KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 13-Aug-2019
One man was arrested along with one kilo gram of heroin worth INR one Million from Sirhind town in Fatehgarh Sahib District. He reportedly confessed that he brought drugs from Delhi and supplied in the various Districts of Punjab.
India 13-Aug-2019
Pakistani Science Minister Fawad Chaudhry tweeted ‘’I appeal to all Punjabis in Indian army to refuse to be part of injustice and deny duty in Kashmir’’. In Reply Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh tweeted ‘’ Stop trying to interfere in India's internal matter. And let me tell you that the Indian Army is a disciplined and nationalist force, unlike your Army @fawadchaudhry. Your provocative statement will not work, nor will the Soldiers in our Army follow your divisive diktats”.
India 13-Aug-2019
A man was arrested for firing at the anti-drug campaign committee member at Kotli Ablu village in Muktasar District. A country made pistol and seven rounds of ammunition were recovered from the arrestee. Initial investigation has reportedly revealed that the arrestee was involved in drug peddling
India 14-Aug-2019
Drug smugglers opened fire at a Police party at Dadial village in Hoshiarpur District. The Police party was conducting a raid when the smugglers fired upon them. One smuggler was arrested while two others escaped. A pistol and 100 grams of intoxicant powder was recovered.
United Kingdom 15-Aug-2019
Violent protest took place outside Indian High Commission in London when protesters carrying ‘Khalistani’ and Kashmiri flags tried to push across the Police line and threw objects targeting Indian Diaspora. The Indian Diaspora was celebrating the Independence Day on August 15. The violent protesters had arrived in London from Birmingham and Nottingham.
India 15-Aug-2019
BSF arrested an Indian smuggler Harjinder Singh alias Jinder from Mohammadi Wala border outpost in Ferozepur District. A magazine, 31 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the arrestee. Moreover, 16 kilo grams of heroin was recovered from the arrestee. He was arrested by BSF while he was coming back from the Pakistani side by swimming across the Sutlej river.
United Kingdom 15-Aug-2019
According to reports, amid escalating tension between New Delhi and Islamabad British Sikh Association chairman Rami Ranger stated that there will be no investment in Pakistan by the Punjabi diaspora in UK “until relationships between New Delhi (India) and Islamabad (Pakistan) becomes cordial. The relations between the two countries have hit a low with Pakistan downgrading its ties with India after latter scrapped Jammu and Kashmir’s special status earlier this month. In January this year, British Sikh Association had signed a memorandum with Pakistani multinational conglomerate Hashoo Group for development of infrastructure on the Kartarpur Corridor. Ranger had signed the MoU on behalf of British Sikh Association in United Kingdom.
United States 15-Aug-2019
400 including pro-Khalistani protesters marched from India’s United Nations (UN) mission to a cordoned-off area opposite the UN building in New York in USA. They shouted slogans for Khalistan and Kashmir, holding flags of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and yellow Khalistani and blue “referendum” banners.
India 15-Aug-2019
Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Chandigarh unit had seized 2.7 kilo gram opium and 6.14 kilo gram Heroin from Ludhiana, Amritsar and Ferozepur in Punjab in two weeks preceding Independence Day (August 15). NCB Director General (DG) Rakesh Asthana stated that they plan to focus n cross border cartels bringing drugs from Afghanistan. Bureau also plan a crackdown on Delhi-Punjab drug network operated by Af-Pak based cartels.
India 15-Aug-2019
Three anti-drug activists were attacked by drug peddler at Gurusar village in Muktsar District. The anti-drug committees of Gurusar and Ghagga villages today held a joint meeting to discuss the issue and rework their strategy. The members said they would not give in to the threats.
India 15-Aug-2019
A woman, identified as Kulbir Kaur was arrested for her linkage with a pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), from Delhi airport in New Delhi. According to Police, the arrestee had moved to Malaysia from Barnala city (Barnala District) in Punjab in 2008 and was one of the active members of the SFJ. Police said that, Kaur is accused of brainwashing some youths, who set fire to two liquor vends in Harpur Dhandoi and Panjgrayan villages in Gurudaspur District. Police was verifying whether she was also involved in funding of Referendum 2020 activists or not. However, Police official stated that during investigations it was revealed that the funding was made from someone in UK.
India 15-Aug-2019
According to report, since October 2018, at least 11 youths including six from Amritsar, two from Tarn Taran and one each from Delhi, Roorki (Uttarakhand) and Gurdaspur (Punjab) have been arrested for posting banners related to Referendum 2020.
India 17-Aug-2019
ABVP members of Punjab University alleged that former president of Punjab University Campus Students Council (PUCSC) Kanupriya boycotted Independence Day celebrations and protested for a referendum in favour of a separate Punjab.They alleged that she has disrespected the country’s independence by tagging Independence Day as a “black day”.
