KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
16-May-2022
Ahead of 38th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) issued a “tourist alert” advising people against visiting Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Himachal Pradesh (HP) on May 16. The group said that the chief ministers of three States had initiated a conflict with pro-Khalistan Sikhs by filing false terror charges which could escalate to a law and order crisis in Uttar Pradesh (UP), Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. “During heydays of Khalistan movement in 1990s Indian agencies, using “black cats” frequently orchestrated massacres of Hindus to malign and crush the popular Sikhs’ demand for right to self-determination,” SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in a mail sent to media houses. Alleging double standards in celebrating Bhagat Singh as a hero for bombing Delhi assembly while labelling Sikhs as terrorists, Pannun said: “We believe in ballot not bomb and will announce Khalistan Referendum Voting Date in Punjab on June 6 from Sri Akal Takht Sahib”. He said the areas earmarked for secession from India through Khalistan Referendum, include Haryana, HP and Sikh populated areas of UP
13-May-2022
Five suspected persons were arrested in connection with the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack at its intelligence headquarters in Mohali, the Punjab Police said on May 13, adding that the act was carried out by a nexus of militant outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and gangsters. Director General of Police (DGP), V K Bhawra said a sixth accused is in Police custody in a separate case. “In addition, two people — Mohd Nasim Alam and Mohd Sharaf Raj — have been brought for questioning from Noida. They originally hail from Bihar. We have not arrested them yet and they are being questioned.” The five suspects arrested were identified as Jagdeep Singh Kang, Baljit Kaur alias Sukhi, Baljinder Singh alias Rambo, Kanwarjit Singh alias Kanwar Bath and Anant Deep Singh alias Sonu. DGP, Bhawra said the role of BKI and gangsters at the behest of the ISI has come to the fore. “The key conspirator who organised all logistics is Tarn Taran resident Lakhbir Singh, alias Landa, who used to be a gangster and had shifted to Canada in 2017,” the DGP said, adding, “He is a close associate of gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, who operates from Pakistan.” Landa provided the RPG, AK-47 and the local network of criminals for logistic support to carry out the attack, the Punjab Police chief said, adding that the three suspects who carried out the attack were still on the run.
13-May-2022
Pro-Khalistani posters were seen pasted on the Budhalada city over bridge in Mansa District of Punjab. The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has claimed responsibility for the posters with an intent to provoke distress in the region. As per reports, the Mansa Police are tracking the phone numbers through which the video, promoting anti-India messages, is being circulated.
12-May-2022
Pro Khalistan banned terror group Sikh for Justice (SFJ) on May 12 issued a fresh threat to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Jairam Thakur and Director General of Police (DGP), Sanjay Kundu. The legal counsel of SFJ, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in an audio message announced a reward of around INR 2 million to anyone providing information about the CM and the DGP's foreign visits. Prompting that the 'war is on', Pannu reminded the CM to not take action against activists who raised ‘Khalistan flags’ at the State Assembly building in Dharamshala. "The SFJ had asked you not to take any action against the activists who hoisted Khalistan flag at Vidhan Sabha. Now the war is on. SFJ will give USD 25,000 for providing information of foreign visits of CM Thakur and DGP Kundu, or any other minister of Himachal or their family members," the SFJ counsel said. "We will hold you and your family accountable under the Foreign Human Rights Violation Act," Pannu added. Notably, in an earlier message, SFJ had claimed responsibility for raising ‘Khalistan flags’ at the State Assembly building in Dharamshala and warned Himachal CM Jairam Thakur to 'learn something from the Mohali attack, it could have been Shimla too.' Responding to SFJ's threat, DGP Kundu informed that the police had already sought Interpol's assistance in issuing a red corner notice against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. "We will not be cowed down by these threats. We are doing our job. The police have already sought assistance from the Interpol to get a red cornered notice against him," he said.
11-May-2022
According to reports, Haryana Police has invoked Section 124A (sedition), the law whose operation the Supreme Court put on hold on May 11, in 41 cases in recent years. The individuals booked form a wide spectrum, from the founder of the pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) to the leader of a khap [a community organisation representing a clan or a group of related clans], a Congress Member of Parliament (MP) and senior journalists. Chargesheets have been filed in at least 19 cases and six have gone to trial. Most sedition cases registered in the State in the last two years have been against SFJ and its founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has included Haryana, which he claims to be part of Punjab, in his separatist messages. The first of these cases was filed in July 2020 in Gurgaon and Kurukshetra. Pannun was declared a terrorist on July 1, 2020 by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA).
