KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 06-Mar-2020
Dal Khalsa activists entered into a scuffle with members of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) task force over the release of the original version of Nanakshahi calendar from the Akal Takht secretariat in Amritsar. The calendar carried a photograph of the Kartarpur corridor opening ceremony being addressed by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Later, the Takht secretariat in charge intervened and allowed the Dal Khalsa members to release the calendar from the outside platform of the secretariat.
India 06-Mar-2020
Police arrested three drug smugglers, including a woman, and recovered 21 kg gaanja from their possession in Phagwara in Kapurthala district on March 6 evening. The accused had been identified as Bihari migrants Manoj Kumar, Sanjit Kumar and Lalita Rani.
India 06-Mar-2020
Around 3.58 gm heroin was recovered from a prisoner in the Sangrur Central Jail in Sangrur district. Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Amrik Singh said that “Accused Gurjit Singh had been facing trial in an NDPS case. On Friday, when he was taken to the jail after conviction, the head warden seized 3.58-gm heroin from him. We have registered another NDPS case against him
India 08-Mar-2020
Several families that were affected by militancy in Punjab sought an increase in the pension amount. At present, these families are getting Rs 5,000 per month. An NGO, Rashtriya Suraksha Samiti, which took up the cause of victims, has demanded that the monthly pension should be linked with price index. There has been a 15-fold hike even in the price for LPG cylinder over the years, but no hike in pension was granted, Samiti secretary Sita Ram Sharma said. The victim families maintain that the successive governments had failed to provide justice to the militancy-hit people in Punjab. Their demand of suitable compensation had not been met till now, they said.
India 08-Mar-2020
As per data from an official of department concerned, 59,318 pilgrims visited the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, Kartarpur, Pakistan, from the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor in November 9 last year to March 8. No considerable surge was witnessed in the footfall of the pilgrims using the corridor, even though India had raised the demand before Pakistan to allow 5,000 pilgrims per day and 10,000 on special occasions. In the opening month, the footfall was 11,192, which increased to 23,383 in December last year. Daily average pilgrims in these months remained 508 and 754, respectively.
India 08-Mar-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 2 kg of heroin near the Mohar Sona border outpost in Fazilka district. According to source, on hearing a noise, the BSF troopers launched a search and recovered two plastic bottles buried in the fields across the barbed wire fencing. The bottles were filled with 2 kg of heroin worth Rs10 crore.
India 08-Mar-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 4 kg of heroin from New Gazniwala border outpost in Abohar in Fazilka district. The BSF troopers signalled the accused to stop and also opened fire, but the suspects managed to escape. During a search operation, four packets of heroin weighing 4 kg with a market value of Rs 20 crore were recovered.
United Kingdom 08-Mar-2020
British Pakistani and Kashmiri community held a protest outside Indian High Commission in London on March 8 afternoon. The protest was organized by Global Pakistan and Kashmir Supreme Council (UK) and the participants also raised slogans for freedom of Kashmir and Khalistan from Indian subjugation.
Pakistan 08-Mar-2020
Parliamentarian Preneet Kaur paid obeisance at Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan along with more than hundred women on the occasion of International Women’s Day. Preneet Kaur said that Guru Nanak Sahib gave a great status to women in the society which resulted in their empowerment and high respect.
India 09-Mar-2020
A Shiv Sena leader in Punjab, Mahant Kashmir Giri escaped unhurt after two unidentified motorcycle-borne men opened fire at him at his house in Khanna in Ludhiana district in the morning. Giri said that he was raising a voice against pro-Khalistan elements and was getting threat calls from international numbers. Recently, police had provided a gunman to Giri after he complained of receiving threats. However, the policeman deployed for his security was at the temple when shots were fired.
India 10-Mar-2020
The Shahkot police arrested a person, identified as Pavneet Singh alias Jony along with 1 kg of opium in Jalandhar district. The accused told the police that he had brought the contraband from Jharkhand to further supply it in Shahkot.
India 10-Mar-2020
The Mehatpur police arrested two persons, identified as Aashish and Vikas for allegedly selling intoxicant tablets and injections in Jalandhar district. According to Police, 80 intoxicant tablets, four injections and four vials were recovered from them.
India 10-Mar-2020
The Nakodar police arrested a person, identified as Kamal Kumar, a resident of Meva village, for peddling drugs from Jalandhar district. Over 60 intoxicant tablets were recovered from him.
India 11-Mar-2020
Another memorial, dedicated to those laying down their lives during dark days of terrorism, would soon come up in Punjab, said Khanna MLA Gurkirat Singh Kotli. “The people of Punjab would always remember the sacrifices made by the martyrs who laid down their lives during the dark decade of terrorism in the State,” said the MLA while unfurling a ‘Flag of Unity’ at Tolemajra village in SAS Nagar district. The ‘Flag of Unity’, was installed in the memory of Narpinder Pal Singh Prince who was martyred on March 11, 1992. The MLA further said that the State is witnessing peaceful atmosphere only because of the untold number of sacrifices made by the people from all sections of the society who opposed extremist tendencies tooth and nail.