Pakistan 17-Aug-2019
According to media report, no work has been carried out in the Pakistan portion of Kartarpur Corridor for six consecutive days. This has triggered speculation about Islamabad’s intent regarding the completion of the project. It also has coincided with Pakistan’s downgrading of diplomatic ties with India. Sources stated that “Earlier we had assumed that due to Eid they didn’t carry out work on August 11 and 12. Then it was Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14. But it’s surprising that no construction activity was visible on their side either on August 15 and 16.” Earlier on August 8, Pakistan had stated that ‘’Notwithstanding the latest developments, Pakistan’s Kartarpur initiative shall continue. Pakistan respects all religions and would continue the project”.
India 18-Aug-2019
According to official figures, an average of three drug overdose deaths occurred in a month in Punjab between April 2017 and July 9, 2019. The number can, however, be much higher as viscera samples are sent to the laboratory for examination only when a police case is registered. The state government’s forensic laboratory received viscera samples of 134 people suspected to have died of drug overdose during the period. Experts found traces of drugs in 78 cases while in 14 samples pesticide was found. Morphine, an opiate pain reliever, is the most commonly used intoxicant in Punjab and accounts for over 88 % of overdose deaths reported in last 23 months. As heroin is a derivative of morphine, the presence of the drug indicates that the individuals were either consuming heroin or taking morphine directly. Maximum overdose deaths were reported in Amritsar (15), followed by Hoshiarpur (11). Ludhiana recorded 8 deaths, Ferozepur and Jalandhar had five deaths each and Bathinda and Gurdaspur accounted four each.
India 18-Aug-2019
A woman was arrested with 4,000 habit-forming tablets and five grams of Heroin from Ubhawal road Sangrur District.
Canada 18-Aug-2019
Even though hundreds of protesters were bused into Toronto by pro-Pakistan and Khalistani groups as the city hosted its India Day Parade on August 18, an efficient and visible police presence at the venue prevented violence at the venue, barring minor scuffles.Over a thousand protesters, many bused in from various parts of the Greater Toronto Area or GTA, arrived at the venue, Nathan Philips Square, but were prevented from causing any disturbance within the area and were restricted to the periphery by Toronto Police. The India Day Parade is the signature celebration in Canada marking Independence, and attracts nearly 50,000 visitors each year. This year, though, Indian officials were concerned as Kashmir separatists joined hands with Khalistanis to protest the abrogation of Article 370 by Parliament.
India 19-Aug-2019
The Fatehgarh Sahib District Police in Punjab arrested an African national, identified as Splair Sunde alias Emeka Ekechifor supplying drugs from Vipan Garden near Uttam Nagar in New Delhi. SSP Amneet Kondal said the anti-narcotic cell of the district police had recently recovered 1-kilogram heroin from one Jaswinder Singh alias Toni of Mandi Gobindgarh during a special checking. During the interrogation, Jaswinder Singh revealed the name of Nigerian citizen Splair Sunde who was supplying heroin and cocaine to him. Based on this information, the special team was sent to nab Ekechi to Delhi where he was arrested along with the narcotic.
United Kingdom 20-Aug-2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed to Boris Johnson, his counterpart in the United Kingdom, about New Delhi's displeasure over recent “vandalism and violence” by a large number of Pakistani protesters in front of the Indian High Commission in London.
India 20-Aug-2019
The Punjab and Haryana High Court put Punjab Government on notice on a plea seeking release of 8-year-old son of Malaysian woman arrested by Punjab Police for funding terror activities. The woman, Kulbir Kuar was arrested from Delhi airport on August 15 for her linkage with a pro-Khalistan group SFJ. The court was told that Diljot Singh is son of Kulbir Kaur, who was deported to India from Malaysia and was arrested at the Delhi airport. The police sent the child to a shelter home in Gurdaspur. The state’s response has been sought by August 27.
Pakistan 20-Aug-2019
The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) and Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) reiterated that they will make all arrangements for the “sangat” (devotees) coming to Pakistan for 550th birth anniversary celebrations of Guru Nanak.
Pakistan 20-Aug-2019
An office-bearer of the ETPB, a statutory board that manages religious properties and shrines of Hindus and Sikhs who had migrated to India after Partition, said over phone that they will ensure the corridor, which is being constructed to give Indian devotees a visa-free access to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, the final resting place of Guru Nanak, is completed well before November 2019.
India 21-Aug-2019
Calling it a state-sponsored massacre of Sikhs, the pro-freedom Sikh outfit Dal Khalsa has said that the November 1984 killings started after Rajiv Gandhi was sworn-in as Prime Minister of India on October 31st along with four cabinet colleagues at 6.45 pm.
