India 29-May-2020
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against 10 accused in the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) narco-terror network module case. The case pertains to seizure of 500 grams of heroin and Rs 1.2 lakh drug money from three men in Amritsar on May 31, 2019. The NIA took over the probe on January 22, 2020. During the investigation, it was emerged the role of Harmeet Singh alias PhD, Pakistan-based self-styled chief of KLF, and Jasmeet Singh Hakimzada, a Dubai-based international drugs smuggler and money launderer, in running the narco-terror network to further the terrorist activities of KLF. The narco-terror network included persons involved in smuggling and selling of heroin, militant elements and Hawala operatives based in Punjab, Delhi and Dubai, who were responsible for the entire chain from selling of heroin and channelizing the proceeds to Dubai and Pakistan at the behest of Harmeet Singh and Hakimzada.
United Kingdom 29-May-2020
The pro-Khalistani group, World Sikh Parliament (WSP) condemned the recent attack on Derby Gurdwara in UK carried out by a Pakistani origin Muslim man, identified as Mohammed Ibrar on May 25.
India 29-May-2020
Police arrested two persons, a truck driver Amarjeet Singh and his associate Gurpreet Singh along with 120 kg poppy husk and one kg opium in Samrai village near Jandiala in Amritsar district.
India 29-May-2020
Security Force arrested two persons, identified as Ashwani Kumar of Patoia and Ashwani Kumar of Sahora and recovered one kg opium from a special cabin made in their truck in Pathankot district.
India 30-May-2020
The Uttar Pradesh (UP) Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Special Operation Group of the Punjab Police, in a joint operation arrested a suspected terrorist owing allegiance to Khalistan movement, identified as Tirath Singh (32) from Thaparnagar in Meerut. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) - ATS, DK Thakur said that cache of literature pertaining to Khalistan movement and posters of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale were recovered from his possession. "Social media account and WhatsApp of Tirath were filled with messages showing his support to the Khalistan movement," said Police. Police also said that Tirath was arrested in the past also by Punjab Police for supplying arms and ammunition to the supporters of Khalistan in the state.
India 30-May-2020
Police arrested a key accused in cross-border smuggling of drugs and weapons, identified as identified as Ajay Pal Singh from Chheharta area in Amritsar district. The accused is the kingpin in the drone module case. He has been absconding since long and was hiding at different places by changing his identity. A total of ten accused have been arrested so far in connection with the Drone Module. The module members have disclosed that they were involved in cross-border smuggling, including drugs and weapons over drones over the past few months.
India 30-May-2020
Police, during a search at the Amritsar central jail, three mobile phones were recovered from a member of a narco-terror module, a gangster and another inmate. The accused are Rahul Chauhan of Ambala, a former army man and a key member of a narco-terror module busted by the Amritsar police in January 2020, gangster Amanpreet Singh alias Rinka of Amritsar, and Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu of Tarn Taran district. According to the police, the module members were involved in smuggling of narcotics and weapons from Pakistan by using drones. Two highly sophisticated China-made drones, two walkie-talkie sets, Rs 6.22 lakh, and a magazine of an Insas rifle were recovered from them.
India 31-May-2020
According to investigation agencies, the investigations into the seizure of 532 kg of heroin on the Wagah-Attari border in Punjab last year revealed that the network through which drug consignments were being pushed from Pakistan was also being used to transfer funds to the terrorists operating in Jammu and Kashmir. The contraband, concealed in six rock salt consignments, was detected by the Customs Department on June 29, 2019. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the case in July 2019 and has so far filed two charge sheets. While the Enforcement Directorate (ED) may soon initiate a money-laundering investigation into the drug haul, probe agencies have gathered several crucial details about the accused persons.
Canada 31-May-2020
According to reports, the pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and their activities has been earning criticisms across several nations and this is evident from various incidents that are taking place in recent times. The latest is an ugly incident at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Surrey, BC Canada where Hardip Singh Nijjar, President of the gurdwara was involved in a brawl. Sukhi Chahal, CEO and chairman of California-based JDS Unified LLC said that “In a May 28, 2020 tweet, one of my latest questions put to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, self-styled Legal Adviser of so-called 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ) was to comment on the recent reported fight between Hardeep Nijjar and others at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Surrey, BC Canada.” He said, “Hardeep Nijjar is learnt to be a ‘proclaimed Offender’ and a wanted criminal in India." “I fail to understand why such criminals are at all allowed to enter other countries and granted asylums as in Nijjar’s case. How do such criminals manage to occupy important positions of Gurdwaras abroad?”, asked Chahal.
India 31-May-2020
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Vinit Goenka said that “Twitter is involved in willful collection of money from terrorist organisations perpetrating crimes against citizens of this country.” “Would we tolerate someone who would take blood money to promote the cause of separatism,” asked Goenka. He said that he had been investigating the promotion of hashtag ‘Khalistan 2020’, which was being backed by US-based group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a secessionist outfit that advocates the creation of a separate Sikh homeland. The outfit is also a primary backer of an online referendum ‘Khalistan 2020.’
India 31-May-2020
Punjab police, ahead of the Operation Bluestar anniversary that falls on June 6, tightened security in and around the Golden Temple in Amritsar. This move comes in the wake of clashes between Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) workers and pro-Khalistan activists in the Golden Temple in recent years. A police officer said, “We apprehend that some Sikh activists might gather inside the shrine in advance. Moreover, we want to ensure social distancing in view of the Covid pandemic. Section 144 has been imposed, and carrying any weapon, including the “kirpan”, has been banned.” According to reports, Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh is yet to take a call on the programme. His “parallel” counterpart Bhai Dhyan Singh Mand, however, has said he would offer at Akal Takht and deliver a “public address”.
India 31-May-2020
The Dal Khalsa head H S Cheema stated that Narendra Modi led Indian government has turned out to be disastrous and terrible for the minorities during its second tenure. He said the six years of Modi on the seat of Prime Minister has spell doom for the minorities.