India 11-Mar-2020
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against nine accused including a juvenile in September 4, 2019 Tarn Taran district blast case. The charge sheet was filed in the Special NIA Court in Mohali, against Massa Singh alias Mandeep Singh; Harjit Singh alias Harjit; Gurjant Singh; Manpreet Singhalias Maan; and Bikramjit Singh Panjwaralias Bikkar Baba (absconding); Chandeep Singh alias Gabbar Singh; Malkit Singh alias Shera; Amarjeet Singh alias Amar Singh; and one juvenile under Sections 120 B read with 153 A of IPC, Sections 13, 18, 18 A, 20 of the UAPA, and Sections 3, 4 and 5 of Explosive Substances Act. Two accused Vikram Singh alias Vicky and Harpreet Singh alias Happy had died in the explosion that took place in a vacant plot at the outskirts of Pandori Gola village in Tarn Taran. The accused were digging a pit to retrieve concealed explosives.
India 12-Mar-2020
Police arrested a cross-border drug peddler, identified as Davinder Singh along with 10 kg of heroin from the outskirts of Kakkar village under Lopoke police station in Amritsar district. IG (Border Range) SPS Parmar said that the seizure was made from across the border fence following the interrogation of Davinder Singh. “Davinder and his accomplices had been in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers to receive the drug consignment from across the border fence,” said the IG.
India 12-Mar-2020
Police arrested a person, identified as Jaspal for peddling drugs and recovered one kg of opium from him in Jalandhar district.
India 12-Mar-2020
The Phillaur police arrested a drug peddler, identified as Sunny Sethi and recovered 250 intoxicating capsules from him in Jalandhar district.
India 13-Mar-2020
Amid scare around the spread of the Coronavirus infections, India and Pakistan have decided to keep open Kartarpur Corridor that Indian pilgrims use to visit the revered Sikh shrine in Pakistan. However, Indian officials have indicated increased screening of people coming back through the corridor to prevent infections from spiking in India.
India 13-Mar-2020
The Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh along with the officials of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) released the Nanakshahi calendar 2020-21 in Amritsar. This is an amended version of the original calendar that was introduced in 2003 and was later amended in 2010 and was christened as ‘Bikrami’ calendar. However, the SGPC did not acknowledge it as Bikrami calendar. The calendar has courted controversy among the Sikh community as the same events related to the Sikh Gurus were mentioned twice a year.
Pakistan 13-Mar-2020
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan held a high-level meeting of the National Security Committee and announced series of measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, including a ban on Pakistani nationals from travelling via the Kartarpur Corridor. Indian pilgrims will, however, be allowed to use the corridor.
India 13-Mar-2020
The National Investigating Agency (NIA) and Organised Crime Control Unit (OCCU) of Punjab police in joint operation busted a terror module with the arrest of one suspect, identified as Surinder Singh alias Sikender in Mohali on the intervening night of March 13 and March 14. Sources said that the agencies recovered one AK-47, one sniper rifle, hand grenades, two pistols and few lakhs of fake currency from the possession of the accused, who is a suspect of being a part of the terror module in Punjab state. The agencies also believe that the accused might be involved in the target killings and recent attacks on RSS leaders in Punjab.
India 14-Mar-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered a packet of heroin weighing 1 kg, one pistol (9 mm) and a magazine during a search operation near border out post Raja Mahattam in Ferozepur on March 14.
Pakistan 14-Mar-2020
The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC) released its “original version” of Nanakshahi calendar, which was introduced in 2003, at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan. The PSGPC president Satwant Singh said that, “The original version of the calendar symbolises distinct identity of the Sikhs. We request Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to ensure unity in the Panth, which is divided over the calendar issue. The calendar implemented in 2003 by the then Jathedar Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti should be followed for this purpose.”
India 15-Mar-2020
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) said that pilgrimage and registration for Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara in Pakistan will be suspended beginning March 15 midnight in view of the Coronavirus outbreak. The government has also suspended movement of all types of passengers through international border points with Pakistan from 00:00 hours of March 16 in view of the threat from coronavirus.
India 15-Mar-2020
Police arrested a truck driver Gurnam Singh (50) and his assistant Jassa Singh (29) along with 20 kg of poppy husk and 3 kg of opium from the National Highway-52 in Abohar in Fazilka district. According to Police, poppy husk was hidden under the bags of vegetable and the preliminary investigation reportedly indicated that the duo had arranged the contraband from Neemach in Madhya Pradesh to further supply it in Sangrur.
India 15-Mar-2020
Punjab Police has created a Special Operation Group (SOG) on the lines of the National Security Guards (NSG) to tackle any exigencies like 'fidayeen' attacks, hostage situations, armed infiltration attempts and break the militant-gangster nexus in Punjab jails. To strengthen the second line of defence, the police has also equipped its force with BP morchas, thermal imagers, BP tractors, body protectors, micro UAVs, etc. Punjab Police has also formed a separate 'Internal Security Wing' to specifically focus on anti-terrorism and anti-internal insurgency operations.
