KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
20-Aug-2025
Amritsar City Police on August 20 arrested two operatives of foreign-based gangster Prabh Dasuwal, identified as Ravi and Joban Singh, and seized a .30 bore pistol in the New Amritsar area in Amritsar district. Ravi was injured in the leg during an encounter after attempting to fire at police. The duo had recently opened fire outside a trader’s residence for extortion on Dasuwal’s instructions, with Joban providing logistical support. Police are tracing another accomplice linked to the incident.
19-Aug-2025
Ludhiana Police on August 19 brought jailed gangster Ashu from Faridkot jail on production warrant in a cross-border drug smuggling case. Investigations revealed he had arranged heroin and sophisticated weapons for arrested peddler Mukkal Mattu through Pakistan-based suppliers, using Instagram to connect with both local peddlers and foreign handlers. Ashu’s interrogation is expected to further expose the international network. Mattu was arrested on August 17 with 1.05 kg of heroin, three pistols, and 21 cartridges.
19-Aug-2025
The Counter-Intelligence (CI) team of Jalandhar Police on August 19 arrested two operatives of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as Vishavjit Singh and Jackson, and recovered a hand grenade from their possession in Nakodar, Jalandhar district. Vishavjit was apprehended in Kolkata, West Bengal, while attempting to flee to Malaysia.
19-Aug-2025
According to sources, Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ravneet Singh Bittu’s recent support for the release of “Bandi Singhs” is being viewed as the party’s biggest attempt to woo the Sikh electorate. The statement is significant as seven of the 14 prisoners still in jail were convicted for the assassination of his grandfather, former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh. While Sikh groups and rival Akali factions welcomed the remarks, they remain cautious about the BJP’s intent. The issue of Bandi Singhs continues to be a major political and emotional flashpoint in Punjab, with activists, religious bodies, and political parties demanding concrete action from the Centre.
19-Aug-2025
Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj, during a visit to Chittisinghpura in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on August 19, reiterated the demand for justice for the families of 35 Sikhs killed in the 2000 Chittisinghpura massacre. He said the victims’ families are still awaiting truth and accountability even after 25 years, holding successive governments responsible for suppressing Sikh rights. Gargaj also praised local community members for preserving the memory of the victims and lauded the resilience of Kashmiri Sikhs who chose not to abandon their homeland despite immense atrocities.
19-Aug-2025
Police on August 19 arrested two unidentified smugglers and seized a pistol and 11 live cartridges from their possession, near the Amritsar-Jalandhar highway near Amritsar in Amritsar district.
19-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation with Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Amritsar on August 19, arrested one unidentified smuggler and seized 1.225 kg of heroin, two mobile phones and a motorcycle from his possession, near Bagrian village in Amritsar district.
19-Aug-2025
On August 19, Punjab Police, on day 171 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 111 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 151 drug smugglers and seized 1.5 kg of heroin, 3122 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 28,990 from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 26,542 in 171 days.
18-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on August 18 intercepted and arrested an unidentified smuggler, along with 560 grams of heroin, a motorcycle, and two mobile phones, near Bachiwind village in Ajnala, Amritsar district.
18-Aug-2025
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on August 18 recovered a pistol, two magazines and three live rounds attached to a drone, from fields near Bagrian village in Amritsar district.
18-Aug-2025
On August 18, police revealed that jailed gangster Ashu, currently lodged in Faridkot jail, had arranged heroin and sophisticated weapons for peddler Mukkal Mattu—arrested on August 17—through Pakistan-based suppliers. Investigators suspect the consignment was delivered via drones from Pakistan and collected by local aides in India. Police added that Ashu will be brought on production warrant to further probe the international links of the network.
18-Aug-2025
Punjab Police on August 18 revealed that a Blue Corner Notice has been issued against Canada-based alleged drug smuggler Satpreet Singh Thiara alias Satta. A co-accused in the 2021 drug case against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Thiara has also been linked to the INR 6,000 crore Bhola drug racket. Investigations found that he frequently visited India between 2007 and 2013 and maintained connections with political figures of that period.
18-Aug-2025
On August 18, Punjab Police, on day 170 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 164 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 196 drug smugglers and seized 2.4 kg of heroin, 2 kg of opium, 30 kg of ganja, 13,451 intoxicating tablets/capsules and INR 15,020 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab.