India 01-Jun-2020
A day after Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Captain Amarinder Singh warned China that India wouldn’t tolerate any bullying by Bejing and had also cautioned it to not take India lightly, the Sikh for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun wrote a letter to Chinese premier Xi Jinping justifying China’s position against India and extending support of pro Khalistani Sikhs. "We consider China's counter military action against India as legitimate and justified to protect its territorial integrity under international laws", writes Pannun to Jinping. In an attempt to rope in China in SFJ’s separatists campaign Referendum 2020, Pannun urged the Chinese president to take up before the UN Security Council, the issue of Sikhs right to ‘self-determination and secession’ of Punjab from India through referendum. Pannun in his letter also said that a delegation of SFJ’s Referendum campaigners would reach Bejing in the third week of August 2020. Meanwhile, according to sources, intelligence agencies are of view that Pannun feared action against SFJ in US since India and US enjoys a cordial relation and Pannun was exploring to get support from China, at least in media, that has tense relations with both India and US. “SFJ’s claims of being a human rights group with several million followers in Punjab and around the globe is also questionable and has no evidence of same” said sources.
India 01-Jun-2020
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh asked Sikhs to maintain peace while observing the 36th anniversary of operation Bluestar in Amritsar on June 6 and urged those who cannot travel to stay home. He said, “Since restrictions on opening places of worship will last till June 7, it seems impossible for many devotees to reach Sri Harmandar Sahib on June 6. So, I appeal to the entire Sikh community to observe the anniversary with peace, love and harmony at Akal Takht or wherever they are. The sangat which will not be able to reach Akal Takht should remember the martyrs from home and tune in to watch the ceremony’s live telecast,” he said.
India 01-Jun-2020
The Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to install a portrait of former Sikh militant Waryam Singh, who died of a cardiac arrest on May 24, at the central Sikh museum at Golden Temple. “He spent his entire life for the Sikh struggle. In view of his sacrifice for the community, the SGPC is directed to install his portrait in the museum as a tribute to him,” the Jathedar said.
India 01-Jun-2020
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court dismissed the bail application of one of the accused in September 4, 2019, Tarn Taran blast case. The accused Malkit Singh alias Shera had applied for the bail on health grounds which was rejected by the court. The court observed that evidence pointed to the accused was active member of pro-Khalistan terrorist gang. The court said it was of the opinion that there was sufficient ground for believing that accusation against the applicant/accused is prima facie true.
India 02-Jun-2020
Police arrested a proclaimed offender (PO), identified as Yakoob Mohammad alias Jagroop along with 273-gram heroin and Rs 50,000 in cash as drug money from Barnala in Barnala district.
India 02-Jun-2020
The Organized Crime Control Unit (OCCU) of Punjab police arrested a pro-Khalistan terrorist and one of the most wanted gangsters, Tejinder Singh alias Teja, from Mohali in SAS Nagar district while he was allegedly, trying to mobilize funds for the Khalistan movement. According to police, Teja had recently executed a dacoity in Ludhiana, where he looted 2kg gold. He has, reportedly, confessed that he was arranging money for a spate of targeted killings as part of the Khalistan agenda, and to disrupt the ongoing Operation Blue Star anniversary week in Punjab. Teja has over 25 criminal cases against him, including murder, attempt to murder, car-jacking, and dacoity. He had started out as a gangster but was soon radicalized. He planned the targeted killings at the instance of some hardcore terrorists he met during his stints in various prisons. Police say he has the support of banned Khalistani outfits. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta, a set of Punjab Police uniform, along with an ID card of Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB), were seized from Teja. He planned to use the uniform and the card to gain access to restricted areas for commission of various kinds of crimes, including terrorist actions, the DGP said, adding that the accused clearly posed a high security risk to the state. A Chinese 30 caliber pistol, 10 cartridges and a car were also seized from Teja’s possession, DGP said.
United Kingdom 02-Jun-2020
The largest Gurudwara in the UK, Guru Sri Singh Sabha, located at Havelock Road in Southhall recently put up a picture of slain Khalistani terrorist leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale along with the picture of Guru Arjan Dev, who was the fifth guru of Sikhs. Some Sikhs wearing jackets with Khalistan logo were also seen in the premises of the Gurudwara giving out food packets to those in need in this period of Covid-19. Calling these elements terrorists, Lord Ranger, the Chairman of British Sikh Council said, “I will be taking up the matter to the highest level.”
India 02-Jun-2020
The pro-Khalistan terrorist Tirath Singh, who was arrested from Meerut, UP on May 30, during interrogation, mentioned that he had spoken to Gursharanbir Singh, primarily based within the UK, by way of Facebook Messenger. Tirath Singh was being made a supporter of Khalistan. In lieu of this, cash has additionally been reported to be in his account. Tirath Singh has been given a four-day remand by the court docket to the Punjab Police
India 02-Jun-2020
A team of the Delhi Police arrested the alleged mastermind of the drug smuggling gang from Hoshiarpur in in Hoshiarpur district on the basis of the information given by two Hoshiarpur residents, who were arrested with 12 kg opium in Delhi on May 29.
India 03-Jun-2020
According to reports, a long-drawn battle is underway within the banned Khalistani terror outfit Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) more than four months after its ‘chief’ Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD was killed under mysterious circumstances in Lahore in January, 2020. Report said, in the fray for the new leadership of KLF are radical elements from Pakistan, UK, Italy, and Switzerland. Pakistan based Lakhbir Singh Rode also ‘chief’ of International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), Paramjeet Singh Panjwar, the UK based Paramjeet Singh Panjwar, Gursharanvir Singh Wahiwala, KLF spokesperson Dhanna Singh, Italy based Gurjinder Singh Shastri and Switzerland based Pappu Singh are trying to take the mantle of the group. Though the KLF has its separatist Khalistani agenda, the mainstay of its existence is by drug trafficking especially in Indian Punjab, and Pakistan’s notorious Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has used the terror group for smuggling illegal weapons and drugs into India. Report added that ISI has been backing Lakhbir Singh Rode and Paramjeet Singh Panjwar. Both are trying to get support from cadre based in Italy, Germany, Canada and the UK to become next KLF ‘chief’. Wahiwala and Shastri do not seem to have the support of the ISI, which can make things difficult for them. KLF is now heading towards a schism with a new faction emerging led by UK based Gursharanvir Singh Wahiwala. Wahiwala is getting support from cadres in Canada, US and Italy. What has increased the infighting is Wahiwala alleging that Dhanna Singh, the spokesperson of KLF, is responsible for the killing of Happy PhD. Meanwhile, house of Gursharanvir Singh was raided by Mid Westland Police in UK on February 19 on the complaint made by Dhanna Singh fueling the acrimony. UK based KLF militants had assembled on February 23 to discuss the future course of the group after the death of Happy PHD. A total of eight persons, Gursharanvir Singh, Amritveer Singh, Avtar Singh Khandaand Amanveer Singh, attended the meeting. Gursharanvir vouched for himself citing his close ties with former KLF ‘chiefs’ -Happy PhD, Mintooo. While asking to avoid Italian and swiss contender he called for the continuation of violent activities.
