Extremism Updates

25-Feb-2024

According to sources, the Pakistan Singh Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee (PSGPC) has undergone reconstitution, raising concerns among some Pakistani Sikhs and the Indian government. The committee comprises 13 members, including three official representatives and 10 others, notably Ramesh Singh Arora, Tara Singh, and Maheesh Singh, who are first-generation converted Sikhs. There are apprehensions regarding their appointment to key positions within the committee, with objections raised against their lack of traditional Sikh upbringing and potential affiliations. Additionally, individuals like Ramesh Singh Arora have drawn scrutiny from the Indian government due to familial ties with individuals wanted for criminal activities. The reconstitution has sparked discussions surrounding religious representation and geopolitical implications.


25-Jan-2024

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Qazi on January 25, while speaking to reporters in Islamabad, stated that Indian agents were involved in the killings of two Pakistani citizens, Shahid Latif and Muhammad Riaz Ahmad alias Abu Qasim, on Pakistani soil, citing similarities with cases in Canada and the United States (US).


21-Dec-2023

The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, during her weekly media briefing in Islamabad in Pakistan, on December 21 claimed to possess "substantive evidence" of alleged Indian involvement in supporting and financing militant groups to destabilize Pakistan. Baloch also mentioned plans to share more details with the media soon.


19-Dec-2023

The statue of Ranjit Singh, initially installed at Lahore's Shahi Fort in 2019 and vandalized three times, will now be placed at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, in Shakargarh tehsil of the Narowal District in Pakistan. Gifted by Sikh historian Bobby Singh Bansal, the statue faced repeated damage, leading to the decision to relocate it to Kartarpur near the Darshan point.


18-Dec-2023

The recent reports suggest that Dawood Ibrahim, considered a fugitive and India's most wanted underworld figure due to his involvement in criminal activities, including links to terrorist organizations, is being poisoned in Pakistan.


04-Dec-2023

The Pakistan police on December 4 arrested the ringleader of a gang that had robbed a Sikh family in Lahore. The gang members had disguised themselves as security personnel, and the arrested individual is identified as Ahmad Raza. The Sikh family, visiting from India for Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary festivities, was looted of INR 2,50,000, PKR 1,50,000, and jewellery in the Gulberg area of Lahore, Pakistan. Raids are being conducted to arrest other members of the network.


03-Dec-2023

Pakistani news sources have expressed concern over India's alleged involvement in the attempted overseas assassination of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, likening it to Mossad’s tactics. They are calling for an investigation and urging Western nations not to overlook India's alleged 'death squads.' This emphasizes the risks to national security and the need to halt the perceived infringement on rights and freedoms.


01-Dec-2023

Lakhbir Singh Rode, the chief of banned terror outfits Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), died on December 1 in Pakistan at the age of 72. Rode, a nephew of slain Khalistani militant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was listed as an 'individual terrorist' by India and had fled to Pakistan from India. Rode, accused of orchestrating terror-related activities, faced charges, including involvement in a tiffin bomb blast in Punjab in 2021. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had confiscated his land earlier this year, and he was under investigation for six cases related to terrorism between 2021 and 2023.


30-Nov-2023

An Indian Sikh family on November 30 was looted by ‘robbers dressed in police uniform’ in Lahore in Punjab province of Pakistan. The robbers, armed with guns, looted cash, jewellery, and valuables from the family.


23-Nov-2023

According to a report by The Intercept, Pakistan has reportedly heightened the security of individuals designated as terrorists by India amid fears of alleged 'death squads.' The report cites 'secret documents' from Pakistan's Intelligence Bureau, claiming that India has hired individuals for the assassinations of 'Sikh and Kashmiri activists' in Pakistan. Indian security sources deny the existence of 'death squads' and suggest that some reported deaths are part of Pakistan's efforts to eliminate unwanted individuals.


21-Nov-2023

A report by the Pakistani source The Intercept claimed that India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has been planning assassinations of Sikh and Kashmiri activists residing in foreign countries. The documents allege that RAW is collaborating with local networks to carry out attacks on individuals and religious institutions supporting an armed insurgency in Kashmir, as well as targeting Sikh activists in Pakistan.


