KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 01-May-2026
Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Nijjar, the last witness in the Sukha Kahlwan murder case, was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Dhilwan in Kapurthala district on May 1. He was alone in his car when gunmen approached and fired from the front, fatally hitting him in the chest. Nijjar, known to be close to Kahlwan, had reportedly been warned about threats due to his role in the case. A social media post later claimed that Doni Bal and his associates were responsible for the killing, alleging it was in retaliation for Nijjar’s links with the Lawrence gang, his reaction to Sidhu Moosewala’s murder, and his alleged support to rival criminals.
India 01-May-2026
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab, in a joint operation with Mohali Police, on May 1 arrested a key associate of foreign-based gangsters and seized a .32 bore pistol with five live cartridges, in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district. Preliminary investigations revealed he was in direct contact with handlers abroad and acting on their instructions. Intelligence inputs indicated he had been assigned multiple targets across the Tricity—Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula—as part of planned criminal operations.
India 01-May-2026
Punjab Police on May 1 announced a reward of up to INR 10 lakh for credible information leading to the arrest of gangsters. Officials urged public participation in anti-drug and anti-gangster efforts. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said two dedicated helplines have been launched, assuring strict confidentiality of informants to encourage people to come forward without fear.
India 01-May-2026
A special National Investigation Agency court in Mohali on May 1 convicted Inderjeet Singh and Jaspal Singh, sentencing them to five years and six months in jail for hoisting a Khalistani flag on a government building in Moga in 2020 at the instigation of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Both were also fined INR 16,000 each under provisions of the IPC, UAPA, and the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act.
India 01-May-2026
Police on May 1 arrested a drug peddler, identified as Davinder Singh and his accomplice Jyoti, seizing 264 grams of heroin, in Jagraon, Ludhiana district.
India 02-May-2026
Police on May 2 arrested two youth, identified as Ajay Kumar alias Ajay and Sonu Kumar alias Kaku and recovered 7 grams of heroin from their possession, near the old jail area in Phagwara, Kapurthala district.
United States 02-May-2026
United States (US)-based Khalistani activist Surinder Singh Thikriwala on May 2 denied involvement in the April 27 Shambhu railway track blast in Patiala, calling the allegation “completely fabricated.” However, he confirmed the role of Pakistan-based Ranjeet Singh alias Neeta, head of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF). Speaking to The Indian Express, Thikriwala said he was unaware of any communication by the Indian government with the US regarding his deportation. Thikriwala, a US-based truck driver, said he had no personal contact with Jagroop, who was killed while he was allegedly attempting to plant an IED, adding that he had shared his photos on social media only as a gesture of sympathy.
India 02-May-2026
On May 2, the 102nd day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar— the police conducted 472 raids, arrested 241 persons and recovered eight weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 91 individuals, while 35 persons were verified and released after questioning. Five proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
India 02-May-2026
On May 2, Punjab Police, on day 427 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 150 drug smugglers, and seized 2.05 kg of heroin, 12.7 kg of poppy husk, 1337 intoxicant tablets/capsules and INR 5720 drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
India 02-May-2026
Punjab Police on May 2 arrested one more accused, identified as Gurjinder Singh alias Baba Beant in connection with the April 27 Shambhu railway track blast in Patiala, from Amritsar area in Amritsar district. A close associate of the deceased executor Jagroop Singh, he is linked to the Shambhu blast, the January 23 Sirhind railway blast, and a 2025 grenade attack on CIA Moga, all allegedly carried out under foreign handlers. According to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, Gurjinder and Jagroop travelled separately to Rajpura to avoid detection, and Gurjinder—present at the scene—escaped after the premature explosion killed Jagroop. His interrogation indicates that all three attacks were executed by a single module operating under Malaysia-based handlers with links to the United States (US) and Pakistan.
India 02-May-2026
Police on May 2 arrested two persons, Vishal alias Ghogga and Raman and seized 2.011 kg of heroin and INR 50,000 in suspected drug proceeds from their possession, in Faridkot district.