India 03-Jun-2020
The arrested pro-Khalistan terrorist, Tejinder Singh alias Teja confessed that he and his close associate Rachpal Singh alias Daula, were planning to loot a bank cash van that was used to transport currency from the main branches of the SBI to ATMs in Maur and Talwandi Sabo. A case was registered against Teja and his associates, at State Special Operation Cell, SAS Nagar, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
India 03-Jun-2020
Days ahead of the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, Amritsar police properly fenced the boundary of the Golden Temple and devotees are discouraged from going further. There are more restrictions on the entry of devotees as compared to the peak days of the Covid-19 lockdown, when curfew was imposed across the state.
India 03-Jun-2020
Dal Khalsa alleged that police have made it impossible for devotees to enter Golden Temple due to the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, to be observed on June 6. It also said it has been denied permission by Amritsar police to carry out its annual ‘Ghallughara Yadgaari’ march (an annual activity for the last 15 years) on June 5 in Amritsar city due to Covid-19 protocol. However, Amritsar Police Commissioner Sukhchain Singh Gill denied the allegations of the Dal Khalsa and said that, “We are outside the Golden Temple only to maintain law and order. We are not there to stop anyone.”
India 03-Jun-2020
Authorities refused permission to Dal Khalsa to hold ‘Ghallughara Yadgaari March’ on June 5 to mark the 36th anniversary of Operation Bluestar. However, the Dal Khalsa leadership has decided to send its five-member team to the Akal Takht on the same day at 5 pm. Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwar Pal Singh said the march by five members of the Dal Khalsa will be symbolic in nature.
India 04-Jun-2020
Facebook users and its photo sharing social media app Instagram complained that the sites were blocking the hashtag #Sikh at a time the community was remembering Operation Bluestar.
India 04-Jun-2020
The Jammu and Kashmir Youth Social Forum (JKYSF) leader, Angad Singh paid tributes to all Sikh leaders and Sikh Sangat pilgrims who were killed in Indian Army’s Operation Blue Star in Golden temple in June 1984, in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He said that “We in Kashmir remember this day as black day. Also, this day is a proof of Sikh and Muslim brotherhood right from Kashmir to Punjab and all over the world.”
Canada 04-Jun-2020
According to a confidential report prepared by the Indian intelligence agencies, Indo-Canadian crime syndicates, dominated by NRIs from Punjab, are funding separatist groups, including Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), in a bid to rekindle the Khalistan movement in India. The report revealed that crime syndicates like Dhaliwal and Grewal gangs, involved in drug trafficking and operating out of the Canadian state of British Columbia, are linked to SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and his aides. Dhaliwal and Grewal gangs founded a Vancouver-based notorious mafia syndicate ''Brothers Keepers''. Besides drug trafficking, contract killing and gun running, Brothers Keepers also fund SFJ leaders and those associated with the Khalistan movement. The report also said that with the support of illicit funds, extremist Sikh leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is conspiring to bring several Khalistani factions under one umbrella, and on this Sunday (June 7), he would be addressing a global video conference in this connection.
India 04-Jun-2020
As per the reports, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is likely to facilitate a video conference between leaders of various Sikh militant groups operating in Pakistan and other countries as differences have emerged among them following the murder of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) leader Harmeet Singh alias Happy PhD outside a Gurudwara in Lahore in January 2020. According to intelligence sources, a majority of Sikh militant leaders living under ISI protection were involved in smuggling of narcotics and Happy’s murder was most likely a fallout of territorial dispute. “There is a cut throat competition among the Sikh militant groups in Pakistan to become ISI ‘favorite’ and Happy’s murder was a clear-cut result of the dominance of a different Sikh militant outfit. Otherwise, no one could have even touched him, that too outside a gurdwara,” said sources. It also said that ISI favoured International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) ‘chief’ Lakhbir Singh Rode and Khalistan Commando Force (KCF)’s Paramjit Singh Panjwar to play a prominent role in KLF after Happy’s murder but others from three countries of Europe wanted a UK-based Sikh leader to have the reigns of KLF in his hands. This leadership issue has led to a schism between them. “We are of view that ISI will soon hold a video conference among the warring Sikh militant leaders from UK, Europe and Pakistan to bring about a truce,” sources said.
India 05-Jun-2020
Police arrested two persons, identified as Sachin Kumar, and a woman named Jasbir Kaur alias Simty along with 1 kg heroin from Industrial Area in Phase-7 in Mohali in SAS Nagar district. On their interrogation, another person Raghbir Singh, was arrested and recovered 45 grams heroin from him in Mohali.
India 05-Jun-2020
Police arrested two persons. Identified as Balbir Singh and Gurnam Singh Gogi and recovered 31 kg Poppy Husk from them in Harlalpur village in SAS Nagar district.
Pakistan 05-Jun-2020
The US-based Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in a message to Sikhs of Pakistan appealed to them to converge at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib on June 6 to perform ardas and also raise slogans for Khalistan. He said that Sikh for Justice (SFJ) would be holding a conference on June 6 to update Sikh community regarding their divisive ‘Referendum 2020’. However, the president of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), Satwant Singh didn’t comment on Pannun’s call to Sikhs of Pakistan. However, sources didn’t rule out the possibility of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) facilitating a video conference between Sikh militants of Pakistan and those abroad. “There is likelihood of forging of new ties especially SFJ exhorting Pakistani Sikhs to hold anti-India protest at Kartarpur and we are of view that Pakistan’s Khalistani leader Gopal Singh Chawla will be playing a key role,” said sources.
India 05-Jun-2020
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) advised the ‘sangat’ to pay their homage to those killed in the Operation Bluestar from their homes only. SGPC has also assigned duties to its task force to maintain peace in the temple complex.
