KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
26-Feb-2026
The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) on February 26 arrested an accused, identified as Rahmat Ali Sheikh in connection with a high-profile heroin and arms smuggling case linked to Punjab, from the Rakhial area of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. He was wanted in a case registered at Raja Sasi Police Station in Amritsar district involving the smuggling of heroin, hand grenades, and pistols allegedly sourced from across the Pakistan–Punjab border. Two co-accused had earlier been arrested in the case along with drugs and arms. During interrogation, officials found that Rahmat Ali was allegedly a key operative in a larger narcotics and grenade–pistol network. He is accused of facilitating the delivery of a consignment of heroin, hand grenades, and pistols from the Pakistan side of the Punjab border to associates in Punjab in January.
25-Feb-2026
Police on February 25 arrested Sukhbir Singh, a key accused in the February 18 murder of Sarpanch Harbrinder Singh, at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar while he was attempting to board a flight to Dubai. He was deboarded before take-off. Police have alleged that he facilitated financial transactions linked to the crime. With his arrest, the total number of accused held in the case has risen to seven.
25-Feb-2026
Punjab Police on February 25 shot dead a youth, identified as Ranjit Singh in an encounter and arrested another one, Dilawer Singh for their alleged role in the February 23 murder of two policemen, near Purana Shalla village in Gurdaspur district. A third suspect, Inderjit Singh, remains absconding. Police stated that the trio had allegedly been recruited by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to execute the killings in exchange for money. Deputy Inspector General (Border Range) Sandeep Goel stated that Ranjit Singh was picked up from his village in the early hours of February 25. He was being taken to recover the pistol allegedly used in the killings when the police jeep overturned near Gahlri village due to dense fog, allowing him to escape. According to the DIG, Ranjit, who was later spotted riding a motorcycle, was signalled to stop by a police team led by CIA SHO Gurmeet Singh. His motorcycle reportedly skidded, and finding himself cornered, he opened fire on the police. In the ensuing retaliatory firing, he was injured and subsequently declared brought dead at Gurdaspur Civil Hospital. The SHO also sustained injuries in the exchange.
25-Feb-2026
On February 25, the 36th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 546 raids, arrested 148 persons and recovered two weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 143 individuals, while 134 persons were verified and released after questioning. Three proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
25-Feb-2026
On February 25, Punjab Police, on day 361 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 88 drug smugglers, and seized 5 kg of heroin, 175 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 27520 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
25-Feb-2026
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Fazilka, in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), on February 25, arrested a person, identified as Gurnam Singh alias Gama and seized 2.102 kg of heroin, seven pistols—including one Glock, four .30 bore pistols, and two 9 mm pistols—along with magazines, live cartridges, and a motorcycle, near Baghe Ke Uttar village in Fazilka district. A senior official stated that the seizure points to the involvement of gangsters in a cross-border smuggling network. The consignment of arms, ammunition, and contraband was reportedly smuggled from Pakistan via drones operated by Pakistan-based traffickers.
25-Feb-2026
Police on February 25 arrested two additional members of a gang, identified as Arshdeep Masih alias Shubham and Phillips alias Pawan and recovered 264 grams of heroin, a pistol, an AK-47 magazine, and 17 rounds of ammunition from their possession in Amritsar district. The alleged kingpin, Laras Masih had been arrested around six weeks earlier. Subsequently, his associate Sandeep Masih was arrested on February 3, leading to the recovery of illegal weapons and heroin. In total, the police have seized four pistols, 37 rounds of ammunition, three AK-47 magazines, and 528 grams of heroin from the accused so far.
25-Feb-2026
On February 25, activists of Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) organised a ‘Khalsa Vahir’, projecting it as a programme aligned with ‘Khalsai Jaho-Jalal’ (Sikh values and traditions), in Amritsar district. Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh’s father, Tarsem Singh, and MP Sarbjit Singh Khalsa were among those present at the event.