18-Aug-2025
India on August 18 announced the appointment of senior diplomat Dinesh Patnaik as the new High Commissioner to Canada, while Canada named veteran diplomat Christopher Cooter as its envoy to India. The decision followed Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s June 2025 meeting with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney, where both sides agreed to take calibrated steps to rebuild trust after last year’s sharp downturn over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
17-Aug-2025
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on August 17 issued a statement criticising officials for stopping Amritdhari sarpanch Gurdhian Singh from entering the Red Fort with his kirpan on Independence Day, August 15. Dhami alleged discrimination against Sikhs on the basis of religious symbols, asserting that the five Kakars are inseparable from Sikh identity and must be respected as a constitutional right.
17-Aug-2025
A recently released report by Khalsa Vox criticised Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for supporting United States (US) President Donald Trump’s tariff hikes on Indian exports, even suggesting a 500 per cent increase. The report stated that such a stance directly harms Punjab’s Sikh farmers and dairy workers, whose livelihoods depend on exports of basmati rice, textiles, and dairy products. It warned that opening Indian markets would allow heavily subsidised American farm and dairy corporations to undercut small Sikh farmers and cooperatives like Amul. Khalsa Vox described Pannun’s position as a betrayal, arguing that his anti-India theatrics take precedence over Sikh well-being.
17-Aug-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, on August 17 in Chandigarh, stated that investigations into the Lawrence Bishnoi-led network have exposed an “inter-operational and interchangeable” nexus of organised criminals, foreign-based gangsters, terrorists, and drug smugglers operating under Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He emphasised that terror outfits, gangsters, and smugglers are now functioning interchangeably under ISI’s direction to foment unrest in Punjab.
17-Aug-2025
On August 17, Punjab Police, on day 169 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 42 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 57 drug smugglers and seized 461 grams of heroin, 415 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 31,550 from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached 26,023.
17-Aug-2025
Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora on August 17 stated that 386 drug addicts have been admitted to de-addiction centres in the district over the past five months, including 72 from Subhanpur alone. The disclosure followed the circulation of a video showing Hamira village resident Manjit Singh struggling to walk under the influence of drugs. Toora added that while police are tackling supply chains, equal focus is being placed on rehabilitation, with 801 individuals enrolled in Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics.
17-Aug-2025
The banned Khalistani terror group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) emailed threats of “political death” to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann starting August 31, the anniversary of former CM Beant Singh’s assassination. Earlier, SFJ chief and designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun had issued threats to kill both Mann and the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) on Republic Day.
17-Aug-2025
Ludhiana police on August 17 arrested a gangster, identified as Mukkal Mattu and seized 1.05 kg of heroin along with three pistols, 21 cartridges from his possession, near Sacred Heart Convent School in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district.
16-Aug-2025
According to sources, Pakistani underworld figure Shehzad Bhatti has claimed that the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala involved not only Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang but also politicians and government officials. Bhatti alleged that government insiders leaked Moosewala’s movements after his security was reduced, enabling the shooters. He further stated that his past friendship with Lawrence turned into rivalry over money disputes and escalated after Bishnoi’s gang threatened Pakistanis over Kashmir. Linked to global arms and land mafia networks, Bhatti has warned he will expose Lawrence’s secrets, including alleged plots against Indian politicians.
16-Aug-2025
Gangster Sukhwinder Singh, associated with the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, was shot dead during a gang war in the Khandwala area of Amritsar district on August 16. He was killed by Nikhil Chahal and his accomplice Vikramjit Singh, both linked to the Balwinder Singh alias Dony Bal gang. Police arrested the two assailants shortly after the incident.
16-Aug-2025
On August 16, Punjab Police, on day 168 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 28 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 38 drug smugglers and seized 620 grams of heroin and 1,612 intoxicating tablets and capsules from the possession of arrested drug smugglers, across Punjab. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached 25,909.
15-Aug-2025
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, while addressing Independence Day celebrations in Faridkot on August 15, announced that police personnel performing well in the “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign would be given cash rewards of INR 1.2 lakh for every kilogram of heroin seized from March 1, 2026. He asserted that Pakistan remains the main source of drugs entering Punjab, adding that houses built with drug money have been demolished and anti-drone systems deployed along the border.