India 05-Jun-2020
The national president of Anti-Terrorist Front, India, Veeresh Shandilya in a release, issued on June 5 demanded from administration to take action against the persons wearing t-shirts with photographs of militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
India 05-Jun-2020
According to report, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Union government have been in communication for the past few months to fix a meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal to negotiate an out-of-court settlement to a 35-year-old case in which Rs 1,000 crore damages have been sought from the central government for carrying out the 1984 operation. The correspondence between the two sides to arrange the meeting was initiated as per orders of the Delhi High Court after a hearing on December 4, 2019, but it got abruptly paused due to the pandemic outbreak. The process to start negotiations had rolled after the SGPC asked for a meeting with Shah to settle the case during the court hearing. A senior SGPC official said, “Correspondence has been initiated. First, we got a letter from the Home Ministry to fix the meeting of the Home Minister with SGPC president to start negotiations. Then SGPC also sent a letter in response. The correspondence came to a halt after the coronavirus outbreak. The next hearing of the case in May was also adjourned. We can expect the correspondence to start after the normalization of the pandemic situation. So far, no meeting could be arranged.”
India 05-Jun-2020
Posters with slogans of 'Khalistan Zindabad' were spotted at Gurudwaras, temples, gaushala and some other places, on the anniversary of Operation Blue Star, at Kalanwali town in Sirsa district of Haryana. According to police, the posters were installed at some time on June 4 night, which were removed by police later. Meanwhile, intelligence agencies of the state and central government have become alert. A senior officer said that the posters, 'June 1984 is neither forgettable nor spared' have been pasted.
India 05-Jun-2020
Security agencies were put on alert and vigil increased in and around the holy city of Amritsar ahead of the 36th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Despite coronavirus restrictions, Punjab Police, paramilitary forces and intelligence personnel were positioned at sensitive places across Amritsar, particularly in the congested walled city area where the Darbar Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple, complex is located.
India 05-Jun-2020
According to report, investigating agencies have zeroed in on Germany-based Gurmeet Singh Bagga, who has emerged as a common link in the narco-terror network through which drugs and funds for terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir were being pushed into the country from Pakistan. An agency official said that “The key accused identified during the probe into the seizure of 532 kg of heroin and 52 kg of mixed narcotics by the Customs Department at the Wagah-Attari border last year have suspected links with Bagga, who hails from Hoshiarpur in Punjab. He was also involved in the smuggling of weapons from Pakistan to Punjab using GPS-fitted drones last year.” The Interpol had issued a Red Notice against Bagga in 2018 following requests from the Indian agencies.
India 05-Jun-2020
The Dal Khalsa staged a symbolic ‘genocide remembrance parade’ amid COVID-19 outbreak, to pay homage to the ‘martyrs’ on the 36th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. The five members of Dal Khalsa marched from their party office to Sri Akal Takht Sahib, where they performed Ardas in the memory of those who perished during the operation. They were carrying Sikh Flag symbolizing Sikh sovereignty and placards in support of their mission for Khalistan.
United Kingdom 05-Jun-2020
The UK’s first turbaned Sikh Member of Parliament (MP) and the Labour Party politician, Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi called for an independent inquiry into the extent of the involvement of the then Margaret Thatcher led British government in the Operation Blue Star in June 1984. While raising the issue in the House of Commons to mark 36 years of operation at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, also called for a debate on the issue.
India 05-Jun-2020
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh, when asked about the threats of disturbance to mark the Operation Blue Star anniversary, said that nobody would be allowed to disrupt the peace of Punjab, which had lost 35,000 lives during the dark days of terror. No Punjabi wants this, he said, adding that it was only a handful of anti-India elements that continued to try and provoke people in the name of Khalistan every now and then.
India 05-Jun-2020
Punjab Police along with BSF recovered 4.6 kg heroin and 50-gram opium from near the border out post Ullo Ke in the Ferozepur sector in Ferozepur district.
India 06-Jun-2020
According to reports, empowered by the Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh’s statement on Khalistan, the US-based secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) vowed to continue with its plans to hold voting for its unofficial Punjab Independence Referendum in the year 2020 while complying with the COVID-19 safety guidelines of WHO. On the 36th martyrdom year of Sant Bhindranwale, SFJ held a global conference addressed by pro Khalistan activists and international experts of democracy and referendum and announced that from July 4, 2020, people living in Punjab and Sikhs living anywhere in India will be able to register their votes for non-governmental Punjab Independence Referendum.
India 06-Jun-2020
As per the Punjab police records, on an average 39 accused were arrested every day in cases registered under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, in Punjab in the past three years. Punjab Police also registered an average 31 FIRs per day under the NDPS Act since March 16, 2017 in the state. It reveals that from March 16, 2017, after the new state government took over the charge, a total number of 46,724 accused have been arrested in 37,526 FIRs till June 3, 2020. During this almost 40 months period, the state police have made recovery of a total of over 1,426 kilograms of heroin, over 1,569 kilograms of opium, 1.27 lakh kilograms of poppy husk, over 375 kilograms of charas, over 6,153 kilograms of ganja and over 852 kilograms of bhang. Similarly, over 1.94 lakh injections, 2.79 crore pills and capsules, and 427 kilograms of intoxicant powder has also been seized. There are 180 foreign nationals among those arrested in the last over three years in the NDPS cases. The state police have been able to achieve 68% conviction rate in NDPS cases. The STF police station in Mohali has recorded 100% conviction rate.
India 06-Jun-2020
Pro-Khalistan slogans were raised by some Sikh hardliners in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar on the 36th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Around 100 activists led by Imaan Singh Mann, son of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) – SAD (Amritsar) - president and former MP Simranjit Singh Mann, raised the slogans at the Akal Takht. ‘Parallel Jathedar’ of Akal Takht Dhian Singh Mand, who entered the premises with the Mann-led group, addressed the gathering. Earlier in the day, there was a minor scuffle between policemen and the group led by Imaan Singh Mann as they were initially denied entry inside the Golden Temple. Mann sustained a foot injury during the scuffle. However, the group was later allowed entry following intervention of senior police officers present on the spot.
India 06-Jun-2020
Members of Sikh hardliner outfit Damdami Taksal along with Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) officials honoured the families of those who were killed during Operation Blue Star, which was carried out in 1984 to flush out heavily-armed terrorists holed up in the Golden Temple. The main programme to honour such families was organized by the Akal Takht. Giani Harpreet Singh, while addressing the gathering, said that the Sikh community will always remember the unhealed wounds of Operation Blue Star.
India 06-Jun-2020
Barring minor skirmishes between activists of certain Sikh organisations with the police to gain entry into the complex, the anniversary of Operation Bluestar event at the Golden Temple was largely peaceful. The recitation of kirtan and bhog of akhand path, dedicated to the occasion, was also performed.