10-May-2022
The banned outfit, Sikh for Justice (SFJ) claimed responsibility for the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack at Punjab Police's Intelligence wing in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District of Punjab on May 9. In a suspected audio message to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM), Jai Ram Thakur, SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued a warning. The voice message transcripts, "Lesson for Himachal chief minister - learn from grenade attack at Mohali police headquarters - attack could have been at Shimla headquarters. CM Thakur SFJ advise - we raised flag at Dharamshala HQ, do not provoke the Sikh community. SFJ is going to announce Khalistan referendum 20-20 on June 6 in Himachal on day of voting. Do not provoke Sikh community and start violence because violence begets violence, CM Thakur. Message is from Gurpatwant Singh Pannu SFJ General Counsel." The Punjab Police are verifying the authenticity of the voice message. A probe is already ongoing and 20 suspects have been arrested in the RPG attack at Punjab Police's Intelligence wing case. Police are also planning to issue a red corner notice for Pannun
10-May-2022
The Punjab Police, on May 10, have so far detained at least 18-20 suspects in connection with the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack at Punjab Intelligence HQs in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District of Punjab on May 9 night. A high alert has been sounded in Mohali as the Police did not rule out it as a terror attack. The Police have picked up 6,000 to 7,000 mobile dumps of three mobile towers in the vicinity of intelligence headquarters building between 7pm [IST] and 8pm [IST]. Police are scrutinising the mobile dumps, said an Police officer.
09-May-2022
A rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) hit the Intelligence Wing headquarters of Punjab Police in Mohali on May 9 night, shattering windowpanes on one of the floors of the building. However, no one was injured in the explosion. The explosion took place at around 7.45 pm [IST] at the office located at sector 77 in Mohali. The windowpanes on one of the floors of the building were shattered because of the explosion. The Mohali police said in a statement, “A minor explosion was reported at the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in sector 77, SAS Nagar at around 7.45 PM. No damage has been reported. Senior officers are on the spot and an investigation is being done. Forensic teams have been called.” The explosion came close on the heels of the recovery of an explosive device near Burail Jail in Chandigarh on April 24. A senior official associated with a Central intelligence agency said that it is suspected that a RPG was used in the attack and it is an unusual thing. "In the past grenade attacks have happened but the use of RPGs is worrying for everyone," said a senior official. "Some suspects taken into custody," Punjab Police, Director General of Police (DGP), Viresh Kumar Bhawra said at meeting headed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
08-May-2022
The chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has been named as the main accused in connection with the appearance of 'Khalistan' banners and graffiti on the walls of Himachal Pradesh Assembly in Dharamshala on May 8. Pannun has been charged under the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Himachal Police have stepped up security in the State after SFJ gave a call for holding a 'Khalistan' referendum on June 6. Inter-state borders have been sealed and security stepped at key Government buildings. "Keeping in view the incidents of Khalistani elements in neighboring States and also incident of tying a Khalistani banner took place in Una district on 11.04.2022 and recent incident of hoisting banners & graffiti of Khalistan on the outer boundary of Vidhan Sabha in Dharamshala as well as the threat posed by Sikhs for Justice (SJF) regarding announcement of 6th June, 2022 as voting date for Khalistan Referendum in Himachal Pradesh, the DGP-HP has issued directions to the field formations to remain on high alert from today," an order issued by State Police Chief Sanjay Kundu said
05-May-2022
According to reports, after a major Pakistan-Khalistan terror plot was thwarted in Karnal on May 5, with the arrest of four terror suspects, the banned pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has warned Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Manohar Lal Khattar against branding the arrested accused as Pakistan terror suspects. SFJ issued a warning against CM Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij against labelling Khalistan activists as an “ISI backed-terrorist”. The group has also claimed to provide legal aid to the arrested terrorists. The SFJ has now issued an open warning against Haryana CM over branding the arrested accused in Karnal as Pakistan terror suspects. In a video message released by SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, under its “Haryana BanayGa Khalistan” campaign, the group issued a warning to the Haryana CM against the Pak-Khalistan terror nexus. SFJ also informed that it will provide legal aid to the four terror suspects arrested in Karnal.
