KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
20-Jan-2022
The pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) released a video provoking the people of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) ahead of Republic Day. In the video message, SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and a veiled woman are seen parroting the Pakistan line by exhorting the people of the J&K to raise their voice for the "freedom" of J&K. Pannun exhorted Kashmiris to not only block Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hoisting the national flag on January 26 but also unfurl the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) flag in Delhi. He said, "Now is the time people of Kashmir, you should reach Delhi. Block PM Modi from hoisting the tricolour. Just as the Sikh community will unfurl the Khalistani flags, you should unfurl the flag of Kashmir in Delhi. You are getting killed in fake encounters in Baramulla, Shopian, Anantnag every day and nobody knows in the world. When you reach Delhi on January 26, the entire world will watch that Kashmir and Sikhs wants freedom."
20-Jan-2022
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered around 7.25-kg heroin, smuggled from Pakistan with the help of a drone, near Muhawa border outpost in Amritsar district on the intervening night of January 19 and 20. The BSF troops fired at the unmanned aerial vehicle and also lit up the area with illumination bombs to locate the drone after hearing a humming sound. The technique was used for the first time by the BSF. It said the troops heard a sound of dropping from the flying object. The area was immediately cordoned and a search operation was launched in the morning that led to the recovery of seven packets of 7.25-kg heroin, the officials said.
20-Jan-2022
Infamous drug peddler, Poonam alias “Bhabi” and her accomplice, Sandeep Khatri, were arrested with heroin in Chandigarh on January 20. Police recovered 404gm heroin from Poonam and another 205.9gm heroin was recovered from Khatri. According to police, Khatri had come to deliver heroin to Poonam.
19-Jan-2022
According to the Intelligence Bureau (IB)’s input, the banned Khalistani outfit Sikh for Justice (SFJ) is in the process of carrying out a terrorist attack on Republic Day. The outfit is likely to attack India Gate and Red Fort by placing explosives in a car. According to IB input, SFJ may repeat hoisting the religious flag at Red Fort like last year (2021). It also claimed that terrorists had brought explosives from Pakistan to India.
18-Jan-2022
Banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), in a video message, threatened to run an international campaign on Republic Day. In the video message, SFJ's chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said Khalistan Referendum activists Jaswinder Singh Multani who was detained by German police after the recent Ludhiana court blast for allegedly furthering pro-Khalistan agenda but was later released, and Gurmit Singh Bagga would 'Raise Khalistan' and 'Block Tiranga' at the Indian embassy in Frankfurt, while Paramjeet Singh Pamma would do the same in London, UK, and Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver, Canada. Pannun also said, "Citing infamous Article 25(b) of the Indian Constitution, a global anti-India campaign #SikhsAreNot Hindus has been launched, emailing UK Prime Minister (Boris) Johnson, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Biden and Trudeau administrations urging them to support the first-ever Khalistan Referendum for secession of Punjab from India." SFJ has already announced an offer of 1 million dollars for the project 'Raise Kesri-Khalistan', and 'Block Modi-Tiranga' coinciding with India's Republic Day celebrations this year. Pannun had earlier released a video asking Sikhs to raise the 'kesri' flag in place of the Indian Tricolour.
18-Jan-2022
Intelligence Bureau (IB), in its alert, said that according to inputs received in March 2021, the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) is planning to attack India's top leaders, VVIP, at the behest of Pakistan intelligence agency ISI. According to the alert, the Khalistan Liberation Force has joined hands with Islamic militants and all this has been done by the Pakistani agency ISI, so elaborate security arrangements should be made. According to the alert, on January 26, top leaders from 5 Central Asian countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan are expected to be the chief guests at the event. IB alerts sent through the Home Ministry provide information on SOPS, countermeasures and active terror outfits in India at a total of 32 points.
18-Jan-2022
According to sources, security agencies are on high alert in wake of reports indicating that Pakistan purchased more drones from China which are likely to be used for dipping arms and ammunition in India. Intelligence documents show that Islamabad recently purchased drones from China. According to security agencies, Pakistan may try to target important installations in India using drones. This alert came after two Indians and a Pakistani were killed along with 6 wounded in a suspected Houthi drone attack near the Abu Dhabi airport in UAE.
17-Jan-2022
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) declared a reward of INR 10 lakh on Germany-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) operative, Jaswinder Singh Multani, who has been booked along with his associates from other banned outfits like the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) for allegedly attempting to revive terrorism in Punjab. According to reports, the preliminary findings have also indicated the role of Multani in the recent Ludhiana court complex blast. The NIA has accused him of coordinating with Pakistan-based pro-Khalistani elements and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and conspiring to carry out terror attacks in Mumbai and other parts of the country. The NIA registered the case following a direction from the Central government to investigate the allegations against Multani. Along with Multani, the NIA has named Jagdish Singh Bhura of KZF, his deputy Gurmeet Singh, who is also associated with SFJ; Ranjeet Singh Pakhoke of KTF (Germany); Sukhdev Singh Heran and Hardeep Singh Nijjar of Babbar Khalsa International; and Paramjit Singh Pamma and Ranjeet Singh Neeta, both KTF members, in the case. Meanwhile, at the instance of the Indian agencies, the German police had last month detained and then released him after he submitted an affidavit promising to cooperate with the authorities concerned.
