KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
06-Jun-2025
On June 6, Amritsar observed a complete shutdown following a bandh call by Dal Khalsa and other Sikh organisations to mark the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar. The bandh remained peaceful, with no incidents reported. All major markets, commercial hubs, and grain mandis were closed, while city roads remained deserted with minimal vehicular movement. Over 6,000 Punjab Police personnel, along with Punjab Armed Police and forces from neighbouring districts, were deployed to maintain law and order.
05-Jun-2025
On June 5, Border Security Force (BSF) troops recovered one packet of heroin weighing 531 grams from fields near Balve Dariya village in Ajnala in Amritsar district.
05-Jun-2025
On June 5, Border Security Force (BSF) troops recovered one drone in damaged condition from a farming field near Rattankhurd village in Amritsar district. The drone was a DJI Mavic 3 Classic model.
05-Jun-2025
On June 5, Damdami Taksal head Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma—until recently an ally of the Sukhbir Singh Badal-led Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)—renewed his warning against Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, insisting that he not be allowed to speak during the Operation Bluestar anniversary events in Amritsar, Punjab. Dhumma’s objection, based on claims that Gargaj’s appointment violated maryada and lacked consensus, has further deepened existing fractures within the Sikh community. With Nihang groups backing the Taksal and the SGPC unable to mediate a resolution, tensions remain high. A confrontation would be tragically ironic—division and disorder on a day meant for collective mourning and reflection.
05-Jun-2025
Dal Khalsa on June 5 organized a march in Amritsar, Punjab, to mark the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar, proceeding from Burj Akali Phoola Singh to the Golden Temple. Activists from the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) (SAD-A), led by Simranjit Singh Mann, and Bhai Daljit Singh of the Panth Sewak Jatha also participated in the march.
05-Jun-2025
On June 5, Punjab Police, on day 96 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, registered 108 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 154 drug smugglers and recovered 1.6 kg of heroin and INR 10.03 lakhs of drug money from their possession across Punjab.
05-Jun-2025
Punjab Police on June 5 busted two narco-trafficking cartels and arrested six operatives, identified as Vishal Singh, Didar Singh alias Kali, Sevenbir Singh, Harjit Singh alias Jita, Jaj Singh and Jasbir Kaur, and seized 4 kg of heroin along with a Toyota Innova car from their possession, in the Chheharta area near Amritsar in Amristar district.
05-Jun-2025
On June 5, a youth identified as Ashu Monga was killed in a shootout between two rival gang factions in Ferozepur, Punjab. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. at a tattoo shop, where two armed assailants shot Monga dead, reportedly due to gang rivalry. The attackers, who arrived on a motorcycle and an SUV, forcibly removed the shopkeeper before opening fire. The entire incident was captured on CCTV. Police are investigating the motive behind the attack.
05-Jun-2025
Gangster Harpreet Singh alias Happy was injured in a clash at the New District Jail in Nabha, Patiala district on June 5. He sustained injuries to his nose and chest after being assaulted with sharpened spoon edges by fellow inmates identified as Arshdeep Singh alias Bittu, Shamsher Singh alias Shera, and Chamkaur Singh alias Beant. The altercation, which occurred in the high-security zone, reportedly broke out over a dispute about changing a TV channel.
05-Jun-2025
Valtoha Police on June 5 busted a three-member cross-border weapons smuggling module, arresting two members identified as Surajpal Singh and Arshdeep Singh and seizing four 9mm Glock 26 pistols, two .30-bore PX5 pistols, live cartridges, and a motorcycle from their possession, near Valtoha village in Tarn Taran district. Investigations revealed that Surajpal was in direct contact with Pakistan-based handlers Rana and Sikander, who used drones to deliver the weapons.
05-Jun-2025
Police teams on June 5 conducted flag marches across various parts of Amritsar city in Amritsar district ahead of the 41st anniversary of Operation Bluestar. The security operations included searches at the inter-state bus terminus, while all entry and exit points were sealed with round-the-clock checkpoints (nakas) to maintain law and order and prevent any disturbances during the June 6 anniversary.
05-Jun-2025
A national kabaddi player Sonu Nolta was shot dead outside Cosmo Mall in Panchkula district in Haryana on June 5. Assailants in a Maruti Swift fired over 15 rounds at his vehicle, killing Nolta on the spot and critically injuring his friend. Police suspect the involvement of the Bishnoi gang, with two individuals—Piyush Pinjori and Ankuna—claiming responsibility via social media. A manhunt is currently underway to trace the accused.
04-Jun-2025
Police on June 4 arrested a woman, identified as Pritpal Kaurand seized four live cartridges from her possession, from Bathinda airport in Bathinda in Bathinda district.
04-Jun-2025
On June 4, Punjab Police, on day 95 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 99 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 138 drug smugglers and recovered 4.3 kg of heroin, 6133 intoxicant pills and INR 1.42 lakhs drug money from their possession, across Punjab.