Pakistan 21-Aug-2019
The Pakistan High Commission (PHC) said that over 500 Indian Sikh pilgrims entered Pakistan on August 21 after being granted visas by Islamabad to head for the historic Nankana Sahib Gurudwara in order to begin celebrations in advance for the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikhism and first guru of the Sikhs Guru Nanak.
India 21-Aug-2019
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) has decided to hold fortnightly meetings to review the progress of the construction work of Kartarpur corridor so as to complete the project by October 31 deadline. UMHA additional secretary Gobind Mohan on August 21 visited Kartarpur corridor site at Dera Baba Nanak to review the construction work. The first jatha (group) is likely to cross the border through the corridor on November 8 to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. "He has directed to hold fortnightly meetings to review the progress of construction work," said sources.
Pakistan 21-Aug-2019
Pakistan is sticking with its plan to open the first visa-free border crossing with India to facilitate Sikh pilgrims despite brewing tensions between the two neighbours over the longstanding Kashmir dispute.Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said that Pakistan was committed to open the corridor in November on the 550th birth of Baba Guru Nanak. The Shrine is located only a few kilometres from the border. The proposed corridor will allow Sikhs to visit the Shrine without a visa.
India 23-Aug-2019
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested seven foreigners for allegedly running a clandestine cross-border heroin smuggling racket and seized narcotics tablets worth over INR 1 lakh in a separate case in Punjab.Officials said the drug seizure was affected by NCB officials of Chandigarh zone as the roots of the case are in Punjab.The drug is heavily trafficked to Bangladesh and Indian agencies are on their guard to check its transport across the border.
Pakistan 23-Aug-2019
Former Pakistan Army chief Gen Mirza Aslam Beg said that the country will use Kartarpur corridor for Khalistan terror."Pakistan army and the government should create trouble for India through Khalistan movement," Mirza Aslam said. He also said that “the terror 'jihad' was the ‘only way to teach India a lesson’…. The Indian army at LoC cannot stop the jihadis. "Mirza Aslam Beg has earlier also expressed that he wants a hybrid war against India.
India 23-Aug-2019
To send a message of universal brotherhood on the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, Punjab Government will invite religious heads of different faiths, including Pope Francis, the Dalai Lama, Puri Shankaracharya for the anniversary celebrations at Dera Baba Nanak in November. To represent the Muslim community, discussions are underway to invite a religious leader from Mecca, along with Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid. It is learnt that the Dalai Lama has already confirmed his presence at the function. The Government has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for flagging off a Jatha to Pakistan on November 8 and President Ram Nath Kovind for the November 12 function to be organised at Sultanpur Lodhi, where the government is preparing for a massive function by setting up a tent city. The religious gurus would be invited for Dera Baba Nanak, where the event would go on for four days.
India 24-Aug-2019
An official spokesperson stated that the tribunal set up by the Government of India to adjudicate ban on SFJ issued a show-cause notice to the pro-Khalistan group. He said that a notice has been issued to SFJ as to why the association declared unlawful, be not adjudicated to be so and why the order confirming the declaration be not made. The association has been given 30 days to respond from the date of service of the notice. The objections, reply or affidavits may be filed before the next date of hearing.
India 24-Aug-2019
BJP MP Subramanian Swamy said the work on the Kartarpur corridor should be stopped in the interest of the nation and there should be no talks with Pakistan on any issue. He also said that Sikhs were nationalists and they would understand it.
United States 25-Aug-2019
Hundreds of American Kashmiris, Pakistanis and Sikhs staged a demonstration in front of the United Nations (UN) office in New York, calling on the world body to play its role to protect the Kashmiri people suffering under the tight Indian military siege. During the protest, Sikh leader, Sardar Amarjit Singh, voiced support for the cause of Kashmir and reaffirmed his call for the establishment of Khalistan.
India 25-Aug-2019
Several Congress leaders in Punjab, including two State Cabinet Ministers, on August 25 hit out at BJP MP Subramanian Swamy for his remarks that the work on the Kartarpur corridor should be stopped in the interest of the nation. The senior Congress leaders, including eight party MLAs, castigated Mr. Swamy and said his comments on the Kartarpur corridor had hurt sentiments of the Sikhs.
India 25-Aug-2019
The Punjab State Government is set to make the celebrations of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak a global affair. It is in talks to hold an event on Guru’s life and teachings in New York’s Times Square. Apart from inviting world-renowned dignitaries and prominent Sikh faces, who have valuable contribution to their respective fields, a laser show on the life of the founder of Sikhism will be held. A Sikh organisation having rights to hold events at Times Square is learnt to have approached the government.Since holding the event at the international venue requires various permissions and huge funds, the government would be looking for sponsors for the event planned in October. Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and senior ministers are expected to be part of the event. Apart from New York, events have been planned in other cities of the US, UK, Canada, Italy, Germany and Australia.
