KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
12-Jul-2022
According to reports, Punjab Police, on July 12, detained some persons (identity undisclosed) in Malerkotla for questioning after 75 kilograms of heroin was found in their consignment of clothes at Mundra Port in Gujarat. The contraband was kept concealed in a container of unstitched clothes using a cardboard pipe, which was further camouflaged by an oversized plastic pipe. The container, which was loaded from Jebel Ali port in the UAE, was booked by an importer from Malerkotla. Following specific intelligence input regarding the smuggling of heroin from the UAE to Punjab, the State Police in a joint operation with the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), Gujarat, and central agencies seized 75 kilograms of heroin from a container at Mundra Port, said Punjab, Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav on July 12.
11-Jul-2022
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on July 11 filed a chargesheet against two accused in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Dharamsala, for putting up banners of Khalistan outside the Himachal Pradesh (HP) Vidhan Sabha at Tapovan on the intervening night of May 7 and 8. A case under Section 153-A, 153-B of the Indian penal Code (IPC) and Section 3 of the HP Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1985 was registered after a video message and a letter of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikh for Justice (SFJ) went viral on social media claiming responsibility for the act.
07-Jul-2022
Pro-Khalistan slogans were found scribbled on the walls of Dera Sacha Sauda’s Punjab headquarters at Salabatpura village, 40 kilometres from Bathinda city in Bathinda District on July 7 morning, reports Hindustan Times. Phul, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Aaswant Dhaliwal said a Police team deployed in the sensitive area noticed the slogans written on three sides of the dera’s compound. “Four teams have been constituted to investigate the matter. CCTV cameras in the area are being scanned to get clues,” said the DSP. A case has been registered against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, co-founder of the banned US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) after his purported video claiming responsibility for the incident was shared on social media.
05-Jul-2022
Karnal Police, on July 5, has arrested a Patiala-based man, identified as Manjeet, hailing from Patiala in Punjab, for writing “pro-Khalistan slogans” on the walls of two educational institutions on June 20, and said that the accused was promised to pay USD 1,000 by a US-based person for accomplishing the job. Manjeet was produced before the court which remanded him to 5-day Police custody for further probe.
24-Jun-2022
The Jalandhar rural Police, on June 24, claimed to have busted an extortion and arms smuggling racket affiliated to the 'Pinda' gang with the arrest of its all 13 members. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Swapan Sharma said a close aide of the dead gangster Vicky Gounder, Palwinder Singh alias Pinda, whose role had link in the 2016 Nabha jailbreak, is the kingpin of the gang. He was apparently handling the gang with the help of Paramjit alias Pamma, a native of Shahkot and currently residing in Greece, he said. The arrested persons are history-sheeters and have been facing criminal cases, murder, attempt to murder, extortion, and arms smuggling, he said, as per an official statement. In addition, six other persons were arrested for harboring and providing logistic support, he said. Police have also recovered seven .32 bore pistols, three .315 bore pistols, one .315 bore gun, one .12 bore gun, and two SUVs besides foreign currency amounting to INR 800,0000. "Paramjit, alias Pamma, allegedly used to finance the gang and send foreign currency via hawala route to Amarjit, alias Amar, who further used to distribute among the gang members to carry out various criminal activities," he said
22-Jun-2022
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 22, conducted raids at seven locations in the cities of Punjab in connection with the case of four alleged terrorists arrested in Karnal of terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and recovered explosives and weapons. During this raid, many digital devices including financial transaction property have been recovered.
20-Jun-2022
Chandigarh Police booked Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), for trying to spread hatred and enmity among communities and conspiring to disturb the peace of Punjab State. According to reports, Pannun has been booked under sections 153 A, 153 B, 120 B, section 13, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and section 3 of the Punjab Prevention of Defacement to Public Property Act.
19-Jun-2022
According to reports, some slogans such as “Referendum 20-20, January 2023 and Punjab da hall Khalistan SFJ 26 January” were written on the back gate and wall of Shri Kali Mata Mandir in Sangrur in Punjab with black spray paint. A video went viral on social media in which Gurpatwant Pannun took responsibility for the act.