17-Jan-2022
Supreme Court lawyers on January 17 received the 5th threat call from Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) since Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's security breach. The call which was received by lawyers such as Apoorv Shukla and Maharashtra's former Chief Standing Counsel Nishant Katneshwarkar contained a pre-recorded message from SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. It threatened the lawyers for filing a complaint against Pannun for announcing a 1 million dollars reward to block PM Modi and raise the Khalistan flag instead of the tricolor in Delhi on Republic Day. Pannun reportedly warned of protests against apex court lawyers whenever they go abroad. Moreover, he maintained that SFJ will not allow retired SC judge Indu Malhotra to proceed with the inquiry into the PM's security breach. Maharashtra's former Chief Standing Counsel Nishant Katneshwarkar said, "I received this call from a UK number. It is from Mr. Pannu of SFJ. But today it is saying that the SFJ will identify the advocates. Because of the filing of the complaint, the advocates have put themselves in a dangerous position. And it further says that SFJ will not allow Justice Indu Malhotra to proceed with the inquiry committee and SFJ will block the Honourable Prime Minister on 26th of January." In the recorded call Pannun said, "You have filed complaint against SFJ and put yourself in a dangerous position. Now we will hold anti-Sikh, anti-Muslim advocates accountable. While we will block Modi on January 26 and raise Khalistan flags, we will not allow Indu Malhotra to investigate Modi terror plot. We are preparing a list of advocates who visit foreign nations and you will hear from us peacefully, democratically and loudly."
17-Jan-2022
A hand grenade was found on a bank of a seepage drain near Muthianwali border village in Fazilka district near the International Border (IB).
17-Jan-2022
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has identified more than twelve individuals related to Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Jaswinder Singh Multani. On December 27, he was detained in Germany at India’s request. According to the officials, Multani’s suspected contacts with a smuggling network sponsored by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have also been exposed. According to claims, the allegations have spurred German authorities to launch an independent investigation into Multani’s and his accomplices’ behavior. Multani is accused by the NIA of gathering cash to provide weaponry and explosives through a smuggling network in Punjab. Officials further stated he was actively utilizing social media channels to spread SFJ’s beliefs.
16-Jan-2022
The Intelligence agencies warned that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has activated its terror outfits to execute more terror activities in the state and in some parts of Uttar Pradesh, with an aim to derail the electioneering process in the state and to increase the Khalistani footprints in Punjab. According to intelligence inputs, the ISI-sponsored Sikh terror outfits may target the election rallies and may attempt to hit some important leaders or VVIP during the electioneering process in Punjab, parts of UP, and Uttarakhand. The sources added that considering the Punjab election as an apt opportunity to reactivate the Khalistani movement in the state and also in other poll-bound states wherein the Sikh voters are in large numbers, the ISI has activated all small or big terror groups which have been tasked to derail the poll process in the state.
15-Jan-2022
Sikh Youth of Punjab (SYP), the youth wing of Dal Khalsa, organised a youth conference to discuss the challenges being faced by the Sikh community and Punjab and the role and responsibilities of the young generation in tackling them. The conference expressed concern over the continuous arrests of youth under UAPA and other terror-related cases and observed that it was the outcome of government’s denial to resolve Punjab conflict and deliver justice in sacrilege cases.
15-Jan-2022
A drug peddler, Birbhan (36), who was arrested in an Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) case and was presently out on bail, was rearrested by the UT police with 1.125 kg of charas from the Indira Colony in Chandigarh.
15-Jan-2022
According to reports, the central intelligence agencies have alerted the Punjab government that with only 30 days to go for the upcoming Assembly elections, terrorists may carry out a major attack in the state. A high alert has been issued to central and state government intelligence agencies in this regard and orders have been issued to strengthen security. According to the alert, Pakistan terrorists Wadhwa Singh Babbar (BKI), Paramjit Singh Panjwar, Ranjit Singh Neeta (KZF), Lakhbir Singh Rode (ISYF) are being used by Pakistan’s intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). An alert sent to the Punjab government also said that RDX can also be used in elections in Punjab.
14-Jan-2022
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that “some Khalistani mentions” of “offending nature” spotted in a social media account of a person will not be a conclusive proof of him being a member of a terrorist group. The observation came on an appeal filed under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act against an order, dated February 4, 2021, passed by the Mohali NIA Special Judge, dismissing his bail application in an FIR registered on September 23, 2019.