05-May-2022
Four Punjab-based terror suspects on way to Adilabad in Telangana to deliver a consignment of explosives in an Innova car with Delhi registration were arrested at Bastara toll plaza in Karnal District of Haryana on May 5 morning. Police have seized three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in a metallic case (2.5 kilograms each), a Pakistan-made pistol, 31 live cartridges and INR 130,000 in cash from them. Those arrested have been identified as Gurpreet Singh, Amandeep Singh, Parminder Singh (all residents of Vinjoke village of Zira in Ferozepur district of Punjab) and Bhupinder Singh of Bhatian village in Ludhiana in Punjab. Punjab, Director general of Police (DGP), VK Bhawra claimed that the State Police, acting on inputs from the central intelligence agencies, averted a possible terrorist attack by giving a hot chase of over 300 kilometres and getting four suspects arrested in Karnal. They were arrested by Haryana Police following inputs from Punjab Police, he added. Karnal, Superintendent of Police (SP), Ganga Ram Punia said the suspects were in touch with a Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist, Harvinder Singh Rinda, who used to send locations through an app to them to deliver explosives and weapons. Rinda used to drop weapons and explosives at pre-designated locations in the fields in Ferozepur with the help of drones.
05-May-2022
According to report, the recent probe into pro-Khalistan modules busted in Punjab has revealed that foreign-based terrorists and their local handlers are using money to lure the state’s youth, who in fact lack ideological conviction. According to an internal analysis of the intelligence wing of Punjab Police, most of those arrested in these cases belong to non-Sikh families with poor financial backgrounds. A senior official of the internal security wing, which deals with such cases, said the arrested youths were mostly unemployed and had been promised money or a future abroad. The recent arrests and recoveries pertain to grenade attacks at an army camp in Pathankot and a similar attack on a CIA police station in SBS Nagar, both in November 2021, besides another grenade attack on a police post in Rupnagar on March 9, the eve of assembly election results in Punjab. Among the six suspects identified by the SBS Nagar police in the Pathankot grenade blast — in which International Youth Sikh Federation (IYSF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode, who is based in Pakistan, has been identified as the mastermind —four belong to very poor families. Police officials who have quizzed these suspects claim that while one Gurwinder Singh of Kharal village in Gurdaspur was promised a job in Dubai and free travel from India, another Raman Kumar (19), was a drug addict and was paid a meagre amount of Rs 12,000 to join the module. Similarly, in the CIA police station case, the module members were ordinary youths apart from one Kuldeep Kumar alias Sunny, from Ludhiana who had motivated them to carry out the grenade attack in SBS Nagar on November 7, 2021. Sunny lured the local youth having petty criminal record using personal links or distant friendships and would allocate money as per their role, found the police probe. Sandeep Sharma, senior superintendent of police (SSP), SBS Nagar, said those who performed the task under the guidance of their masters are neither radical nor they know much about Khalistan. “Sunny lured them with money on behalf of Rinda. The money involved ranges from Rs 15,000 to Rs 1 lakh,” said the SSP.
04-May-2022
Seven drug peddlers were arrested and 300g of heroin was recovered from them after a video was shared widely on social media of a man selling drugs to addicts on a rail track in Faridkot in Faridkot district on May 4. The accused were identified as Shivam, Ravi, Deepak, Baljeet Singh, Hira Singh, Amritpal Singh Jinda and Pardeep Kumar, all residents of Faridkot. Police rounded up the alleged drug supplier, Jagdeep Singh and impounded three two-wheelers of the accused.
04-May-2022
The Special Task Force (STF) of the Punjab Police arrested two gangsters, identified as David alias Laddi Shooter and Lovepreet Sandhu alias Akash and recovered two pistols, three magazines, 12 rounds, 60-gm heroin and Rs 6.3 lakh drug money from their possession in Ferozepur district.
03-May-2022
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 2.98 kg of heroin worth Rs 15 crore (international market) adjacent to the border fence near Jodhewala village in Jalalabad subdivision of Fazilka district on May 3. According to sources, jawans of the 52 Battalion noticed suspicious movement and challenged the suspect who fled on a bike. During search, two bottles filled with heroin and wrapped in green cloth were recovered near the fence.
03-May-2022
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on May 3 said that hatemongers have no place in Punjab and seeds of hatred don't bloom on this land.Anything can be planted in the fertile land of Punjab but not the seeds of hatred, he said addressing a gathering in Malerkotla in Malerkotla district after offering prayers at the local Idgah on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. The CM said, "Punjab's social bonding is very strong. We live in brotherhood and those who spread hatred find no place here". "Punjab is the land of gurus, pir, fakirs, poets and martyrs, seeds of hatred don't bloom here," he said giving a stern warning to elements trying to disturb peace and harmony of the State.
