KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 07-Apr-2022
Urging the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to allow the state government to install advanced broadcast and communication technologies at the Golden Temple, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on April 7 said that the Punjab government can provide all possible help in disseminating the ‘Sarb Sanji Gurbani’ across the globe.
India 07-Apr-2022
Border Security Force (BSF) arrested two women - mother and her daughter - and recovered two packets of heroin weighing 1.2 kg from them on April 7 near an outpost along the Indo-Pakistan border in Ferozepur.
India 07-Apr-2022
Police arrested two persons, Sunil alias Titu Rajput and Sohan Lal and recovered 120 kg of poppy husk from their car in Peelibanga of Hanumangarh in Abohar in Fazilka district.
India 07-Apr-2022
Police arrested two persons, Sunil alias Titu Rajput and Sohan Lal and recovered 120 kg of poppy husk from their car in Peelibanga of Hanumangarh in Abohar in Fazilka district.
India 07-Apr-2022
According to a report by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), the recovery of various drugs, including opium and heroin, in India in 2020, the first year of Covid, was the highest since 2016. Data compiled by the federal anti-narcotics agency states that the seizure of opium went up from 4,488 kg in 2019 to 5,212 kg in 2020. Similarly, the seizure of heroin (extracted from opium) shot up from 3,231 kg in 2019 to 3,838 kg in 2020, ganja (cannabis) from 3,42,045 kg to 5,81,644 kg, ephedrine (a stimulant drug) from 686 kg to 841 kg, and hashish (drug extracted from cannabis) from 3,572 kg to 6,643 kg, the recently published NCB report for the year 2020 said.
India 07-Apr-2022
Chief Minister (M) Bhagwant Mann told the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) the state was willing to take the responsibility of installing the state-of-the-art broadcast/communication technologies at Darbar Sahib in Amritsar to broadcast ‘Gurbani’. The government offered to bear the entire cost of setting up the infrastructure. However, rejecting the offer, the SGPC asked the CM to concentrate on “fulfilling own responsibilities, instead of indulging in tasks pertaining to religion”.
India 07-Apr-2022
The Border Security Force (BSF) handed over two women from the Border Security sector in Ferozepur to the Punjab police after recovering 1.2 kg heroin from them. According to the BSF, the recovery was made on April 7 evening.
India 08-Apr-2022
Chairing its first meeting, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on April 8 asked the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) to utilize the services of State Special Operation Cells (SSOCs) at Mohali, Amritsar and Fazilka in addition to the services offered by 361 police stations across the state to stamp out the gangsters. SSOCs have been established by the Punjab Police to interrogate accused involved in the terror-related cases. The CM reiterated his government’s firm commitment to wiping out the menace of gangsterism from the state. He said the task force would be empowered with requisite manpower, advanced technology, vehicles and adequate funds. Mann said the responsibility of providing security to three crore people in Punjab lies with him and he will leave no stone unturned to boost their morale on this count.
Pakistan 08-Apr-2022
In a bid to facilitate a number of Sikh pilgrims arriving in Lahore from India via Wagah, the Pakistan Railways (PR) has decided to run nine special trains. The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) said that as many as 2,500 Sikh pilgrims will enter Pakistan on foot via the Wagah border to attend the Vaisakhi festival. Some pilgrims will also reach Pakistan from the UK and Canada too. At Wagah, the ETPB officers and Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC) office bearers will welcome the pilgrims.
India 08-Apr-2022
A day after the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) rejected Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann’s offer to allow the telecast of Gurbani at the Golden Temple on various communication platforms, the Akal Takht on April 8 asked the State Government get a nod from the Centre for the SGPC launching its own channel. Akal Takht acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh also directed the SGPC to launch its own web channel to telecast live Gurbani till permission for the TV channel is granted.
India 08-Apr-2022
Police arrested a person, identified as Gurpreet alias Gopi, who reportedly supplied weapons, including AK-47, to associates of banned Khalistani terrorist groups, from Sonipat in Sonipat district of Haryana. Earlier, on February 19, the CIA unit of the district police had arrested four persons along with weapons. The probe revealed that the accused were involved in “contract killings” in Punjab on the directions of the banned terrorist group handlers — Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF). They had relations with terrorists through the social media platforms. Gopi had supplied the weapons to them at Ambala. The court sent Gopi on four-day police remand.
India 09-Apr-2022
The Special Task Force on April 9 arrested two persons allegedly carrying 600-gm heroin near Warring village on Kotkapura Road in Muktsar in Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
India 09-Apr-2022
After holding a meeting with the Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit and Sarpanchs of Punjab’s border areas, Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on April 9 informed that he will be meeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah on April 12 to discuss the menace of cross border smuggling in the state. In his first meeting with Home Minister Shah as Punjab CM, Mann will put forth the demand to provide the state police with the best technology to nip the issue in the bud.
Pakistan 10-Apr-2022
According to Pakistani media report, a life-size statue of the first ruler of the Sikh Empire Maharaja Ranjit Singh has been restored and is soon expected to be reinstalled at a safer place at Lahore Fort, months after it was last vandalised by an activist of a banned Islamist party.
India 29-Apr-2022
Khalistani elements hoisted a Khalistani flag outside Deputy Commissioner (DC) office in Malerkotla in Malerkotla district in the wee hours of April 29. A video surfaced on social media platforms in which Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) took the responsibility for the incident. He said in the video, “On the occasion of Khalistan Day, Singhs hoisted Khalistni flag on Deputy Commissioner’s office in Malerkotla. This is a message to Bhagwant Mann’s government. The date of the Khalistan Referendum to free Punjab from India is closing down in Punjab. Prepare yourself to go on the other side of Yamuna.” Later, the flag was removed by the police from the office. While the police officials are sticking to the version that was done by miscreants to create law and order problems in the region, the security agencies are not taking the issue lightly and investigating the matter to avoid such incidents in the future.