India 15-Mar-2020
According to sources, as many as 23 Shiv Sena leaders in Ludhiana were provided 37 gunmen following the attack on Shiv Sena (Hindustan) president Amit Arora on February 22. Police had also started reviewing the security cover of the leaders following the attack on Honey Mahajan, the youth wing president of Shiv Sena (Hindustan)’s Punjab unit, in Gurdaspur on February 10. The Joint co-ordinator of the All India Congress Committee (Kisan Congress), Gursimram Singh Mand, has also got a security cover, after he complained of threats.
Canada 16-Mar-2020
The Khalsa Day Parade in Surrey, British Columbia in Canada, organised by Gurdwara Dashmesh Darbar, was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak. Gurudwaras in Canada, Australia and at other countries have also decided not to hold big gatherings.
India 16-Mar-2020
The Moga police froze assets of five drug peddlers of Badhni Kalan area in Moga district. The drug peddlers, identified as Pardeep Kumar, Sadhu Singh, Boora Singh, Dalip Singh, and Pritam Kaur, were convicted by the sessions’ court under various sections of the NDPS Act.
India 17-Mar-2020
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court in Mohali framed charges against three Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operatives, identified as Ravinderpal Singh alias Ravi, Jagdev Singh alias Sonu (both belong to Punjab), and Harcharan Singh (Delhi), who were arrested for disturbing communal harmony in Punjab. However, the court discharged Nishan Singh alias Punia, as the NIA failed to file challan against him. The court will begin the trial in the case on April 9. The court had declared Kulwinderjit Singh alias Khanpuriya, who is now in Malaysia and mastermind in the case, as a proclaimed offender (PO) in February 2020. Ravinderpal and Jagdev were arrested in May 2019 for planning a terror strike in Punjab. Later, Punia and Harcharan were arrested from Amritsar district.
India 17-Mar-2020
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) failed to produce in court the death verification report of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) ‘chief’ Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD, who was allegedly killed in Pakistan in January. The NIA special court, which was hearing the 2016-17 targeted killings case, fixed March 24 as the next date of hearing. Harmeet Singh was one of the main conspirators in the targeted killings case which took place in Punjab between 2016 and 2017.
India 17-Mar-2020
Police arrested two persons, identified as truck driver Bohad Singh (29) and his assistant Jagtar Singh (22) and recovered 160 kg of poppy husk from their possession outside Ratanpura village near Hanumangarh in Rupnagar district. During the search operation, 160 kg of poppy husk, packed in eight bags, was found hidden under the bags of red chilli inside their truck.
India 18-Mar-2020
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against nine members of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) terrorist group for their alleged involvement in a case relating to dropping of arms and ammunition in Punjab by drones from Pakistan. According to NIA, all accused, including two senior citizens, were charged with relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act and Explosives Substances Act. The nine KZF members named in the charge sheet are Akashdeep Singh (21), Balwant Singh (48), Harbhajan Singh (65), Balbir Singh (70), Maan Singh (43), Gurdev Singh (40), Shubhdeep Singh (21), Sajanpreet Singh (22) and Romandeep Singh (20). The case relates to the information that Pakistan-based chief of KZF, Ranjeet Singh in connivance with Gurmeet Singh have smuggled arms, ammunition, explosives and fake Indian currency notes into India via drones from Pakistan, the NIA said. These consignments were received by their associates Akashdeep, Balwant, Harbhajan, Balbir and Shubhdeep in India in order to revive terrorism in Punjab and carry out a terror attack in the country, the NIA spokesperson said.
India 19-Mar-2020
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said that the State Government will not allow Pakistan-backed terrorists to foment trouble in Punjab. He said that he had been urging the Central Government to be tough on Pakistan. “This cannot go on,” he declared, adding that Punjab is not Kashmir, and was well equipped to fight back. The Army could continue fighting terror in Kashmir, but in Punjab, in addition to the Border Security Force (BSF) as the first line of defence at the borders, the 85,000 strong police force was well equipped to deal with any threat, he said, adding that the Army was also there for support as and when needed.
India 19-Mar-2020
The Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Dinkar Gupta termed attempts to radicalize youth through social media as a major challenge, but asserted that the Punjab Police had done exemplary work in combatting the same, while remaining highly vigilant to stop cross-border terrorism. The DGP said during the terrorism phase of 1980 to 1993, target killings and militancy in Punjab was rampant. About 28000 people lost their lives but Punjab defeated the terror with strong political will, in cooperation with people of Punjab. “When I was SSP of Hoshiarpur in 1992, there was a big problem of urban insurgency, but then DGP KPS Gill, regarded as the tallest leader, thwarted the whole terrorism model in Punjab. At that time, leaders also infused energy in Punjab Police, motivating it to remain strong in the fight against terrorism,” he recalled. The DGP also said that Punjab’s long border with Pakistan would always be a challenge for us.
India 19-Mar-2020
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh said his government was committed to ensuring strict action against those responsible for Bargari and other sacrilege cases. Speaking at a conclave on the completion of his government's three years in office, the CM said that his focus had been on tackling drugs, gangsters and political killings.
