KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
02-Jan-2023
Rupnagar district police claimed to have arrested six accomplices of dreaded gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and seized 12 pistols along with 50 live cartridges in Ropar on January 2. One of the accused, Varinderpal Singh, was allegedly operating under the code name 777 from Amritsar jail. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vivek Sheel Soni said the accused were also involved in the smuggling of weapons and drugs in the state on a large scale. Earlier on December 15, the police had arrested four such accused and recovered four pistols from them.
02-Jan-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on January 2 recovered another Pakistani drone with a consignment of approximately 1 kg of heroin near the International Border (IB) in Gurdaspur sector. According to BSF, it was an “old broken” drone (Hexacopter) which was found at a distance of two km from the IB by its troops under Border Out Post Kossowal in Gurdaspur.
01-Jan-2023
According to sources, there has been a fourfold spike in the number of drones being sighted in Punjab coming from Pakistan to deliver narcotics, weapons, explosives and ammunition. From January 2022, around 254 drones were sighted of which 22 were shot down by BSF. In 2021, 67 drones were spotted. Sources said, of the 254 drones spotted in 2022, BSF troopers fired at these drones on 226 occasions. As many as 22 drones were brought down and captured (nine were shot down and another 13 fell due to various reasons). Also, while 221 drone activities were detected inside the Indian territory and 22 inside Pakistan. Some 311 drones were spotted in 2022 across the entire western border — Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. In 2021, around 104 drone activities were recorded and 77 in 2020. Around 75% of sightings were in Punjab of the total drone activities reported along the western border this year. While in Punjab, as many as 133 drones coming from across the border were sighted by the BSF in 2020 and 2021, out of which 67 drones were sighted in 2021. A senior BSF officer said each BSF ‘hit’ team at the border that brings down a drone through rifle firing or using jamming technology is rewarded with a cash incentive of Rs 1 lakh. “This incentive is meant to motivate the troopers battling the drone menace,” said the officer.
01-Jan-2023
According to Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sources, four districts of Punjab along the border with Pakistan reported essentially the most variety of drone sightings final 12 months, and most of them had been China-made and that 22 had been shot down, resulting in seizure of narcotics, arms and explosives. The Border Security Force (BSF) has recognized Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Fazilka on the worldwide border the place greater than 85% of payload originating from throughout the border was dropped. Citing BSF knowledge, the officers mentioned that out of 200 drone sightings between July and December, 176 had been recorded in these four districts. Of the 22 drones introduced down by BSF this 12 months, 21 had been in these districts – up from one final 12 months.
31-Dec-2022
According to reports, Intelligence agencies have received information that pro-Khalistan elements are planning to detonate IEDs in court premises in Delhi, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. Sharing this input with the local police, the security system has been asked to be strengthened. Intelligence also warned that the possibility of a similar attack on any other court complex in Punjab (except Ludhiana and Jalandhar) cannot be ruled out. Sources said that the alert was issued based on some chats related to Germany-based Khalistan terrorist Jaswinder Singh Multani. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has offered a reward of Rs 10 lakh to Multani.
31-Dec-2022
According to report, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered as many as 73 terrorism-related cases in 2022, including 11 in Jammu and Kashmir, and seven related to the outlawed Popular Front of India (PFI). This is about a 20% increase compared to 2021 when the federal anti-terror investigative agency registered 61 cases. Officials said that this is also the highest number of cases registered by the NIA since its inception in 2009 following the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attack of 2008. As many as 59 charge sheets were filed in 2022 against 368 people. For 2022, 456 accused persons, including 19 absconders, were arrested. Deportation of gangsters and pro-Khalistani suspects from Malaysia and Austria were also part of this.
31-Dec-2022
According to latest report, the year 2022 witnessed over two hundred drone intrusions from Pakistan in the Indian Punjab even as the Border Security Force (BSF) is yet to install an effective anti-drone technology all along the 553 international borders with Pakistan in Punjab and is currently dependent on troops' alertness in detecting the "bee like" buzzing over Indian skies in the border towns of Punjab which has become a new terror symbol. BSF Inspector General (IG), Punjab Frontier, Asif Jalal informed that during 2022 BSF had downed 22 Pak drones. “This is due to maintaining extremely high level of alertness and vigil by our troops that we have successfully detected and captured 22 drones," said the IG. He further informed that BSF had also seized around 317 kg of heroin besides 67 different types of weapons and 850 rounds. The border guarding force had also killed 2 Pakistani intruders and apprehended 23 Pakistani nationals in different incidents. "Displaying a humanitarian approach BSF has also handed over 9 Pakistani nationals back to Pak Rangers, these Pak nationals had inadvertently crossed the international border to India", he said.