India 29-Apr-2022
According to reports, a Khalistani banner was pasted outside the Superintendent of Police’s (SP) residence in Kurukshetra and outside Police Line in Kurukshetra, in Kurukshetra district of Haryana. In a video message, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)’s chief Pannun said, “Today, the movement of ‘Haryana Banega Khalistan’ has been started across the world. Haryana and Himachal were parts of Punjab till 1966. A website has been launched for the movement. We will not give up an inch of Punjab’s land.” The video also used a photograph of Khalistan supporter and actor Deep Sidhu, who had died in a road accident a few months ago. Later, the Police confiscated the banner and initiated an investigation.
India 29-Apr-2022
Four persons were injured when a clash took place outside the Kali Mata temple in Patiala in Patiala district on April 29 between the members of an outfit called Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) and some Khalistan supporters. Brandishing swords and sticks, the miscreants espousing the separatist cause were seen taking on the Sena workers and this was followed by stone-pelting from both sides. Subsequently, the local authorities imposed a curfew in Patiala.
India 29-Apr-2022
Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, while addressing a 100-member Sikh delegation on April 29, said that Sikh tradition is a living example of one India, strong India and the community has become synonymous with the national spirit of courage, prowess and diligence. “The Sikh tradition is a living tradition of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’. The nation remains grateful for the community’s contribution to India’s Independence and later. India’s history is incomplete without the mention of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s contributions, Sikhs’ struggle against the British and the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy,” the PM said. Saluting the Sikh spirit of service and enterprise, he said India’s rising stature made diaspora the proudest and opened new horizons for them as the world viewed them with greater respect.
United States 29-Apr-2022
The National Commission for Minorities on April 29 has urged the Ministry of External Affairs to raise with the US the issue of attack on Sikhs there and ensure that appropriate steps are taken to prevent and combat hate in America.
India 30-Apr-2022
Punjab police on April 30 arrested two more persons, identified as Daljeet Singh and Kuldeep Singh, allegedly involved in the clash over an anti-Khalistan march in Patiala in Patiala district and identified a Rajpura resident with criminal antecedent as the mastermind behind the incident. Earlier hours after the clash on April 29, the police had arrested Harish Singla, the “working president” of a group called “Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray)” on charges of taking out the procession without permission and instigating violence. The new Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Patiala range, Mukhwinder Singh Chhina said that six FIRs have been lodged in connection with the April 29 incident and a total of 25 people have been named in them. He also said that police have identified Barjinder Singh Parwana, a resident of Rajpura in the district, as the main accused and one of the masterminds of the incident.
India 30-Apr-2022
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said that anti-national forces sitting across the border are plotting to attack the brotherhood of Punjab. He said that permanent peace has been established in the state after thousands of sacrifices, now a conspiracy was hatched to fight the brotherhood who have been together for centuries. He said that the people of the state got caught in the trap of a handful of conspirators. Chugh said that even when there was a specter of terror in the state, both the communities did not let the limits of each other's religious sentiments get hurt.
United States 30-Apr-2022
The United States (US) state of Connecticut recognized April 29 as the ‘Anniversary of the declaration of Sikh Independence Day’. The letter reads, “Be it hereby known to all that: The Connecticut General Assembly offers its sincerest congratulations to the World Sikh Parliament in recognition of the 36th anniversary of the declaration of Sikh Independence. We join with you, your friends, and your family in commemorating the historic resolution passed on April 29th, 1986 by the collective Sikh Nation gathering known as ‘Sarbat Khalsa,’ Sikhs Political Centre, situated in the holy city of Amritsar in Punjab.” However, the Connecticut general assembly’s decision has attracted sharp criticism by leaders across party lines in India. The controversial declaration came in the backdrop of violent clashes which broke out between Shiv Sena and pro-Khalistan groups on April 29 in Patiala in Punjab, India.
United States 01-May-2022
The Indian World Forum raised concern over the US State provocation of pro-Khalistani groups. The forum stated that the resolution passed by the US State of Connecticut influences and promotes Khalistan and thereby challenging the sovereignty of India. The Indian World Forum President, Puneet Singh Chandhok condemned the resolution and said, "The Sikhs living in India are the law-abiding citizens who even have any differences or grievances with the government still remain within the system and seek their demands within the judicial system. Unfortunately, Anti-India elements sitting outside the country and working at the behest of different countries and security agencies have been again and again trying to sabotage and disturb the communal harmony in the state of Punjab in particular". "With such resolution being passed by the state of Connecticut in the US, it will be clearly influencing a separatist ideology that Sikhs of India don't advocate. There were certain differences during the 1984 riots, certain resolutions were passed. Sikhs always thrive for a progressive and prosperous India and never strive to disrupt the peace of any country. It's shocking to know that the state of Connecticut's general assembly has passed an official citation and the Mayor has tendered his resignation. Such activities clearly instigate a separatist ideology that we don't advocate. I was brutally attacked on August 25, 2018, by the Khalistan agents working at the behest of ISI Pakistan and by the activists of Sikhs for justice. To date, I have not received justice from the US authorities instead they are more interested in passing such a kind of resolution which indirectly promotes Khalistani ideologies," said Indian World Forum President.
India 01-May-2022
The Punjab School Education Board banned three books for allegedly distorting facts related to Sikh history. Punjab Education Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer on May 1 said that action will be taken against writers and publishers for allegedly distorting facts related to Sikh history in the books.
India 01-May-2022
Border Security Force (BSF) on May 1 arrested a farmer, identified as Dilbag Singh with two packets of suspected heroin weighing approximately 1.2 kg near the international border in Amritsar sector in Amritsar district. According to sources, alert BSF troops arrested the farmer, while he was trying to conceal suspicious narcotic packets when he had gone ahead of the fence for farming.
India 01-May-2022
The Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of the Punjab Police on May 1 arrested three aides of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and Canada-based outlaw Goldy Brar from Bathinda in Bathinda District. Those arrested, identified as Lovepreet Singh, alias Sachin, Himmatveer Singh Gill and Balkaran, alias Vicky, were planning to target a prominent businessman of the Malwa region for extortion. The police have recovered four pistols and 20 cartridges, besides an i20 car from their possession.
