22-Aug-2023
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan Army on August 22 stated that the Pakistan Rangers have arrested six alleged Indian smugglers, identified as Gurmeej, Shinder Singh, Juginder Singh, Vishal, Rattan Pal Singh and Garvender Singh, between July 29 and August 3, for allegedly trying to smuggle “narcotics, weapons and ammunition” into Pakistan. There has been no immediate response from Indian authorities regarding this incident.
17-Jul-2023
Malik Mohd Ahmad Khan, who is the Special Assistant on Defence to Pakistan Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, admitted in an interview on July 17 that Pakistani smugglers are increasingly using drones to transport drugs across the border to India, corroborating previous allegations. In the interview with journalist Hamid Mir in Kasur city, which borders the Indian Punjab, Khan confirmed the use of drones for smuggling. The admission is significant as Khan holds close ties to Pakistan's political and military establishment. The issue of cross-border drug and arms smuggling through drones has been a persistent concern for India, with recent recoveries indicating a continued problem. Kasur is located near Punjab's Khemkaran and Ferozepur. As per recent data from Punjab Police, Ferozepur district alone witnessed 795 FIRs registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act from July 2022-2023. The majority of drug seizures occurred in the Punjab districts bordering Pakistan.
14-Jul-2023
According to reports, a drone carrying heroin crashed in agricultural fields near Hadiara area of Lahore on July 14. Five packets of heroin suspected to be worth millions of rupees were recovered by the police, both the drone and the heroin were handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) for further investigation.
07-Jul-2023
A drone carrying six kilograms of heroin crashed in the Halloki area of Lahore, Pakistan on July 7. According to Pakistan police, the drone was eventually recovered from Rasoolpura village, which is close to the India-Pakistan border. India’s Border Security Forces (BSF) sources reported increased drone activities near Pakistani border outposts across Ferozepur and Amritsar sectors in Punjab, with Pakistan allegedly utilizing "dummy drones" for smuggling weapons, drugs, and explosives.
29-Jun-2023
According to reports, on June 29, miscreants entered the Singh Sabha Gurdwara in Sukkur, Sindh province of Pakistan, and verbally abused the priests while desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib. The culprits were allegedly released by the police without conducting a proper investigation. This incident raises concerns about the safety of minorities in Pakistan, as recent attacks on Sikhs have sparked alarm.
25-Jun-2023
The Islamic State (IS) group on June 25 claimed responsibility for the killing of a Sikh man Manmohan Singh, who was shot and killed on June 24 in a targeted attack in Peshawar, Pakistan, stating that Singh belonged to a "polytheistic" Sikh sect.
24-Jun-2023
A Sikh shopkeeper named Manmohan Singh was shot dead on June 24, in Rashidgarhi Bazaar in Peshawar in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province of Pakistan by unidentified gunmen. The locals believe it to be a targeted attack, marking the second incident in two days. On June 23, another Sikh shopkeeper, Tarlok Singh, was shot but survived.
21-Jun-2023
On June 21, over 400 Indian Sikh pilgrims have arrived Pakistan to participate in the death anniversary congregation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
19-Jun-2023
Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on June 19 issued 473 visas to Sikh pilgrims to attend the annual death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from June 21-30.
06-Jun-2023
Pakistan on June 6 issued 215 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India who intended to partake in an annual festival scheduled to occur on the eve of Guru Arjan Dev's martyrdom day.
21-May-2023
According to reports, Sikh women in Pakistan continue to face persecution, marginalization, and violence, contrasting with the progress made by their counterparts in India. Despite constitutional guarantees of women's rights in India, including education and work, Sikh women in Pakistan experience systemic discrimination and are denied essential human rights. They face obstacles such as limited access to education, healthcare, and decision-making, as well as forced marriages and honour killings.
12-May-2023
Anti-Khalistani and social groups accused Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of eliminating non-profitable Indian fugitives and replacing them with younger leaders in a bid to revive Khalistani separatism. The killing of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar is seen as a result of this policy shift. The new face of Khalistan is 30-year-old Amritpal Singh, while three other Khalistani leaders, Lakhbir Singh Rode, Wadhawa Singh, and Gajinder Singh, who were living under the ISI's protection, have now increased their personal security fearing they could be targeted. Social groups are protesting outside the Pakistan Embassy on May 12.
