KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
Pakistan 21-Jun-2020
Pakistan’s former Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique offended Sikh sentiments by dubbing the great Sikh emperor Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a profligate, dacoit and looter. He also leveled allegations of desecrating and looting mosques on Maharaja Ranjit Singh. “Ranjit Singh Ayash was a dacoit looter ruler who openly desecrated Muslim faith mosques and Sufi shrines, looted heavily and forcibly imposed Sikh beliefs. Established oppressive Dogra rule over Kashmir,” reads the English translation of Khawaja Saad Rafique’s tweet.
Pakistan 21-Jun-2020
Reacting to Khawaja Saad Rafique’s derogatory statement on Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Pakistani Sikh leader Gopal Singh Chawla said that Khawaja Saad Rafique was trying to earn political mileage and hide his failures by leveling baseless allegations on the great Sikh ruler. Chawla, while recalling the tenure of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, said that no one got capital punishment during his four decades-long regime.
Pakistan 21-Jun-2020
The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) president Satwant Singh said that, “The words used by the former railway minister are highly objectionable. The Sikh community in Pakistan and the gurdwara management committee strongly condemn these words.”
India 21-Jun-2020
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested a key member of a gang allegedly involved in recruiting radical Sikh youths for the outlawed Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) group on directions from foreign handlers in a bid to create unrest in the country. The accused, identified as Pargat Singh (23), a resident of Sri Muktsar Sahib, was produced before a special NIA court in Mohali on June 22 which remanded him to NIA custody until June 29. Singh is one of the key conspirators and recruiter of radical Sikh youths while working under the directions of handlers located abroad to further the activities of SFJ. The case was registered at the Sultanwind police station in Amritsar (City) in 2018 under sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). During investigation, sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act were added, the official said. Punjab Police filed a charge sheet against 11 arrested accused in March 2019, he said.
India 22-Jun-2020
According to Indian intelligence report, Pakistan is using its diplomatic missions, particularly in London to ‘fund and foment’ anti-India hate campaigns. The role of the Pakistan High Commission in London, primarily of a colonel rank officer of Pakistan Army posted as an advisor there, has come to light, the report reveals. The colonel is assigned the task of re-uniting splinter groups of pro-Khalistan Sikhs, operating from Britain, Germany, the Netherlands and some other countries of Europe. At the behest of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the colonel has been instrumental in funding Khalistan groups, including Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) which has an office in London. Report said that Gurmeet Singh Bagga, based in Germany's Hamburg, has links with Khalistani militants operating from Britain and the US including Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of SFJ. The colonel, who works under a senior official of Pakistan Navy posted at High Commission, has been a key person in organizing several anti-India protests at the Indian High Commission office in London. ISI-backed Khalistani groups have attacked several Indians outside the Indian High Commission office, near Bush House in London in March 2019. Later it was found that SFJ organized the attack with help of the Overseas Pakistani Welfare Council, backed by the ISI and the Pakistan High Commission. Pannun and his close aides have been frequent visitors to the Pakistan High Commission, located at Lowndes Square.
India 22-Jun-2020
Shiromani Khalsa Dal’s president Swarn Singh Khalsa said that Pakistani former railway minister Khwaja Saad Rafique was misleading Muslim community of Pakistani Punjab by leveling baseless allegations of desecrating and looting mosques on Maharaja Ranjit Singh. “The greatness of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s regime is evident in world’s history of that era,” he said. He also said that Khawaja Saad Rafique should immediately tender apology for making attempts to malign image of the world’s best ruler.
India 22-Jun-2020
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal condemned the abduction of Afghan Sikh Nidhan Singh Sachdeva from the Paktia province in eastern Afghanistan and pointed out that Sikhs in Afghanistan were subjected to harassment. He urged the Centre to intervene to ensure the safety of the Sikh community in Afghanistan.
India 23-Jun-2020
During the interrogation of arrested Khalistani operative Gurmeet Singh and his accomplice Vikram Singh, it came to light that Pakistan-based agencies and anti-national elements were spotting ‘talents’ on social media platforms for carrying out terror attacks and targeted killings in Punjab. They were targeting the youth who are economically weaker and have inclination towards ‘separatism’. They also target youth such as gangsters for the purpose, said official. Sources also said that Gurmeet Singh was a drug addict and was involved in the trafficking of opium from Rajasthan though there was no FIR against him.
India 23-Jun-2020
The leading Punjabi actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh said in a reply to Ludhiana Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu’s demand for an FIR against him and another singer Jazzy B, that he has always stood by the country and Punjab. “I am an Indian taxpayer who has always stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the country and Punjab in time of need,” said Dosanjh. Earlier, Bittu accused both singers of inciting youngsters to take up arms and fight for a separate Sikh state of Khalistan, prompting Dosanjh to upload a video on his Twitter handle and come out in defence of his song, Rangroot, from his 2014 film, Punjab 1984, a clip of which was shared on social media recently. However, Dosanjh said that the movie was screened in Punjab only after the censor board’s go-ahead. “The film was given a national award by the Indian government.
India 23-Jun-2020
The key conspirator behind recruiting youth for the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Pargat Singh (23), who was arrested recently, was produced in a National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Mohali which remanded him to NIA custody till June 29. According to NIA, the case was related to a series of acts of violence, including arson, in Punjab during 2017-18, carrying out of propaganda activities online and on ground, and organising campaigns in support of ‘Referendum-2020’.
India 24-Jun-2020
Counter Intelligence Department and Border Security Force (BSF) arrested a man, identified Kashmir Singh alias Sheera, having links with Pakistan-based smugglers and recovered 4.16-kg heroin from Gatti Rajo Ke village in Firozepur District.
India 24-Jun-2020
Police arrested two drug peddlers and seized 24,000 narcotic pills in Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
India 24-Jun-2020
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) court rejected the bail application of British national Jagtar Singh Jaggi alias Jaggi Johal, an accused in the attack on Hindu leader Amit Arora, in view of serious allegations against him.
India 24-Jun-2020
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhik Committee (SGPC) marked the 305th martyrdom day of the great Sikh general Baba Banda Singh Bahadur.