India 02-May-2022
A politician from Himachal Pradesh, Harpreet Singh Bedi, supported the demand for a separate Sikh homeland 'Khalistan' in his social media posts. Bedi shared several tweets in support of Khalistan on microblogging site Twitter and then deleted the account. "According to the constitution, Sikh can demand for Khalistan, then how it is wrong if you want to stop this issue, try to change the act otherwise shut the...," one tweet read. He also shared pictures of the currency of the 'Republic of Khalistan'. The Mandi-based politician deleted his Twitter account after he was criticised for supporting Khalistan. Bedi was formerly associated with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) but is no longer with the party.
India 02-May-2022
India on May 2 condemned the “official citation” made in the General Assembly in the state of Connecticut in the United States (US), recognising the 36th anniversary of the declaration of ‘Khalistan’, saying “vested interests seek to divide communities and promote bigotry and hatred. Their agenda of violence has no place in democratic societies like the US and India”. The Consulate General of India at New York tweeted a statement, saying the Embassy of India in Washington DC and the Consulate General of India in New York would take up this issue appropriately with US lawmakers.
India 02-May-2022
The Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) warned Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and Director General Police (DGP) Viresh Bhawra against taking action against the Khalistan supporters who are accused in the April 29 Patiala violence case. In a video, SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was heard inciting communal tensions by claiming that Sikhs gave a fitting response to the "Hindu extremists" in Patiala. He also cautioned Mann and Bhawra against following a policy pursued by the late CM Beant Singh failing which they will have to face consequences. Beant Singh was assassinated in a bomb blast on August 31, 1995. In the video, Pannun also asked the police to not disrespect family members of the Sikhs named in connection with the Patiala clash. Moreover, he warned that the children of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and police officials studying in Australia, the UK, Canada and the US will be forced by SFJ to return back home if the children of the accused are harassed.
India 02-May-2022
Police arrested a Tanzanian woman, identified as Rahma and recovered 300 gm of heroin from her possession in Zirakpur in Mohali district.
United States 02-May-2022
The Chairman of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), Thomas Abraham said that the group's Connecticut chapter will meet the legislators behind the General Assembly's pro-Khalistan statement and explain the situation. He deplored the statement calling it "terrible". Abraham, who is based in Connecticut, said that a "fringe group got it adopted at the tail-end of the Assembly session without the knowledge of most elected officials". GOPIO's Connecticut chapter "deplores such act by Connecticut legislators who initiated and/or endorsed this legislation and will meet them personally to correct the situation", he said.
India 02-May-2022
According to reports, Akal Takht is all set to initiate action against US-based Thaminder Singh Anand for allegedly distorting the Gurbani while printing the saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib in an unauthorised manner. Thaminder, who runs SikhBookClub.com, has been accused of not only getting published the copies of the ‘saroop’, but also uploading its PDF on the website.
India 02-May-2022
Punjab police on May 2 identified the key accused in the smuggling of drugs at the India-Pakistan border, a day after the Border Security Force (BSF) arrested a farmer with 1 kg heroin when he was returning back after tilling his fields between the barbed wire fence and the zero line. Pooran Singh of Hardo Rattan village situated near the Attari border, who owns around five acres of agricultural land on both sides of the barbed wire fence, was identified after police got inputs from Dilbagh Singh of the same village, who was arrested on May 1. “Dilbagh has told us that he was clearing the consignment of heroin from his field at the instance of one Pooran Singh of his village. We have found that Pooran also owns around five acres of agricultural land on both sides of the barbed wire fence,” an unnamed senior Punjab police official said.
India 02-May-2022
According to reports, the Khanna police gave cash awards of just Rs 1,350 to 36 police personnel involved in the ongoing anti-drug drive. Each police personnel got Rs 20 to Rs 60. Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ravi Kumar said that as per the Punjab Police Rules, an SSP can distribute maximum Rs 150 in each case. If five police personnel are involved in nabbing the smugglers, the SSP has to divide Rs 150 among all of them. The copy of the order reveals that on May 2, Khanna SSP Ravi Kumar approved cash awards for 36 police personnel who apprehended at least 10 smugglers and seized heroin, poppy husk and opium from their possession. An Assistant of sub-inspector (ASI) -rank officer said, “I got Rs 30 for my efforts in nabbing a heroin smuggler, one of my juniors got Rs 20, while my senior got Rs 35. This amount has no relevance in present times. Instead of encouraging the policemen, this ridiculous amount may discourage them.”
India 03-May-2022
The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered 2.98 kg of heroin worth Rs 15 crore (international market) adjacent to the border fence near Jodhewala village in Jalalabad subdivision of Fazilka district on May 3. According to sources, jawans of the 52 Battalion noticed suspicious movement and challenged the suspect who fled on a bike. During search, two bottles filled with heroin and wrapped in green cloth were recovered near the fence.
India 03-May-2022
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on May 3 said that hatemongers have no place in Punjab and seeds of hatred don't bloom on this land.Anything can be planted in the fertile land of Punjab but not the seeds of hatred, he said addressing a gathering in Malerkotla in Malerkotla district after offering prayers at the local Idgah on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. The CM said, "Punjab's social bonding is very strong. We live in brotherhood and those who spread hatred find no place here". "Punjab is the land of gurus, pir, fakirs, poets and martyrs, seeds of hatred don't bloom here," he said giving a stern warning to elements trying to disturb peace and harmony of the State.
United States 03-May-2022
The Akal Takht on May 3 declared a United States (US)-based Sikh publisher, Thaminder Singh Anand, a “tankhaiya” (guilty of religious misconduct) for making distortions in the Gurbani (hymns) and asked the community to boycott him till he appears before the Takht to apologise for his offence.
India 03-May-2022
The Hoshiarpur district police arrested four smugglers by recovering a huge quantity of narcotics from them from different places on May 3. Police arrested Amandeep Singh alias Aman, a resident of Jagatpura, and recovered 78 grams of intoxicating powder from him. Gurpreet Singh alias Guru a resident Basant Bihar, was arrested by the police and 22 grams of heroin was seized from him. During a naka in the area, Mehtiana police arrested Jatinder Singh Jimmy and Lakhwinder Singh and recovered a large number of sedative capsules from them.