India 19-Mar-2020
Punjab Cooperation and Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that Punjab would come up triumphant in the war against drugs too on the pattern of independence movement, Indo-Pak wars and war against terrorism and the state would again reclaim its glorious position and be a role model. While speaking on the occasion of a summit, he said that on assuming the office as Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh constituted a Special Task Force (STF) and initiated the various anti-drug campaigns which have started bearing fruit.
India 20-Mar-2020
As the country observes the 20th anniversary of the Chittisinghpura massacre in which 35 members of the Sikh community were gunned down in the Chittisinghpura village of the Anantnag district of J&K on March 20, 2000, for the community the wounds have healed but the scars remain. On the eve of the visit of the then President of the United States, Bill Clinton to India, terrorists had killed 35 members of the Sikh community by making them stand in two different queues outside side their homes in the village. Though the identity of the terrorists who carried out the massacre has not been known so far, security agencies had pointed the fingers towards terrorists from the Pakistan based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist outfit.
India 20-Mar-2020
Police arrested a gangster, Varinder Pal Singh alias Veena, who was a key aide of the dreaded criminal Sukhpreet Singh Budha and recovered a .32 bore pistol along with a few live cartridges from him from Barnala on March 20. Police had also impounded the car in which he was travelling. Preliminary investigation revealed that the weapon recovered from him belonged to Budha, who had handed it over to one Navtej Singh of Ransinh Kalan village before leaving the country. Veena took the weapon from him. Budha was allegedly accused in at least 15 criminal cases of murders, extortions and other heinous crimes in many districts of the state and is also suspected to be in contact with pro-Khalistani elements. Budha was deported from Armenia on November 22, 2019, and arrested by the Punjab Police from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, on the same day.
India 20-Mar-2020
Police along with Narcotics Control Cell arrested one person, identified as Boota Singh and recovered 1 kg of heroin from him near Jodhpur village in Ferozepur district.
India 20-Mar-2020
Police arrested three persons, Manpreet Singh, Bhupinder Singh and Bakshish Singh and recovered 2,300 intoxicating tablets from them in Lakho Ke Behram in Ferozepur district.
India 20-Mar-2020
Police arrested one person, identified as Hoshiar Singh along with 20 gm of heroin from Lakho Ke Behram in Ferozepur district.
India 20-Mar-2020
Police arrested two men, identified as Balwinder Singh and Palwinder Singh for allegedly peddling drugs, and recovered 20 gm of heroin from them in Shahkot in Jalandhar district.
India 20-Mar-2020
Police arrested a migrant from Bihar, identified as Saroj Rai and recovered 400 gm of opium from him in Mullan Pur Dakha village in Ludhiana district.
India 20-Mar-2020
Police arrested a person, Manjindar Singh along with 190 intoxicating tablets in Chacha colony in Jalandhar district.
India 22-Mar-2020
The Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh called upon the Sikh community to follow the government's directions to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The Jathedar also appealed to people to come forward and extent all kinds of help to needy persons while noting that coronavirus infection has posed a serious threat to the lives of people across the world. He directed all Sikh organisations and Gurudwara management committees to extend a helping hand in this hour of need, irrespective of any discrimination on the basis of caste, creed and race.
India 22-Mar-2020
The Punjab government announced that a state wide lockdown will be enforced till March 31 as a measure to prevent the spread of the corona virus (covid19).
India 23-Mar-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 4.27 kg of heroin from an area close to the border outpost Bareke along the India-Pakistan border in Ferozepur district. According to officials, the consignment was stored in four plastic bottles and a China-made pistol was also seized along with the contraband.
India 23-Mar-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) troops recovered three packets of heroin weighting around 3.25 kg in the Abohar sector in Fazilka district.
India 23-Mar-2020
A man, identified as Gurdev Singh was arrested along with 1.48-kg heroin from Behram Shersingh Wala village in Guruharsahai in Ferozepur district.
India 23-Mar-2020
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh ordered a state-wide curfew to combat against Covid-19 spread. The government has decided to further scale down its staff in government offices.
India 24-Mar-2020
Police recovered 4.29 kg of heroin from the Indo-Pak border in Ferozepur district, revealed Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmanbir Singh Gill.
India 24-Mar-2020
The Akal Takht appealed to the public not to get swayed by rumours and cooperate with the authorities by observing the shutdown religiously. Akal Takht’s Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh appealed to the Sikh community to recite prayers twice a day and do ‘ardas’ for ‘sarbat da bhala’.
Afghanistan 25-Mar-2020
At least 25 people were killed after terrorists attacked a Gurudwara in Kabul in Afghanistan on March 25 morning. According to media reports, four terrorists, including suicide bombers, attacked Gurudwara Har Rai Sahib in Kabul at around 7.45 am local time. There were around 120 people inside the Gurudwara, including 20 families, when the attack began. The Afghanistan Ministry of Interior stated that at least 25 people were killed and eight wounded in the attack. In total, 80 people including women and children were rescued, said the Ministry’s statement. According to SITE, which monitors jihadists networks, the Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack.