31-Dec-2022
According to sources, while the drone incursions penetrating into the Indian airspace from across the border multiplied three times in Ferozepur sector this year (2022), the amount of heroin seized reduced to almost half as compared to last year (2021). Sources said, 63 drone intrusions were reported this year (2022) along the Indo-Pakistan border in this sector, while 77.78 kg heroin was recovered by the BSF troops. In 2021, only 13 such incidents of drone incursions were reported in this sector; besides 214.955 kg heroin was recovered. This quantity of heroin does not include the contraband seized by other law enforcing agencies operating along the border, including CIA, Narcotics Control Bureau, Punjab Police, Counter Intelligence and Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, SSOC and newly formed STG, besides others. Besides heroin, the BSF troops in this sector also recovered 40 firearms (all types), 290 live cartridges, 60 magazines in 2022. “Our forces have thwarted several attempts by anti-national elements to push consignments of contraband and arms inside our border, but we are determined to preserve the sanctity of the borders at all times,” said BSF official, admitting that Pakistani smugglers have been desperate to push drugs into the Indian territory, taking advantage of the standing crops and dense fog during the winter season.
31-Dec-2022
Police on December 31 arrested four more persons, identified as Kuldeep Singh Laddoo, Ashokdeep Singh Arash, Gursewak Singh Sewak Khalli and Harman Singh, in connection with the RPG attack on the Sarhali police station along with illegal weapons. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurmeet Singh Chauhan said Harman Singh provided shelter to the main accused at his tube well room, while the other three dealt with the money sent by the mastermind of the attack. Two pistols were seized from Kuldeep Singh and Ashokdeep Singh, while parts of an air gun used in the manufacture of illegal revolvers were seized from Gursewak Singh. With the arrest of the four, the count of those involved in the attack has gone up to 14. Seven juveniles, who had a minor role in the attack, had been let off by the police on humanitarian grounds. Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh, alias Landa Harike, is the mastermind of the attack.
30-Dec-2022
The Intelligence Agencies issued an alert about a terrorist attack in Punjab on New Year's Eve. According to reports, several terrorist organisations can execute attacks with the aim of spreading terror across Punjab at the behest of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), reports Daily Guardian on December 31. Aside from court complexes, there is information that the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) office, Police stations, and government offices might be targeted. Following the input, security has been tightened in key locations around Punjab.
29-Dec-2022
The separatist organisation Lashkar-e-Khalsa Khalistan on December 29 threatened to kill Abhilakshya Khanna, son of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Jalandhar District Vice-President Vivek Khanna and Councilor Shaili Khanna, through its spokesperson, identified as Sandeep Singh Khalistani. Through a Whatsapp call, the Khalistani supporter demanded that Khanna leave the BJP, join the Congress, and only cast his vote for the Congress party, failing to which he and his family will be killed. The Indian Army and ministers have also been targeted, as per the Whatsapp message delivered by the Khalistani.
28-Dec-2022
According to data compiled by the Border Security Force (BSF), there have been 254 drone activities in Punjab from January 1 to December 28, 2022 as compared to 67 in 2021. This includes 221 activities detected inside Indian territory and 22 inside Pakistan. The activity in Punjab accounts for about 84 per cent of the total drone activities reported along the entire western border in 2022. In 226 out of the 254 incidents in 2022, the spotted drones were fired upon by BSF personnel. The data also shows that nine drones were shot down by the BSF and another 12 may have landed or fallen due to other reasons. Another four drones were recovered by the Punjab Police in 2022. Across the western front running through the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), the number of drone activities has witnessed a three-fold increase, from 100 in 2021 to 304 in 2022.
28-Dec-2022
The Punjab Police on December 28 arrested two people, identified as Jashnpreet Singh and Sarwan Singh alias Sabba, from Gurdaspur District in Punjab and recovered 10 kilograms Heroin along with two pistols, four magazines and 180 live cartridges. “The arrested persons were in contact with Pakistan based operative who pushed the consignment through the fences into India”, the Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab Gaurav Yadav stated.
27-Dec-2022
Punjab Police on December 27 neutralised a sub-module of Canada-based terrorist Lakhbir Landa and arrested three operatives, identified as Kulbir Singh, Hira Singh, and Davinder Singh from Billianwala bridge in Tarn Taran District in Punjab. The Police have also recovered a loaded Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) and a rocket launcher buried along the banks of River Beas at Kiriyan village in Tarn Taran District in Punjab. According to Police, terrorist Lakhbir Landa is the main conspirator of RPG attacks at the Sarhali police station on December 10, 2022 and claimed the neutralised sub-module was being handled by militant Yadwinder Singh operating from Manila in Philippines on Landa’s instructions.