10-May-2023
According to report, retired Pakistani military officers, Major Adil Raja and Colonel Akbar Hussain, alleged that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) operates a smuggling network involving high-ranking army officers that fuels the Khalistan movement and narco-terrorism. The report claims that the ISI exploited Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar to operate drug cartels and target Punjab's youth. The ISI allegedly raised funds under the guise of black operations and utilised them to finance smuggling and contraband networks. The report also alleges that the Pakistani army used actresses as honey traps.
10-May-2023
The funeral of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar was held in Lahore in Pakistan. Meanwhile, several Sikh organizations in Punjab and overseas planned to hold prayers for him on May 15.
07-May-2023
According to reports, Pakistan has been reluctant to grant visas to slain Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) chief Paramjit Singh Panjwar's sons, settled in Germany, to attend their father's last rites. The Pakistani media has reported his death as a routine killing of a Sikh. Panjwar was involved in drug and weapons smuggling and accused of various crimes, including killing 18 students in Patiala. The killing is the latest instance of terror kingpins being targeted outside India.
06-May-2023
The wanted Khalistani terrorist and the chief of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), Paramjit Singh Panjwar, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Lahore in Pakistan on May 6. According to sources, Panjwar was gunned down in the morning by two motorcycle-borne men near his residence in Lahore. He was involved in drug and weapons smuggling and was designated as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in July 2020. Panjwar, who was the chief of the separatist group Khalistan Commando Force (KCF-Panjwar group), was accused by the Indian government of various illegal activities including arranging arms training, promoting drug trade, smuggling fake Indian currency notes, inciting minorities against the government, and attempting to reactivate former militants, sleeper cells, and those on bail to form a nexus with other forces hostile to India. The KCF was listed as a terrorist organization under the UAPA.
06-May-2023
According to reports, the killing of Paramjit Singh Panjwar alias Sardar Singh Malik, the longest serving head of the banned terrorist organisation Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) could have been a result of inter-gang rivalry or a dispute with other terrorist organizations. Panjwar is the second notorious terrorist killed recently in Pakistan. Earlier in January 2020, Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD, who headed the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) was also killed.
05-May-2023
According to reports, religious minorities in Pakistan are facing targeted attacks and persecution, with hardly a day passing without an attack. Law enforcement agencies have failed to apprehend the perpetrators of these murders, leaving minorities feeling frustrated and helpless. Pakistan has been designated a "country of particular concern" under the Religious Freedom Act for its flagrant violations, and local law enforcement has failed to protect religious minorities and individuals accused of blasphemy.
15-Apr-2023
During the Baisakhi occasion at Sri Panja Sahib near Rawalpindi, Gopal Singh Chawla, a pro-Khalistan leader based in Pakistan, addressed Indian Sikhs and encouraged them to demand Khalistan. He reportedly compelled the audience to chant "Khalistan Zindabad" and stated that despite being a part of the Shiromani Committee and Delhi Committee, they were still Sikhs and could not openly raise their voices. He expressed a desire for their own country and declared that anyone who is a Guru's Sikh would support his call for ‘Khalistan Zindabad.’
13-Apr-2023
Reports indicate that Khalistani accounts and websites based in Pakistan are spreading false information about the Indian Army in relation to the firing incident at Bathinda military station.
22-Mar-2023
According to reports, Pakistan has commenced a campaign to promote abandoned sacred sites of Sikh and Hindu heritage by renovating them, with the goal of drawing in pilgrims from India and other nations. The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) stated that it has devised a comprehensive strategy to refurbish, maintain, and preserve the Sikh and Hindu religious sites located within Pakistan. As part of this initiative, the ETPB has initiated restoration work at the Prahladpuri Temple, which is situated in the city of Multan in the Punjab province.