18-Nov-2023

A video went viral showing a song and dance party organized on November 18 by Pakistan's Project Management Unit (PMU) with claims of non-vegetarian items being served near Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Kartarpur in Punjab province of Pakistan. Presidents of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) expressed concern, stating that such activities violate Sikh sentiments and the sanctity of a place associated with Guru Nanak Dev. They have demanded a public apology for the reported violation.


12-Nov-2023

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in Pakistan has proposed maximizing the religious tourism potential of the Kartarpur Corridor to attract Sikh pilgrims. ETPB chairman Syed Atta-ur-Rahman aims to encourage longer stays, enabling pilgrims to partake in various religious rites.


10-Nov-2023

Mohsin Naqvi, the caretaker Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab province, on November 10 launched the 'Sikh Yatra Booking Portal,' an online platform for Sikhs worldwide to book hotels, hire security services, and arrange transportation for pilgrimages to the province. Naqvi described it as a groundbreaking religious tourism initiative to facilitate Sikh pilgrims visiting their holy places in Pakistan. This move emphasizes Pakistan's commitment to providing a seamless and obstacle-free experience for Sikh visitors, including the establishment of a dedicated 'Tourism Police Force' to promote religious tourism in Punjab, he said.


07-Nov-2023

Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, recently instructed authorities to provide maximum facilities and support to Sikh pilgrims visiting the country for religious festivals. He emphasized the significance of Sikh pilgrims as guests and stressed the importance of expediting the visa issuance process while maintaining transparency.


20-Oct-2023

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) spokesperson, Aamir Hashmi, on October 20 revealed the board's decision to digitize five temples and gurdwaras in Pakistan. The sites include Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur Sahib, Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Hasan Abdal, Katas Raj temple, Chakwal, Gurdwara Janam Asthan, Nankana Sahib, and Sadhu Bela Mandir, Sukkur. The initiative aims to provide virtual tours for devotees and enhance their spiritual connection with these religious sites. The tours will be accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. The ETPB manages properties left behind by Hindus and Sikhs who migrated to India after the 1947 partition.


16-Oct-2023

According to reports, there have been calls for the establishment of Khalistan in the central area of Karachi in Pakistan with slogans proclaiming, "Pakistan Banega Khalistan, Karachi Banega Khalistan, Mulla Banega Khalsa." A video displaying these slogans has garnered substantial attention on social media. Pakistan has faced allegations of encouraging separatist sentiments in Punjab, particularly through its support for the Khalistan movement and assistance to Khalistani militants. This situation has escalated to the extent that pro-Khalistan slogans are now surfacing in the region, the report said.


09-Oct-2023

Reports indicate that the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), responsible for the management and upkeep of gurdwaras in Pakistan, has come under scrutiny from the Sikh community. The criticism it faces stems from concerns expressed by the community, revealing their profound devotion and respect for these sacred locations.


20-Sep-2023

The Sikh community in Lahore held a protest on September 20 against the Indian government, condemning the killing of Khalistani terrorist and the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Lahore, Pakistan. Former member of the Punjab Assembly, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, claimed to the media that India had a hand in the assassination of the Khalistan leader. The protestors accused Indian intelligence agencies of targeting Sikhs globally and urged the international community to take note of India's alleged acts of terrorism.


16-Sep-2023

The Lahore High Court, on September 16, raised objections to the reopening of the case of Indian independence war hero Bhagat Singh's 1931 sentencing and the consideration of posthumous state awards for him. The objections pertain to the maintainability of the petition and the constitution of a larger bench for an early hearing. The petitioners argue that Bhagat Singh's name was not originally mentioned in the First Information Report (FIR) for the murder for which he was sentenced to death, and they seek to establish his innocence in the case.


13-Sep-2023

Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has exposed a significant drug-smuggling network operating in India, led by Mazhar Iqbal, the head of Lahore Police's anti-narcotics wing. Iqbal and his network used drones to smuggle drugs from Kasur in the Punjab Province of Pakistan, particularly heroin, into India, specifically Punjab. Despite a history of dismissals and suspensions related to illegal activities, Iqbal held a key position in the anti-narcotics department of Lahore Police. The police investigation revealed that a drone in Mazhar Iqbal's network transported up to 6 kg of drugs across the border to Indian Punjab. The network's exposure came after the arrest of six Indians from Punjab: Gurmeet Singh, Shinder Singh, Juginder Singh, Vishal Jagga, Rattan Pal Singh, and Garvender Singh in Pakistani territory, leading to an investigation into Iqbal's involvement in cross-border drug smuggling, with authorities estimating his amassed wealth to be substantial.


