KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
29-Aug-2025
A report by Khalsa Vox highlighted the plight of Gurdwara Shaheed Ganj Bhai Taru Singh in Lahore, a historic 250-year-old shrine now encroached upon and largely erased due to neglect in Pakistan. Once a revered site of Sikh devotion, it now stands hidden behind shops and walls, with only a small portion accessible to devotees. The desecration reflects the broader erosion of Sikh heritage in Pakistan, while Khalistani groups abroad remain silent, allegedly because of their dependence on Pakistani funding.
29-Aug-2025
A recent report by Khalsa Vox revealed that the demand for Khalistan, which originated in the 1970s, is now largely sustained by fringe elements in India and sections of the diaspora, while the majority of Sikhs have rejected separatism and embraced their place within India. The report traced the movement’s trajectory from Jagjit Singh Chauhan to Amritpal Singh, noting its repeated failures and decline after the violent decades of the 1980s–90s. It argued that diaspora-led protests in countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), Canada, and Australia may ultimately harm the cause, as governments prioritize stability and their ties with India.
28-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on August 28 arrested one unidentified smuggler and seized 490 grams of heroin from his possession, near Attari village in Amritsar district.
28-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) on August 28 recovered 536 grams of heroin, near Chak Wazida village in Ferozepur district.
28-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops in a joint operation with Punjab Police on August 28 recovered 6.086 kg of heroin and a drone from fields near JK Singh Wala village in Ferozepur district.
28-Aug-2025
Bathinda Police on August 28 arrested one individual, identified as Rahul Kumar and seized recovered 505 grams of heroin from the possession in Bathinda in Bathinda district. During interrogation, Rahul revealed that he had sourced the contraband from Ishant Kumar, a repeat offender with five drug peddling cases who is currently lodged in Kapurthala prison. Police have also booked Ishant in connection with the case and are investigating the supply chain further.
28-Aug-2025
A report released by Khalsa Vox highlighted the nexus between the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and illicit activities such as illegal migration and drug trafficking. Citing multiple investigations, it alleged that proceeds from narcotics including fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine are being used to finance anti-India militancy, protests, and Khalistan referendums. The report emphasized that while the vast majority of Sikhs lead constructive lives, supporting groups tied to crime damages the community’s reputation. It urged Sikhs worldwide to uphold lawful, transparent, and principled advocacy rather than aligning with extremist factions.
27-Aug-2025
Goa Police on August 27 traced a close aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, identified as Vishnu Bishnoi, along with six of his associates from a hotel in Anjuna in Goa. Vishnu was wanted in several cases, including the murder of Punjab businessman Sanjay Verma in Fazilka on July 7, 2025. Officials confirmed that while Vishnu was handed over to Punjab Police, his six companions were released as no involvement in the crime was found.
27-Aug-2025
Police on August 27 arrested two gang members of the Rohit Godara gang, identified as Kartik Jakhar and Kavish, from New Ashok Nagar area in East Delhi district in Delhi. The two were working for Harry Boxer, a Bishnoi gang member based in the United States (US), who has been issuing threats and extortion demands.
27-Aug-2025
According to sources, the silence of Punjab Police over the improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Amritsar on August 10, which left bomb disposal squad constable Gurpreet Singh grievously injured, has raised concerns and prompted calls for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe. Medical records confirm that Singh lost vision in both eyes, hearing in one ear, and sustained severe hand and leg injuries. Activists allege the incident occurred near the Galiara area close to the Golden Temple, but the police have refused to disclose details, fuelling suspicions of a cover-up.
27-Aug-2025
Patiala House Court in New Delhi on August 27 cancelled the non-bailable warrant issued two days earlier against former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer Vikash Yadav in a kidnapping and extortion case. The court accepted the submission that his lawyers had been unable to appear due to the ongoing strike and restored his bail surety. Yadav, earlier arrested for alleged links with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and also named by United States (US) authorities in the Gurpatwant Singh Pannun plot, has been directed to appear on October 17.
27-Aug-2025
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 27 recorded assurances from both state governments that innocent people would not be falsely implicated in narcotics cases involving non-commercial quantities. The Bench noted that as many as 23,647 arrests had already been made, with over 20,000 First Information Reports (FIRs) involving contraband in the form of tablets without batch numbers or expiry dates. Punjab Advocate-General Maninder Singh Bedi assured that the campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh” would be implemented with safeguards to protect innocents, while Haryana’s counsel also pledged corrective measures. Justice Sandeep Moudgil then disposed of the petitions, observing that no further interference was required at this stage.
27-Aug-2025
On August 27, Punjab Police, on day 179 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 68 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 99 drug smugglers and seized 985 grams of heroin, 21 kg of poppy husk, 1,625 intoxicant tablets/capsules, and INR 9,850 in drug money from the possession of the arrested smugglers, across Punjab. With these arrests, the total number of drug smugglers apprehended has risen to 27,409 in 179 days.