India 25-Mar-2020
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh called the terror attack in a Gurudwara in Kabul "extremely tragic and unfortunate". He requested Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani to find out about the perpetrators and look after the people of India.
India 25-Mar-2020
Akal Takht and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) condemned the terror attack on a Gurudwara in Kabul and urged the Central government to initiate steps for the security of Sikh families in Afghanistan.
India 26-Mar-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 5 kg heroin and an imported pistol from the Zero Line along the border in Ferozepur district.
India 26-Mar-2020
Even though the terror group, as Islamic State claimed the responsibility for the attack in a Sikh Gurudwara in Kabul, Afghanistan, the Indian Intelligence sources pointed to a Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) link to the bloody episode which left the world shocked in the middle of a global war against coronavirus. Sources said that Pakistan’s militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Haqqani network is reported to have attacked the Gurudwara to scarce the minuscule Sikh community of Afghanistan. "It is believed that the militants were based in Khurram and Hangu districts of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan," sources said.
Afghanistan 26-Mar-2020
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemned the terrorist attack on the Sikh Gurudwara in Kabul that killed 25 people. The UNSC in a statement, it "condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack" that took place in Shor Bazar area in Kabul. "The members of the security council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant security council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the government of Afghanistan and all other relevant authorities," the statement said.
Afghanistan 26-Mar-2020
A day after the terror attack on Gurudwara in Kabul, the Sikh Diaspora has come forward to extend a helping hand to the anguished Sikh families mourning the deaths of their loved ones to help them rebuild their lives. The United Kingdom (UK)-based chairman of Seva Trust, Charan Kanwal Singh Sekhon, said that a fund-raiser campaign has been started in UK to raise £30,000 to help the families of the victims.
Afghanistan 26-Mar-2020
Mortal remains of 25 Sikhs, including elderly persons, young children and women, were consigned to flames in a crematorium in Kabul, Afghanistan even as another bomb explosion rocked the cremation site. But no causality was reported in the bomb blast which occurred just as the grieving Sikh families were going home after the cremation.
India 29-Mar-2020
The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) asked for donations to continue providing food to people affected by the nationwide lockdown put in place to contain the COVID-19 spread. The DSGMC has been providing free food to around 50,000 people mostly migrant workers and daily wagers in the national capital daily amid the lockdown.
Afghanistan 29-Mar-2020
Members of the minority Sikh community from Kabul and Jalalabad in Afghanistan held meetings to deliberate on their future prospects in the war-ravaged country after the terror attack on Gurudwara Har Rai Sahib in Kabul, which left 25 Sikhs dead. Separate lists of Sikh families who have complete travel documents and those who require passport and other documents were prepared in Kabul and Jalalabad gurdwaras to begin the process of mass migration to an as yet unknown destination.
India 29-Mar-2020
The Sikh bodies demanded the release of what they describe as ‘political prisoners’ amid the threat of coronavirus (Covid-19) looming over Punjab and its prisons. According to them, many of these prisoners had already completed their sentences, while a few of them were already on parole.
Pakistan 30-Mar-2020
Pakistani pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla said that land in Nankana Sahib belonging to Guru Nanak Dev was being grabbed by the rich by paying money and there was collusion by Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) of Pakistan. Chawla in a video said that atrocities were being committed and complaints about the misuse of land, registered in the name Guru Nanak Dev in Pakistan's Punjab province, have fallen on deaf ears of authorities. He said that ETPB of Pakistan has been aiding and shielding rich people who have encroached the land of Gurudwara Nankana Sahib. Chawla alleged that ETPB chairman Aamer Ahmed has been colluding with the land grabbers. "I had made a humble request that in Nankana Sahib there is full loot (of land) and I had given proof to Aamer sahib that a lot of atrocities are taking place. Rich people who can give Rs 2 lakh, Rs 3 lakh, Rs 4 lakh, Rs 5 lakh, they are getting their houses made and the poor who have to build on two marla, three marla, there is no law for them," he said.
India 30-Mar-2020
The mortal remains of three Afghan Sikhs, who were among the 25 Sikhs killed in the terrorist attack on Gurudwara in Kabul on March 25, were brought back to India. Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa and the former DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK received their mortal remains.
India 31-Mar-2020
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa criticized Pakistan after pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla said that land in Nankana Sahib belonging to Guru Nanak Dev was being grabbed by the rich by paying money and there was collusion by Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) of Pakistan. He said on the Twitter that minorities are suffering a lot in Pakistan and PM Imran Khan must take swift action to regain the trust of Sikhs. "We stand committed to protect Gurdwara Sahibs & properties of Gurdwara Committees of Pakistan", the SAD leader said. He also added that the issue would be raised at a global level if government of Pakistan fails to address the concerns.
India 31-Mar-2020
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal said that keeping in view the ongoing lockdown and curfew in the state due to the corona virus outbreak, it would not be advisable for devotees to assemble at Takht Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo to celebrate Baisakhi. He said that he would request Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to ponder to on the issue, take a decision and make an appeal to the community.