10-Mar-2023
The Pakistani government has permitted the publication of religious books for students from Sikh and Christian minority communities under the supervision of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (PMTA). Anjum James Paul, the chairman of (PMTA), said that it will help minority students to learn about their religion in schools. However, minority groups, including Hindus, Buddhists, Parsees, Kalash, and Baha’is, are still not permitted to print their religious textbooks in Pakistan.
01-Mar-2023
According to a Pakistan government notification released on March 1, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appointed Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora as the Ambassador-at-Large for Kartarpur Corridor as part of efforts to draw Sikh pilgrims from all over the world.
24-Feb-2023
The Pakistani media on February 24 highlighted how supporters of pro-Khalistan Sikh leader Amritpal Singh 'staged a large demonstration in Amritsar on February 23 and put the Indian Punjab Police on the back foot'. Also, it mentioned, "the demand for Khalistan by Sikhs in Indian Punjab is gathering pace."
25-Jan-2023
According to reports in Pakistan, the gold-plated kalash that used to rest atop the dome of the Palki Sahib (palanquin) installed at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartapur Sahib, in Pakistan, has gone missing, leading to suspicion that it had been stolen from the Sikh shrine.
09-Jan-2025
British Sikh Labour Member of Parliament (MP) Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi on January 9 renewed his demand in the House of Commons for an independent inquiry into the Margaret Thatcher-led Conservative government’s alleged involvement in Operation Blue Star, in London in the United Kingdom (UK). Commons Leader Lucy Powell acknowledged the concerns and promised further ministerial updates.
31-Dec-2024
On December 31, pro-Khalistani protesters gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London, United Kingdom (UK), chanting controversial slogans such as "Kill Modi politics" and advocating for an independent Khalistan state. The demonstration, which was captured in a viral video, showed protesters waving Khalistani flags.
28-Dec-2024
According to a report by MailOnline, a Sikh Indian family comprising Gurbakhsh Singh (72), Ardet Kaur (68), Guljeet Singh (43), and Kawaljeet Kaur (37) has been charged with multiple immigration offences in the United Kingdom (UK). The family is accused of posing as Afghans to claim asylum after entering the UK on December 23, 2023. Allegations state that they falsely identified as Afghan nationals despite having their previous visa applications as Indians refused. The accused pleaded not guilty at Croydon Magistrates' Court and opted for a jury trial, scheduled to commence at Croydon Crown Court on January 2, 2025.
24-Dec-2024
Rhian Shillabeer, Communications Officer for the Directorate of Defence Communications at the United Kingdom's (UK) Ministry of Defence, on December 24, refuted claims made by the Punjab Police regarding British Army soldier Jagjeet Singh alias Fateh Singh Baaghi, being involved in terrorist activities in India. Shillabeer clarified that no individual by that name was currently serving in the British Army and added that the photograph released by Punjab Police did not correspond to the name provided. Despite this, Punjab Police stood by their investigation, asserting its credibility and stating that the issue would be formally addressed with British authorities through official channels.
10-Dec-2024
In a letter dated December 10, British Security Minister Dan Jarvis assured British Sikhs that the government would not tolerate intimidation or harm by foreign powers, following complaints of alleged targeting by the Indian government. Jarvis urged India to cooperate with Canadian authorities regarding the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, emphasizing the importance of respecting sovereignty and the rule of law.
10-Dec-2024
According to a report by The Guardian, United Kingdom (UK) Minister of State for Security, Dan Jarvis, in a letter dated December 10, assured the Sikh Federation of protection against alleged intimidation attributed to the Indian government, emphasizing that threats from any foreign power would not be tolerated. Jarvis also called on India to cooperate with Canadian authorities in the investigation into the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
08-Dec-2024
According to sources, the British government, under the influence of the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), revoked the Commander of the British Empire (CBE) and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) honours previously awarded to prominent British-Indian figures Rami Ranger and Anil Bhanot. Both criticised the decision as an attack on free speech, with Ranger attributing it to his opposition to Khalistanis and his criticism of the BBC’s controversial documentary on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The revocation was reportedly decided by the United Kingdom’s (UK) Forfeiture Committee under the Cabinet Office.