India 24-Jun-2020
According to reports, the recent investigations into the terror module that was busted with the arrest of two alleged Khalistani operatives on June 19 have revealed that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is eyeing ‘vulnerable’ youths of Punjab to create trouble in Punjab. Gurmeet Singh and his aide Vikram Singh of Amritsar were arrested when they were trying to clear a weapon consignment that was pushed in from Pakistan by their handlers. Police had seized a German-made MP5 sub-machine gun, a 9mm pistol with 4 magazines, and two mobile phones with a host of incriminatory conversations, messages, photographs etc. “Gurmeet, who is an opium addict, had gone to Pakistan as part of a Sikh jatha in 2017 on the occasion of Baisakhi. He was contacted by ISI sleuths in Pakistan through a Khalistani supporter and was brain-washed to take part in terror activities. He had been in contact with the ISI sleuths through social media platforms. His handlers were yet to give him the target,” said a police official. He said, “Some Khalistani supporters in Pakistan are helping the ISI in targeting Punjab’s youth, especially those with humble background. We are very close to identifying the Khalistani supporters. We have also identified some more members of the module in Punjab.”
Afghanistan 25-Jun-2020
The Afghan Taliban said that it was not involved in the kidnapping of a leader of the Sikh community who was abducted by unknown persons in Paktia province of Afghanistan and his abductors would face justice from the group.
Pakistan 25-Jun-2020
Nankana Sahib Sikh girl Jagjit Kaur alias Ayesha Bibi’s statement couldn’t be recorded in the Lahore high court once again after the couple reportedly requested to transfer their case to another judge.
India 25-Jun-2020
According to reports, Khalistan terrorist Gurmeet Singh Bagga wanted to go to Pakistan via Kartarpur corridor on this Baisakhi to meet his boss. But, due to lockdown he couldn’t succeed in his plans. It is being told that the Pakistan’s Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) had arranged all this conspiracy for terrorist Gurmeet Singh. Gurmeet Singh Bagga, a hidden Khalistani terrorist in Germany had previously come out to threaten the Punjab Police. Bagga had been plotting terrorism from Germany to Punjab, got uprooted after the arrest of his younger brother Gurdev Singh alias Priety. Investigation revealed that in 2018 Khalistani terrorist Gurmeet Singh went to Pakistan with Sikh group. Gurmeet met his masters after that Security agencies were investigating the matter of who had assisted in sending his name to Pakistan along with the Sikh religious group. The investigation also includes an aspect of how the terrorist Gurmeet Singh met the Khalistani terrorists living in Pakistan apart from the Sikh group.
India 26-Jun-2020
The Special Task Force (STF) arrested four persons including a drug smuggler brother duo and their wives along with 3.2 kg heroin, Rs 60,000 in cash drug money, a .32 ore pistol with four magazines and 14 live cartridges near Ishar Nagar area in Ludhiana district. The arrested accused were identified as Raj Kumar his wife Anjali, Arun Kumar, his wife Harpreet Kaur. They hail from Kapurthala however now are settled in Ludhiana. According to officials, the accused have made lots of property using drug money.
India 26-Jun-2020
The Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta, on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illegal Trafficking, said that the fight against drugs is an uphill task in the wake of border fencing losing its significance to new methods of drug delivery, easy bail and operations being controlled from jails.
Afghanistan 26-Jun-2020
The wife of a Sikh man abducted in Afghanistan asked for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to have her husband freed and then granting Indian citizenship to her family of six. Attacks on Sikh minorities in Afghanistan have increased ever since India cast its lot with the Kabul regime in the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban. Another threat to the minorities has been the rise of an Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-affiliated terrorist outfit. Security analysts believed it was behind the Gurudwara Har Rai Sahib massacre in Kabul to announce its presence.
India 26-Jun-2020
Punjab Police , in a symbolic gesture to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, destroyed several quintals of illicit drugs at various places across all 24 districts. The Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said teams of Punjab Police took over the task of destroying 62.140 kg of heroin, along with 326.52 quintals of poppy husk, 12.536 kg of charas, 490 grams of sulfa, 755.905 kg of smack, 1.970 kg of brown sugar and 148 kg of intoxicant powder. In addition, 41.880 kg of opium was deposited in Government Opium and Alkaloid Factory, said Gupta. He reiterated that the department's commitment to eliminate drugs from Punjab, which has seen a marked increase in the number of drug users joining the state government's de-addiction programme since the imposition of curfew and lockdown in Punjab.
India 26-Jun-2020
The State Health and Family Welfare Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu while addressing a state-level function on International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking at a drug de-addiction centre in Mohali said that the onus lies on each of us to protect our youth from falling into the trap of drugs. Healthy youth can play a vital role in creating a better and drug-free society. He said, “It is reassuring for us that the new generation is becoming aware of the ill-effects of drugs use. The number of drug addicts in the state has come down drastically. However, the new generation must be stopped from going the wrong way”.
India 26-Jun-2020
Police arrested six people and recovered four kilograms of heroin from their possession in two separate cases in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district. The Assistant Inspector General (AIG), Special Task Force (STF), Snehdeep Sharma said that "All arrested members are from the same gang. Two of them are brothers, they can be called big fishes as their network was very vast".
India 27-Jun-2020
Indian Government sources snubbed and rejected an offer by Pakistan to reopen the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor for Indian pilgrims on June 29 on the death anniversary of the 19th century Emperor of the Sikh Kingdom Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It said that “Pakistan is trying to create a mirage of goodwill” but has proposed this at the very short notice of just two days. Sources said there should be at least seven days of advance notice as per the pact between the two nations due to preparations that need to be done for the registration process.
India 27-Jun-2020
Police arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Sooraj Singh and Jaswinder Singh and recovered 22,500 intoxicating pills from them in Moga city in Moga district.