09-Jun-2022
Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against gangster-turned-terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda for involvement in Ludhiana Court Blast, Mohali Blast and many terrorist incidents in Punjab and the recent arrest of terrorists from Karnal. Rinda, who is responsible for inducting and operationalising many terrorist modules in Punjab in the recent past, is now based in Pakistan. Backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Rinda has also been responsible for smuggling huge quantities of arms and ammunition into India. Rinda is wanted by Chandigarh Police in four criminal cases including murder, attempt to murder, extortion and Arms act. These cases were registered between 2016 to 2018.
07-Jun-2022
Exposing the links between Pakistan and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a video emerged of the terror outfit's general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun holding a virtual press conference in Lahore. This development comes two days after the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. In the video, Pannun thanked Pakistani media for giving him a platform to talk about Khalistan Referendum. "The referendum seeks to liberate Punjab from India. On June 6, 1984, the Indira Gandhi government attacked Darbar Sahib and killed Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers," he said.
04-Jun-2022
Ahead of the Operation Blue Star anniversary on June 6, Khalistani posters have been found in Kalanaur area in Gurdaspur District of Punjab. In the posters slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ are written, and on the other hand, Amritsar bandh (general shut down strike) has been declared on June 6 by some extremist groups. Posters have also been pasted on the walls and shutters of shops. It is learned that some unidentified persons have put up these posters at some places in Kalanaur. Along with Bhindranwale's name on the poster it is written that the real rightful owner of Punjab is Khalistan and Hindustan Murdabad.
03-Jun-2022
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikh for Justice (SFJ), threatened Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Manohar Lal Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij. In a threat to the Government Railway Police (GRP), Pannun said that on June 3, no train would be run in Haryana, otherwise the Haryana Government would be responsible for any accident.
03-Jun-2022
Pro-Khalistan posters have been spotted at a flyover in Mansa District of Punjab on June 3. The posters have surfaced ahead of the anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6. The posters spotted at the flyover mention the banned Pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).
01-Jun-2022
In the wake of 38th anniversary week of Sikh for Justice (SFJ)’s rail roko call on June 3 in Punjab and Haryana, Government Railway Police (GRP) Superintendent of Police (SP), operations, Amandeep Kaur, on June 1, directed GRP deputy superintendents and Station House Officers (SHOs) across Punjab to patrol the Government buildings from the Khalistani supporters.
31-May-2022
Indian World Forum President Puneet Singh Chandhok filed a criminal complaint with Delhi Police against Sikh for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for "instigating violence, planning to disturb the communal harmony and national security” and sought action in coordination with Interpol.
31-May-2022
The Ludhiana unit of STF, the anti-narcotic cell of Ludhiana city police and the Khanna cops have arrested three drug peddlers in separate cases. In this first incident, accused Rohit, 27, a resident of Mohalla Peeru Banda, was arrested, near Sandhu Nagar and recovered 432g of contrabands which has costs Rs 2.16 crore in international market from him. In another case, the anti-narcotic wing of Ludhiana Commissionerate arrested drug peddler Baldev Singh of Pratap Singh Wala along with 1.10kg opium from Ayali Khurd. In the third case, Sadar Khanna police arrested a Rajasthan resident, Guddu Lal Gujar, with 1kg opium near Mandiala Kalan village.
31-May-2022
In a letter to Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala said that the actions of Pannun, a degenerate Sikh and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) leader who had been disrespecting the case on a daily basis, were a violation of the code of conduct. Needs to be tamed. He said that even in today's gloomy situation, Pannun's statement on Sidhu Musewala's death while engaging in disgusting politics has come to light which has created fear in the minds of the people.