07-Dec-2024
On December 7, British-Indian businessman Rami Ranger criticized the United Kingdom (UK) Forfeiture Committee’s decision to strip him of his Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), calling it unjust. Ranger, an outspoken critic of Khalistani separatists, announced plans to challenge the decision legally, arguing that it undermines free speech and sets a dangerous precedent. He emphasized that his contributions to British business and community cohesion, which led to the award, should not be overshadowed by past controversies that had already been addressed.
06-Dec-2024
On December 6, King Charles III, acting on the recommendation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stripped two British Indians, Raminder Singh Ranger and Anil Kumar Bhanot, of their honours in London, United Kingdom (UK). Ranger, a Conservative Party member, had his title revoked due to controversial remarks about Khalistan separatists and criticism of the BBC’s documentary on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Bhanot, a trustee of the Hindu Council UK, lost his honour over allegations of Islamophobia linked to his social media posts concerning violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
04-Dec-2024
The banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) on December 4 launched a provocative “Kill Modi Politics” campaign, featuring banners with "Kill Modi Politics" and "Wanted" posters of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar displayed at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in West Bromwich, West Midlands, UK. SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun accused the Indian government of using Hindu temples worldwide to promote Hindutva ideology and recruit spies to monitor pro-Khalistan Sikhs. SFJ UK coordinator Dupinderjit Singh alleged that Indian diplomats were targeting Paramjeet Singh Pamma, a Khalistan Referendum Coordinator, and building intelligence networks against pro-Khalistan activists.
04-Dec-2024
United Kingdom (UK) Labour Member of Parliament Preet Kaur Gill on December 4 successfully introduced the Public Body Ethnicity Data (Inclusion of Jewish and Sikh Categories) Bill in the House of Commons, London. The bill aims to formally recognize Sikh and Jewish communities as ethnic categories for data collection by public bodies, addressing gaps in service delivery. Gill cited examples such as higher pandemic mortality rates among these groups and the lack of adequate data for tailored services. The bill passed its first reading, with the second reading scheduled for March 7, 2025.
03-Dec-2024
Lord Meghnad Desai, a life peer in the British House of Lords and former Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP), explained in an interview with Hindustan Times that India perceives the Khalistan movement—supported by some members of the Sikh diaspora in Canada—as a threat to its unity, rooted in the trauma of partition and historical Sikh grievances. Desai emphasized the need for India to adopt a more measured approach to the issue and suggested dialogue, potentially mediated by a neutral third party such as the United Kingdom (UK) or Australia, to resolve the standoff and safeguard long-term bilateral relations.
26-Nov-2024
On November 26, several United Kingdom (UK) lawmakers, including Preet Kaur Gill, Jas Athwal, Harpreet Uppal, and Parbinder Kaur, attended a Gurpurab event in the Houses of Parliament, London, hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs. The APPG is linked to the Sikh Federation, a pro-Khalistan party associated with the banned Khalistani terror outfit International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF). The event has sparked concerns over the UK Labour government's stance on Khalistani extremism, potentially straining India-UK relations amid critical Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
22-Nov-2024
Lord Meghnad Desai, former Labour Party member in the United Kingdom (UK), criticized London's "outdated view" on Khalistan in an interview with Hindustan Times. He warned that this stance threatens India's unity and undermines UK-India relations.
05-Nov-2024
According to The Birmingham Dispatch, Member of Parliament (MP) Preet Gill recently apologized after threatening to report the newspaper to police over an article raising concerns about the Guru Nanak Gurdwara (GNG) in Smethwick, UK, where portraits of Babbar Khalsa members are displayed. Gill initially accused the newspaper of bias, harassment, and accepting “underhand payments” for the story. The National Secular Society criticized her actions, stressing that elected officials should uphold free speech and not suppress journalistic inquiry into religious organizations.
31-Oct-2024
On October 31, a memorial event was held at Centenary Square in Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK), to honour the victims of the anti-Sikh riots that took place 40 years ago. Attendees lit candles and shared poignant testimonies from survivors, reflecting on the emotional toll of the violence that followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards.