Canada 02-May-2026
A firing incident occurred at the Chai Sutta Bar, located next to Indian comedian Kapil Sharma’s outlet, Kap's Cafe, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada on May 2. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack via social media and issued threats to both the café owner and Sharma. A post attributed to a Facebook account named “Tyson Bishnoi Zora Sidhu” warned Sharma to “fall in line” and threatened similar violence if he failed to comply.
India 03-May-2026
On May 3, the 103rd day of Punjab Police’s statewide “war on gangsters” (Gangstran Te Vaar) campaign—Operation Prahaar— the police conducted 644 raids, arrested 350 persons and recovered four weapons from their possession. Preventive action was taken against 92 individuals, while 60 persons were verified and released after questioning. Six proclaimed offenders (POs) were also arrested during the operation.
India 03-May-2026
On May 3, Punjab Police, on day 428 of its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign, arrested 108 drug smugglers, and seized 12.4 kg of heroin, 482 intoxicant tablets/capsules, and INR 2,250 in drug money from the possession of arrested persons, across the state.
India 03-May-2026
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on May 3 busted a cross-border arms smuggling module, arresting four accused, identified as Samarbir Singh, Satnam Singh, Tanupreet Singh, and Karanjot Singh and recovering seven pistols—two Glock 9mm (Austria-made) and five .30 bore (China-made)—in Amritsar district. Investigations found the accused were in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers via social media platforms.
India 03-May-2026
Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar on May 3 dismantled a drug trafficking module, arresting three operatives, identified as Gurjant Singh, Arvinder Singh, and Jashanpreet Singh, and seizing 12 kg of heroin in Amritsar district. Investigations revealed Gurjant Singh was in direct contact with a Pakistan-based handler, receiving drone-dropped consignments near his village and distributing them on instructions.
India 03-May-2026
Punjab Police and security agencies are on high alert following a purported audio message attributed to Ranjit Singh Neeta, head of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), warning of potential attacks on railway infrastructure in Punjab. The message reportedly threatens explosions on railway tracks and trains over the next ten days. The threat follows the April 27 incident in which Jagroop Singh, a Tarn Taran-based operative, was killed while attempting to plant an IED near a railway track between Shambhu and Rajpura in Patiala district. Neeta, who founded the KZF in 1993, is a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and is among India’s most wanted terrorists believed to be based in Pakistan, with multiple terror-related cases against him.
India 03-May-2026
According to Indian intelligence sources, Canada continues to level allegations without clear evidence while overlooking concerns that its soil is being used by separatist elements advocating violence against India. They cited the recent report by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), made public on May 2, which alleged “Indian interference and espionage” in 2025. The sources argued that activities by pro-Khalistan groups—including campaigns and referendums held in Western countries such as Canada, often linked to gurdwaras—reflect a permissive environment. They further claimed that the latest accusations are influenced by domestic political pressures, particularly from vocal Khalistani separatist lobbies within Canada.
Canada 03-May-2026
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), in its Public Report 2025, acknowledged the threat posed by extremist Khalistani elements while clarifying that advocacy for Khalistan remains lawful political activity in Canada. The report revisited politically motivated violent extremism, recalling the Air India Flight 182 bombing—the deadliest terror attack in Canadian history—and noted that although no Khalistan-linked attacks occurred in 2025, a small subset of extremists continued to use Canadian soil to support or finance violence in India. It emphasised that non-violent advocacy for Khalistan is not considered extremism, stating that only a limited group using Canada as a base to promote, fundraise, or plan violence—primarily in India—are classified as Khalistani extremists.
Canada 03-May-2026
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), in its Public Report 2025, identified India alongside China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan as key state actors involved in interference and espionage targeting Canada. It alleged that New Delhi has historically sought to cultivate covert ties with Canadian politicians, journalists, and sections of the Indo-Canadian community to advance its strategic interests. The report also raised concerns over “transnational repression,” including surveillance and coercive measures aimed at silencing criticism of the Indian government. CSIS linked these concerns to the presence of Khalistan supporters in Canada, noting that India views the issue through a domestic security lens and warning that Canada must remain vigilant against potential transnational repression activities.