India 25-Aug-2019
Police arrested two persons, identified as Vikram Singh (55) and Vikas Kumar (40) and recovered 2.5 kilograms of opium from their possession on Sua Road at Jhande village in the Ludhiana District of Punjab. Police claimed that the suspects were going to supply the opium to their customers.They brought the opium from other states and supplied it to their clients in Punjab and Haryana.
India 25-Aug-2019
Police arrested a man, identified as Harpal Singh Pala from near Kartarpur in Jalandhar District of Punjab for allegedly providing secret information about Indian Air Force (IAF) and Army installations to Pakistan-based pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla. He was also allegedly in contact with Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) chief Ranjit Singh Neeta and Kulwant Singh Mathada, who is promoting the ‘Referendum 2020’. Police recovered seven mobile handsets from him.
India 26-Aug-2019
Mohali Police arrested a Nigerian couple, identified as Makaogu John and Fahe Rechelle from Delhi for supplying drugs to peddlers in Punjab and Haryana. Police recovered 40gm heroin from their possession.
Pakistan 26-Aug-2019
According to sources, Pakistan is now trying to incite the Sikh community living in Pakistan and elsewhere against India. A Pakistan-based Sikh leader was heard claiming in a viral video on social media that they have got a mandate from Akal Takht, the highest Sikh temporal authority in India, to support Pakistan on the Kashmir issue. Though no such resolution has been passed by the Akal Takht, such provocative statements are being issued to radicalise, confuse and deviate the Sikh community.
Pakistan 26-Aug-2019
In another attempt to woo the Sikh community, Pakistan's Punjab Province chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has called an international congregation of Sikhs on August 31.This congregation is being linked to the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev but the motive behind it is to perpetuate and launch an anti-India propaganda.Pakistan Government has also announced another Sikh congregation at Nankana Sahib but the dates are yet to be announced.
Pakistan 26-Aug-2019
The controversial statement given by the former Pakistan army chief General Aslam Baig that Pakistan will be using the Kartarpur corridor to send jihadis into India, has once again exposed Pakistan's nefarious designs. Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had also expressed apprehension that Pakistan might misuse Kartarpur corridor for anti-India activities but has not opposed the idea of the corridor due to religious and political compulsions.
India 26-Aug-2019
A recent Punjab Government forensic lab report revealed that 78 out of 134 samples collected in the past 23 months have shown that most of the deaths were caused by drug overdose. Amritsar topped the list of drug overdose deaths reported in the past 24 months.
India 26-Aug-2019
Congress Party in Punjab slammed BJP MP Subramaniam Swamy for raising apprehensions on the security of the Kartarpur corridor and claimed that there is no threat as Punjabis will act as the first line of defence.
India 27-Aug-2019
Dal Khalsa alleged that the political divisions within police hierarchy and divisive politics played by Congress and Akali Dal are responsible for the miscarriage of justice in Bargari sacrilege case. Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh in a statement said, “Self-contradictory Statements by both the leaders in the last one month on this issue have put them in poor light”.
Pakistan 28-Aug-2019
Pakistan’s Religious Tourism and Heritage Committee (RTHC) decided that Pakistan will start a month-long visa process starting September 1 for the Sikh pilgrims from India and other countries who plans to attend the 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak in November.
India 29-Aug-2019
Pakistan spy Harpal Singh Pala, a former IAF official's son who was arrested in Jalandhar on August 25, revealed during interrogation that it was Gopal Singh Chawla (Pro-Khalistan leader and former secretary of the PSGPC) who radicalised him and recruited him as an agent of the ISI's espionage network.
India 30-Aug-2019
15 Officials from each India and Pakistan discussed the technical modalities of the Kartarpur corridor, the first meeting held at the Zero point, after New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir's special status leading to fresh tensions between the two countries. The meeting lasted for close to two hours during which various technical aspects pertaining to the corridor were discussed.
India 30-Aug-2019
According to reports, the Kartarpur Corridor will be opened in a ceremony on the eve of 550th birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak on November 11. The officials of the two countries will review technical aspects of the bridge constructed on Ravi river. The consultations between technical experts of India and Pakistan will revolve around the "bridge" to be built by Pakistan.
India 30-Aug-2019
The Punjab Government is planning to convene a special one-day session of the State Legislative Assembly to make the 550th birth anniversary of Sikhism’s founder Guru Nanak Dev a memorable event. The proposed session, likely to be held in September-October, would focus completely on the Sikhs’ first guru during which no legislative work or discussion on other matters would be conducted. For the special session, the Government is planning to invite the former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as the special guest.