India 27-Jun-2020
The Delhi Police busted a module of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and arrested its three sympathizers who were allegedly planning to execute target killings and extortions in various north Indian states on the directions of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)-sponsored Khalistani leaders. The three men, identified as Mohinder Pal Singh (29), Gurtej Singh (41) and Lovepreet Singh (21) were arrested from Delhi, Punjab and Haryana in separate operations by the Delhi Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), special cell, in the last 10 days. According to Police, three pistols and seven cartridges, three smartphones, including an iPhone, containing many incriminating videos and photographs related to Khalistani movement and their propagators were seized from the arrested persons. Deputy Commissioner of Police (special cell) Sanjeev Kumar Yadav said that at least four persons were on the target list of the arrested men but they could not execute the killings because of the lockdown announced in the country to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). DCP Yadav said that Gurtej, the son of a subedar in the Indian Army, was in touch with an ISI handler, Abdullah, apart from having contacts with Avtar Singh Pannu of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and Gopal Singh Chawla, who is based in Pakistan and is a close aide of Hafiz Saeed, co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). “Abdullah had asked Gurtej to recruits like-minded people and send them to Pakistan for terrorist training. Gurtej recruited five men, including Lovepreet, who has been arrested along with him. He was also planning to extort Rs 10 lakh from two businessmen for arranging more weapons and logistics,” the DCP said. The DCP said that Mohinder originally belongs to Baramulla in Jammu and Kashmir but had moved to Delhi in 2007 for studies. In 2013, he began developing orientation towards Khalistan movement and started attending Delhi court hearings of Jagrat Singh Hawara, a Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) militant convicted for assassinating former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. He came in touch with other sympathizers of the KLF and started working for the outfit, said Yadav. During interrogation, DCP said, Lovepreet, who worked at a computer repair shop, revealed that he developed an inclination towards Khalistan movement three-four years ago and was recruited by Gurtej, who promised to send him to Pakistan for weapon training.
India 27-Jun-2020
According to sources, around 20 months after the Amritsar police booked Pargat Singh (23) in a sedition case for his alleged links with outlawed Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) radical outfit, the National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s move to arrest him has brought the focus on 18 others named in the same 2018 sedition case. However, no police action was initiated against these 18 after the FIR was lodged in 2018. They are now believed to be on NIA’s radar after Pargat’s arrest, who is alleged to be the key recruiter of radical Sikh youths for SFJ. While Punjab Police had booked 30 accused in original case, it had submitted challan only against 11 at an Amritsar court in March 2019, keeping 19, including Pargat Singh and banned outfit SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, out of it. NIA told Mohali court earlier this week that Pargat Singh, a Sikh priest from village Tarmala in district Sri Muktsar Sahib, was one of the key conspirators and recruiter of radical Sikh youth while working under the directions of handlers located abroad to further the activities of SFJ which has already been declared an unlawful association. The original case was registered at Sultanwind Police Station, Amritsar (City) vide FIR No 152 dated October 19, 2018. The case was subsequently re-registered by NIA on April 5, 2020.
Pakistan 27-Jun-2020
Pakistan decided to reopen Kartarpur Corridor for all the Sikh pilgrims on June 29, 2020, on the occasion of the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, announced by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Twitter on June 27. He underscored that Pakistan is conveying to the Indian side its readiness to reopen the corridor. The corridor was temporarily closed on March 16 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure that necessary precautions are taken, Pakistan has invited India to discuss standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the reopening.
India 28-Jun-2020
Intelligence agencies warned the government of pro-Khalistan activities in the country backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) outfit. According to sources, the warning mentions that these anti-India activities are being guided by one ISI handler named Abdullah in close coordination with SFJ’s founder Avtar Singh Pannu, who is learnt to have been residing in the United Kingdom (UK). Abdullah’s name was also revealed during questioning of three arrested suspected sympathisers of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), who were planning to execute targeted killings in various northern states. The KLF supporters were arrested by the special cell of Delhi Police in a week-long operation across Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. Intelligence agencies have also shared inputs about another person named Pak-based Gopal Singh Chawla, a close aide of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Hafiz Saeed, for his role in pro-Khalistan activities in India. It has been suggested in the warning, which was shared earlier this month, to keep the national capital on high alert ahead of Independence Day. Inputs were shared that KLF group has been tasked by ISI and SFJ for terrorist activity in the national capital, said the source.
India 28-Jun-2020
Punjab police foiled a terror module and arrested three members of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), identified as Sukhchain Singh of Patiala, Amritpal Singh of Mansa and Jaspreet Singh of Majitha in Punjab. One .32 bore pistol, along with 7 cartridges, were also recovered from the alleged terrorists. The Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said that the terror module was operating in various parts of Punjab at the behest of pro-Khalistani elements based in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UK.
India 29-Jun-2020
The Director General of Police (DGP) of Haryana, Manoj Yadava said that the state police will take appropriate action against banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for making automated phone calls and instigating people. He said “As per initial investigations, It appeared that US-based Pannu had made automated telephonic calls to people of the state claiming Haryana people they have always stood against the interest of Punjab and Sikhs.” “This person intentionally tries to spread mischievous and unsubstantiated information, disturb the peace and brotherhood among the people of both the states. Any attempt by him to disturb the peace would not be tolerated,” Yadava said.
India 29-Jun-2020
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh dismissed a recent statement of Akal Takht Jathedar that the Sikh community will accept Khalistan if the government offers it. He said “Sikhs living in the country are leading prosperous lives. Why would they want a Khalistan? Nobody wants it and I do not want it.” Singh said every Sikh always stood for the unity and integrity of the country.
India 29-Jun-2020
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said that he is for the reopening of the Kartarpur corridor with adherence to the physical distancing norms amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He, however, said that the Indian government could not be ready for reopening the corridor in a short time.
Pakistan 29-Jun-2020
Pakistan reopened the Kartarpur Corridor more than three months after it was temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but no Indian pilgrim visited the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. "Pakistan today opened the Kartarpur Corridor. However, no Indian pilgrim visited it,” Evacuee Trust Property Board Deputy (ETPB) Director Imran Khan said.
United Kingdom 29-Jun-2020
The Sikh Federation UK (SFUK) is celebrating a ‘victory’ in its campaign to get a Sikh ethnic tick-box added to the 2021 UK census after Scottish ministers agreed to put a prompt for Sikhs in the ‘other’ part of the ethnicity response options. They also assured to ‘monitor Sikhs as an ethnic group as well as religion’ going forwards.
India 29-Jun-2020
The two Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) members, who were arrested by the special cell of the Delhi police on June 27, revealed that senior politicians of Uttar Pradesh (UP) are on the hit list of KLF. During interrogation, the KLF members told the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) team that they had set up a training camp in western Uttar Pradesh. They also admitted to have prepared a list of political leaders of UP who were on their cross hairs. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), UP ATS, Dhruva Kant Thakur said that “some of the leaders of the state were on their list.” The KLF members told the ATS that they were engaging youths in western UP at the behest of ISI handlers.