29-May-2022
Hours after the murder of Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala, Canada-based banned separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has issued a threat letter, in which in a threat aimed at Punjabi singers, urged them to support the Khalistan movement. The SFJ threat came after the Directorate General of Police (DGP) of Punjab Viresh Kumar Bhawra acknowledged that the murder of Moosewala was a result of inter-gang rivalry. Following the killing of Sidhu Moosewala, Pannun, in a threat letter directed to Punjabi singers, stated that “death is imminent” and now is the time to support the “Khalistan Referendum” for the liberation of Punjab from India.”
26-May-2022
After pro-Pakistan separatist leader Yasin Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment in a terror funding case on May 25, Khalistan terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) issued fresh provocation, calling on terrorists in the Valley to block the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. In a video released on May 26, SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun came out in defense of Yasin Malik, who was sentenced to life-time imprisonment for terror funding and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Pannun said that "funding separatism is not terrorism" and accused the Indian government of committing crimes against the minority community. "This is my call to Kashmir freedom fighters, come out in support of Yasin Malik and block Amarnath Yatra. This will highlight the Kashmir Independent movement internationally. We (SFJ) will support your blocking of Amarnath Yatra," Pannun is heard saying in the provocative video.
25-May-2022
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation of the Karnal Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and ammunition recovery case in which four terror suspects were arrested earlier this month by Haryana Police. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) handed over the case to the NIA to probe the matter and the anti-terror agency registered an FIR this week. “We took over Karnal IED recovery case this week,” a senior NIA official, privy to the development said.
25-May-2022
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted bail to two persons, Dharminder Singh alias Fauji and Kirpal Singh, allegedly with links to the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) being tried under the sedition law. The duo, Dharminder and Kripal were booked for various offences in an FIR in May 2018, including 124-A (sedition) and under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967, at Police Station Rangar Nangal in Batala.
23-May-2022
An Intelligence Bureau report has sounded an alert about the possibility of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) backed terrorists are likely to target tracks in Punjab for sabotaging railway tracks to cause major accidents. The Intelligence says that the ISI has directed the Khalistan groups to undertake this operation and in particular target the goods trains.
22-May-2022
The intelligence agencies warned that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is planning to target railway tracks in and around Punjab in India. Intelligence agencies issued an alert warning that Pakistan’s ISI has hatched a big conspiracy to target railway tracks in Punjab and its surrounding States and said the plans to blow up railway tracks were being formulated to hit freight trains. Intelligence agencies also stated in the alert that ISI is funding its operatives in India on a large scale to target railway tracks. Pakistan’s sleeper cells present in India are being paid hefty amounts to carry out terror activities.
19-May-2022
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikh for Justice (SFJ) again threatened the advocates of Himachal Pradesh and has sent a threatening letter and voice message by e-mail to advocate in Jubbal and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mandal President Umesh Sharma. In his audio threat, Pannun was heard saying, "This message is for Himachal advocates. You have failed in your legal duty. You have failed your oath, advocates. Now you will face Sikhs for Justice. We will hold you accountable. We are going to make a list of advocates from Himachal. CM Thakur [Jai Ram Thakur], no Jail in Himachal can hold pro-Khalistan Sikhs forever," adds republicworld.com. Umesh has given a complaint about the matter to Monika Bhatungru, Superintendent of Police (SP), Shimla. Threatening e-mails and voice messages have also been sent to the advocates of District Court Una. He has supported the accused who wrote slogans of Khalistan at the gate of Assembly Dharamshala.
16-May-2022
A local court, on May 16, extended the Police custody of two Punjab men accused of putting up Khalistan flags on the gate of the Vidhan Sabha complex in Dharamshala and scrawling graffiti on its boundary wall, till May 19. The accused, Harbir Singh and Paramjit Singh Pamma, were produced before the court of judicial magistrate Shubhangi Joshi, who extended their Police custody after the Police said the accused were yet to be taken to the spot together for collecting and reconciling evidences. Reportedly, Khalistan flags were put up at the Vidhan Sabha gate on the intervening night of May 7 and May 8 and graffiti was painted on its boundary wall.