpreet Singh alias Harry, a local from Mohalla Loharia of Moga, and currently an active member of the Dalla gang in Punjab, according to the police.
29-Jan-2023
Punjab Police's counter-intelligence wing arrested a man, identified as Rashpal Singh alias Pala for his alleged involvement in drug trafficking and seized 5 kg of heroin and Rs 12.15 lakh cash from his possession in Amritsar on January 29. According to reports, Preliminary investigations revealed that the consignment of drugs was pushed by Pakistan-based smugglers using a drone.
29-Jan-2023
Punjab Police arrested a key associate of gangster-turned terrorist Arshdeep Dalla, identified as Harpreet Singh alias Harry and seized a pistol from him in Moga. Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gulneet Singh Khurana said Harry was involved in targeted killings. Though Harry had no criminal history, he was closely associated with the crimes being executed by Dalla and his associates from abroad, said Khurana.
28-Jan-2023
The anti-narcotics-cum-special operation cell on January 28 arrested two aides of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, identified as Harish alias Kaka Nepali (32) and Jagdip Singh alias Jagar (27), with illegal arms and ammunition from Kharar in Mohali district. Two .32-bore pistols and six live cartridges were recovered from their possession.
28-Jan-2023
A report authored by a Punjab Police officer, Gulneet Singh Khurana, in an Intelligence Bureau e-book has claimed that pro-Khalistani entities (PKEs) are in touch with certain news agencies and journalists who propagate for them. The reports said, “PKEs have been found to be using social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube etc. to reach out to public to provide their narratives.” It was published in an e-book which is a compilation of articles by the IB from serving officers. “Besides, they have been found to be connected to some news agencies/journalists personally who take their interviews and put them on their personal news channels," adds the report. The officer is tasked with supervising various cases linked to Khalistani terrorism, including the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).
27-Jan-2023
Ludhiana Police busted a gang of drug peddlers with the arrest of two accused, identified as Amandeep Singh alias Romi (30) and Gurpreet Singh (26) and recovered 100-gram heroin, four pistols of 0.32 bore along with 18 live cartridges of 0.32 bore, four magazines, INR 7.70 lakh in cash drug money and Hyundai Verna car from their possession in Ludhiana.
27-Jan-2023
A gangster, Jagtar Singh alias Jagga suffered a bullet injury in an exchange of fire with the Jagraon police on January 26 near Kothe Khanjuran village in Ludhiana. Later, he was arrested, but his aide managed to escape on a motorcycle. It has been alleged that Jagga along with his accomplice had come to collect extortion money from a Jagraon-based businessman on behalf of Arsh Dalla. Dalla has been declared a ‘designated terrorist’ by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA).
27-Jan-2023
Punjab Police arrested two weapon smugglers, identified as Banna Ram and Mukesh and recovered as many as eight pistols and Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) from their possession in Fazilka city in Fazilka district.
27-Jan-2023
Gagandeep Singh Kainth, who is president of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)’s youth wing (rural), said that on January 27 he received threat calls from an international number on his WhatsApp number, but he did not answer the calls. He said that later he received WhatsApp messages from the same number. “The sender threatened me for supporting the BJP and threatened to shoot me dead. The accused also sent him pictures of weapons to threaten him. He also said that anyone who would speak against Khalistan would face dire consequences,” Kainth said.
26-Jan-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) claimed to have seized 3 kilograms of heroin in Ferozepur on January 26. According to BSF, in the morning, during a search of the area falling near Tindiwala village, BSF troops recovered three packets heroin (weight 3 Kg) wrapped with yellow adhesive tape.
26-Jan-2023
India on January 26 strongly condemned the incidents of recent attacks on Hindu Temples in Australia and said these were clear attempts to sow hatred and division among the peaceful multi-faith and multi-cultural Indian-Australian community. New Delhi also urged the Australian authorities to ensure safety and security of Indians living there. Registering its condemnation, the Indian High Commission in Canberra said in a strongly worded statement "The frequency and impunity with which the vandals appear to be operating are alarming, as are the graffiti which include the glorification of anti-Indian terrorists. The High Commission highlighted "that pro-Khalistan elements are stepping up their activities in Australia, actively aided and abetted by members of proscribed terrorist organisations such as the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and other inimical agencies from outside Australia."