India 01-Sep-2019
Pakistan and India will hold the next high-level talks on the proposed Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims on September 4, which would take place on the Indian side of the Wagah Border - Attari Border - where the two countries are expected to finalise the draft agreement pertaining to the opening of the corridor.
India 01-Sep-2019
Activists of Bajrang Dal Hindustan set fire to the effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in Amritsar and called for solidarity between Hindu and Sikhs to protest against the continued lack of action by the Pakistani government on the abduction of the Sikh girl, who was forcibly converted and then married to a Muslim man.
India 01-Sep-2019
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is going to start various events for celebrating the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala District in Punjab from November 1.
Canada 02-Sep-2019
Canada’s Liberal MP, Ramesh Sangha, who represents Ontario’s Brampton Centre riding, criticised that his party has been “pandering” to Sikh separatists, threatening Canada’s relations with India in the process. Indian officials have previously accused the Liberals of trying to win favour with Canadians pushing for an independent Sikh homeland - Khalistan - in the Punjab region of India.
India 02-Sep-2019
The Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) decided to approach the United Nations (UN) against forced conversions of minorities in Pakistan. SGPC chief Gobind Singh Longowal said that the Sikh body is planning to write to the UN regarding the issue.
India 02-Sep-2019
President of the radical group Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Simranjit Singh Mann stated that the Pakistan Government and PM Khan should take special care of Sikh minorities living in the country. He revealed that a statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was also vandalised in Lahore recently. Such incidents are not positive signs for the minority community in Pakistan, said Mann.
Pakistan 02-Sep-2019
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that his government would issue multiple and on-arrival visas to Sikh pilgrims coming from India and abroad and provide them maximum possible facilities during their visit to the holy sites.
India 03-Sep-2019
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and raised the issue of forceful conversion and marriage of a Sikh girl, Jagjit Kaur in Pakistan and said the neighbouring country should protect the rights of the minorities.
India 03-Sep-2019
According to reports, the Khalistani separatist elements are trying to radicalise Sikh youth in the Indian state of Punjab through sustained campaigns on social media run from countries like Canada, UK and Germany. Khalistani supporters have also organised rallies against India in connivance with the ISI in the UK.
United Kingdom 03-Sep-2019
Two persons were arrested on September 4 after Pakistani diaspora along with Khalistanis launched a massive protest outside the Indian High Commission in London on September 3 and broke a window pane, drawing widespread condemnation. UK's metropolitan police in a statement said that “there were two arrests for criminal damage at yesterday’s event outside the Indian High Commission”.
India 04-Sep-2019
Two persons, identified as Harpreet Singh (20) and Vikram Singh (28) were killed and another one, Gurjant Singh (27) injured in a low-intensity blast in an agricultural field near Kaler village in Tarn Taran in Tarn Taran District. Harpreet was a part-time carpenter, Vikram a mason, while Gurjant rears cattle to make a living. Punjab Police suspects that blast could have links with terror organisations. It is suspected that the two deceased and the person injured in the blast might have been assembling a crude bomb at the site. The police were conducting raids and questioning suspects to probe links of those killed in the blast with radical organisations.
India 04-Sep-2019
India snubbed Pakistan delegation when they tried to ‘indirectly’ raise issues relating to J&K when the two sides met for the third round of talks on the Kartarpur corridor, as they were bluntly told to ‘stick to the agenda’. The Indian side led by SCL Das, Joint Secretary in the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, was quick to “rebuff”, as he “snubbed” the Pakistan officials by saying “don’t talk about concerns other than Kartarpur corridor, as we have greater concerns (cross-border terrorism) than you. Better we stick to the agenda rather than delve on other issue”, said a source.
India 04-Sep-2019
The agreement on the Kartarpur Corridor project, which will open the famed pilgrimage centre to Indians, could not be signed after Pakistan declared that it would charge fees from the visitors. According to the sources, Pakistan has insisted on charging a service fee for allowing pilgrims to visit Gurudwara Kartarpur Sahib, which is not agreeable in the spirit of smooth and easy access through the corridor.”
Pakistan 05-Sep-2019
The day after Pakistan announced to levy USD 20 service fee for the pilgrims going to Kartarpur Sahib via under construction Kartarpur corridor, the US-based pro-Khalistani organization Sikh For Justice (SFJ) offered to reimburse the fee. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun who claims to be the legal advisor of SFJ informed “People of Punjab who will visit Kartarpur Sahib between November 1 and 30 will have to submit proof of their visit to SFJ and receive USD 20 service fee reimbursement via Western Union.”
India 06-Sep-2019
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said that the two people killed and one injured in a blast in Tarn Taran District in Punjab were trying to make a bomb in a bottle."The three people were digging a pit during the night and were trying to make a bomb in a bottle with a mixture of some chemicals that exploded. Two died in this incident and one had injuries in his eyes," Singh said. He further added that "We will find out who were making these bombs, how were they being made and for whom these bombs were being made. It will be known".