India 04-May-2022
Seven drug peddlers were arrested and 300g of heroin was recovered from them after a video was shared widely on social media of a man selling drugs to addicts on a rail track in Faridkot in Faridkot district on May 4. The accused were identified as Shivam, Ravi, Deepak, Baljeet Singh, Hira Singh, Amritpal Singh Jinda and Pardeep Kumar, all residents of Faridkot. Police rounded up the alleged drug supplier, Jagdeep Singh and impounded three two-wheelers of the accused.
India 04-May-2022
The Special Task Force (STF) of the Punjab Police arrested two gangsters, identified as David alias Laddi Shooter and Lovepreet Sandhu alias Akash and recovered two pistols, three magazines, 12 rounds, 60-gm heroin and Rs 6.3 lakh drug money from their possession in Ferozepur district.
India 05-May-2022
According to reports, after a major Pakistan-Khalistan terror plot was thwarted in Karnal on May 5, with the arrest of four terror suspects, the banned pro-Khalistan outfit, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has warned Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Manohar Lal Khattar against branding the arrested accused as Pakistan terror suspects. SFJ issued a warning against CM Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij against labelling Khalistan activists as an “ISI backed-terrorist”. The group has also claimed to provide legal aid to the arrested terrorists. The SFJ has now issued an open warning against Haryana CM over branding the arrested accused in Karnal as Pakistan terror suspects. In a video message released by SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, under its “Haryana BanayGa Khalistan” campaign, the group issued a warning to the Haryana CM against the Pak-Khalistan terror nexus. SFJ also informed that it will provide legal aid to the four terror suspects arrested in Karnal.
India 05-May-2022
Four Punjab-based terror suspects on way to Adilabad in Telangana to deliver a consignment of explosives in an Innova car with Delhi registration were arrested at Bastara toll plaza in Karnal District of Haryana on May 5 morning. Police have seized three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in a metallic case (2.5 kilograms each), a Pakistan-made pistol, 31 live cartridges and INR 130,000 in cash from them. Those arrested have been identified as Gurpreet Singh, Amandeep Singh, Parminder Singh (all residents of Vinjoke village of Zira in Ferozepur district of Punjab) and Bhupinder Singh of Bhatian village in Ludhiana in Punjab. Punjab, Director general of Police (DGP), VK Bhawra claimed that the State Police, acting on inputs from the central intelligence agencies, averted a possible terrorist attack by giving a hot chase of over 300 kilometres and getting four suspects arrested in Karnal. They were arrested by Haryana Police following inputs from Punjab Police, he added. Karnal, Superintendent of Police (SP), Ganga Ram Punia said the suspects were in touch with a Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist, Harvinder Singh Rinda, who used to send locations through an app to them to deliver explosives and weapons. Rinda used to drop weapons and explosives at pre-designated locations in the fields in Ferozepur with the help of drones.
India 05-May-2022
According to report, the recent probe into pro-Khalistan modules busted in Punjab has revealed that foreign-based terrorists and their local handlers are using money to lure the state’s youth, who in fact lack ideological conviction. According to an internal analysis of the intelligence wing of Punjab Police, most of those arrested in these cases belong to non-Sikh families with poor financial backgrounds. A senior official of the internal security wing, which deals with such cases, said the arrested youths were mostly unemployed and had been promised money or a future abroad. The recent arrests and recoveries pertain to grenade attacks at an army camp in Pathankot and a similar attack on a CIA police station in SBS Nagar, both in November 2021, besides another grenade attack on a police post in Rupnagar on March 9, the eve of assembly election results in Punjab. Among the six suspects identified by the SBS Nagar police in the Pathankot grenade blast — in which International Youth Sikh Federation (IYSF) chief Lakhbir Singh Rode, who is based in Pakistan, has been identified as the mastermind —four belong to very poor families. Police officials who have quizzed these suspects claim that while one Gurwinder Singh of Kharal village in Gurdaspur was promised a job in Dubai and free travel from India, another Raman Kumar (19), was a drug addict and was paid a meagre amount of Rs 12,000 to join the module. Similarly, in the CIA police station case, the module members were ordinary youths apart from one Kuldeep Kumar alias Sunny, from Ludhiana who had motivated them to carry out the grenade attack in SBS Nagar on November 7, 2021. Sunny lured the local youth having petty criminal record using personal links or distant friendships and would allocate money as per their role, found the police probe. Sandeep Sharma, senior superintendent of police (SSP), SBS Nagar, said those who performed the task under the guidance of their masters are neither radical nor they know much about Khalistan. “Sunny lured them with money on behalf of Rinda. The money involved ranges from Rs 15,000 to Rs 1 lakh,” said the SSP.