27-Aug-2025
Police on August 27 arrested three individuals, identified as Rohit Bhullar, Arshdeep Singh alias Karan, and Gurjinder Singh alias Gagan, and seized a mobile phone from their possession, in Kalyanpuri, East Delhi district. The accused had allegedly demanded INR 25 lakh from a jeweller by threatening him in the name of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Police stated that the trio was acting on the instructions of a handler named Sheru, currently based in Bahrain. Further investigation is underway to trace other associates and links to Bishnoi’s network.
27-Aug-2025
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of Punjab Police, on August 27, released a statement regarding the bomb blast that reportedly occurred at its Amritsar office on August 10. According to the statement, senior constable Gurpreet Singh, deputed to the Bomb Disposal Squad of Punjab Armed Police (PAP), was severely injured when an IED seized by the SSOC exploded. In addition to the IED, the cell had also confiscated two hand grenades. The statement added that the low-intensity explosion took place while the explosives were being defused as part of standard procedure on August 10.
26-Aug-2025
According to intelligence sources, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is pushing Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) to intensify terror attacks in Punjab and neighbouring states, shifting the focus from civilians to police stations, government buildings, and courts. Security officials stated that the move is intended to revive the Khalistan movement by projecting BKI as targeting the Indian state rather than the public. Investigators further revealed that senior BKI leaders Harvinder Singh Rinda and Harper Singh alias Happy Passia, both ISI assets, are directing operations from abroad.
26-Aug-2025
The Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, during a meeting with Punjab Governor Shri Banwarilal Purohit in Chandigarh on August 26, criticized the Punjab Police Welfare Association for supporting convicted officers found guilty of fake encounters of Sikh youths in the 1990s. He told the Governor that victim families had struggled for decades to secure justice, and releasing the officers would undermine court verdicts and deepen their suffering. Gargajj emphasized that such cases involve grave human rights violations and urged that decisions reflect the sentiments of Punjabis, especially Sikhs.
26-Aug-2025
Counter Intelligence (CI) Pathankot on August 26 averted a targeted killing with the arrest of four members of an organized crime syndicate—identified as Vishal Masih alias Dana, Vishal William, and two juveniles—and recovered two .30 bore star-mark pistols along with six live cartridges from their possession in Salimpur Afghana village, Gurdaspur district. According to Punjab Police, the accused were acting on the directions of foreign-based gangsters Nishan Singh, Shamsher Singh alias Shera Mann alias Honey, and Sajan Masih alias Goru.
26-Aug-2025
Police on August 26 arrested one individual, identified as Harjinder Singh alias Ravinder Singh, for making repeated threat calls and WhatsApp messages to Punjabi singer Mankirat Singh Aulakh and his family, from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
25-Aug-2025
Patiala House Court on August 25 issued a non-bailable warrant against former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer Vikash Yadav, named by United States (US) authorities as a conspirator in the alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The court noted Yadav’s repeated absence in a kidnapping and extortion case linked to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and issued notice to his surety under Section 491 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
25-Aug-2025
The Haryana government on August 25 announced jobs for one member of each of the 121 Sikh families who lost relatives in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Chief Minister (CM) Nayab Singh Saini recalled the large-scale violence in which gurdwaras, houses, shops, factories, vehicles, and even railway coaches were set ablaze following the assassination of Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi. The Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) welcomed the move as historic recognition, though its president, Jagdish Singh Jhinda, asserted that the actual death toll was four to five times higher than the official figure.
25-Aug-2025
Punjab Police on August 25 unearthed a terror module with the arrest of one individual, identified as Ravinder Pal Singh alias Ravi, and recovered four hand grenades, an RDX-based improvised explosive device (IED), a Baofeng dual-band FM transceiver set, and a D-shaped headset commonly used with walkie-talkie communication equipment, from his possession in Balpura village, Gurdaspur district. Police stated that the consignment had been sent on the directions of United Kingdom (UK)-based Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Nishan Singh alias Nishan Jodia, who was acting under the instructions of Pakistan-based terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Another accused remains absconding, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.
25-Aug-2025
On August 25, Punjab Police, on day 177 of its ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign registered 61 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 76 drug smugglers and seized 525 grams of heroin, 2,258 intoxicating tablets/capsules and INR 2,000 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers across Punjab. With this, the total number of drug smugglers arrested during the campaign reached 27,163.
25-Aug-2025
Police on August 25 arrested a wanted criminal, identified as Bhupinder Singh, and seized a .32 bore pistol with live cartridges, narcotics and two cars, from his possession, near Gharuan village in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar district. He, along with three accomplices from Malerkotla, had carjacked a luxury vehicle at gunpoint from two employees of CGC Jhanjeri on August 17.
24-Aug-2025
Arpit Shukla, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order), stated in Chandigarh on August 24 that information received through the ‘Safe Punjab’ WhatsApp chatbot helpline has led to the registration of 5,562 FIRs since March 1 under the state’s anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’. He added that Punjab Police have, so far, registered 17,373 FIRs, arrested 26,995 drug smugglers, and seized 1,096 kg heroin, 380 kg opium, 23 tonnes of poppy husk, 29 kg charas, 421 kg ganja, 6 kg ICE, 3.3 kg cocaine, 32.91 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets, and INR 12.43 crores in drug money.