India 06-Jun-2020
After the culmination of the annual function at Akal Takht to mark the 36th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, the Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh in a reply to the question on slogans being raised in favour of Khalistan during the function by some hardliners, said, "There is nothing wrong if slogans in favour of Khalistan are raised after the function by the Sikh hardliners. If the government offers us Khalistan, what else do we need, we will accept it, because every Sikh wants it." He also said that he had no objection if Sikhs raise slogans of Khalistan outside Akal Takht Sahib but raising such slogans in the official function of Operation Blue Star is unacceptable. Endorsing Jathedar’s views, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal, who was present also said that "If the government offers it (Khalistan) we will accept it." Earlier while delivering his annual address at the function as it was raining, Jathedar said, "As Sikhs lack unity, there are these restrictions by the police for devotees at the Golden Temple." Ardas and kirtan were also performed at the Takht in memory of those killed in Operation Bluestar. Meanwhile, the Sarbat Khalsa appointed 'parallel' officiating Jathedar of Akal Takht, Dhyan Singh Mand along with his supporters also reached the complex.
India 06-Jun-2020
Punjab, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on June 6 condemned the attitude of Giani Harpreet Singh, the Akal Takht Jathedar, who was justifying the demand of Khalistan. BJP leader and former cabinet minister Manoranjan Kalia said that such type of support to the demand of the radicals by a religious head of such a prime institution was never expected. Supporting and justifying the demand of Khalistan, the Jathedar had hurt the feelings of crores of Hindus even who have faith in the Ten Great Sikh Gurus.
India 06-Jun-2020
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal on June 6 said that they are yet to take a decision on the Centre’s offer for an out-of-court settlement in the Rs 1,000 crore damage suit filed in the Delhi High Court for carrying out the Operation Bluestar at the Golden Temple in 1984. Talks are on for the past few months to fix a meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Longowal to negotiate a settlement to the 35-year-old case.
Pakistan 06-Jun-2020
The pro-Khalistani Sikhs in Pakistan converged at Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, the birth place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev,. They extended support to the separatist movement for a Sikh state -Khalistan in India and protested to mark the 36th anniversary of Operation Bluestar. According to sources, prominently among those who were present on the occasion were Pakistan's main Sikh face for such occasions Gopal Singh Chawla, former Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Bishan Singh and PSGPC general secretary Amir Singh. Sources said that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had organised the function and ensured its media coverage, besides it had also assigned duties to the officials of Evacuee Trust Property Board (EPTB) to facilitate the anti-India demonstration. In a video uploaded on social media, Chawla and Bishan were seen raising slogans against India and in praise of Khalistan. However, PSGPC president Satwant Singh was not seen during anti-India protests at Nankana Sahib. In an attempt to foment the anti-India sentiments, Chawla and Bishan spewed venom against India, and to win over the sympathy of Islamist militant organisations, they raised the issue of Kashmir too.
Pakistan 06-Jun-2020
According to reports, no Sikhs converged at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib on the call given by US-based pro-Khalistani group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Sources said that "We have information that attempts are being made to allure poor Paksitani Sikhs with cash rewards for protesting against India. However, none reached Kartarpur Sahib on Saturday morning". The presence of several Sikh youth and some unknown faces during Saturday's protest only confirmed their belief that these were being paid to stage demonstration and raise slogans against India, they claimed.
United Kingdom 07-Jun-2020
A UK-based prominent member of the Sikh Community, Navdeep Singh challenged Akal Takht Jathedar’s recent assertion that "it is ready to accept the sovereign state of Khalistan if the Indian government makes such an offer". Navdeep Singh, in an open letter to Giani Harpreet Singh, the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht asserted that not even one-fourth members of the community favour Khalistan. “We Sikhs have seen much at the time of Partition to know what it does with a nation and its people. There are many of us who’s ancestral homes, their memories of childhood, the place they were born, now lies in Pakistan. We still remember the painful memories of 1947. So, we would never want another such event to happen in our lifetime or with our future generations,” Singh wrote in his letter.
India 07-Jun-2020
Three Congress MLAs Amrik Singh Dhillon, Surinder Dawar and Kuldeep Singh Vaid reacted strongly to the statements of Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal over Khalistan. The MLAs urged Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal to clarify their stand on the statements.
United States 07-Jun-2020
In their emergency (virtual) meeting held in Fremont, CA, USA, around 55 Sikh Organisations from UK, Canada, Australia, Singapore and Mexico, condemned Akaal Takht Jathedar Harpreet Singh, who recently made calls of accepting Khalistan in India.
United Kingdom 07-Jun-2020
A few members of the Sikh community marched from the Hyde Park in the British capital to Trafalgar Square to commemorate the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. This year, however, the coronavirus pandemic and its related restrictions prevented a mass gathering. The organisers said they had, therefore, closely liaised with the authorities and agreed on a much smaller event for June 7, with social distancing and everyone's safety in mind.
India 07-Jun-2020
A day after his controversial statement on Khalistan, the Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said it was the Indian government that forced members of the community to pick arms in 1984. In a message relayed on a web channel, which was recently banned in India for its alleged anti-national content, the Jathedar while referring to the Operation Bluestar said that “picking arms was the last resort for the Sikhs for getting their demands heard by the government”. “We should ascertain as to why the Sikhs picked arms. When India got independence in 1947, the country’s leaders made some promises to the Sikhs such as giving them due respect and rights besides safeguarding their principles and traditions. But then, the Sikhs were tagged as a “criminal community” instead of delivering these promises,” the Jathedar said.
India 07-Jun-2020
Police arrested a drug peddler, identified as Nihal Singh Wala and recovered 75 kg of poppy from him in Moga district.
India 07-Jun-2020
Uttar Pradesh (UP), Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arrested a key arms supplier of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), identified as Javed Khan from Hapur in Hapur district of UP. ATS, which is probing Javed’s supply channel and chains in UP, said that he is also a close aide of Ashish, who is considered to be the right hand of Gugni Grewal aka Harmeet Singh ‘chief’ of KLF and supplier of weapons to the force. Javed’s aide Ashish also has a role in murder of RSS and Shiv Sena workers in 2016. Ashish was arrested by the UP-ATS on February 1, 2020. ATS also said that weapons provided by Javed also led to the killing of top RSS leader retired brigadier Jagdish Kumar Gagneja. In this murder, Javed’s aide Ashish arrested earlier by UP-ATS was also involved. Currently, this case is being worked upon by National Investigation Agency (NIA).