07-Sep-2023

Pakistan's caretaker Religious Affairs Minister, Aneeq Ahmed, on September 7 announced efforts to increase the number of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from India, as their numbers have declined in recent years due to strained bilateral ties. This announcement was made during his visit to the Evacuee Property Trust Board (EPTB) in Islamabad, Pakistan.


07-Sep-2023

Pakistan's caretaker Religious Affairs Minister Aneeq Ahmed on September 7 laid the foundation stone for a Cultural Theme Park near Gurdwara Darbar Sahib at Kartarpur Corridor in Punjab province of Pakistan. The project is aimed at attracting more Sikh pilgrims. The first phase, which includes restaurants, a food street, play areas, and cultural amenities, will be completed in six months, with the entire project expected to take three years.


30-Aug-2023

Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) on August 30 claimed to have unearthed a cross-border drug smuggling network allegedly operated by Mazhar Iqbal, the head of Lahore police's anti-narcotics wing, which aimed to smuggle heroin, particularly into India via drones, in Lahore, Pakistan. Iqbal has allegedly amassed significant profits from this illicit activity, and action has been initiated based on statements from recently arrested Indian smugglers. Despite a First Information Report (FIR) being registered against him, Iqbal remains beyond arrest due to pre-arrest bail. A committee of senior police officials has been formed to expand the investigation, which has revealed that Iqbal's network transported over 30 kilograms of heroin from Kasur in the Punjab province of Pakistan to India through drones, with payments received in Dubai.


29-Aug-2023

According to a report, on August 29, a drone along with 10 kilograms of heroin was recovered by Anti-Narcotics Forces (ANF) from a smuggler's vehicle in Lahore, Pakistan. According to sources, the heroin originated from Afghanistan and was meant to be smuggled into India.


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06-Feb-2024

According to reports, the Sikh Federation UK (SFUK), which aims to advocate for Sikh identity in the United Kingdom (UK) census, is facing scrutiny for its perceived disconnect from Sikh principles. Recent reports highlight a decline in the exclusive identification as 'Sikh' ethnicity, casting doubt on SFUK's agenda. The organization's promotion of Khalistan and its hostility towards Lord Indarjit Singh's stance on census classification raise concerns about its alignment with extremist factions and its commitment to Sikh values. It is imperative for mainstream Sikhs to reclaim the narrative, prioritize genuine educational efforts, and safeguard the essence of Sikhism from misappropriation by fringe elements within SFUK.


03-Feb-2024

According to reports, the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, a United Kingdom (UK) citizen imprisoned in India since November 2017 on allegations of being a Khalistani operative, has become a point of contention between the UK and India, impacting bilateral relations. Johal faces multiple charges, including murder and terrorism, and UK officials are pushing for a swift resolution. Despite regular consular visits, his family and lawyers argue that there is no concrete evidence against him, claiming he was merely an internet marketer. Meanwhile, his associates are actively campaigning through media, political lobbying, and international organizations for his release.


28-Jan-2024

A meeting is scheduled to take place on January 30 after Preet Kaur Gill, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the United Kingdom (UK) Labour Party, raised concerns about an 'intelligence hit list,' which targets 20 Sikhs, including six British Sikhs, who have been labelled as enemies of the state by Indian media. According to reports, some Sikh activists have received Osman warnings due to threats, harassment, and intimidation. There are fears of transnational repression following evidence linking the Indian government to the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Both the Indian embassy in London and the UK government have declined to comment on the matter.


28-Jan-2024

Ancient House Museum has been awarded nearly GBP 200,000 in grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to mark the legacy of Maharaja Duleep Singh, the last ruler of the Sikh empire, in Thetford in Norfolk in the United Kingdom (UK). Founded in 1924 by Prince Frederick Duleep Singh, the museum will use the grant to narrate the family's story through various displays.


26-Jan-2024

On January 26, India's Republic Day, members of the Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) staged a protest in London, United Kingdom (UK), calling for Punjab's independence and denouncing the policies of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. Paramjit Singh Pamma, an SFJ leader, reaffirmed their commitment to resist Modi's regime and strive for independence.