24-Feb-2026
On February 24, the 35th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangsters Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar—the police conducted 587 raids, arrested 183 persons and recovered three weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 150 individuals, while 133 persons were verified and released after questioning. Seven proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
24-Feb-2026
On February 24, Punjab Police, on day 360 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 83 drug smugglers, and seized 431 grams of heroin, 12 kg of poppy husk, 323 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 4860 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
24-Feb-2026
The Counter Intelligence (CI) on February 24 arrested two operatives of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), for their alleged involvement in extortion-linked firing incidents, identified as Sukhwinder Singh alias Sunny and Rawal and seized a .32 bore pistol, magazines, and eight cartridges from them, in Suranussi, Jalandhar district. Preliminary investigations indicated they were acting on the directions of foreign-based BKI handlers—Gopi Nawanshehria, Jassi Kulam, and Sushant Chopra. The accused allegedly fired twice at a travel agent’s residence in Garhshankar, Hoshiarpur district, to extort money.
24-Feb-2026
Police on February 24 recovered two live hand grenades from a location identified as the “shooters’ point” in connection with the February 10 Moga firing incident targeting migrant labourers, in Moga district. According to officials, the recovery of military-grade explosives indicates that the attack may have been the first phase of a larger conspiracy aimed at triggering communal unrest. Investigators are also probing a possible drone-drop link from across the international border, similar to recent narco-terror tactics reported in the Amritsar sector.
24-Feb-2026
Police on February 24 arrested one person, identified as Manpreet Singh alias Mannu and seized 4 grams of heroin from his possession near the Sangowal bus stand in Ludhiana district.
24-Feb-2026
Police on February 24 arrested an individual identified as Sunny and recovered 38 loose intoxicant tablets from his possession, in Kahna Dhesian village, Jalandhar district.
24-Feb-2026
Unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire on the car of a lawyer linked to jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi near the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT), Kashmere Gate, in New Delhi on February 24.
24-Feb-2026
The Punjab Government has introduced a new reward policy to encourage public assistance in the arrest of gangsters and wanted criminals in Punjab. Under the “Reward Policy of the State of Punjab for the Arrest of Wanted Criminals,” individuals can receive rewards of up to INR 2 lakh or more for providing credible information. The policy authorises field officers to sanction cash rewards for informers and police personnel involved in exceptional operations. The reward amount will be determined based on the gravity of the offence, the level of risk undertaken, and the quality of information provided. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the initiative is part of the ongoing “Gangstran Te Vaar” campaign to make Punjab gangster-free and aims to institutionalise a transparent and motivating reward mechanism.
24-Feb-2026
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, addressing the party’s “Punjab Bachao Rally” in Ferozepur on February 24, promised that if voted to power in next year’s Assembly elections, his government would declare gangsters and drug traffickers as “terrorists.” He also pledged to introduce legislation to deny bail to gangsters and drug lords and to seize their properties.
23-Feb-2026
Police on February 23 arrested a man, identified as Shamsher Singh alias Shera and seized nine grams of heroin from his possession in Rasulpur village, Tarn Taran district.
23-Feb-2026
Police on February 23 arrested one person, identified as Wazir Singh and seized 12 grams of heroin from his possession near the crematorium in Sabhra village, Tarn Taran district.
23-Feb-2026
According to reports, a day after Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gurnam Singh and Home Guard Ashok Kumar were shot dead under mysterious circumstances at the Adhian check post in Gurdaspur district, Punjab Police have made little progress in the case. Meanwhile, Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, on February 23, stated that there were reports suggesting the two may have “fought” among themselves and added that the matter would be investigated. Meanwhile, questions have arisen over the absence of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel at the check post, which was meant to function as joint police–BSF unit. Three BSF personnel were reportedly deployed there on the day of the incident but did not report for duty. A senior officer, speaking anonymously, said the possibility of terrorists infiltrating Adhian village from across the border — just 500 metres away — could not be ruled out. He noted that flood damage last year had weakened sections of the border fencing, which militants may have exploited to enter from the Pakistan side. Police are also examining a possible gangster angle.