India 08-Jun-2020
The arrested arms supplier to Khalistani terrorists, Javed was sent to three-day police custody by the Mohali court. Police revealed in court that Javed had delivered around 150 weapons to gangsters in Punjab. The Punjab Police special is yet to recover weapons to identify the network of the accused arms supplier in Punjab. Police also revealed that Javed is the only arms supplier for six states, including Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. Javed was arrested in Hapur in UP on June 7. According to Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) officials, a number of pro-Khalistan terrorists have been caught in western UP and the Punjab Police was searching Javed for quite some time.
India 08-Jun-2020
Punjab’s Minister of Jail and Department of Cooperation, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa termed the statement of Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Gobind Singh Longowal demanding Khalistan as ‘hidden agenda’ of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He said that by issuing such statements, both SGPC president and Sukhbir Badal want Bargari like incidents to take place once again, which is not in the interest of Punjab and Punjabis in any way. “Does the SAD support the divisive and even secessionist agenda being pursued by the SGPC President?”, he questioned.
Canada 08-Jun-2020
The Indian-origin MP from the ruling Liberal Party of Canada, Ruby Sahota said in the Canadian Parliament that Operation Blue Star, conducted 36 years ago, is one of the darkest times in Sikh history. She said that the attack on the Golden Temple of Amritsar in 1984 has been recorded forever in her memory. She said that the human rights flag was blown off during this operation. "I stand with Sikhs and every community who want justice on violation of their human rights. Before Canada, Sikh MP of Indian origin Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi had also raised the matter in the UK Parliament”, she said.
India 08-Jun-2020
The executive committee of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announced to celebrate its centenary on November 15 this year. Its president Gobind Singh Longowal said the functions to mark the centenary will be organised at the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhs, and Manji Sahib in Darbar Sahib, Amritsar.
United Kingdom 09-Jun-2020
According to media reports, Khalistani organizations have not only increased significantly in the UK recently, but they have also emerged as a profitable business venture for those who do not have any other source to earn a living. Most of these organizations have joined hands with umbrella organizations of Federation of Sikh Organizations (FSO), Sikh Council UK (SCUK) or World Sikh Parliament (WSP) to remain in the limelight, report said. Though these organizations may not have the support of most of the Sikh population in the UK, they keep on competing among each other to wrest the control of the management of Gurudwaras in the UK. An officer working in a security establishment said that "It serves them multiple purposes like easy funding in name of sewa and charity, captive audience to listen to their propaganda from the stage, availability of ready-made venues for various meetings and events and the garb of a charitable organization to carry out their ulterior tasks." "Once established, these organizations diversify into media, university unions and politics, to create a larger base for Khalistan cause,” another officer said. "And for the survival of these few individuals and Gurudwaras, the need to keep Khalistan alive is essential for their own benefits. Midland Langar Seva, Sikh2inspire, British Organisation of Sikh Students are few of the benign forms that these tendencies have brought forward and are actively engaged in attracting youth to their perception of Sikh values," the official said.
India 09-Jun-2020
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanded resignation of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Gobind Singh Longowal after he was nominated as the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) core committee member. The national executive member of AAP and Talwandi Sabo legislator Baljinder Kaur charged the Akali leadership with using religion for their political gains and said the SAD should be derecognized as a political party.
India 09-Jun-2020
The YouTube revoked ban on Akaal Channel in India. The channel was blocked in India during the intervening night of June 5-6 after Ravneet Bittu complained about ‘objectionable content’ aired by the channel.
India 09-Jun-2020
According to reports, a total of 81.84 kg of heroin worth Rs 409.22 crore was seized by law enforcement agencies between March 24, when the lockdown was imposed, and May 31 along the 550-km-long Indo-Pak border in Punjab. Of this, almost 55 kg contraband was recovered in the Ferozepur sector alone during this period.
Canada 10-Jun-2020
Canada’s Ontario Superior Court of Justice rejected the principle of universal jurisdiction for online defamation claims by the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) simply because internet publications may be accessed or downloaded anywhere. The SFJ in its case, alleged that the Republic of India, alongside India-based media organizations such as ANI Media Private Ltd., conducted a smear campaign against the plaintiff as a response to the plaintiff’s referendum for an independent Sikh nation in Punjab, India. On the other hand, the defendant ANI Media moved to dismiss or to permanently stay the action, arguing that the Ontario court neither has jurisdiction over the subject matter nor is the convenient forum for the action.
India 10-Jun-2020
Police froze assets worth Rs 10 crore of two notorious drug smugglers, including Balwinder Singh alias Billa Havelian, from Tarn Taran district. Assets worth over Rs 8 crore were frozen of Billa in Tarn Taran and Mohali districts. He hails from Havelian village near the India-Pakistan border that has gained notoriety in the past few years for cross-border smuggling of drugs. Billa faces FIRs in 15 cases, including that for drug smuggling from Pakistan and attempt to murder charges, in various districts of Punjab. He has been lodged in a Patiala jail after his arrest in August 2019 with 750-gram heroin.
India 11-Jun-2020
The Special Operation Cell (SOC) of Punjab Police got five days’ remand of key arms supplier to Khalistani terrorist, Javed. The court sent the arms supplier to police remand till June 16. Tthe SOC pleaded before the court that they need to interrogate Javed on his links with other terrorist groups, and the sources from where he procured arms and ammunition and got the funding. The SOC submitted that it also wants to ascertain his aides in Punjab and other states of the country. Sources said that Javed was wanted in Punjab for his alleged involvement in the supply of arms and ammunition to Dharminder Singh alias Gugni, member of banned Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), who was allegedly involved in the murder of a senior RSS office-bearer of Punjab, Brig Jagdish Kumar Gagneja (retired). The NIA is probing the case. Ashish, an accomplice of Javed, was also arrested earlier. Dharminder Singh is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in New Delhi.
India 11-Jun-2020
Punjab Police arrested two Jammu and Kashmir based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) operatives, Aamir Hussain Wani (26) and Wasim Hassan Wani (27) from the Amritsar-Jammu highway in Pathankot, and foiled a major attempt to smuggle weapons into the Valley for carrying out terror attacks. Ten hand grenades, along with one AK-47 rifle with 2 magazines and 60 live cartridges, were seized from the suspected militants. The duo, actively involved in transporting automatic weapons and hand grenades from Punjab to the Kashmir Valley.