26-Jan-2023
Punjab governor Banwari Lal Purohit expressed concern over cross-border Narco activities. The governor said that it was a matter of concern in the six districts situated on International Border (IB). He urged people to be vigilant for the internal security of country and the state.
26-Jan-2023
According to reports, unknown persons painted pro-Khalistan slogans on the board of Beant Singh Memorial at Sector 42 in Chandigarh on Republic Day. The slogans were written in Punjabi on both sides of the board installed on the road opposite the furniture market. The suspects also wrote SFJ (Sikhs for Justice) Zindabad on the board.
26-Jan-2023
A protest march took place in Mohali on January 26 demanding the release of Sikh prisoners who are allegedly lodged in different prisons despite having completed their sentences. The protesters, including Nihangs and members of several Sikh bodies, from different parts of Punjab gathered under the banner of 'Kaumi Insaaf Morcha'.
25-Jan-2023
A red alert was sounded across the state on January 25 on the directions of Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann to ensure peaceful celebrations of the Republic Day.
25-Jan-2023
The pro-Khalistan outfit, Dal Khalsa, along with its allies, took out a march on January 25 to demand referendum in Punjab under the United Nations (UN) in Amritsar. Carrying placards and flags, the marchers raised slogans highlighting political resolution to Punjab ‘conflict’ through the right to self-determination. “The Sikhs of Punjab have been struggling for sovereignty and independence since the 1980s and they want international community to respect and recognise their aspirations,” a Dal Khalsa statement said.
25-Jan-2023
Police arrested one person, identified as Amin Khan and recovered 20-gm opium from him in Abohar in Fazilka district.
25-Jan-2023
Police recovered 70-gm heroin from two persons identified as Rajinder and Sukhjit Singh outside Kaminpura village in Fazilka district.
24-Jan-2023
The Punjab Police arrested notorious gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Baghwanpuria, allegedly been associated with the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and Sikh For Justice (SFJ), from Delhi’s Tihar Jail. He was taken to Punjab on transit remand and was later sent to police custody by a court there.
24-Jan-2023
A local court in Amritsar on January 24 remanded drug peddler Sonu Masih, a resident of Khanwal village, in four-day police custody. Sources said the STF found Masih’s links with Pakistan-based smugglers and he used to supply the contraband in different parts of the state.
24-Jan-2023
The Lambi police on January 24 arrested a person, identified as Gourav and seized 4.4-kg heroin from near Balochkera village on the Malout-Sitto Gunno road in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. According to police, a car was intercepted at a naka near Balochkera village and 4.4-kg heroin was found in it. One of the occupants in the car was arrested, while the other managed to flee from the spot.
24-Jan-2023
Khalistani graffitis were found on January 24 at the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) complex, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, National Fertilisers Limited, and Mata Kali temple in Punjab. According to reports, the outer walls of five local places were smeared with Khalistani graffiti. Later, the pro-Khalistani outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ)’s head Gurpatwant Singh Pannun uploaded the graffiti's video on social media, where he asked people not to attend the official function in Bathinda on January 26 and warned the Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann against unfurling the national flag. The same scare tactics were used in several other towns of Punjab, said the report.
23-Jan-2023
The Supreme Court (SC) advocate Vineet Jindal on January 23 filed a complaint with Delhi police against an unknown person linked to the Khalistani terrorist organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for giving life threats on calls and WhatsApp. In his complaint, Jindal said that he had received death threats from terrorist organisations, including Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), SFJ and Islamic terrorists as well. He recently filed a complaint against SFJ for propagating the Khalistani movement in India and threatening terrorist activities on Republic Day. According to sources, Jindal received death threats from two international numbers +61474268548 and +15105841217. Later, he also received a death threat in messages on WhatsApp from +61474268645. In the message, there was a video message from Khalistani supporters who burnt an effigy. There was a message with images of the gun firing at a mat.