14-Jan-2022
According to reports, the recent investigations suggest that luring youths of lower strata of society, irrespective of their religion, with foreign dreams and easy money is the latest modus operandi of the banned terror outfit International Youth Sikh Federation (IYSF) to further its cause. Of the six IYSF operatives arrested by the Punjab Police for November 21, 2021 grenade attack at an army camp in Pathankot, three are Hindus and all of them come from a poor family background. The IYSF is a banned outfit being run by wanted terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode, who reportedly operates in Pakistan. The six were arrested on January 10. Unnamed officials said that the accused were neither radicalised nor driven by pro-Khalistan ideology. Their job was to create panic through grenade attacks as briefed by their handler, Sukhpreet Singh alias Sukh of Kharal village, who is currently in Greece, and reportedly an aide of Rode. The accused trained themselves in handling grenades from videos available on YouTube, the officials said. “They were active for the last four to six months. Probe suggests that one of the accused was not even paid any money. In its attempt for survival, the IYSF is targeting needy youths belonging to the lower strata of society in lieu of paltry sums and foreign dreams,” the officials added.
14-Jan-2022
A Supreme Court lawyer filed a complaint with Delhi police cyber cell against Sikh For Justice (SFJ) Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The lawyer also filed FIR against Twitter and Facebook for providing a platform to publish objectionable video messages issued by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who is seen threatening the Prime Minister of India and the sovereign integrity of the nation.
14-Jan-2022
The Punjab and Haryana high court granted bail to Amarjeet Singh, an accused linked with the 2019 Tarn Taran blast and alleged pro-Khalistani group member, observing that the accusation is not prima facie “true”. Amarjeet in his appeal had said that he was in custody since September 2019 and nothing has come on record that he was a member of any terrorist organisation and involved in any unlawful activity. Hence, bail be granted. Earlier, two of the accused were killed on the spot when an explosion took place at Pandori Gola village of the Tarn Taran district in September 5, 2019.
14-Jan-2022
The Special Task Force of Punjab Police found an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing 5 kg and some Indian currency notes concealed in a bag lying on the Attari-Bachiwind road in Amritsar, close to the India-Pakistan border.
13-Jan-2022
After busting a terror module of International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), Punjab Police on January 13 seized 2.5 kg of RDX, besides arms and ammunition, on the disclosure of the prime accused in two recent incidents of hurling of grenades in Pathankot. Police also seized a detonator, a detonating cord, five explosive fuses along with wires and 12 live cartridges of AK-47 rifles, Director General of Police (DGP) V K Bhawra said. According to police, the explosive material was to be used in assembling IEDs. “The recovery was made on the disclosure statement of accused Amandeep Kumar alias Mantri of village Lakhanpal in Gurdaspur, who is the prime accused in the two recent incidents of grenade attacks in Pathankot,” said the DGP. Kumar was among the six ISYF operatives arrested by police on January 10. He has confessed to have hurled grenades in two separate incidents in Pathankot, according to the statement.
13-Jan-2022
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the probe into December 23 Ludhiana court blast, in which the alleged bomber Gagandeep Singh was killed and six people were injured. A senior official privy to the development said they took over the probe from Punjab Police after Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) issued a notification. Initial investigations carried out by the Punjab Police have pointed towards the role of Khalistani groups.
12-Jan-2022
After several Supreme Court lawyers complained that they received calls from pro-Khalistani forces claiming responsibility for the blockade of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's convoy in Punjab's Ferozepur, similar calls were received by the Times Now headquarters in Noida. Rahul Shivshankar, Editor-in-Chief, Times Now, sad, "We are getting these calls from both - Canada and the UK. We know who these people are. We will be contacting the Canadian High Commission and the British High Commission and taking up the matter with the government."
12-Jan-2022
In a new propagandist video shared by Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on Facebook, the banned Khalistani outfit has announced 1 Million dollars as a 'reward' to anyone who would raise Khalistani flags instead of the Indian tricolour in Delhi on January 26 Republic Day. "This is the matter of Sikhs and Hind. This time the tricolour will not be allowed anywhere in Delhi. The campaign to liberate Punjab from Indian occupation through 'Khalistani Referendum' will continue equal to 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections," Pannun was heard saying in the video. He also appeared to burn Indian flags in the video. A similar attempt to instigate the Sikhs in India was made in 2021 when the SFJ had announced a cash reward of 2,50,000 dollars for hoisting the Khalistan flag at the India Gate on Republic Day. It also hijacked the farmers' protest, asking them to indulge in anti-national activities on the national holiday.
12-Jan-2022
The Supreme Court Bar Association on January 12 wrote to former top court judge Indu Malhotra, heading a panel tasked with probing the security breach of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Punjab, seeking an enquiry into anonymous threat calls reportedly made to advocates in connection with the case. Several Supreme Court lawyers had on January 10 written to the apex court alleging they have received calls threatening judges over the case involving a security breach that left Prime Minister Modi stuck for 20 minutes on a flyover in Punjab last week.