India 08-May-2022
The chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has been named as the main accused in connection with the appearance of 'Khalistan' banners and graffiti on the walls of Himachal Pradesh Assembly in Dharamshala on May 8. Pannun has been charged under the stringent anti-terror law Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Himachal Police have stepped up security in the State after SFJ gave a call for holding a 'Khalistan' referendum on June 6. Inter-state borders have been sealed and security stepped at key Government buildings. "Keeping in view the incidents of Khalistani elements in neighboring States and also incident of tying a Khalistani banner took place in Una district on 11.04.2022 and recent incident of hoisting banners & graffiti of Khalistan on the outer boundary of Vidhan Sabha in Dharamshala as well as the threat posed by Sikhs for Justice (SJF) regarding announcement of 6th June, 2022 as voting date for Khalistan Referendum in Himachal Pradesh, the DGP-HP has issued directions to the field formations to remain on high alert from today," an order issued by State Police Chief Sanjay Kundu said
India 09-May-2022
A rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) hit the Intelligence Wing headquarters of Punjab Police in Mohali on May 9 night, shattering windowpanes on one of the floors of the building. However, no one was injured in the explosion. The explosion took place at around 7.45 pm [IST] at the office located at sector 77 in Mohali. The windowpanes on one of the floors of the building were shattered because of the explosion. The Mohali police said in a statement, “A minor explosion was reported at the Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in sector 77, SAS Nagar at around 7.45 PM. No damage has been reported. Senior officers are on the spot and an investigation is being done. Forensic teams have been called.” The explosion came close on the heels of the recovery of an explosive device near Burail Jail in Chandigarh on April 24. A senior official associated with a Central intelligence agency said that it is suspected that a RPG was used in the attack and it is an unusual thing. "In the past grenade attacks have happened but the use of RPGs is worrying for everyone," said a senior official. "Some suspects taken into custody," Punjab Police, Director General of Police (DGP), Viresh Kumar Bhawra said at meeting headed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
India 10-May-2022
The banned outfit, Sikh for Justice (SFJ) claimed responsibility for the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack at Punjab Police's Intelligence wing in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District of Punjab on May 9. In a suspected audio message to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM), Jai Ram Thakur, SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued a warning. The voice message transcripts, "Lesson for Himachal chief minister - learn from grenade attack at Mohali police headquarters - attack could have been at Shimla headquarters. CM Thakur SFJ advise - we raised flag at Dharamshala HQ, do not provoke the Sikh community. SFJ is going to announce Khalistan referendum 20-20 on June 6 in Himachal on day of voting. Do not provoke Sikh community and start violence because violence begets violence, CM Thakur. Message is from Gurpatwant Singh Pannu SFJ General Counsel." The Punjab Police are verifying the authenticity of the voice message. A probe is already ongoing and 20 suspects have been arrested in the RPG attack at Punjab Police's Intelligence wing case. Police are also planning to issue a red corner notice for Pannun
India 10-May-2022
The Punjab Police, on May 10, have so far detained at least 18-20 suspects in connection with the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack at Punjab Intelligence HQs in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District of Punjab on May 9 night. A high alert has been sounded in Mohali as the Police did not rule out it as a terror attack. The Police have picked up 6,000 to 7,000 mobile dumps of three mobile towers in the vicinity of intelligence headquarters building between 7pm [IST] and 8pm [IST]. Police are scrutinising the mobile dumps, said an Police officer.
India 11-May-2022
According to reports, Haryana Police has invoked Section 124A (sedition), the law whose operation the Supreme Court put on hold on May 11, in 41 cases in recent years. The individuals booked form a wide spectrum, from the founder of the pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) to the leader of a khap [a community organisation representing a clan or a group of related clans], a Congress Member of Parliament (MP) and senior journalists. Chargesheets have been filed in at least 19 cases and six have gone to trial. Most sedition cases registered in the State in the last two years have been against SFJ and its founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who has included Haryana, which he claims to be part of Punjab, in his separatist messages. The first of these cases was filed in July 2020 in Gurgaon and Kurukshetra. Pannun was declared a terrorist on July 1, 2020 by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA).
India 12-May-2022
Pro Khalistan banned terror group Sikh for Justice (SFJ) on May 12 issued a fresh threat to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Jairam Thakur and Director General of Police (DGP), Sanjay Kundu. The legal counsel of SFJ, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in an audio message announced a reward of around INR 2 million to anyone providing information about the CM and the DGP's foreign visits. Prompting that the 'war is on', Pannu reminded the CM to not take action against activists who raised ‘Khalistan flags’ at the State Assembly building in Dharamshala. "The SFJ had asked you not to take any action against the activists who hoisted Khalistan flag at Vidhan Sabha. Now the war is on. SFJ will give USD 25,000 for providing information of foreign visits of CM Thakur and DGP Kundu, or any other minister of Himachal or their family members," the SFJ counsel said. "We will hold you and your family accountable under the Foreign Human Rights Violation Act," Pannu added. Notably, in an earlier message, SFJ had claimed responsibility for raising ‘Khalistan flags’ at the State Assembly building in Dharamshala and warned Himachal CM Jairam Thakur to 'learn something from the Mohali attack, it could have been Shimla too.' Responding to SFJ's threat, DGP Kundu informed that the police had already sought Interpol's assistance in issuing a red corner notice against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. "We will not be cowed down by these threats. We are doing our job. The police have already sought assistance from the Interpol to get a red cornered notice against him," he said.
India 13-May-2022
Five suspected persons were arrested in connection with the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) attack at its intelligence headquarters in Mohali, the Punjab Police said on May 13, adding that the act was carried out by a nexus of militant outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and gangsters. Director General of Police (DGP), V K Bhawra said a sixth accused is in Police custody in a separate case. “In addition, two people — Mohd Nasim Alam and Mohd Sharaf Raj — have been brought for questioning from Noida. They originally hail from Bihar. We have not arrested them yet and they are being questioned.” The five suspects arrested were identified as Jagdeep Singh Kang, Baljit Kaur alias Sukhi, Baljinder Singh alias Rambo, Kanwarjit Singh alias Kanwar Bath and Anant Deep Singh alias Sonu. DGP, Bhawra said the role of BKI and gangsters at the behest of the ISI has come to the fore. “The key conspirator who organised all logistics is Tarn Taran resident Lakhbir Singh, alias Landa, who used to be a gangster and had shifted to Canada in 2017,” the DGP said, adding, “He is a close associate of gangster-turned-terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda, who operates from Pakistan.” Landa provided the RPG, AK-47 and the local network of criminals for logistic support to carry out the attack, the Punjab Police chief said, adding that the three suspects who carried out the attack were still on the run.
India 13-May-2022
Pro-Khalistani posters were seen pasted on the Budhalada city over bridge in Mansa District of Punjab. The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has claimed responsibility for the posters with an intent to provoke distress in the region. As per reports, the Mansa Police are tracking the phone numbers through which the video, promoting anti-India messages, is being circulated.
India 16-May-2022
A local court, on May 16, extended the Police custody of two Punjab men accused of putting up Khalistan flags on the gate of the Vidhan Sabha complex in Dharamshala and scrawling graffiti on its boundary wall, till May 19. The accused, Harbir Singh and Paramjit Singh Pamma, were produced before the court of judicial magistrate Shubhangi Joshi, who extended their Police custody after the Police said the accused were yet to be taken to the spot together for collecting and reconciling evidences. Reportedly, Khalistan flags were put up at the Vidhan Sabha gate on the intervening night of May 7 and May 8 and graffiti was painted on its boundary wall.