Pakistan 11-Jun-2020
Due to the covid19 pandemic, this year, the Sikh community in Pakistan will quietly mark the death anniversaries of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Guru Arjan Dev. The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) Secretary-General, Sardar Amir Singh said that “Due to the Covid-19 virus, the Sikh community will mark the death anniversaries of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and Guru Arjan Dev in the most simple manner.” According to sources, Sikh pilgrims from all over the world, including India, will not be able to take part in the religious ceremonies to mark the important events on the Nanakshahi Calendar this month.
India 12-Jun-2020
Punjab Police arrested third accomplice of the arrested Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists, identified as Javed Ahmed Bhat (29) while he was trying to flee to Kashmir from Dhobra Bridge in Pathankot. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta, Javed hails from the same village as the other two LeT operatives who were arrested earlier and is their childhood friend. The trio had been doing transport business together for the past over two to three years and had been making trips to Delhi, Amritsar and Jalandhar.
India 13-Jun-2020
Days after making controversial remarks on Khalistan issue, the acting Jathedar of the Akhal Takht, Giani Harpreet Singh said that the comments he made were misinterpreted. In a statement issued from Talwani Sabo in Bathinda, the Jathedar said, “Many adverse agencies are making attempts to mislead the youth by misinterpreting his meaningful statement. Such adverse forces are doing this for their political benefit by pushing Sikh on the path of terrorism and inciting Sikhs through social media.” He said that those who are spewing venom against Sikhs are followers of same hate politics and terrorism. “In fact, my statement has hurt those who want to define Sikh with false and hateful idea forcibly attached to the political ideology of Khalistan, people want to satisfy their bosses by inciting them on social media. Beware of such people and create a political movement within the democratic structure so that people from all walks of life in the Punjab region can enjoy a state like Sher e Punjab,” Giani Harpreet Singh emphasized. He also added that “Sikhism could not be defined by the idea of Khalistan alone, Sikhism is the global idea and this idea should bring peace to the world.” Meanwhile, the Jathedar also given a call for launching a democratic movement in Punjab to form a polity on the lines of the one formed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh who founded a Sikh kingdom which was annexed by the British in 1849. “As contemporary central governments discriminated against the Sikhs and betrayed them on the promises made before Independence, the sincere community leaders felt alienated and preferred to fight for concept of welfare state as enshrined in the Guru Granth Sahib. This was not a demonstration of spontaneous struggle or violent inclination, but a reaction to the government’s excesses,” he said. “If Punjab has suffered from prolonged agony, genocide of Sikhs carried out by the government on the pretext of eliminating terrorism is mainly responsible for that. No parent wants their children to be killed in fake encounters and termed as terrorists,” he said.
India 13-Jun-2020
Police arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Davinder Singh and Balwinder Singh and recovered 1.5-kg heroin from their possession at a check point near Secha village in Kapurthala district . However, three of their other accomplices managed to flee in their car.
India 13-Jun-2020
According to sources, weapons supplied by Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) key arms supplier Javed, who was recently arrested by the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and brought to Mohali, were also used in the killings of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders in Punjab, including Brig Jagdish Kumar Gagneja (retired) in 2016. “The arms supplied by Javed were used in the killings of eight RSS leaders in Punjab, besides Gagneja,” sources said. It also revealed that a Special Investigation Team headed by AIG (counter intelligence) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh has been set up to probe the case.
India 15-Jun-2020
Indian intelligence agencies identified more than twenty phone numbers of Khalistan extremists, originating from the US, Pakistan and other destinations, used in spreading audio messages in various districts in Punjab. Sources revealed that maximum calls have originated from numbers bearing US code such as (+1 253 533 71XX, +1 405 835 23XX, +1 833 779 04XX). Most of these numbers are being used by banned extremist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). A man identified himself as Imran Malik, based in Karachi, called several people in Punjab and Chandigarh, including journalists, and informed them about the secret referendum of Sikhs relating to demand for creating an independent Khalistan state.
India 16-Jun-2020
The US-based separatist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) urged Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh to perform ‘ardas’ on July 4, when it will begin voter registration for ‘Referendum 2020’ to seek people’s opinion on separate Punjab from rest of India. SFJ has deliberately chosen the date, as it was on this same day in 1955 that police had arrested Sikh leadership demonstrating in support of Punjabi Suba. SFJ’s leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said “SFJ is opening voter registration in Punjab on July 4, 2020, for non-governmental Referendum 2020 and we seek Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s blessings in this endeavour for Sikhs’ rights.” Sikh scholars in India are of the view that acting Jathedar’s and the SGPC president’s comments on Khalistan had given the Sikh separatists an opportunity to “rope in” Sikh religious leadership.
India 16-Jun-2020
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Govind Singh Longowal condemned the killing of a Sikh by a white youth in Colorado, US, and appealed to the Central Government to take concrete steps for the protection of Sikhs living in foreign countries.
India 16-Jun-2020
Police arrested a drug peddler, identified as Harpreet Singh Happy along with 50g heroin and a pistol of .32 bore with two live cartridges at near Gopala Petrol Pump in Ludhiana district.
India 16-Jun-2020
Police arrested a Punjab Police Assistant sub-inspector (ASI), Beant Singh and his accomplice, Rajinder Singh with 30-gm heroin at Muktsar in Muktsar district.
India 17-Jun-2020
The US-based pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) made recorded calls to the people in Punjab in Chinese and English languages, instigating Punjabis to register for its 'Referendum 2020' beginning from July 4. In the phone call, a girl identifies herself as a supporter of SFJ from Beijing and asks the people of Punjab to register themselves for Referendum 2020 both in English and Chinese languages.
India 17-Jun-2020
Police arrested a woman drug smuggler, Manjit Kaur alias Akki and recovered 1.2 kg of heroin from her near Kannia village in the Daramkot subdivision in Moga district.
India 18-Jun-2020
Supporters of the pro-Khalistan event - Referendum 2020 - who are lodged in the Ludhiana Central Jail, announced a hunger strike while putting in their demands of a television set, separate cooked food and certain things from outside the jail. The jail inmates who have initiated the strike are Malkit Singh, Sukhraj Singh, Jagdev Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Dharminder Singh and Ravinder Singh. According to authorities, for the time being, the accused are housed in a separate barrack, but they have been told that they will be treated according to the jail manual. The inmates were shifted to Ludhiana from Amritsar jail 15 days ago. They are facing trial under various charges including unlawful activities. The jail officials said the demands put up by the inmates are unrealistic as per the jail manual and cannot be fulfilled.