23-Jan-2024

According to sources, Human Rights barrister Michael Polak, who was involved in both the Litvinenko case and the death of Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK), has urged the UK Home Secretary to investigate Khanda's sudden demise. While West Midlands Police cited acute myeloid leukaemia as the cause of death, Polak suspects foul play, pointing to alleged negligence in the police investigation. Khanda, a supporter of the Khalistan movement, faced threats from Indian security services, leading to suspicions of potential poisoning linked to his activism. The family was denied access to the body, and a RAW agent allegedly left the UK after Khanda's death. West Midlands Police maintains it was a natural death.


18-Jan-2024

According to reports, a cross-party group of United Kingdom (UK) Members of Parliament, including Labour MPs Preet Kaur Gill, Afzal Khan, and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi; Conservative Caroline Nokes; and SNP's Kirsten Oswald and Martin Docherty-Hughes, have urgently requested a meeting with Security Minister Tom Tugendhat via a letter. The request follows reports of "threat to life warnings" given to British Sikhs amid rising concerns about their treatment globally by the Indian government. The letter cites instances such as the alleged extrajudicial killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada and a plot to assassinate another Khalistani terrorist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in the United States (US). The MPs seek reassurance and discuss measures to protect the British Sikh community from unlawful threats.


14-Jan-2024

According to sources, Sikhs living in the United Kingdom (UK) have reportedly received Osman notices, in which West Midlands police warn of a 'threat to life' against them, amid heightened tensions over the separatist movement in India. The warning follows calls for a deeper investigation into the sudden death of Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda in Birmingham, UK, in June 2023. Sikh leaders in Britain cautioned that the Indian government is suppressing dissent within the diaspora.


13-Jan-2024

According to reports, British Sikh activist Kaldip Singh Lehal alias Deepa Singh, was detained at Gatwick Airport in London, United Kingdom (UK), under Section 7 of the Terrorism Act on December 25, 2023. He claimed that he was targeted for his activism. Singh, who had previously faced home raids in 2018, alleged the suppression of voices critical of UK-India collusion in Sikh repression. Counter Terrorism Policing South East confirmed the stop but didn't disclose details or confirm Singh's identity.


04-Jan-2024

United Kingdom (UK) Sikh Member of Parliament (MP) Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi hosted a meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Iqwinder Singh Gaheer, in Slough, UK. Discussions covered various aspects of international politics, global Sikh concerns, and opportunities to strengthen bilateral ties. Both MPs emphasized the importance of cross-border dialogue, committing to ongoing constructive engagements for the betterment of their communities and fostering stronger ties between Canada and the UK.


03-Jan-2024

According to sources, Neil O’Brien, a Senior Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) representing Harborough and a former minister, has written to the United Kingdom (UK) Home Secretary James Cleverly expressing concern over the death of Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda in Birmingham in 2023. O'Brien questions the lack of a thorough investigation by West Midlands police, despite initial claims of an inquiry.


20-Dec-2023

The family of Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda urged the United Kingdom (UK) Home Office to appoint an independent police force to investigate his sudden death in June which coincided with Sikh separatist incidents in Canada and the United States (US), as revealed by Khanda’s family lawyer, Michael Polak. According to Polak, questions about the West Midlands police's handling of the case have arisen, leading the family to request the involvement of another police force.


15-Dec-2023

According to a report published on December 15 by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), in the 2021 census for England and Wales in the United Kingdom (UK), nearly 1 lakh respondents identified as Sikh in the "ethnicity" category instead of choosing "British Indian." Of the total, 18.6% identified as Sikh through both the ethnic and religion questions, 0.3% through only the ethnic question, and 81.1% through the voluntary religion question. The total number of Sikhs in England and Wales increased by 22% from the 2011 census, reaching 5.25 lakh, with concerns raised about the accuracy of the count by the Sikh Federation UK.


08-Dec-2023

On December 8, a 34-year-old man of Punjab origin, Joshpal Singh Kothiria, who was part of a four-member drug smuggling gang, was sentenced to three years in prison in the United Kingdom (UK). The Wolverhampton Crown Court in Wolverhampton, UK, convicted him of conspiring to supply cocaine and cannabis from the Netherlands to the UK and Ireland. The gang, busted by the National Crime Agency (NCA), included Anthony Terry, who organized the drug importation, leading to the seizure of GBP 1.6 million worth of cocaine in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in February 2021.