India 06-Sep-2019
A National Security Guard (NSG) team along with Punjab Police inspected the site at Tarn Taran District’s Pandoori Gola village where a blast took place on September 4, and recorded statements of people living in the nearby areas. The Punjab Police’s Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) wing rounded up more than 100 suspects in connection with the case, but no one was arrested.
India 07-Sep-2019
The Sarbat Khalsa appointed Akal Takht Jathedar Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara was produced before the Ludhiana based court of Judge Atul Kasana via video conference in a case pertaining to bomb blast occurred near Ludhiana’s clock tower in 1995. Sources said that the hearing of this case has been adjourned to September 18 for recording of Bhai Hawara’s statement under section 313 Cr.P.C through video conferencing.
India 07-Sep-2019
Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara was also produced before the court of Judge Arunveer Vashisht via video conferencing in a case registered against him under the Arms and Explosive Act in Police Station Kotwali of Ludhiana in 1995. Without any proceedings in this case, the next hearing was adjourned to October 5 for final arguments.
Pakistan 08-Sep-2019
Pakistan’s Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar stated that the Sikh community enjoyed complete freedom in Pakistan. CM Buzdar said that Sikh community, from around the world, was supporting the Pakistan’s stance on the core issue of Kashmir. He said, “The Sikh brethren have come very nearer to Pakistan and this has no resemblance in the past.”
India 08-Sep-2019
The Special Task Force (STF) arrested a gangster, Jatinder Kumar Chintu, and his accomplice, Shiv Kumar along with 500-grams heroin at Kakowal road in Ludhiana District of Punjab. Inspector Harbans Singh, in-charge STF Ludhiana Range said that the accused had confessed their involvement in procuring and selling heroin among his customers from different areas of Amritsar, Jammu and Delhi.
India 09-Sep-2019
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh inaugurated a state-of-the-art Digital Investigation Training and Analysis Centre (DITAC) to strengthen Punjab’s anti-terror capabilities in the face of growing cyber terror threat, particularly along the vulnerable bordering areas exposed to infiltration and narcotics smuggling. The Chief Minister said that the new emerging cyber threats had necessitated the enhancement of online technical intelligence systems.
Pakistan 10-Sep-2019
According to reports, Pakistan's ISI held a high-level meeting with many terror groups including Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM), and Khalistani Zindabad Force (KZF) in Islamabad to plan its nefarious activities against India.The closed-door meeting in Islamabad was also attended by some other Pro-Khalistan terror groups.
India 10-Sep-2019
The BSF team deployed along the border near the Sutlej river had successfully seized eight kilograms of heroin and 55 grams of opium. Since the rise of water level in the Sutlej river in Punjab's Ferozepur, smugglers from Pakistan have been continuously sending narcotics by turning the rough flow of the river into their advantage.
India 10-Sep-2019
The Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) Amritsar Sub-Zone said that it had busted an international network of drug trafficking operating in Delhi, Punjab and Mumbai with linkages in Australia and Canada.
India 11-Sep-2019
Police arrested six more suspects in connection with the explosion which took place near Kaler village in Tarn Taran District on September 4. The arrested suspects belong to Gurdaspur, Patti and Amritsar and were being interrogated. Two persons were killed and another one was injured in the blast that took place in an agriculture field.
India 11-Sep-2019
According to sources, the interrogation of 32 people in connection with Tarn Taran blast has provided important leads about the motive behind the explosion."The accused wanted to cause a blast at a public place. Investigation is on to find out who these people were working for", an unnamed senior police official said. Sources also said that the Police suspect the hand of ISI and Khalistani terror groups in the explosion. Traces of foreign funding have also been found. Tarn Taran District was a hotbed for terror activities during the Khalistan militancy days.
India 11-Sep-2019
The Punjab Police, in a move to restructure its Intelligence Department, formed a separate ‘internal security wing’ to specifically focus on anti-terrorism and anti-internal insurgency operations. Under this new administrative arrangement, three major wings of Intelligence Department, Counter Intelligence (CI), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Organised Crime Control Unit (OCCU) will now be supervised by ADGP (internal security) — a new post created recently. 1993-batch IPS officer RN Dhoke was transferred to the post on September 9. Earlier, functioning of these three wings (CI, FIU, OCCU) which are headed by IG, used to be directly supervised by the intelligence chief.
India 11-Sep-2019
Baldev Kumar, a former lawmaker of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) who has sought asylum in India, said that he has been receiving threatening phone calls from across the border. Baldev Kumar has sought political asylum in India for himself and his family, citing atrocities against minorities in Pakistan.