26-Dec-2022
Inspector General of Police (IG) Punjab Sukhchain Singh Gill on December 26 said that during 2022, the Internal Security has neutralised 18 terror modules with the arrest of 119 terrorists/radicals after recovering 43 Rifles, 220 Revolvers/Pistols, 13 Tiffin Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), 24.5 kilograms Royal Demolition eXplosive (RDX) and other explosives, 37 Hand Grenades, two Sleeves of disposed Rocket Launcher, 22 Drones, and 23 vehicles. He added that the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), since its formation on April 6, 2022, has succeeded in neutralizing 111 gangster/criminal modules after arresting 428 gangsters/criminals and neutralizing two, recovering 411 weapons, 97 vehicles used in criminal activities, 44.21 kilograms heroin and INR 1,30,00,000 money. Giving yearly updates on drugs, the IGP said that from January 1 to December 25, 2022, Punjab Police have arrested 16798 drug smugglers/suppliers, including 2316 big fish after registering 12171 first information reports (FIRs), including 1374 commercials.
25-Dec-2022
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 25 shot down a quadcopter coming from Pakistan side along the International Border (IB) near the Rajatal Village in Amritsar District.
24-Dec-2022
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on December 24 conducted multiple searches at different locations in Punjab pertaining to the case relates to terror activities of chiefs/members of proscribed terrorist organizations, such as Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) etc. NIA said the terror activities include smuggling of terrorist hardware such as arms, ammunition explosives and Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) across International Borders (IB) for use by operatives and members of terror outfits and organized criminal gangs operating in various parts of the country for carrying out terrorist acts like bomb explosions, targeted killings etc. Incriminating materials, including digital devices and documents have been recovered during the raids.
23-Dec-2022
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 23 shot down a drone near Mulankot border in Gharinda village in Amritsar District.
20-Dec-2022
'Khalistan Zindabad' was found written on the walls of Government College in Sri Muktsar Sahib District on December 20. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), reportedly claimed responsibility for the incident.
20-Dec-2022
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 20 shot down a drone that had entered India from the Pakistani side along the International Border (IB) in the Amritsar District.
20-Dec-2022
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 20 shot down a drone that entered into the Indian side from Pakistan near the Harbhajan border post in the Ferozepur sector of Ferozepur District. BSF officers identified the drone as a quadcopter MATRICE 300 RTK used by Pakistan-based agencies to drop arms and contraband into Indian territory.
19-Dec-2022
The Border Security Force (BSF) on December 19 spotted drones in two BSF posts, in Chandu Wadala and Kassowal at around 10.30 pm in the Gurdaspur District.
19-Dec-2022
The Punjab Police on December 19 arrested two persons in connection with the murder of Dera Sacha Sauda (DSS) follower Pardeep Singh, who was accused of 2015 sacrilege cases, at Kotkapura in the Faridkot District of Punjab. The accused have been identified as Parvinder Singh, alias Kala, and Manpreet, who supplied vehicles for the main accused to escape after the crime was committed.
16-Dec-2022
Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on December 16 arrested a suspected spy of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) from Mohali District. The suspect, identified as Tarpinder Singh, has been working with ISI agents for more than three years and provided sensitive documents, locations, photographs and other information about various police buildings and army bases located in Punjab. According to sources, the ISI has chosen gangster Harry Chatha alias Supreet, the mastermind of the 2016-Nabha Jailbreak, to replace the slain Khalistani terrorist, Harvinder Singh Rinda, for carrying out anti-India activities in Punjab.
16-Dec-2022
Punjab Police on December 16 arrested seven persons, including two juveniles who were involved in the December 9 Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack at the Sarhali Police Station in Tarn Taran District. Apart from the two juveniles, five others are identified as Ajmeet Singh, who is already lodged in Goindwal jail in a murder case, Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Numberdar; Gurlal Singh; Surlalpal Singh alias Gurlal, alias Lali; and Jobanpreet Singh alias Joban. Police have also recovered three pistols - two .32 bore and one .30 bore - along with ammunition, one hand grenade and one motorcycle from the arrested persons. Police said the attack was carried out at the directions of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in coordination with a Canada-based terror module run by Lakhbir Singh alias Landa Harike, and his Europe-based accomplices Satbir Singh Satta and Gurdev Singh Jassal.