KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 03-Jun-2026
A bomb threat email received by the District and Sessions Court in Mohali on June 3 triggered a major security alert, leading to the temporary suspension of court proceedings and extensive search operations across judicial complexes in Mohali, Kharar, and Dera Bassi in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district. Authorities conducted thorough checks of the premises, while investigations were launched to trace the source of the threat.
India 03-Jun-2026
The agitation against the Himachal Pradesh Government’s entry tax on out-of-state vehicles intensified on June 3 when a group of Nihang Sikhs imposed a symbolic “Khalsa tax” on Himachal Pradesh-registered vehicles entering Punjab via the Kiratpur Sahib–Manali highway in Rupnagar district. The levy was collected for one hour, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., as a protest against Himachal Pradesh’s entry tax.
India 03-Jun-2026
Ahead of the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6, Punjab Police implemented extensive security measures across the border belt, deploying around 4,000 personnel and 11 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents. Reviewing the arrangements in Amritsar on June 3, Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) PK Sinha said a comprehensive security grid had been established covering Amritsar city and the adjoining districts of Amritsar Rural, Batala, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran. The coordinated mechanism is intended to facilitate seamless intelligence sharing and ensure a swift response to any potential security threats during the sensitive period.
India 04-Jun-2026
On June 4, five prominent temples in Punjab—the Durgiana Temple, Mukteshwar Dham Temple, Devi Talab Mandir, Maisar Khana Temple, and Mata Kali Temple—received bomb threat emails days ahead of the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star. The threats prompted Punjab Police and intelligence agencies to remain on maximum alert amid heightened security arrangements already in place for the anniversary period.
India 04-Jun-2026
On June 4, a special NIA court in Mohali sentenced three students from Awantipora in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir—Zahid Gulzar, Yasir Rafiq Bhat, and Mohammed Idris Shah—to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment in a 2018 case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court found them guilty of criminal conspiracy, UAPA offences, and violations of the Explosives Act. The three had remained in judicial custody since their arrest on October 10, 2018. According to the prosecution, the accused were associated with the terrorist outfit Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind (AGH) and were allegedly planning unlawful activities. Investigators further alleged that they had been receiving funds to advance the organization’s activities and were attempting to recruit other students from the institution into the group. The case originated from the recovery of arms, ammunition, and explosives during a police raid on the hostel of CT Institution’s Shahpur campus in Jalandhar on October 10, 2018. Investigations revealed that Yasir Rafiq Bhat, a relative of slain militant commander Zakir Musa, allegedly played a key role in procuring explosive material and motivating Kashmiri students at the institution to join the outfit and participate in its unlawful activities. The court, however, acquitted Suhail Ahmed Bhat, holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charges against him.
India 04-Jun-2026
In the early hours of June 4, Rattan Lubana, a club owner and relative of a BJP councillor, was shot and injured in an alleged attack by members of the Rohit Godara gang in Panchkula district, Haryana. Another individual, identified as Lalit, was also injured in the firing. The two assailants were subsequently arrested following a police chase and an exchange of fire with security personnel.
United Kingdom 04-Jun-2026
According to reports, pro-Khalistan activists disrupted an outreach consular event organised by the Indian High Commission in Sutton, South London, United Kingdom (UK), last weekend. The activists reportedly entered the venue—a primary school building—waving Khalistan flags, confronted organisers, and objected to the event, arguing that Indian officials had no right to hold it there. They also raised pro-Khalistan slogans and demanded access to the visiting officials. The all-day event, organised by Indian Friends of Sutton, was intended to assist members of the Indian community with passport renewals, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, and visa-related services. Approximately 500 people attended the programme. Reports further indicated that a Tamil-language class for children was underway in another part of the building when the disruption occurred.