India 11-Sep-2019
The Special Task Force (STF) Ludhiana Ferozepur range arrested a drug peddler, identified as Ravinder Singh Nikka along with 1kg heroin and 100 gm of expensive ice drug from Chimney road in Shimlapuri in Ludhiana District.
India 11-Sep-2019
In a joint operation conducted by the health officials and the district administration, an illegal drug de-addiction centre, which was running under the name of ‘Khalsa Welfare Foundation’, was busted in Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib District. The authorities rescued as many as 14 addicts being allegedly tortured in the centre.
India 11-Sep-2019
The Minister of Forests, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot demanded the arrest of former Pakistan lawmaker Baldev Kumar, who arrived in India a month ago. He said the antecedents of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader should be verified as sending him to India could be a ploy of Pakistan spy agency, ISI.
India 12-Sep-2019
India urged Pakistan to show ‘some flexibility’ on the Kartarpur Corridor to ensure the celebrations of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev is conducted smoothly. Earlier in the day, Pakistan said that pilgrims will be charged $20 as service charge for visiting the Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara.
India 13-Sep-2019
One person, identified as Shamsher Singh Shera was arrested along with a cache of 7.5 kg of heroin and INR 28 lakh drug money from Amritsar in Punjab. SPS Parmar,IG, Border Range said that "We are interrogating the cross-border angle in this matter. We are also probing into the forward and backward linkages of the matter".
India 13-Sep-2019
A blacklist of Sikh foreign nationals who have been barred from travelling to India for decades has been reduced from 314 to just 2, a senior UMHA official said. The 312 nationals removed from the blacklist, formally called the ‘Central Adverse List’, will be “eligible to get Indian visa and the Overseas Indian Card” in due course, the official said. The decision to whittle down the list was taken after a ‘review’ of threats posed by these people to India. These blacklisted Sikhs have been mostly living in the US and Canada in North America; and the UK, France and Germany in Europe. It has included Sikh community leaders who had promoted the cause of Khalistan, former militants, those connected to the ideology without a criminal record, and those who sought political asylum contending threat to their lives from the Indian authorities.“This review is a continuous and dynamic process and is a part of a regular exercise. Such a review will afford an opportunity to such Sikh foreign nationals to visit India, meet their family members and reconnect to their roots, “the official said.
India 13-Sep-2019
The Punjab Government has decided to distribute religious literature in all prisons in the state to mark the 550th birth anniversary of the founder of Sikh religion, Guru Nanak Dev. On the eve of the Sikh Guru's birthday celebrations, the Punjab Government has also proposed to release 550 prisoners on account of good conduct.
India 13-Sep-2019
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) condemned the Pakistan Government’s decision to charge INR 1,400 per pilgrim as service charge for using the upcoming Kartarpur corridor, saying the neighbouring country is trying to impose ‘jazia’ (a tax non-Muslims pay under Sharia law) on Indian devotees.
India 15-Sep-2019
Police arrested a Tanzanian woman, identified as Rehma and recovered 2 kg heroin from her at Dainwind village in Kapurthala of Kapurthala District. Kapurthala SSP, Satinder Singh said that she was visiting India on a business visa and living with her relatives. She had earlier supplied drugs five times in other cities in Punjab and was caught supplying drugs in Kapurthala District.
United States 15-Sep-2019
Pro-Khalistani Sikhs joined by Pakistani community members held a protest in Houston in US, demanding the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and against Indian Government for committing gross human rights violations in occupied Kashmir. To express support for the cause of Kashmir and demanding a separate land for Sikhs, the Sikh community members and Pakistanis, with Kashmir and Khalistan flags mounted on their cars, moved through the roads and streets while chanting slogans against the Narendra Modi Government.The protesters raised slogans of “Modi’s tour of the U.S. unacceptable.”
India 15-Sep-2019
Sikh hardliners praised Narendra Modi led Union Government for scrapping the black list that will allow many Sikhs to visit their motherland, meet relatives and celebrate 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. While expressing gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi, informal Sarbat Khalsa-appointed parallel acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Dhian Singh Mand said, “It is a highly commendable act of Indian government and deserves acknowledgement.”
India 15-Sep-2019
Former Khalistan ideologue Wassan Singh Zaffarwal also hailed Narendra Modi Government. “Now those Sikhs can come to their motherland, meet their relatives and participate in the celebration functions of 550th birth anniversary of the first Guru,” he said.
India 16-Sep-2019
The Madras High Court in Tamil Nadu received a bomb threat from a person claiming to be a member of ‘International Khalistan Support Group’. In a five-line letter addressed to the registrar general of the High Court, Hardarshan Singh Nagpal, claimed he was a resident of Sudershan Park in Moti Nagar in New Delhi, and said he along with his son “will do multiple bomb blasts inside the high court buildings on September 30”.