04-Dec-2023

A 58-year-old Sikh man, Inderjit Singh, was assaulted on December 4 in a hate crime by a group of teenage boys in Slough, United Kingdom (UK). The incident occurred in Langley Memorial Park, where Singh was kicked, pulled to the ground, and his beard was attempted to be grabbed by offenders aged 13-16. Singh sustained three broken ribs and injuries to his hand. The Thames Valley Police are treating the case as a hate crime and are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.


04-Dec-2023

According to a report by the United Kingdom (UK) daily The Guardian released on December 4, Khalistani terrorist Avtar Singh Khanda, who was based in the UK, claimed harassment by Indian police and threats to his family in Punjab before his sudden death in June. The report indicates that Khanda's associates suspected foul play in his death, suggesting poisoning. The Guardian's investigation questions the West Midlands police's initial statement, highlighting alleged lapses in the probe.


26-Nov-2023

United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak on November 26 extended Guru Nanak Jayanti wishes, acknowledging his personal connection to the occasion as someone with Punjabi roots. Sunak praised the significant contributions of the Sikh community to the UK, expressing pride and inspiration. Born to a Hindu Punjabi family with ties to Ludhiana and pre-Partition Gujranwala, Sunak emphasized the celebration of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's 554th birth anniversary.


19-Nov-2023

Sikh Member of Parliament (MP) Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi recently received death threats after abstaining from voting on a resolution regarding the Gaza-Israel conflict in the United Kingdom (UK). One person has been arrested in connection with the death threats.


17-Nov-2023

The Metropolitan Police on November 17 arrested four British Sikh men, identified as Amandeep Singh, Manjit Singh, Ajmeer Singh, and Poran Singh in connection with the murder of British Sikh teenager Simarjeet Singh Nangpal in London, United Kingdom (UK). They are scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on November 18.


16-Nov-2023

The Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr S Jaishankar, on November 16 delivered a stern warning to the United Kingdom (UK) government at a press conference held at the High Commission of India in London, UK. He cautioned against the misuse of freedom of expression by Khalistani extremists to threaten diplomatic missions, specifically referencing incidents involving the Indian High Commission.


15-Nov-2023

A 17-year-old British Sikh teenager, identified as Simarjeet Singh Nangpal, was stabbed to death in a street fight near the Hounslow area of London in the United Kingdom (UK) on November 15. In connection with the murder, four individuals aged 21, 27, 31, and 71 have been arrested. To address community concerns, there is a heightened police presence in the area.


15-Nov-2023

During the visit of Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to the United Kingdom (UK), which concluded on November 15, Jaishankar raised India's concerns about the misuse of freedom of expression by those propagating Khalistan in meetings with UK officials. The visit emphasized the importance of addressing these concerns while strengthening bilateral ties and touched upon various global and regional issues, including ongoing free trade agreement negotiations and cricket diplomacy.


15-Nov-2023

The Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on November 15 stated that India is open to an investigation but urged Canada to provide evidence supporting its allegations of Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, during a conversation with veteran journalist Lionel Barber titled 'How a Billion People See the World' in London, United Kingdom (UK). Jaishankar emphasized that Canada has not shared any evidence to date.


11-Nov-2023

Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on November 11 embarked on a five-day visit to the United Kingdom (UK) to review bilateral ties, including preparations for a potential visit to India by British Prime Minister (PM) Rishi Sunak. The countries share a growing partnership, highlighted by the 2021 launch of the India-UK comprehensive strategic partnership and the India-UK Roadmap 2030.


07-Nov-2023

Top lawyers in the United Kingdom (UK) have urged Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad to retract his statement that British Sikh Jagtar Singh Johal, detained in India since 2017 on terror charges, would receive 'due process' in the Indian legal system. They express concerns over the lack of due process, citing allegations of torture and politically motivated charges. Johal faces a potential death penalty and has been held without credible evidence, prompting calls for his immediate release by more than 70 MPs, while the UK government continues to provide consular assistance and raise his case with the Indian government.


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