03-May-2022
The Hoshiarpur district police arrested four smugglers by recovering a huge quantity of narcotics from them from different places on May 3. Police arrested Amandeep Singh alias Aman, a resident of Jagatpura, and recovered 78 grams of intoxicating powder from him. Gurpreet Singh alias Guru a resident Basant Bihar, was arrested by the police and 22 grams of heroin was seized from him. During a naka in the area, Mehtiana police arrested Jatinder Singh Jimmy and Lakhwinder Singh and recovered a large number of sedative capsules from them.
02-May-2022
According to reports, the Khanna police gave cash awards of just Rs 1,350 to 36 police personnel involved in the ongoing anti-drug drive. Each police personnel got Rs 20 to Rs 60. Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ravi Kumar said that as per the Punjab Police Rules, an SSP can distribute maximum Rs 150 in each case. If five police personnel are involved in nabbing the smugglers, the SSP has to divide Rs 150 among all of them. The copy of the order reveals that on May 2, Khanna SSP Ravi Kumar approved cash awards for 36 police personnel who apprehended at least 10 smugglers and seized heroin, poppy husk and opium from their possession. An Assistant of sub-inspector (ASI) -rank officer said, “I got Rs 30 for my efforts in nabbing a heroin smuggler, one of my juniors got Rs 20, while my senior got Rs 35. This amount has no relevance in present times. Instead of encouraging the policemen, this ridiculous amount may discourage them.”
02-May-2022
A politician from Himachal Pradesh, Harpreet Singh Bedi, supported the demand for a separate Sikh homeland 'Khalistan' in his social media posts. Bedi shared several tweets in support of Khalistan on microblogging site Twitter and then deleted the account. "According to the constitution, Sikh can demand for Khalistan, then how it is wrong if you want to stop this issue, try to change the act otherwise shut the...," one tweet read. He also shared pictures of the currency of the 'Republic of Khalistan'. The Mandi-based politician deleted his Twitter account after he was criticised for supporting Khalistan. Bedi was formerly associated with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) but is no longer with the party.
02-May-2022
India on May 2 condemned the “official citation” made in the General Assembly in the state of Connecticut in the United States (US), recognising the 36th anniversary of the declaration of ‘Khalistan’, saying “vested interests seek to divide communities and promote bigotry and hatred. Their agenda of violence has no place in democratic societies like the US and India”. The Consulate General of India at New York tweeted a statement, saying the Embassy of India in Washington DC and the Consulate General of India in New York would take up this issue appropriately with US lawmakers.
02-May-2022
The Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) warned Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and Director General Police (DGP) Viresh Bhawra against taking action against the Khalistan supporters who are accused in the April 29 Patiala violence case. In a video, SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was heard inciting communal tensions by claiming that Sikhs gave a fitting response to the "Hindu extremists" in Patiala. He also cautioned Mann and Bhawra against following a policy pursued by the late CM Beant Singh failing which they will have to face consequences. Beant Singh was assassinated in a bomb blast on August 31, 1995. In the video, Pannun also asked the police to not disrespect family members of the Sikhs named in connection with the Patiala clash. Moreover, he warned that the children of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and police officials studying in Australia, the UK, Canada and the US will be forced by SFJ to return back home if the children of the accused are harassed.
02-May-2022
Police arrested a Tanzanian woman, identified as Rahma and recovered 300 gm of heroin from her possession in Zirakpur in Mohali district.
02-May-2022
According to reports, Akal Takht is all set to initiate action against US-based Thaminder Singh Anand for allegedly distorting the Gurbani while printing the saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in an unauthorised manner. Thaminder, who runs SikhBookClub.com, has been accused of not only getting published the copies of the ‘saroop’, but also uploading its PDF on the website.
02-May-2022
Punjab police on May 2 identified the key accused in the smuggling of drugs at the India-Pakistan border, a day after the Border Security Force (BSF) arrested a farmer with 1 kg heroin when he was returning back after tilling his fields between the barbed wire fence and the zero line. Pooran Singh of Hardo Rattan village situated near the Attari border, who owns around five acres of agricultural land on both sides of the barbed wire fence, was identified after police got inputs from Dilbagh Singh of the same village, who was arrested on May 1. “Dilbagh has told us that he was clearing the consignment of heroin from his field at the instance of one Pooran Singh of his village. We have found that Pooran also owns around five acres of agricultural land on both sides of the barbed wire fence,” an unnamed senior Punjab police official said.
01-May-2022
The Punjab School Education Board banned three books for allegedly distorting facts related to Sikh history. Punjab Education Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on May 1 said that action will be taken against writers and publishers for allegedly distorting facts related to Sikh history in the books.