India 16-May-2022
Ahead of 38th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) issued a “tourist alert” advising people against visiting Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Himachal Pradesh (HP) on May 16. The group said that the chief ministers of three States had initiated a conflict with pro-Khalistan Sikhs by filing false terror charges which could escalate to a law and order crisis in Uttar Pradesh (UP), Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. “During heydays of Khalistan movement in 1990s Indian agencies, using “black cats” frequently orchestrated massacres of Hindus to malign and crush the popular Sikhs’ demand for right to self-determination,” SFJ’s Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in a mail sent to media houses. Alleging double standards in celebrating Bhagat Singh as a hero for bombing Delhi assembly while labelling Sikhs as terrorists, Pannun said: “We believe in ballot not bomb and will announce Khalistan Referendum Voting Date in Punjab on June 6 from Sri Akal Takht Sahib”. He said the areas earmarked for secession from India through Khalistan Referendum, include Haryana, HP and Sikh populated areas of UP
India 19-May-2022
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, chief of Sikh for Justice (SFJ) again threatened the advocates of Himachal Pradesh and has sent a threatening letter and voice message by e-mail to advocate in Jubbal and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mandal President Umesh Sharma. In his audio threat, Pannun was heard saying, "This message is for Himachal advocates. You have failed in your legal duty. You have failed your oath, advocates. Now you will face Sikhs for Justice. We will hold you accountable. We are going to make a list of advocates from Himachal. CM Thakur [Jai Ram Thakur], no Jail in Himachal can hold pro-Khalistan Sikhs forever," adds republicworld.com. Umesh has given a complaint about the matter to Monika Bhatungru, Superintendent of Police (SP), Shimla. Threatening e-mails and voice messages have also been sent to the advocates of District Court Una. He has supported the accused who wrote slogans of Khalistan at the gate of Assembly Dharamshala.
India 22-May-2022
The intelligence agencies warned that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is planning to target railway tracks in and around Punjab in India. Intelligence agencies issued an alert warning that Pakistan’s ISI has hatched a big conspiracy to target railway tracks in Punjab and its surrounding States and said the plans to blow up railway tracks were being formulated to hit freight trains. Intelligence agencies also stated in the alert that ISI is funding its operatives in India on a large scale to target railway tracks. Pakistan’s sleeper cells present in India are being paid hefty amounts to carry out terror activities.
India 23-May-2022
An Intelligence Bureau report has sounded an alert about the possibility of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) backed terrorists are likely to target tracks in Punjab for sabotaging railway tracks to cause major accidents. The Intelligence says that the ISI has directed the Khalistan groups to undertake this operation and in particular target the goods trains.
Malaysia 24-May-2022
The Special Task Force (STF) of Punjab Police has asked the Centre to issue a lookout circular against a Malaysia-based handler in connection with the Ludhiana court blast after it was revealed that he allegedly played a crucial role in establishing contact between the accused in India, Pakistan-based entities and Khalistani terrorist Harvinder Singh alias Rinda. Harpreet Singh alias Happy Malaysia is a cousin brother of Surmukh Singh alias Samu of Panju Kalal village in Amritsar, one of the key accused in the case.
India 25-May-2022
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation of the Karnal Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and ammunition recovery case in which four terror suspects were arrested earlier this month by Haryana Police. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) handed over the case to the NIA to probe the matter and the anti-terror agency registered an FIR this week. “We took over Karnal IED recovery case this week,” a senior NIA official, privy to the development said.
India 25-May-2022
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted bail to two persons, Dharminder Singh alias Fauji and Kirpal Singh, allegedly with links to the Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) being tried under the sedition law. The duo, Dharminder and Kripal were booked for various offences in an FIR in May 2018, including 124-A (sedition) and under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), 1967, at Police Station Rangar Nangal in Batala.
India 26-May-2022
After pro-Pakistan separatist leader Yasin Malik was sentenced to life imprisonment in a terror funding case on May 25, Khalistan terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) issued fresh provocation, calling on terrorists in the Valley to block the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. In a video released on May 26, SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun came out in defense of Yasin Malik, who was sentenced to life-time imprisonment for terror funding and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Pannun said that "funding separatism is not terrorism" and accused the Indian government of committing crimes against the minority community. "This is my call to Kashmir freedom fighters, come out in support of Yasin Malik and block Amarnath Yatra. This will highlight the Kashmir Independent movement internationally. We (SFJ) will support your blocking of Amarnath Yatra," Pannun is heard saying in the provocative video.
India 29-May-2022
Hours after the murder of Punjabi singer and Congress leader Sidhu Moosewala, Canada-based banned separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has issued a threat letter, in which in a threat aimed at Punjabi singers, urged them to support the Khalistan movement. The SFJ threat came after the Directorate General of Police (DGP) of Punjab Viresh Kumar Bhawra acknowledged that the murder of Moosewala was a result of inter-gang rivalry. Following the killing of Sidhu Moosewala, Pannun, in a threat letter directed to Punjabi singers, stated that “death is imminent” and now is the time to support the “Khalistan Referendum” for the liberation of Punjab from India.”
India 31-May-2022
Indian World Forum President Puneet Singh Chandhok filed a criminal complaint with Delhi Police against Sikh for Justice (SFJ) chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for "instigating violence, planning to disturb the communal harmony and national security” and sought action in coordination with Interpol.
Pakistan 31-May-2022
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has strongly condemned the murders and said in a statement that, "This is not the first time that the Sikh community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, (KP) has been targeted and we demand that the KP police identify and arrest the perpetrators promptly." The brutal incident took place on May 15, in which two Sikh traders--Kuljeet and Ranjit Singh got killed on the outskirts of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. This was the 'twelfth' such incident since 2014 when Sikhs were targeted by extremists in KP province alone.