30-Oct-2024
Gurpreet Singh Johal, brother of Khalistani terrorist Jagtar Singh Johal, recently met with United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London, expressing optimism about his sibling's situation following their discussion. Jagtar Singh Johal is currently detained in Tihar Jail in New Delhi on charges related to terrorism and conspiracy.
16-Oct-2024
The United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Office on October 16 expressed 'full confidence' in Canada’s judicial process amidst the diplomatic crisis between India and Canada over the alleged involvement of Indian officials in the 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in London. The UK joined New Zealand and Australia, all members of the Five Eyes alliance, in supporting Canada. The Five Eyes, which includes the United States (US), Canada, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia, remain closely aligned. On October 15, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Winston Peters also voiced concerns, supporting the rule of law and urging respect for legal processes. Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of respecting national sovereignty.
06-Oct-2024
A recent episode of Gurdwara Miri Piri on MATV highlighted contentious issues within the Sikh diaspora, particularly regarding Khalistani separatist groups like Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). The discussion critiqued the exploitation of Sikh identity for political and financial gain, emphasizing the need for unity and dignity within the community. The presenters condemned the inflammatory rhetoric of separatists and stressed the importance of constructive dialogue and genuine activism. They called on the diaspora to reclaim Sikh heritage, rooted in the values of selfless service, honest living, and meditation, while rejecting divisiveness and promoting inclusivity.
01-Oct-2024
A recent discussion on the United Kingdom (UK)-based MATV program Gurdwara MiriPiri highlighted deepening divisions within the pro-Khalistan diaspora. The program exposed contradictions, factionalism, and opportunism among key figures, questioning their alignment with Indian political leaders like Rahul Gandhi and the movement’s erasure of Sikh roots in Lahore. The anchors concluded that the Khalistan movement is increasingly fragmented and lacks genuine support.
20-Sep-2024
In a September 20 broadcast on United Kingdom (UK)-based MATV, the Gurdwara MiriPiri program strongly condemned Pakistan-sponsored pro-Khalistan elements, particularly Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The anchors criticized Pannun's legal actions against India as publicity stunts, questioned his alignment with Pakistani interests, and pointed out his neglect of key Sikh issues. They called for greater financial transparency, more support for the families of Sikh martyrs, and condemned the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee’s (SGPC) silence on religious matters, stressing the importance of preserving Sikh identity.
20-Aug-2024
Birmingham Crown Court on August 20 sentenced a 10-member drug smuggling gang, including Indian-origin men, to prison terms ranging from two to 16 years in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Among them, Maninder Dosanjh received 16 years and eight months, while Amandeep Rishi was sentenced to 11 years and two months for their roles in smuggling cocaine and money laundering. The gang, arrested in July 2020, used frozen chicken consignments to transport drugs and was caught with 400 kg of cocaine and GBP 1.6 million in cash. They communicated via the now-shutdown Encrochat platform.
28-Jul-2024
United Kingdom (UK) Member of Parliament (MP) Jeevun Sandher, during an interview with PTI in London, expressed his commitment to restoring trust in politics and strengthening ties with India. Sandher, representing Loughborough, emphasized the importance of the UK-India partnership and outlined his priorities, including boosting local economic prosperity through clean energy and reducing crime, among other things.
25-Jul-2024
On July 25, protests erupted after a motion recognizing the 40th anniversary of the 1984 Sikh genocide was withdrawn at the Slough Borough Council meeting in Slough, United Kingdom (UK). The motion, proposed by Independent Councillor Sabia Akram, sought to condemn recent killings of Sikh activists and demand justice for victims of the 1984 violence. The withdrawal followed objections from Council Leader Dexter Smith, who cited concerns about community cohesion and divisiveness.
23-Jul-2024
United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary David Lammy is set to begin a two-day visit to India on July 24, marking the first high-level engagement between the two countries since Prime Minister (PM) Keir Starmer's Labour government took office. Key discussions with Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will focus on the long-pending India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) and concerns over pro-Khalistan activities in the UK.