India 30-Jun-2020
Akal Takht’s officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to pursue cases of Sikh youths who were arrested by the Punjab Police recently in connection with Khalistan. The Jathedar condemned the police for allegedly implicating Sikh youths on the false pretext of supporting Khalistan. “If Sikh youths are arrested on frivolous charges in the name of Khalistan, it is condemnable. The SGPC should pursue cases of innocent Sikh youths,” he said.
India 30-Jun-2020
The Dal Khalsa, while replying Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh’s remarks that no Sikh wants Khalistan, said that a person who denounces such aspirations can’t be a true Sikh. Questioning the locus standi of CM Amarinder Singh in rejecting the historic aspirations for Khalistan, the Dal Khalsa asserted that only the institution of Akal Takht has the right to articulate the collective aspirations of Sikhs that are translated by its Jathedar as the spokesman of this supreme religio-political authority. Dal Khalsa’s spokesman Kanwar Pal Singh said that the CM can only speak in an individual capacity and not on behalf of the Sikh community as a whole.
India 30-Jun-2020
Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 11.23 kg heroin near Shameke border outpost in Ferozepur sector in Ferozepur district. According to sources, the BSF personnel noticed movement of some suspects ahead of fencing along the zero line. The troops challenged smugglers, however, they managed to escape.
India 01-Jul-2020
Government of India declared nine individuals, including pro-Khalistani leader and the key member of banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UAPA]. Pannun, who organized the Khalistan 2020 referendum, has been seen actively running a campaign against India and motivating Sikh youngsters in his home state of Punjab to join militancy. The others who have been designated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) as individual terrorists under the UAPA include Paramjit Singh (Babbar Khalsa International), Hardeep Singh Nijjar (Khalistan Tiger Force), Gurmit Singh Bagga (Khalistan Zindabad Force), Wadhawa Singh Babbar (Babbar Khalsa International), Lakhbir Singh (International Sikh Youth Federation), Ranjeet Singh (Khalistan Zindabad Force), Paramjit Singh (Khalistan Commando Force), Bhupinder Singh Bhinda (Khalistan Zindabad Force). Following an amendment in the UAPA recently, the UMHA declared a total of 13 persons as individual terrorists till date. In an official statement the U said, “These individuals are involved in various acts of terrorism from across the border and from foreign soil. They have been relentless in their nefarious efforts of destabilising the country, by trying to revive militancy in Punjab through their anti-national activities and through their support to and involvement in the Khalistan Movement.”
India 01-Jul-2020
The Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Gobind Singh Longowal asked the Central Government to reopen the corridor, which has been closed in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak. Pakistan recently opened its portion of Kartarpur corridor. Giani Harpreet Singh, on the occasion of the foundation day of Akal Takht, said both India and Pakistan should form a consensus to facilitate devotees to pay obeisance at Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara.
India 01-Jul-2020
The 414th establishment anniversary of supreme Sikh throne Sri Akal Takht Sahib was celebrated ardently by the Sikh sangat at Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s premises. A religious program was held on this occasion in which a Hazoori Raagi Jatha performed Gurbani Kirtan following the culmination of Sri Akhand Path Sahib.
India 02-Jul-2020
Two drug peddlers, identified as Inderpal Singh of Pilibhit (Uttar Pradesh), and Jaswinder Singh Bajwa of Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand) were arrested along with 1 kg opium from near Alaur village in Khanna in Ludhiana district
India 02-Jul-2020
A day after he was designated as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Sikh For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video statement on YouTube, saying that he was not a terrorist. He said in the video that, “Indian government has designated me and many other pro-Khalistan Referendum 2020 activists and campaigners as terrorists. I want to tell the world that we are not terrorists. A terrorist is the one who kills civilians and common people with bombs and guns. It is the Indian government that is unleashing terrorism against Sikhs, Kashmiris, dalits and other minorities.” He said the Indian government is afraid of their “legal activities” which challenge its hegemony and terrorism. “That is why India labels Referendum 2020 campaign as 'terrorism'. We will dismantle the Indian system that has committed the genocide of Sikhs. We will root out that Indian system which attacked the Akal Takht Sahib. We will erase that Indian system which raped our women and made a 'widow colony',” he stated.
India 02-Jul-2020
Punjab Police registered two separate FIRs, in Amritsar and Kapurthala, against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and his associates, including an active SFJ member, Joginder Singh Gujjar, who reportedly came to India from Italy in February this year. The Dalit Suraksha Sena (DSS) had filed a complaint against Gurpatwant Pannun and his associates, and got a case (FIR 168) registered against him at police station B/Division, Police Commissionerate Amritsar for burning the Indian Constitution and Indian national flag, and instigating others to do so too, which had hurt the sentiments of the entire SC community in the country. The second FIR, registered at PS Bhulath, district Kapurthala, is based on reliable inputs of entry of Joginder Singh Gujjar alias Goga in India in February 2020, a police spokesperson said, adding that Pannun and his associates have been charged with seditious and secessionist activities in the case.
India 02-Jul-2020
The Gurugram (Haryana) police booked the chief of banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on charges of sedition for allegedly indulging in unlawful activity by “openly supporting the secession of Punjab from the Union of India by inciting the Sikhs and in activities aimed at threatening the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of India and inciting ill-will and hatred against people of Haryana.” The Gurugram police also invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against Pannun. In the FIR, the complainant stated that he received information from a “secret source” that a pre-recorded audio-video message had been circulating on social media, in which Pannun, who identified himself as General Counsel of SFJ, allegedly blamed the Government of Haryana and the people of Haryana for “being inimical to the interests of Sikhs and Punjabis.”
India 03-Jul-2020
Police recovered 5.66 kg of heroin near the Zero Line in Khemkaran in Tarn Taran district. The Deputy Superintendent of Police (Investigations), Kamaljit Singh Aulakh, said the police personnel acted on a tip-off and confiscated three plastic bottles buried under the soil near the BSF pillar no. 160-161.