India 31-Mar-2020
The Special Task Force (STF) arrested a couple, identified as Gagandeep Singh and his wife Sonia along with 260 gm heroin from near Kakuwala on Sangrur-Patran road in Sangrur district. The couple was arrested while they were travelling on a motorcycle to New Delhi to allegedly smuggle the heroin worth Rs 1.30 crores in the market.
India 31-Mar-2020
Two Ludhiana-based Sikhs, Shankar Singh of Chhawni Mohalla and Jiwan Singh of Nanak Nagar, who were among the 25 persons killed in the deadly Gurudwara attack in Kabul, were cremated in Daresi in Ludhiana district. The kin of both deceased said the two were permanent residents of Afghanistan and they had learnt the native language.
India 31-Mar-2020
Police arrested three drug peddlers, identified as Gurwinder Singh, Satwinder Singh and Kamaljeet Singh along with 25-gram heroin and 740 narcotic pills in Moga district.
Pakistan 31-Mar-2020
A mob of Islamist radicals attacked the Sikh Gurudwara in Nankana Sahib (in Punjab, Pakistan) to avenge the arrest of a Muslim man who had kidnapped and converted a Sikh girl to Islam. The crowd gathered in front of the main entrance of the Nankana Sahib Gurudwara and pelted stones at the Gurudwara in the evening. The extremists also threatened to eliminate every single Sikh faithful from the city and announced that they have renamed the location with an Islamic name.
India 01-Apr-2020
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) registered an FIR in a case relating to terror attack on a Gurudwara at Kabul, Afghanistan in which 27 devotees were killed and several others injured. The NIA said it has registered the case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and under the provisions of Section 6 (8) of the NIA Act and started an investigation into the recent attack. This is the first case of its kind which NIA has registered as the recent amendments in the NIA Act, which empowered the agency to investigate terror cases that are committed at any place outside India against the Indian citizens or affecting the interest of India.
India 02-Apr-2020
Former Hazoori Ragi (permanent gurbani singer) of the Golden Temple, Giani Nirmal Singh, who tested positive for the coronavirus, died in Amritsar. The Padma Shri recipient returned from abroad recently and was admitted to the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital after he complained of breathlessness and dizziness on March 30.
India 04-Apr-2020
The Khalistani militant, Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar was released from Amritsar Central Jail for six weeks on parole. Bhullar, who has been serving a life sentence for his role in the 1993 Delhi blast that killed nine people and wounded several others, was among 529 prisoners who have been released from jail in an attempt to decongest Indian prisons in view on the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Afghanistan 04-Apr-2020
Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) said that Afghan forces have arrested the leader of the country’s Islamic State (ISIS) group affiliate and the mastermind behind the attack on the Gurudwara that killed 25 Sikh devotees. The NDS said in a statement that Aslam Farooqi, also known as Abdullah Orakzai, had been arrested along with 19 other men in a ‘complex operation’. An NDS official said that Farooqi was the mastermind behind an IS-claimed attack on a Sikh temple in Kabul last month that killed at least 25 people. Known as Islamic State in the Khorasan (IS-K), the Afghan IS branch has been on its back foot in recent months following continued operations by US forces and separately by the Taliban.
India 04-Apr-2020
The acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh directed the Sikh community to hold symbolic celebrations for Vaisakhi this year, amid ongoing coronavirus outbreak in Punjab. He has directed the Sikh masses to stay indoors and listen Gurbani Kirtan on TV while offering prayers at their homes.
India 05-Apr-2020
The Jathedar of the Takht Patna Sahib, Giani Ranjit Singh urged the Prime Minister Narender Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to quash the FIR (First Information Report) registered by the Delhi Government against Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) for providing shelter and food to stranded passengers who had sought refuge in Gurdwara Manju Ka till due to lockdown. He highlighted the social and charitable works being undertaken by various Sikhs institutions worldwide and told that at present 100 gurdwaras are providing langar to standard people in Punjab due to lockdown.
Pakistan 06-Apr-2020
Pakistani authorities cancelled the Baisakhi celebrations at Gurudwara Panja Sahib in Punjab province from April 14, in which around 3,000 Sikhs from India were to participate, due to the coronavirus pandemic in the country.
India 07-Apr-2020
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa criticized Pakistan PM Imran Khan over pro-Khalistan leader Gopal Singh Chawla's allegation that land in Nankana Sahib belonging to Guru Nanak Dev was being grabbed by the rich by paying money and there was a collusion with the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) of Pakistan. "Lands belonging to Gurdwara Sahibs are sold to Rich & Mighty of Pak as part of a well-planned strategy to take over worship places of minority Sikhs Gopal Chalwa has exposed atrocities & misuse of land by ETPB Officials; would PM @ImranKhanPTI take some action? @thetribunechd," Sirsa tweeted.
Pakistan 07-Apr-2020
Sikh community in Pakistan has shut down Gurdwaras in Swat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province after the provincial government banned gathering of more than five people for worship in religious places to stop the spread of the coronavirus which has infected nearly 4,000 people and killed 55 in the country.