India 16-Sep-2019
The Punjab Police detained 10 persons allegedly belonging to a Khalistani terror module for questioning in connection with the September 4 Tarn Taran blast. Police said, on the basis of strong leads, 10 persons had been detained, who were being questioned on the probable target of the bomb they were making. Officials also confirmed there was no trace of RDX from the blast site.
India 17-Sep-2019
Police, on the basis of disclosure made by a man arrested for drug peddling last week, recovered 13.72 kg heroin buried in a field across the barbed fence on the India-Pakistan border near Daoke village in Amritsar District. The accused, Samsher Singh, alias Shera, was arrested with 7.5 kg heroin and ₹28 lakh drug money in Ajnala’s Poonga village on September 13. Police had also recovered 1kg heroin from at Bhaini Rajpootan on Shera’s disclosure on September 15. The contraband was pushed into the Indian territory by Pakistan-based smugglers, the Police said.
India 17-Sep-2019
After intelligence warning about the ISI network's nefarious design to revive the pro-Khalistan elements and whip up passions for separatist movement, the Central Government is planning to have a joint counter operation centre in Punjab involving NIA, external spy agency R&AW, counter-terror unit of Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Punjab Police.
India 17-Sep-2019
Punjab Police procured five-day remand of seven persons arrested in connection with the September 4 Tarn Taran blast.Those arrested include Harjit Singh, Maandeep Singh alias Massa, Amritpal Singh Randhawa, Manpreet Singh, Channdeep Singh, Armarjit Singh and Malkit Singh. Harjit is considered to be the kingpin.The investigation revealed the close relations of the arrested persons with foreign-based pro-Khalistan leaders. Sources said that the suspects confessed their links with Khalistani elements, who were providing them funds.
India 18-Sep-2019
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal sought intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure “expeditious and across-the-board release of all Sikh prisoners languishing in different jails in the country even after serving the full term of their sentence”.
United States 18-Sep-2019
According to reports, the organizers of Howdy Modi event in Houston on September 22, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend, said that they have averted the protesters backed by Khalistani activists, Kashmiri separatist and Pakistani groups’ plan to picket outside the NRG stadium venue. However, several groups including ‘Friends of Kashmir’, ‘Sikhs For Justice’ and “International Humanitarian Foundation” have reportedly hired buses and trucks and plan to drive around close to the venue, and are offering “tickets” for the protest on an online events management website.
India 18-Sep-2019
An alleged Pakistani spy, identified as Vipin Singh, was arrested from Gurdaspur cantonment area on charges of passing vital information regarding Kartarpur Corridor construction work to Pakistan's ISI. Officials recovered a mobile phone from his possession and they claimed that the mobile phone was used by Vipin Singh to communicate with Pakistan-based handlers and share photographs of the Kartarpur Corridor construction site.
United States 19-Sep-2019
According to reports, a group of pro-Khalistan outfits, Pakistani migrants and Kashmir sympathizers are planning to disrupt the ‘Howdy Modi’ event which is scheduled to be held in a week in Houston. Houston has a large population of Pakistanis, Kashmiri separatists, and Khalistanis.
India 22-Sep-2019
Punjab Police busted a terror module of the revived Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), that was conspiring to unleash a series of terrorist strikes in Punjab and adjoining States, by arresting four suspects along with a huge cache of arms, including five AK-47 rifles, pistols, satellite phones and hand grenades from Tarn Taran District. Those arrested were identified as Balwant Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Harbhajan Singh and Balbir Singh. The module was backed by the Pakistan-based ‘chief’ of the KZF, Ranjeet Singh alias Neeta, and his Germany-based associate, Gurmeet Singh alias Bagga. The module was planning to carry out multiple terrorist strikes in J&K, Punjab and other States.
India 22-Sep-2019
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh decided to transfer the ‘KZF terror module’ case to NIA for further investigation. A statement released by the Punjab CMO stated, "Module was conspiring to unleash series of terror strikes in Punjab and/or adjoining states. Police seized huge cache of arms including 5 AK-47 rifles, pistols, satellite phones and hand grenades. Further investigations in the case handed over to NIA." Punjab CM also urged the Central Government to direct the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Border Security Force (BSF) to launch necessary counter-measures to check for any possible threats.
India 23-Sep-2019
The Amritsar judicial magistrate court sent five members of a Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terror module busted by Punjab Police to 10-day Police remand. Punjab Police on September 22 arrested four KZF members from Chola Sahib village in Tarn Taran District. Police investigation revealed that one Maan Singh of Samurai village in Gurdaspur District, currently lodged in Amritsar jail in an Arms Act and UAPA case, had recruited Akashdeep when they were lodged together in the Amritsar jail. The four arrested accused and Maan Singh, who was brought on production warrant, were presented in the court which sent them to police remand till October 3.