India 03-Jul-2020
The Punjab and Haryana high court asked the states of Punjab, Haryana and the Union government to take necessary action against banned organization Sikh For Justice (SFJ)’s bid to provoke public sentiment. The division bench of chief justice Ravi Shanker Jha and justice Arun Palli passed the order while disposing of a petition filed in public interest seeking directions for taking steps against SFJ. During the hearing, the counsel for Punjab government informed that SFJ was banned by the state in July 2019 only and its legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was also declared a designated terrorist by the government of India on July 1. The court was also informed that 116 WhatsApp groups relating to the organisation have been blocked and further steps in this regard are being taken. Further, the counsel said, as many as 16 FIRs have been registered against the organisation and further details regarding the steps being taken by the government cannot be shared for security reasons.
India 03-Jul-2020
Family of Sukhchain Singh (26), a Dalit Sikh, who was recently arrested under the Unlawful Activities [Prevention] Act (UAPA) by the Punjab Police, has demanded an independent probe into the case alleging he was implicated in a false case and kept in illegal custody. The family claimed that police had picked up Sukhchain from his house on June 26 in the presence of sarpanch village but shown his arrest from a bus stop at Kauli village of Rajpura in Patiala. They alleged that police had even wrongly shown recovery of a weapon and cartridges from Sukhchain and kept him in illegal custody for two days before registering a case.
India 03-Jul-2020
The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Sarabjit Singh and Varun Kumar and recovered 1 kg of heroin and drugs money of Rs 7.20 Lac from them in Phagwara in Kapurthala district.
India 03-Jul-2020
The legal advisor of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is now making ‘new worded’ recorded calls to people, including journalists in Punjab. In the nearly two-minute voice call made from a US number, Pannun made claims of “dismantling” the Indian system. Ahead of the beginning of the registration process for “Referendum 2020” from July 4, police have strengthened and alerted the intelligence network to look for the remnant support system of SFJ.
India 03-Jul-2020
As US-based banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has declared July 4 as the inaugural day for registration of referendum on Khalistan, Punjab Police stepped up vigil in and around Golden Temple at Amritsar. According to official source, Centre has issued directions to the security agencies to keep a close eye on the Golden Temple premises in the wake of the call given by the SFJ headed by lawyer Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is among the nine people declared terrorist by the Union government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on July 1.
India 04-Jul-2020
The Dal Khalsa and the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) condemned the Indian Government’s move in branding nine Sikhs associated with Khalistan struggle as terrorists and asked the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) to rectify its error. In a joint press conference in Patiala, Dal Khalsa president HS Cheema and Shiromani Akali Dal-Amritsar (SAD-Amritsar) general secretary Mohinderpal Singh termed the govt’s move an attempt to paint the image of Sikh Nation worldwide with “terrorism” brush, which is totally unacceptable and intolerable.
India 04-Jul-2020
Dalit organizations based in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur and other districts in Punjab staged protests against Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for his anti-Dalit action of burning a copy of the Constitution and insulting Dr BR Ambedkar. The organizations which took part in the protests included the Bharatiya Valmiki Mahasabha, Patiala, Bhawadas Sanstha, Bhim Army, Dalit Bhalai Sangathan and Bharatiya Valmiki Samaj, Sangrur.
India 04-Jul-2020
No representative of the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) visited Akal Takht to perform the ardas before the beginning of online voter registration for ‘Refrendum-2020’. The Punjab Police have blocked 17 web portals so far which were being used for spreading the “anti-India” campaign of the SFJ.
India 04-Jul-2020
Heavy security arrangements were made around the Golden Temple in Amritsar due to apprehension of pro-Khalistani group, Sikh For Justice (SFJ) trying to start their voters’ registration for its Khalistani ‘Referendum 2020’ campaign. Police vehicles in large numbers and policemen in plain clothes were seen in the Golden Plaza, from where they kept a watch to foil any anti-national activity. Security sources said that the arrangements were made in view of possibility of some disillusioned SFJ supporters gathering and creating ruckus or making an attempt to begin the voter registration process to attract media attention.
India 04-Jul-2020
Sikh For Justice (SFJ) launched its ‘referendum’ voter registration in Punjab through a Russian portal. It appealed to the people in Punjab aged 18 or above from any religion, as well as Sikhs living anywhere else in India to register their votes. Detailed information regarding the registration process was put up in English and Punjabi languages on the Russia-based website - www.punjabfree.ru, which mentions three steps for registration of votes and the sign-up to receive updates about the ‘Referendum 2020’. Meanwhile, the Indian government has since been in touch with the authorities concerned as to how the SFJ used Russian cyberspace to launch the voter registration for Referendum 2020.
India 05-Jul-2020
The Government of India blocked 40 websites of pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and foiled its campaign of registering supporters for its cause. The websites were blocked on the recommendation of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA). "Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), an unlawful organisation under the UAPA,1967, launched a campaign for registering supporters for its cause. On recommendation of MHA, MEITY has issued orders under Sec. 69 A of the I.T. Act, 2000, for blocking 40 websites of SFJ," a UMHA spokesperson said. The SFJ was registering supporters for 'Referendum 2020' to demand Khalistan, which seeks a separate homeland for the Sikhs. It had launched its voter registration in Punjab through a Russian portal. The SFJ chose July 4 to launch the campaign in memory of Sikhs killed during the 1955 attack at Darbar Sahib.
India 05-Jul-2020
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed against Twitter India Pvt. Ltd. and others by petitioner, Gopal Jhaveri before the Bombay High Court with the prayer to direct the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to take action against Twitter under various penal provisions of the law. According to the petition, Twitter accepted blood money to promote Khalistan supporting tweets and is still promoting it knowingly. It is a well-known fact that the Khalistan is a banned terror organisation even though they have blindly supported terror organisations to promote anti national agenda and therefore the authorized representative and all the persons involved in this activity shall be punished by Indian judiciary to set an example to those who are still having a goal to divide India and actively supporting banned terror organisations. The Chief Justice of Bombay High Court in his order dated June 5 directed Twitter and their advocate to file their reply within three weeks, the reply is still pending.