India 18-Jun-2020
The Member of Parliament (MP) from Ludhiana, Ravneet Singh Bittu urged Punjab Chief Minister (CM) to file FIRs against singers Diljit Dosanjh and Jazzy Bains and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh for ‘openly supporting’ Pannun and his organization’s demand for Khalistan. He said the “letter written” by Pannun to China proved that “they empathise with China and condemn India for the violent face-off. The entire nation is still mourning the death of its young soldiers, but these extremists are supporting China to disturb India as well as Punjab’s peace.”
Canada 18-Jun-2020
Punjab-origin Sikh MP and the leader of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP), Jagmeet Singh was temporarily expelled from the House of Commons or the lower chamber of the bicameral Parliament for calling an MP racist and for refusing to apologize and withdraw his comments.
India 18-Jun-2020
Punjab Police booked pro-Khalistani leader and legal adviser of the banned organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for sedition and unlawful activities, instigating youth of Punjab in favour of ‘Referendum 2020’, provoking the secession of Punjab from India and attempt to spread dissatisfaction among the country’s armed forces or abetting mutiny. Pannun has been instigating people of Punjab through pre-recorded audio message (IVR) from different international numbers mainly from the US for last few months. He was booked under Sections 124-A (waging war against India), 131 (abetting mutiny) 153-A (promotion disunity and disharmony) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 10(a), 13(1) of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). According to reports, the trigger point for registration of the case took place after Pannun reportedly approached the Chinese government for helping him in his anti-India activities. Also, a number of pre-recorded calls emanating from Pakistan were also received by number of citizens, including advocates, journalists and police officials. Some callers claimed they were calling from China or were Chinese and supported Pannun. Police had earlier also lodged two FIRs against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for his anti-India activities.
India 18-Jun-2020
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said that the calls on behalf of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) from Pakistan proved that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of that country was planning the whole conspiracy. Also, the attempts to involve China, at a time when a bloody clash has taken place between armed forces of both countries, suggests there is a bigger conspiracy against the country through Pannun. “It is highly insensitive that when brave Punjab soldiers had achieved martyrdom fighting Chinese army, Pannun and others were carrying their nefarious designs in causing bloodshed and violence in Punjab. We will never let it happen as Punjabis are living in peace,” said the DGP. He added that it was also unfortunate that the trouble was being created when each resident of the state was fighting against the spread of deadly coronavirus.
India 19-Jun-2020
Punjab police busted a terror module and arrested two Khalistani terrorists, identified as Gurmeet Singh and Vikram Singh from near an eatery on GT Road at Jandiala in Amritsar district. Police also recovered a MP5 sub-machine gun, a 9-mm pistol with 4 magazines and two mobile phones containing a slew of conversations, messages and photographs from the duo who were preparing to carry out terror attacks at the behest of their Pakistan handlers. The Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said that “The mobile phones revealed suspicious transactions with Pakistan-based elements, including photographs, voice messages as well as the coordinates of a particular location. A large variety of posts and web-links, connected to the formation of Khalistan, was also found on the phone of Gurmeet Singh who had been in touch with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence and anti-Indian elements sponsored by the Pakistan establishment.”
India 19-Jun-2020
Punjab Cooperation and Jails Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Pannun is a traitor and should be dealt with hard hands. Randhawa, on Pannun approaching China for getting its support for the separatist agenda, said that “Traitors have no religion. Pannun talks about Khalistan.” “Satnam who was killed by Chinese troops, was an ‘amritdhari’. His wife, son and father are also ‘amritdharis’,” he said. “Pannun should be ashamed of supporting China. The entire country should condemn this and Pannun’s family should be boycotted wherever they reside in country,” the minister said. “Pannun is propagating Khalistan just to gather money from Pakistan, ISI, China and other anti-national forces. He should be brought to India and punished,” added Randhawa.
India 19-Jun-2020
The Dal Khalsa challenged Ludhiana MP (Member of Parliament) Ravneet Singh Bittu to go ahead with his so-called wish and lodge FIR against Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh for his pro-Khalistan stance and see the consequences.
India 19-Jun-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) thwarted an attempt of Pakistani smugglers to push drugs into the Indian territory and recovered four plastic bottles filled with 8 kg heroin in Abohar sector in Fazilka district. According to BSF, the vigilant BSF troops observed movement of mischievous persons ahead of Border Security Fence and challenged them following they fled towards the Pakistani territory.
India 19-Jun-2020
Six pro-Khalistani supporters who were lodged in Ludhiana Central Jail ended their two-day hunger strike started in an attempt to push jail authorities to give in to their multiple demands. The strike ended after the jail administration allowed some of their genuine demand. However, their other demands including a television set inside jail, special cooked food from outside or grocery and utensils/gas stove to cook their own food and accommodation in common barracks instead of ‘Cell Block’, were rejected.
India 19-Jun-2020
The police arrested three persons and recovered 445 kg of poppy husk and 4 lakh sedative tablets from a truck near Alamgarh bypass along the Abohar-Sriganganagar highway in Fazilka district.
India 20-Jun-2020
According to reports, with declining infiltration of terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir due to changed security apparatus after the revocation of Article 370 of Constitution, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) along with Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and other terrorist groups has adopted a new modus operandi to fuel terror strikes in India. Reports revealed that the ISI is now using drones to deliver arms and ammunition from across the International Border (IB) into the Indian territory.
India 20-Jun-2020
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh said that pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ)’s leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was not only propagating but actively involved in promoting separatism and terrorism in India. The CM asserted that he would not allow Pannun to succeed in his divisive agenda and disturb the state's peace at any cost. He challenged the "pro-Khalistani propagandist to come to Punjab instead of hiding out in other countries to spread his vicious campaign".
India 20-Jun-2020
The Border Security Force (BSF) and police in a joint operation recovered 6.92 kg of heroin from the fields along the Indo-Pakistan border in Ferozepur district.
India 20-Jun-2020
Punjab police and Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation arrested four persons, identified as Rajinder Singh, Gurmit Singh, Rukmandeep Singh and Arshdeep Singh and recovered 7.7-kg heroin along with Rs 2.60 lakh and an SUV in Ferozepur district. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Bhupinder Singh said that during the investigation, the accused admitted to having links with Pakistan-based smugglers and informed about the consignment they had received from across the border.
India 21-Jun-2020
Police arrested 11 drug peddlers in 10 different cases registered in the Mansa district. Police has also seized large quantity of drugs and two bikes used in the crime.