India 31-May-2022
The Ludhiana unit of STF, the anti-narcotic cell of Ludhiana city police and the Khanna cops have arrested three drug peddlers in separate cases. In this first incident, accused Rohit, 27, a resident of Mohalla Peeru Banda, was arrested, near Sandhu Nagar and recovered 432g of contrabands which has costs Rs 2.16 crore in international market from him. In another case, the anti-narcotic wing of Ludhiana Commissionerate arrested drug peddler Baldev Singh of Pratap Singh Wala along with 1.10kg opium from Ayali Khurd. In the third case, Sadar Khanna police arrested a Rajasthan resident, Guddu Lal Gujar, with 1kg opium near Mandiala Kalan village.
India 31-May-2022
In a letter to Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Harpreet Singh, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala said that the actions of Pannun, a degenerate Sikh and Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) leader who had been disrespecting the case on a daily basis, were a violation of the code of conduct. Needs to be tamed. He said that even in today's gloomy situation, Pannun's statement on Sidhu Musewala's death while engaging in disgusting politics has come to light which has created fear in the minds of the people.
India 01-Jun-2022
In the wake of 38th anniversary week of Sikh for Justice (SFJ)’s rail roko call on June 3 in Punjab and Haryana, Government Railway Police (GRP) Superintendent of Police (SP), operations, Amandeep Kaur, on June 1, directed GRP deputy superintendents and Station House Officers (SHOs) across Punjab to patrol the Government buildings from the Khalistani supporters.
India 03-Jun-2022
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikh for Justice (SFJ), threatened Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Manohar Lal Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij. In a threat to the Government Railway Police (GRP), Pannun said that on June 3, no train would be run in Haryana, otherwise the Haryana Government would be responsible for any accident.
India 03-Jun-2022
Pro-Khalistan posters have been spotted at a flyover in Mansa District of Punjab on June 3. The posters have surfaced ahead of the anniversary of Operation Blue Star on June 6. The posters spotted at the flyover mention the banned Pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).
India 04-Jun-2022
Ahead of the Operation Blue Star anniversary on June 6, Khalistani posters have been found in Kalanaur area in Gurdaspur District of Punjab. In the posters slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ are written, and on the other hand, Amritsar bandh (general shut down strike) has been declared on June 6 by some extremist groups. Posters have also been pasted on the walls and shutters of shops. It is learned that some unidentified persons have put up these posters at some places in Kalanaur. Along with Bhindranwale's name on the poster it is written that the real rightful owner of Punjab is Khalistan and Hindustan Murdabad.
India 07-Jun-2022
Exposing the links between Pakistan and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), a video emerged of the terror outfit's general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun holding a virtual press conference in Lahore. This development comes two days after the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. In the video, Pannun thanked Pakistani media for giving him a platform to talk about Khalistan Referendum. "The referendum seeks to liberate Punjab from India. On June 6, 1984, the Indira Gandhi government attacked Darbar Sahib and killed Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and his followers," he said.
India 09-Jun-2022
Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against gangster-turned-terrorist Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda for involvement in Ludhiana Court Blast, Mohali Blast and many terrorist incidents in Punjab and the recent arrest of terrorists from Karnal. Rinda, who is responsible for inducting and operationalising many terrorist modules in Punjab in the recent past, is now based in Pakistan. Backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Rinda has also been responsible for smuggling huge quantities of arms and ammunition into India. Rinda is wanted by Chandigarh Police in four criminal cases including murder, attempt to murder, extortion and Arms act. These cases were registered between 2016 to 2018.
India 19-Jun-2022
According to reports, some slogans such as “Referendum 20-20, January 2023 and Punjab da hall Khalistan SFJ 26 January” were written on the back gate and wall of Shri Kali Mata Mandir in Sangrur in Punjab with black spray paint. A video went viral on social media in which Gurpatwant Pannun took responsibility for the act.
India 20-Jun-2022
Chandigarh Police booked Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), for trying to spread hatred and enmity among communities and conspiring to disturb the peace of Punjab State. According to reports, Pannun has been booked under sections 153 A, 153 B, 120 B, section 13, 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and section 3 of the Punjab Prevention of Defacement to Public Property Act.
India 22-Jun-2022
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on June 22, conducted raids at seven locations in the cities of Punjab in connection with the case of four alleged terrorists arrested in Karnal of terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and recovered explosives and weapons. During this raid, many digital devices including financial transaction property have been recovered.
India 24-Jun-2022
The Jalandhar rural Police, on June 24, claimed to have busted an extortion and arms smuggling racket affiliated to the 'Pinda' gang with the arrest of its all 13 members. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Swapan Sharma said a close aide of the dead gangster Vicky Gounder, Palwinder Singh alias Pinda, whose role had link in the 2016 Nabha jailbreak, is the kingpin of the gang. He was apparently handling the gang with the help of Paramjit alias Pamma, a native of Shahkot and currently residing in Greece, he said. The arrested persons are history-sheeters and have been facing criminal cases, murder, attempt to murder, extortion, and arms smuggling, he said, as per an official statement. In addition, six other persons were arrested for harboring and providing logistic support, he said. Police have also recovered seven .32 bore pistols, three .315 bore pistols, one .315 bore gun, one .12 bore gun, and two SUVs besides foreign currency amounting to INR 800,0000. "Paramjit, alias Pamma, allegedly used to finance the gang and send foreign currency via hawala route to Amarjit, alias Amar, who further used to distribute among the gang members to carry out various criminal activities," he said
Italy 03-Jul-2022
According to reports, Sikh for Justice (SFJ), which has been demanding Khalistan, held a vote for the Khalistan ‘referendum’ in Rome, the capital of Italy. According to reports, more than 17,000 Sikhs took part in it, and on the same occasion, SFJ also announced the Khalistan plebiscite in Indian Punjab on January 26, 2023, on the occasion of India's 74th Republic Day. SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in a statement that the polling in Rome coincided with the 38th anniversary of Operation Blue Star. Raising questions on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pannun said that Narendra Modi has given a clear message to the government that the will of Sikhs cannot be broken by repression. Pannun said that the Indian Government has made every effort at every level to stop the Khalistan plebiscite, but it could not happen.