India 05-Jul-2020
Bholath MLA and former Leader of Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira came out in support of Joginder Singh Gujjar alias Goga, days after he was booked and arrested by the Punjab Police on charges of sedition and waging war against India. In a letter to Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh, Khaira said, “The truth is that this man living in Italy for the past 18 years is 65 years of age, illiterate and a heart patient with no criminal record throughout his life. The village panchayat, elders and his family have approached me for justice and have vehemently vouched for his innocence”. Earlier Punjab Police on July 2 had booked Gujjar, whom it said is a prominent and active member of the banned Sikh for Justice (SFJ) in a case under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
India 05-Jul-2020
According to dossier prepared by Indian Security agencies, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) have turned several chiefs of Khalistani terror groups into drug smugglers and Germany is being developed as a base for Khalistan operations by ISI. ISI is using Khalistani terrorists to smuggle narcotics and provide funds to various terror groups for anti-India activities. The dossier reveals that ISI sinister plan to use pro-Khalistani elements based in Pakistan, Germany, UK, Canada and US for promoting terror and terror ideology by luring the youth and spreading hatred against India.
India 06-Jul-2020
Political parties in Punjab demanded stern action of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Sunil Jakhar, president, PPCC, said, “Intelligence reports had indicated that the SFJ was backed by Pakistan-based ISI. He said terrorism has to be fought jointly.” SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “Referendum 2020 was just a drama by those who hate India.” Ashwani Kumar, president of the BJP’s state unit, said, “Pannu is irrelevant not only in Punjab, but also in Canada”. Leader of Opposition Harpal Cheema said, “The state government failed to curb the SFJ’s activity. The government should have approached the TRAI and got the calls blocked that urged people to respond.”
India 06-Jul-2020
Security Forces recovered 7.14 kg heroin worth Rs 35 crore near BOP Dona Telu Mall in Ferozepur sector in Ferozepur district. A pistol, two magazines, 10 live rounds and two Pakistani SIM cards were also seized from the fields of accused, identified Bittu, who allegedly has links with the Pakistan-based smugglers. However, he was not arrested.
India 06-Jul-2020
The district anti-narcotic cell arrested three persons, Amrik Singh, his wife Harpal Kaur, and Sarbjit Singh and seized 1.4 kg of heroin from them at Joliyan village in Sangrur district.
India 07-Jul-2020
The Punjab and Haryana High Court High Court dismissed the bail plea of an accused, identified as Makit Singh alias Sher Singh alias Shera in the Tarn Taran blast case in which two persons died last year. The case was probed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which found that Shera was “in contact” with other accused persons; was an active member of a pro Khalistan group and conspired with the co-accused to carry out the terror attack.
India 07-Jul-2020
Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said that Sikhs were being harassed for minor offences such as sharing posts on social media while the ones who were accused of bomb blasts have reached parliament. He said, “It seems that the Sikhs are being eliminated from India gradually just like what was done to the followers of Buddhism. For the last few days, Sikh youths have been tortured and harassed mentally in police stations. When asked about the reason behind, the cops said their mobile phones are being examined. They say these persons have shared posts on the social media.”
India 07-Jul-2020
Pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), the organisation continues to reach out to Indians, particularly opinion-makers like journalists and lawyers, with pre-recorded, international calls to push its secessionist agenda and propagate its notorious Sikh Referendum 2020 campaign. Many journalists in Delhi have lately been receiving pesky calls originating mostly from numbers in the US, seeking their support for SFJ's Khalistan cause and Referendum 2020, under which popular vote is being solicited in support of Punjab’s secession from India. The messages that are played out every time you accept the international call - that may show Michigan or Georgia or any other location in the US as the point of origin of the call - contain anti-India statements and invoke radical Sikh feelings to push their 'Khalistan' agenda.
India 07-Jul-2020
More than a year after upping the ante against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Rajya Sabha MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa is set to announce a new political outfit. According to sources, the party is likely to be named ‘Shiromani Panthik Dal’.
India 08-Jul-2020
The Special Task Force (STF) arrested two sisters, identified as Kiran and Suman along with 1.2 kilograms of heroin in Ludhiana in Ludhiana district. A preliminary investigation revealed that both of their husbands are currently lodged in a jail for offenses committed under narcotics act.
Canada 09-Jul-2020
Canada decided to keep two Khalistani extremists on its no-fly list. One of them, Bhaghat Singh Brar, is accused of working with Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to plan an attack in India that was disrupted in 2017. Brar was stopped from boarding a flight at Vancouver International Airport on April 24, 2018, when he was told that he was on Canada's no-fly list. Parvkar Singh Dulai, his business partner, was also stopped from boarding a Toronto bound flight on May 17, 2018, when WestJet refused to let him board for the same reason. Two years later, both Brar and Dulai are still fighting to get off the no-fly list, but documents obtained by Global News alleges that they are terrorism "facilitators." According to a secret case brief report, the Canadian Intelligence Service believe that Brar is a Canada-based Khalistani extremist who has been engaged in terrorist related activities, particularly in fundraising in support of terrorist attacks overseas. The documents suggest that Brar was also involved in "promoting extremism, including the radicalisation of the youth, with the aim of achieving Khalistan independence; and attack planning and facilitation, including weapons procurement, to conduct attacks in India". Brar travelled to Pakistan in 2018, and while returning to Canada, he tried to board a flight in Vancouver but was denied boarding. The Indian government has long complained that Canada is a base for Khalistani extremists. On February 23, 2018, the national security advisers of Canada and India had signed a cooperation framework.
India 09-Jul-2020
Punjab Police questioned Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Karnail Singh Panjoli for his Facebook post related to Sikh For Justice (SFJ). He said that “I had written nothing wrong in the post. I had objected to the Indian government declaring Gurpatwant Singh Pannun a terrorist. He hasn’t committed any terror activity. If he wants to hold Referendum peacefully then he should be allowed because it would clear his doubts about Punjab and Sikhs.” He also added that “Sikhs will not accept anyone like Pannun — who is clean-shaven and doesn’t even wear turban — as their leader. But he can’t be declared terrorist for using democratic means to pursue his agenda. It would have worked better if the government of India hadn’t taken notice of Pannu because then very few people would know of him.”