Pakistan 07-Apr-2020
Pakistan’s Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) deputy secretary shrines, Imran Gondal said that a meeting of the ETPB and the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbadhank Committee (PSGPC) unanimously decided that there would be no Baisakhi celebrations at the shrine in Hassanabdal city this year and the scheduled visits of Sikh pilgrims has been cancelled. The Baisakhi celebrations scheduled to begin on April 14 at Gurdwara Panja Sahib in Punjab province, in which 3,000 Sikhs from India and 2,000 from elsewhere were to participate.
India 07-Apr-2020
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) demanded quashing of an FIR against the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) for allegedly providing shelter and food to stranded devotees, who had sought refuge in Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tilla in the wake of Covid-induced lockdown. Terming it as an anti-Sikh move, the SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said that overlooking the social and charitable works being undertaken by various Sikh institutions, the FIR against the DSGMC by the Kejriwal government testified its narrow approach.
India 07-Apr-2020
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) demanded quashing of an FIR against the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) for allegedly providing shelter and food to stranded devotees, who had sought refuge in Gurdwara Majnu Ka Tilla in the wake of Covid-induced lockdown. Terming it as an anti-Sikh move, the SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal said that overlooking the social and charitable works being undertaken by various Sikh institutions, the FIR against the DSGMC by the Kejriwal government testified its narrow approach.
India 08-Apr-2020
Lawyers of Punjab and Haryana High Court are receiving recorded calls from the New York-based pro-Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which was banned by India last year, seeking their opinion about its so-called movement to "free" Punjab from India. According to reports, the recorded calls instigate listeners against the central government and the Punjab administration using the novel coronavirus pandemic as an excuse. Referring to the tough action taken by Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and Prime Minister Narendra Modi against those violating lockdown norms, the pro-Khalistan group has also accused them of ‘torturing’ youngsters. SFJ also claimed that it is paying Rs 2,000 to Punjab's Covid-19 victims. However, it could not be substantiated. Sources in the intelligence agencies confirmed that similar calls are being made on behalf of SFJ for the past one week in other parts of Punjab. These calls are made from only one US-based number +18336101020. The lawyers' numbers seem to have been taken from the e-directory or may have been provided by somebody. "Votaan raahi Punjab nu Bharat de kabje ton Azaad karvana chahnde haan, par Captain te Modi di sarkar corona kahar de hondeyan bhi Punjab de naujawana te tasdaat kar rahi hai. Sikhs For Justice corona kahar de peeditaan nu Rs 2,000 de rahi hai te Captain di sarkar ik bar pher bharma rahi hai sirf vadeyaan naal. (We want to free Punjab from the occupation of India through votes. Captain and Modi governments are using force against the youth of Punjab despite the current crisis due to coronavirus. SFJ is paying Rs 2,000 to the victims of Covid-19 but Captain's government is still misleading with mere promises)," goes the recorded call. The recording also includes a simple poll. "Asi tuhade tonh ek sawaal puchhna chahnde haan, je tussi SFJ di nitiyaan naal sahmat ho to ek dabao, je Modi or Captain di nityaan to sahmat ho taan do dabao. (We want to ask one question, if you endorse the ideology of SFJ, then press one and if you support Modi or Captain, then press two)." The recording is apparently in voice of its legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, but it could not be confirmed.
India 08-Apr-2020
The Sarbat Khalsa appointed Akal Takht Jathedar Jagtar Singh Hawara directed the Sikh community to recite Chaupai Sahib and pray for the high morale of Sikh community on the eve of the Vaisakhi this year. He also directed the Sikhs to hoist Kesri flags on the top of their houses and seek a safe exit of humanity from this covid19 pandemic.
Pakistan 09-Apr-2020
The Pakistan government asked Afghanistan to hand over the recently arrested Islamic State terrorist, responsible for the deadly terror attack on Sikh Gurudwara in Kabul to Pakistan. According to the sources, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan, asking for Aslam Farooqi's custody. Afghan security forces on April 5 had arrested Farooqi involved in the massacre of around 27 Sikhs in a terror attack on a Gurudwara in Kabul on March 25. As per an official statement, Islamabad sought Farooqi's custody for investigation because he is allegedly involved in anti-Pakistan activities in Afghanistan.
India 09-Apr-2020
When the State authorities are busy with all the efforts to check the spread of the corona virus outbreak, the US-based pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) is pushing its secessionist agenda by promising Rs 2000 each for coronavirus positive persons in the state and asking people if they support SFJ or the governments led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. For the past many days, residents of Punjab, including lawyers, the top police officers, media and others, were getting recorded interactive voice response (IVR) messages of SFJ ‘legal advisor’ Gurpatwant Singh Pannun from phone numbers having US ISD code. These call messages, which promise Rs 2000 aid to patients, also ask the receiver to ‘press 1’ if they agree with the policies of SFJ or ‘press 2’ if they agree with the policy of Centre government led by PM Modi and Punjab government. The chief of Punjab Police Intelligence Wing, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Varinder Kumar, said that police were seized of the matter and had discussed the issue with Centre also. He said the police had earlier got blocked one of the numbers, but Pannun started using another number to send the recorded voice messages. Police believe that recorded messages are being routed through some Call Center.
