KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
12-May-2023
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested two persons and seized 5.48 kg of heroin worth INR 38 crore at Attari in Amritsar district on May 12. The heroin was found hidden in a shipment of 4,000 brooms in around 40 bags, and was stashed in hollow bamboo sticks within three of the bags. The consignment was imported by an Afghan national using fake Indian identification documents, in connivance with his Indian national wife, who were both arrested.
11-May-2023
According to police, two terrorists arrested by Delhi Police in January were allegedly tasked by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)'s Kashmir-Khalistan (K2) desk to enter Red Fort in New Delhi and open fire at security personnel in a rerun of an attack in 2000. They were also in the final stage of carrying out five targeted killings, including two sadhus in Haridwar, to fan communal riots. The chargesheet filed against the two men, Jagjit Singh Jassa and Naushad, includes murder, criminal conspiracy, and destruction of evidence. They had already committed one murder, beheading a man named Raj Kumar, and were planning to carry out four more. The video of the beheading was sent to their foreign-based handlers, including an ISI operative, through the chat application Signal.
11-May-2023
Police on May 11 arrested five suspects believed to be members of a terror module in connection with the series of low-intensity blasts near the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The police recovered 1kg of explosives and inflammatory literature from the accused, who had admitted to carrying out the blasts. The five accused were identified as Amrik Singh, Ajad Veer Singh, Sahib Singh, Dharmender and Harjit.
11-May-2023
Police on May 11 conducted a coordinated drive against suspected drug peddlers and their sympathisers in Ludhiana, Malerkotla and Khanna police districts of Punjab.
11-May-2023
Police arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Jaipal Singh and Gurbaj Singh and seized 2 kg of heroin from them in Ferozepur district on May 11.
10-May-2023
India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) has issued a "blue notice" and Look Out Circulars (LOCs) against several individuals based in the United States, Greece, and the Philippines in connection with an alleged nexus of gangsters and Khalistani outfits operating from foreign soil. The "blue notice" was issued against Harjot Singh, while LOCs were issued against Satnam Singh, Amrik Singh, and Mandeep Singh. The case relates to an alleged nexus between Khalistani outfits and north India-based gangsters in terror attacks, smuggling of arms and drugs, targeted hits, and extortions. The NIA has declared a reward of INR 10 lakh on Kashmir Singh Galwaddi and INR 15 lakh on Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa. Overall, close to 300 gangsters and mid-level criminals have been arrested by NIA and Delhi Police as part of a larger crackdown since August 2022.
10-May-2023
The president of National Akali Dal, Paramjit Singh Pamma on May 10 accused Pakistan of providing shelter to senior Khalistani militants on their soil while pretending to be friends with India. Pamma attributed the recent killing of Khalistani Commando Force (KCF) chief to Pakistan's efforts to get rid of liabilities and clean its terrorist land. He also alleged that Pakistan is involving youth, including Harvinder Singh Rinda, in sending drugs to India with the help of drones.
10-May-2023
Harjot Singh, a gangster accused of the Nabha jail-break, on May 10 was transferred to Muktsar district jail after a medical examination at the Civil Hospital in Muktsar under tight security.
10-May-2023
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on May 10 arrested two individuals and booked six others for their involvement in preparing fake documentation for passports and visas to help criminals and gang members flee abroad from Gurdaspur district. The group was also involved in cross-border smuggling activities related to drugs and militant hardware.
10-May-2023
A third blast occurred near Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab on May 10. According to sources, the recent explosions are suspected to be the work of two individuals, including a former government employee, who wanted to send a message against alleged anti-Sikh activities in India. The accused is not affiliated with the pro-Khalistani movement but has extreme radical views. The intention behind the blasts was to protest against the use of tobacco near Golden Temple and the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) on Amritpal Singh. Three individuals who sold potash to the accused have been apprehended, but they were unaware of the intended purpose of the purchase.
10-May-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) and National Security Guards (NSG) have joined the investigation into two low-intensity explosions that occurred in a span of 30 hours near the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the terror angle cannot be ruled out. The Punjab Police are investigating the blasts and are seeking the help of NSG for a second opinion as they have advanced bomb detection expertise. The devices appeared to be crude bombs.
10-May-2023
The two-day special operation 'Ops Vigil' launched in Punjab against drug smugglers and anti-social elements has resulted in the registration of 177 FIRs across the state. Over 17,500 police personnel conducted checks at various locations, including railways stations, bus stands, hotels, and marketplaces, leading to the recovery of narcotics and illicit liquor. The operation also involved the reviewing of security at several places of worship and the setting up of hi-tech nakas to search for suspected vehicles and individuals.
10-May-2023
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who was arrested by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad in connection with a heroin seizure case worth INR 194.97 crore off the Jakhau Coast (Gujrat) in September, has been sent to Sabarmati Central jail in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in judicial custody after his police remand got over.
10-May-2023
British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, on May 10 condemned the damage caused to the Indian High Commission in London by pro-Khalistan groups in March 2023. Speaking at an event in New Delhi, Ellis stated that the vandalism was "not okay" and that he would have been equally angry if a similar incident had occurred at a United Kingdom (UK) mission. He further stated that India and the UK were capable of dealing with disagreements, but in the case of Khalistani extremism, "there was no disagreement". Ellis emphasised that extremism is a risk in any country, including the UK.
09-May-2023
Gursimran Singh Mand, the National joint coordinator of the All-India Congress Committee, was provided with Y-category security on May 9 due to threats received from Canada-based terrorist Goldy Brar and pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla. Mand had earlier requested young police personnel for his security cover.
09-May-2023
According to reports, the killing of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar in Pakistan has made India's most wanted criminals living in Pakistan feel less secure. Panjwar was designated a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) and was responsible for drug smuggling, dealing with fake Indian currency, and many other crimes, including killing 18 students of Thappar Engineering College in Patiala. Other terrorists, such as Bashir Ahmad Peer, Syed Khalid Raza, Aijaz Ahmad Ahanger, Harmeet Singh, and Harwinder Singh Rinda, have also been killed outside India in recent years. Pakistan has been known as a safe haven for these criminals, but this trend of killings shows that it is no longer safe. Pakistan is currently on a "use and throw" policy, and criminals who are no longer impactful or relevant to the ISI's (Inter-Services Intelligence) motives are being shunned.
09-May-2023
Australia reiterated its commitment to take action against those responsible for the vandalism of Hindu temples in the country. The High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell, stated that Australian security forces will track down and prosecute those responsible for the incidents, which have included pro-Khalistan slogans and anti-India graffiti. O'Farrell also emphasized that Australia respects India's sovereignty and rejected any kind of referendum against it.
09-May-2023
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on May 9 stated that the terror angle cannot be ruled out in connection with the recent blasts in Amritsar's heritage street. He also mentioned that a two-day operation vigil has been started in the state to check on anti-social elements and build confidence among the masses. The Punjab police is investigating the incidents in coordination with agencies like NIA, NSG and forensic experts.
09-May-2023
The Punjab Police on May 9 launched a two-day state-wide operation named 'OPS Vigil' aimed at cracking down on drug trafficking, anti-social elements, and criminals. Under the operation, ADGP/IGP (Additional Director General of Police/ Inspector General of Police) rank officers from Punjab Police headquarters were deputed in each police district to personally supervise the operation, which will conclude at 7 pm on May 10.
09-May-2023
A team from the National Security Guard (NSG) on May 9 visited the site of two low-intensity blasts in the Heritage Street of Amritsar. Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) have also inspected the area and collected samples, with results from FSL awaited.