India 09-Jul-2020
The Khalsa League constituted a panel of lawyers to look after the legal proceedings of the cases of recently arrested Sikh youths by the Punjab police. Khalsa League’s head Amrik Singh Ballowal said that a panel of lawyers has been constituted under the leadership of Advocate Abhishek Gill. “This panel will follow up the legal proceedings of all the Sikh youths arrested by the Punjab police using provisions of draconian laws like UAPA,” he added.
India 09-Jul-2020
Controversial Hindu leader Sudhir Suri was booked by the rural police for allegedly hurting the sentiments of Sikh community. Complainant Balbir Singh Muchhal, a resident of Muchhal village, stated to the police that Suri along with Hardeep Sharma had used derogatory remarks against people belonging to the Sikh community.
India 10-Jul-2020
The monthly magazine of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has stated in its recent editorial that the increase in suppression of Sikhs in the country will lead to intensification of demand for independent territory among them. Written by its editor Satwinder Singh Phoolpur, the editorial appeared in the July 2020 edition of the magazine titled Gurmat Parkash. It raises the issue of confiscation of farmland of scores of Sikh farmers living in Uttar Pardesh by Yogi Adityanath-led state government.
India 10-Jul-2020
The monthly magazine of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has stated in its recent editorial that the increase in suppression of Sikhs in the country will lead to intensification of demand for independent territory among them. Written by its editor Satwinder Singh Phoolpur, the editorial appeared in the July 2020 edition of the magazine titled Gurmat Parkash. It raises the issue of confiscation of farmland of scores of Sikh farmers living in Uttar Pardesh by Yogi Adityanath-led state government.
Canada 10-Jul-2020
According to latest report, a case relating to two Canadian Sikhs being placed on a no-fly list in the country has now been linked to an alleged Pakistan-based plot to use pro-Khalistan elements to conduct terrorist acts in India. The details emerged as two men — Bhagat Singh Brar and his business partner Parvkar Singh Dulai — challenged being blocked from travelling by air. According to the report from Stewart Bell in the Canadian outlet Global News, Brar was “promoting extremism, including the radicalisation of youth, with the aim of achieving Khalistan independence; and attack planning and facilitation, including weapons procurement, to conduct attacks in India,” as per supporting case documents filed by Canadian security agencies, including Public Safety Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the country’s spy agency. Dulai was described as a “facilitator of terrorist-related activities and has shown an ongoing pattern of involvement within the Khalistani extremist milieu”. The report said that Brar visited Pakistan in 2015 and collaborated with one Gurjeet Singh Cheema to plan an attack in India. These documents alleged that Brar collected donations for gurdwaras and “is suspected to have been diverting major part of the funds for anti-India activities”. He was also linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Dulai has been described as a very vocal supporter of Khalistan. Brar again visited Pakistan in 2018 to meet his father who happens to be Lakhbir Singh Rode, nephew of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and founder of the banned International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF). However, none of these allegations have been proven in any court nor have either Brar or Dulai been charged with terrorism. Both have also denied the allegations contained in the Canadian security documents in filings made by their lawyers in this case.
India 11-Jul-2020
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in an audio message claimed to organise an event related to the secessionist movement ‘Referendum 2020’ at Gurudwara Patshahi Chhevin in Kurukshetra in Haryana on July 11. It prompted Kurukshetra Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dhirendra Khadgata and Superintendent of Police (SP) Astha Modi to contact the management of the Shiromani Gurdwara Management Committee (SGPC)-run Gurudwara. Later, Gurudwara Patshahi Chhevin manager Amrinder Singh said that “Gurdwara Patshahi Chhevin in Kurukshetra is managed by SGPC. We have no link with SFJ. After consulting with higher officials of SGPC, we released a video message refuting the claims made in the audio message.” DC Khadgata said that, “These audio messages are being circulated with a motive to spread hatred.”
India 11-Jul-2020
Jalandhar Police (Rural) arrested one person, identified as Pawan Kumar and recovered 500 grams of heroin at a check point near Shahkot in Jalandhar district.
India 11-Jul-2020
Police arrested a woman, identified as Saroj Rani and recovered 25 kg puppy husk from her at a check point near village Atti near Goraya in Jalandhar district.
India 11-Jul-2020
Police arrested two drug smugglers, identified as Kuldip Singh and Ranjit Singh and recovered 130 intoxicant tablets and eight bottles of intoxicant syrups from them in Jalandhar district.
India 11-Jul-2020
The Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) dismissed the bail plea of an accused in the 2019 Tarn Taran blast. The accused, Malkiat Singh, had sought bail on health grounds, stating that he was suffering from various ailments for the last few years. However, dismissing the plea, the HC observed the trial court order establishes that the appellant was in constant touch with the co-accused and was an active member of the pro-Khalistan terrorist group and further, he collected the bomb from his co-accused and kept it in his possession.
United States 11-Jul-2020
Indian ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu held a virtual interaction with members of the Sikh community in the United States, during which the participating diaspora leaders pledged to contribute to India’s development with particular focus on Punjab.
United States 11-Jul-2020
The Sikh Coordination Committee East Coast (SCCEC) and American Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (AGPC) at an emergency teleconference in New York decided to boycott the Indian politicians and stop funding them in elections besides continuing ban on Indian diplomats, political leaders and consular staff from speaking engagements in US Gurdwarason in protest against alleged recent arrests of Sikh youth in Punjab under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
India 12-Jul-2020
Police arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Rinkal Kumar and Krishna Kumar after recovering 47 kg of ganja from their possession on Ludhiana-Delhi highway in Ludhiana district.
India 12-Jul-2020
Haryana Police registered a second FIR against the leader of the banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on charges of sedition and secessionism. The FIR was registered at Kurukshetra on the complaint of a state police official. The complainant has alleged that Pannun has been blaming the Haryana government and its people for being inimical to the interests of Sikhs and Punjabis. Haryana police spokesperson said that they have got all websites allegedly created by Pannun and launched in the past one week blocked.