India 10-Apr-2020
Punjab Police registered two cases against pro-Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and his banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) for seditious automated calls aimed at instigating the people, particularly youth, against the state government during the Covid19 lockdown. The Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said that the cases have been registered against Pannun and the US-based SFJ under Section 124A of the IPC, and Sections 10 (a) and 13 (1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, at the State Special Operations Cell, Mohali. According to Mohali police, preliminary probe revealed that Pannun was involved in the commission of seditious acts of advocating secession of Punjab through automated calls as well as pre-recorded audio messages to various residents of Punjab and nearby areas in March and April 2020, with the intention to foment trouble in the state.
Canada 10-Apr-2020
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) arrested two Indo-Canadian men, identified as Sukdeep Singh (31) and Inderjeet Singh (26) and seized around 38kg of suspected cocaine from a commercial vehicle from Ontario in Canada. The estimated the value of the contraband is over 4.8 million CAD, approximately Rs 26.2 crore.
India 11-Apr-2020
Sikh leader and Congress MP (Member of Parliament) Pratap Singh Bajwa urged the India government to prevent Pakistani interference in the investigation of the Kabul Gurudwara terror attack in which 25 Sikhs were killed by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) recently. Bajwa in a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar pointed out that the Imran Khan government on April 9 had asked Afghanistan to hand over the recently arrested ISKP terrorist involved to Pakistan. The Afghan security forces had arrested Farooqi on April 5 for the March 25 terror attack. “Pakistan’'s demand for Farooqi’s custody is an attempt by Pakistan to hide information regarding their involvement in the terror attack," Bajwa said. Though the Afghanistan government on April 10 declined Pakistan’s request, Bajwa pleaded with the central government to ensure that all steps were taken to prevent Pakistan's interference in the case.
India 12-Apr-2020
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh appealed to the people of the state not to step out of their homes on Baisakhi, which will be celebrated on April 13, and follow the ongoing lockdown imposed to combat the coronavirus outbreak. He also asked them to pray from their homes at 11 am on April 13 for the state’s victory over the deadly COVID-19 ‘enemy’ and the safety of children.
India 12-Apr-2020
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh said that “The only good thing that has come out of COVID is that the drug supply line has broken. So, we are happy.” He has been at the forefront in the battle against drug addiction since he became chief minister in March 2017. “I have been informed that the supply line of the drugs has been broken. So, heroin and all these things which were being smuggled are no longer happening,” the CM said. Recently, the Centre had identified 272 districts across the country as hugely affected by the drug menace and was planning to implement an ‘addiction-free India’ initiative to address the issue. According to the Narcotics Control Bureau, 18 out of Punjab’s 22 districts were in the grip of drug menace.
Pakistan 13-Apr-2020
Pakistan extended the duration of the closure of the Wagah border and the Kartarpur Corridor along the International Border with India for two weeks amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The Kartarpur Corridor will be sealed till April 24 while the Wagah crossing will be closed from April 16 to April 29.
United Kingdom 13-Apr-2020
Vaisakhi will not be marked with the customary large gatherings and melas in different parts of the UK this year as the community is urged to stay safe amid the coronavirus pandemic, with all events cancelled. Meanwhile, Prince Charles issued a video message to convey his “lakh lakh vaidhaiyan” to the Sikh community in the UK and across the Commonwealth on the occasion of Vaisakhi and praised the “selfless service” of the British-Sikh community in the battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
India 15-Apr-2020
According to the latest data, smuggling of drugs across the Bangladesh and Pakistan borders is continuing unabated, albeit in much lesser numbers even in the time of nationwide lockdown which was implemented to curb the spread of Covid-19. According to the seizure and apprehension data (between January 1- March 24 and from March 25-April 12), the two borders, guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF), saw a number of such instances prompting the force to tighten vigil. Along the Punjab border, notorious for cross-border heroin smuggling from Pakistan, drug seizures came down from 97 kgs to about 18 kgs between the two comparable periods.
India 15-Apr-2020
The acting Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Harpreet Singh criticized the attempts by certain sections of the society to blame Muslims for the spread of Covid19 virus in India and to put the entire Sikh community in the dock for the attack on a policeman at Patiala. He said that religious discrimination is a shame on humanity.
India 16-Apr-2020
The Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Harpreet Singh Sidhu, who heads the anti-narcotics Special Task Force (STF), said that nationwide lockdown has dealt a major blow to drug smuggling in Punjab and more than 26,000 people have registered at de-addiction centres since curfew was imposed in the state to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. He said that the surge in registrations at out-patient opioid assisted treatment (OOAT) centres across Punjab was because the supply chain of drug trafficking rings has been disrupted by the strict lockdown. A total of 309 cases were registered by Punjab Police under the Narcotics, Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and a large quantity of drugs have been seized, including 22 kg of heroin and more than 527 kg of poppy husk, since March 23, when the curfew was imposed. A total of 498 people have also been arrested in connection with drug smuggling during the lockdown
India 16-Apr-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered nine packets of contraband suspected to be heroin of 8.7 kg from Amritsar Sector in Punjab.