India 04-Jun-2026
On June 4, Punjab Police, on day 460 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 100 drug smugglers, and seized 1.6 kg of heroin, 1,110 intoxicant pills, and INR 16,500 in drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
India 04-Jun-2026
On June 4, Police busted an eight-member drug trafficking gang and arrested two members, including Sukhdev Singh alias Kala, during an operation at a closed petrol pump on the old bypass in Tarn Taran district.
Canada 04-Jun-2026
On June 4, the home of Arvinder Khosa in the South Newton neighbourhood of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, was targeted in a shooting. The residence was occupied at the time, but no one was injured. Investigators believe the incident may be linked to an extortion attempt, citing previous threats against Khosa and an earlier shots-fired incident outside the residence on May 20.
India 05-Jun-2026
On June 5, the 136th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police conducted 548 raids, arrested 295 persons and recovered one weapon from their possession. Seven proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
India 05-Jun-2026
According to report, a fresh controversy has erupted within Sikh circles over the venue of the annual commemoration of the June 1984 Operation Bluestar, with Shiromani Akali Dal-SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann and Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhuma publicly exchanging sharp remarks. The dispute centres on the annual June 6 observance held at the Damdami Taksal headquarters in Mehta Chowk. Mann argued that the commemoration should be held exclusively at the Akal Takht, where Sikhs from across the world gather to mark the anniversary. He suggested that the Mehta Chowk programme be held on June 7 instead, adding that he would have no objection to such an arrangement. Mann also criticised Dhuma for participating in Hindu religious rituals, including bathing in the Ganges and offering prayers at a Shivling.
India 05-Jun-2026
On the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj will felicitate the families of those killed during the operation. With a large number of devotees and visitors expected to gather in the holy city to mark the anniversary, authorities maintained a high level of vigilance and security.
India 05-Jun-2026
A joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Punjab Special Task Force (STF) on June 5 arrested a youth, identified as Mohtseem, in connection with the 2021 Punjab bomb blast case during a raid in Bachiti village under the Deoband Kotwali area of Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh (UP). Investigators said the accused had emerged in a suspected network linked to the Pakistan-backed terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed, and the ATS reportedly obtained evidence indicating his association with the outfit.
India 05-Jun-2026
On June 5, Punjab Police, on day 461 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 91 drug smugglers, and seized 1.1 kg of heroin, 476 intoxicant pills, and INR 5,100 in drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
India 05-Jun-2026
Amritsar Police on June 5 busted a cross-border drug and weapons smuggling module and arrested six persons, including an Afghan national, Baz Mohammad, along with Ankush Barthwal, Des Raj alias Vicky, Rajandeep Singh alias Raja, and two juveniles and recovered 1.035 kilograms of heroin, five sophisticated pistols, two live cartridges, and INR 500,000 in suspected drug proceeds during the operation in Amritsar District. Preliminary investigations indicated that the accused were acting in collusion with foreign-based associates and procuring illegal arms and narcotics through contacts established on social media platforms. The consignments were allegedly distributed on the instructions of overseas handlers through a network operating across the Majha and Doaba regions.
India 06-Jun-2026
On June 6, the 137th day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahar— the police arrested 320 persons and recovered eight weapons from their possession. Seven proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
India 06-Jun-2026
An assailant accused of snatching a self-loading rifle (SLR) from a Punjab Armed Police (PAP) trooper on May 30, identified as Shamsher Singh, was injured in an encounter with Fazilka Police near the Ladhuka seepage drain area in Fazilka district on June 6. The snatched weapon was recovered from his possession. According to official sources, the accused allegedly opened fire when a police team reached the spot. In the ensuing exchange of fire, he sustained a bullet injury to his leg.
India 06-Jun-2026
Protesters gathered in front of the Akal Takht within the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar and displayed posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale while raising pro-Khalistan slogans during the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star.
India 06-Jun-2026
Speaking on the 42nd anniversary of Operation Blue Star in Amritsar, acting Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj urged the Sikh community to remain united and stay connected to its roots in Punjab. He also expressed concern over what he described as increasing attempts to target Sikh identity and religious symbols globally.