Canada 12-Jul-2020
The Indian High Commission in Canada lodged a strong protest about a program that was broadcasted by PTN24 channel on April 26, which incited violence and hatred against India. According to the sources, the program in concern was a religious program held annually as a tribute service to militants killed during terrorism in Punjab. It includes a "Sahaj Path", reading of the holy Guru Granth Sahib, followed by a speech from prominent members of the Sikh community. Sources reveal that these speeches were filled with hatred and incited violence against India. "Although the entire program was full of hateful content, speeches of Harbhajan Singh and Santokh Singh Khela were particularly vitriolic. Harbhajan Singh not only seemed supporting the act of terrorists but also claimed that the Sikh Gurus in Punjab were aiding the terrorists in their mission", said the sources. It added, "He even referred to the violent action in 1984 at the Sikh pilgrimage of Golden Temple, claiming that the terrorists inside were able to kill many Indian soldiers as they were fighting in the path of the lord".
India 12-Jul-2020
Police arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Varinder Singh and Rajinder Singh and recovered 50 gm heroin from them at Beas in Amritsar district.
India 12-Jul-2020
Anti-Terrorist Front India president Viresh Shandilya on July 12, 2020, received death threat over the phone. Shandilya received a phone call in the night with the caller threatened him for speaking against pro-Khalistan sympathisers. Shandilya alleged that the caller said he will be eliminated like former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was assassinated way back in 1995. He said, ““I have been speaking against pro-Khalistani elements. I have been raising my voice against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the banned pro-Khalistan outfit Sikhs for Justice and the secessionist campaign he has started from the foreign soil.”
United States 13-Jul-2020
The Sikh activist based in the United States and the chairman of Punjab Foundation, Sukhi Chahal, said that the pro-Khalistanis who are running a huge nexus in the Western countries are targeting the Sikh youth in the wake of providing them political asylum. Chahal said, "Youth coming from Punjab to the US, who is unemployed and uneducated, fall into their trap as they have run a massive propaganda. They radicalize these youth by luring them of providing help for political asylum". "The Punjabi youth, who have never witnessed the militancy period in Punjab, are being radicalized. These pro-Khalistanis provide them t-shirts of 'Referendum2020' and mislead them about forming Khalistan," he added. Sukhi said as a Sikh, he himself has witnessed that dark period of militancy and do not wish that time to come again in Punjab. "They are running their shops and it is Pakistan's ISI, which is behind them," claimed Chahal.
Canada 13-Jul-2020
According to reports, India and Canada are closely cooperating on the issue of Khalistani terrorism and separatism even as fringe elements in the latter have been proactive. The cooperation includes giving classified information on Khalistanis, given the full support Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been giving to them. India and Canada already have a Framework for Cooperation on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism agreed in February of 2018. his year Khalistanis have been active especially since they plan to do a so-called "referendum". Canada with second largest number of Sikh Population after India has been a ground for ISI backed Khalistanis to get support from the diaspora.
Pakistan 13-Jul-2020
According to officials, Pakistan government laid a 16,000 feet artificial turf in the courtyard of the Kartarpur Sahib Gurudwara to facilitate bare-footed pilgrims walk on the marble floor in the scorching heat.
India 13-Jul-2020
Punjab Police busted a Pakistan-sponsored drugs and illegal arms smuggling racket, by arresting four persons including the kingpin, a Border Security Force (BSF) constable posted in Kashmir. Arrested persons were identified as constable Sumit Kumar, Simarjit Singh, Manpreet Singh and Amanpreet Singh and police recovered foreign-made weapons, 80 live cartridges etched with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) markings and various other weapons along with Rs 32.30 lakh drug money from them. During the preliminary interrogation, the accused have confessed to being in touch with Pakistani terrorist Shah Musa who sponsored the module.
India 13-Jul-2020
Police arrested an absconding drug peddler, identified as Gurbejh Singh along with 1 kg heroin and Rs 46, 000 drug money in Sultanpur Lodhi town of Kapurthala district. The accused was declared a proclaimed offender (PO) by a court in two cases of drug peddling registered against him.
India 13-Jul-2020
Jaspreet Singh (18), who was booked under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) by the Punjab Police recently, returned after 16 days in custody late on July 13 night. This after Punjab Police told a Patiala court that they have found no evidence against the youth during investigation. Earlier he was arrested on June 30 along with two others as suspected to be part of a Khalistan Liberation Front (KLF) module.
India 14-Jul-2020
Punjab Police busted a gang of international arms smugglers with the arrest of two gangsters, identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gora and Germanjeet Singh from Bhogpur in Jalandhar district. Police seized a .455 bore pistol, two 9 mm pistols with four live cartridges, one pump action 12 bore rifle, one .32 bore revolver, one .30 bore pistol and live cartridges, Director General of Police (DGP) Dinkar Gupta said, adding that the Hyundai Verna car they were travelling in was also impounded.
India 14-Jul-2020
The Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh said that the BJP led Indian government was using every tactic of eradicating minorities from the Indian sub-continent just like what Mughals did long ago. Giani Harpreet Singh said that the Mughals did everything to eradicate minorities from the Indian sub-continent but now those minorities are in majority here.
India 14-Jul-2020
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) raided the residence of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) militant Paramjit Singh Pamma and interrogated his parents at Phase 3B2 in Mohali in SAS Nagar district. According to sources, Pamma, who is currently working in close association with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has been abroad for a long time. The NIA team searched the entire house and also seized the passbooks of bank accounts in which Pamma was depositing money. They also inquired about Pamma’s remittances and other foreign funds and noted the details of the fixed deposit (FD) accounts of the elderly couple. Pamma’s parents, Amrik Singh and Ratan Kaur, said the search went on from around 10.30 am till 4 pm.
India 14-Jul-2020
Haryana Police in Ambala registered a case against an unknown person for issuing a death threat to Anti-Terrorist Front India president Viresh Shandilya. According to police, the FIR was registered on the complaint of Shandilya, who alleged that he received a death threat over the phone. In his complaint, Shandilya said he had received a phone call on Sunday (July 12) night with the caller threatened him for speaking against pro-Khalistan sympathisers. Shandilya alleged that the caller said he will be eliminated like former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was assassinated way back in 1995.
India 15-Jul-2020
Police arrested two persons, identified as Sukhwinder Singhand Ranjit Singh for allegedly peddling drugs from Pakistan, and recovered 500 gm of heroin from them on the Fazilka-Ferozepur highway in Fazilka district. The accused had also confessed that they were in touch with Pakistani smugglers, and had brought the consignment from Pakistan through a river route in Ferozepur.