04-Jun-2025
Officials confirmed on June 4 that Punjab Police arrested 10 individuals during a month-long crackdown on an alleged espionage network linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Those arrested include Gagandeep Singh (Tarn Taran), Jasbir Singh alias Jaan Mahal (Rupnagar), Guzala and Yameen Mohammad (Malerkotla), Neeraj Kumar (Pathankot), Rakib (Bathinda), Sukhpreet Singh and Karanbir Singh (Gurdaspur), along with two unidentified suspects. Intelligence inputs also aided the arrest of six additional suspects in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Sources revealed that the operation, based on extensive human and technical surveillance, uncovered connections between several accused and YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra, who was previously arrested in Haryana. Senior officials emphasized that real-time intelligence sharing between Punjab Police, central intelligence agencies, and other state police forces was crucial in exposing the ISI-backed network threatening national security.
04-Jun-2025
Police on June 4 arrested a Rupnagar-based YouTuber, identified as Jasbir Singh alias Jaan Mahal, in Mahlan village of Rupnagar tehsil, Rupnagar district. Jasbir Singh, who runs the YouTube channel ‘Jaan Mahal’, was arrested for his links with Pakistani intelligence operatives and his involvement in a broader espionage network. Investigations revealed that he had travelled to Pakistan multiple times and had attempted to destroy evidence following the arrest of fellow YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra.
04-Jun-2025
While addressing the media in Jalandhar on June 4, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav revealed that, within three months of launching the anti-drug campaign 'Yudh Nashian De Virudh', the police had registered 9,087 FIRs, arrested 15,495 drug smugglers, facilitated treatment for 5,786 addicts in de-addiction centres, and seized 607 kg of heroin, 249 kg of opium, 14 tons of poppy husk, 9 kg of charas, 263 kg of ganja, 2.5 kg of ICE (crystal meth), 1.6 kg of cocaine, 26.35 lakh intoxicant pills and tablets, and INR 10.83 crore in drug money across Punjab. Yadav stated that a clear roadmap had been formulated to eradicate drugs from the state by targeting the supply chain and separating traffickers from users, combining strict legal action with rehabilitation efforts.
04-Jun-2025
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, while addressing the media in Jalandhar on June 4, announced that all formalities for procuring nine anti-drone systems have been completed, with deployment expected by July. These systems, to be stationed along the 532-km international border with Pakistan, are intended to counter the growing threat of drones used for smuggling drugs, arms, and explosives. The INR 51.41 crore initiative, approved by the state government, is expected to significantly enhance the Punjab Police’s capability to detect and neutralise cross-border drone incursions.
03-Jun-2025
On June 3, while inaugurating the newly constructed Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) office at Patiala Range Police Lines in Patiala district, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that strict action would be taken against any police personnel found to have exceeded their powers. He also unveiled the new INR 1 crore ANTF facility—equipped with advanced forensic tools, data-analysis systems, and cryptocurrency-investigation equipment—aimed at strengthening Punjab’s fight against drug trafficking.
03-Jun-2025
Punjab police on June 3 arrested a man, identified as Gagandeep Singh for sharing information about Indian Army movements during Operation Sindoor with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and seized a mobile phone containing intelligence he shared with Pakistani intelligence operatives (PIOs), as well as details of over 20 ISI contacts, in Tarn Taran city, Tarn Taran district. It was also revealed that Gagandeep Singh was in contact with Pakistan-based Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla.
03-Jun-2025
Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on June 3 met Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the assassination case of former Chief Minister Beant Singh, at Patiala Jail in Patiala district. During the visit, he criticised the Centre for its “discriminatory” approach in not commuting Rajoana’s death sentence.
03-Jun-2025
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on June 3 in Chandigarh accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicising Operation Sindoor. He criticised BJP workers for distributing sindoor to households and questioned its use as a political symbol, stating, “Which man will ask his wife to apply 'sindoor' in (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi’s name? Is this a 'one nation, one husband' scheme?”
03-Jun-2025
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on June 3 in Chandigarh accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of politicising Operation Sindoor. He criticised BJP workers for distributing sindoor to households and questioned its use as a political symbol, stating, “Which man will ask his wife to apply 'sindoor' in (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi’s name? Is this a 'one nation, one husband' scheme?”
03-Jun-2025
A report by NDTV on June 3 revealed that India struck deeper and wider inside Pakistan during Operation Sindoor than officially acknowledged. A confidential Pakistani military dossier on its internal Operation Bunyan un Marsoo detailed at least eight additional Indian airstrikes on key cities—including Peshawar, Jhang, Hyderabad (Sindh), Gujrat (Punjab), Gujranwala, Bahawalnagar, Attock, and Chor—locations that were not publicly disclosed by the Indian Air Force or the Director General of Military Operations.
03-Jun-2025
On June 3, Punjab Police, on day 94 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign registered 101 first information reports (FIRs), arrested 140 drug smugglers and recovered 2.8 kg of heroin, 3132 intoxicant pills and INR 17750 drug money from their possession across Punjab.