India 05-Jul-2022
Karnal Police, on July 5, has arrested a Patiala-based man, identified as Manjeet, hailing from Patiala in Punjab, for writing “pro-Khalistan slogans” on the walls of two educational institutions on June 20, and said that the accused was promised to pay USD 1,000 by a US-based person for accomplishing the job. Manjeet was produced before the court which remanded him to 5-day Police custody for further probe.
India 07-Jul-2022
Pro-Khalistan slogans were found scribbled on the walls of Dera Sacha Sauda’s Punjab headquarters at Salabatpura village, 40 kilometres from Bathinda city in Bathinda District on July 7 morning, reports Hindustan Times. Phul, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Aaswant Dhaliwal said a Police team deployed in the sensitive area noticed the slogans written on three sides of the dera’s compound. “Four teams have been constituted to investigate the matter. CCTV cameras in the area are being scanned to get clues,” said the DSP. A case has been registered against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, co-founder of the banned US-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) after his purported video claiming responsibility for the incident was shared on social media.
India 11-Jul-2022
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on July 11 filed a chargesheet against two accused in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Dharamsala, for putting up banners of Khalistan outside the Himachal Pradesh (HP) Vidhan Sabha at Tapovan on the intervening night of May 7 and 8. A case under Section 153-A, 153-B of the Indian penal Code (IPC) and Section 3 of the HP Open Places (Prevention of Disfigurement) Act, 1985 was registered after a video message and a letter of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of Sikh for Justice (SFJ) went viral on social media claiming responsibility for the act.
India 12-Jul-2022
According to reports, Punjab Police, on July 12, detained some persons (identity undisclosed) in Malerkotla for questioning after 75 kilograms of heroin was found in their consignment of clothes at Mundra Port in Gujarat. The contraband was kept concealed in a container of unstitched clothes using a cardboard pipe, which was further camouflaged by an oversized plastic pipe. The container, which was loaded from Jebel Ali port in the UAE, was booked by an importer from Malerkotla. Following specific intelligence input regarding the smuggling of heroin from the UAE to Punjab, the State Police in a joint operation with the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), Gujarat, and central agencies seized 75 kilograms of heroin from a container at Mundra Port, said Punjab, Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav on July 12.
Canada 14-Jul-2022
Canada-based Sikh leader and businessman Ripudaman Singh Malik, who was acquitted in the 1985 Air India bombing case, was shot dead in British Columbia’s Surrey in Canada on July 14. Local Police said that the shots were fired at 9:30 am local time and that the man succumbed to his injuries at the scene. They added that the shooting appeared to be targeted attack. While no arrests have been made, the Police found a burnt vehicle around 2 kilometers from the scene of the crime.
India 15-Jul-2022
Sources said that over two months after a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) was fired at the intelligence headquarters in Mohali, the Punjab Police claim to be closing in on the two attackers. According to a senior Police officer, privy to the investigations, the two suspects who carried out the attack on “direct instructions” from Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist Harvinder Singh Rinda have been identified as Divanshu and Deepak. While Divanshu belongs to Haryana’s Jhajjar, Deepak is from Faizabad in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Their last known location is also somewhere in UP, said the officer. Rinda had allegedly also used the duo to execute two murders — one in Maharashtra’s Nanded (where the gangster-turned-terrorist group is mainly active) and another in Amritsar. “Although six men were already arrested for the conspiracy, they had no idea about the exact identity of the two attackers, who were specially hired and given online training to fire an RPG by Rinda,” the officer cited above said.
India 16-Jul-2022
Haryana Police, on July 16, registered a case of sedition among other charges against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and his accomplices for damaging the railway track dedicated to supply coal to the thermal power plant in Khedar village of Hisar District of Haryana. Police said unknown persons removed pandrol clips at around 60 points on the railway line about 400 yards from the Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Plant in Khedar, which is meant to supply coal to the power plant and is connected to the Hisar railway track. A video clip surfaced on social media in which Pannun is seen claiming the responsibility for damage to the railway track. The speaker, in the video, said this was the beginning of their designs to block the coal supply to many thermal power plants in the country. He claimed his aides had removed the clips of the railway line to stop the coal supply. The 2.40-minute video also has visuals of two persons removing the clips of the railway line.
India 19-Jul-2022
The banned terror organization, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), tried to arrange shelter for some of the killers of singer Sidhu Moosewala in Ambala (Haryana), phone recordings of US-based SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun with two persons arrested in Patiala on July 19 have revealed. The multiple audio recordings have also revealed that the SFJ was planning to paint anti-India slogans on buildings on the Independence Day in Haryana, besides disrupting the August 15 functions in Punjab and New Delhi, especially those of the Delhi and Punjab Chief Ministers.
India 19-Jul-2022
Punjab Police, arrested two persons, Harwinder Singh alias Prince and Prem Singh alias Prem in connection with the proscribed Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), four days after a pro-Khalistan poster was found pasted on the wall of the Kali Mata temple in Patiala District of Punjab. Police have also recovered 13 posters of the SFJ, two mobile phones and a bike used for committing the offence.
India 26-Jul-2022
The special court of National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Mohali in Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar District of Punjab framed charges against eight Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) terrorists, on July 26, for the murder of Shaurya Chakra awardee comrade Balwinder Singh Sandhu. The charges were framed against Sukhraj Singh alias Sukha of Lakhanpal in Gurdaspur, Ravinder Singh alias Ravi Dhillon of Hussainpura in Ludhiana, Akashdeep Arora alias Dhaliwal of New Janakpuri at Salem Tabri, Jagroop Singh of Karamsar Colony near New Subhash Nagar in Basti Jodhewal, Sukhdeep Singh alias Bhura of Kharal in Gurdaspur, Gurjit Singh alias Bhaa of Lakhanpal in Gurdaspur, Inderjit Singh alias Inder of Rashiana village in Tarn Taran, and Sukhmeet Pal Singh alias Sukh of Bhikhariwal in Gurdaspur.
Canada 29-Jul-2022
The Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) announced to begin the Canadian Phase of ‘Khalistan Referendum’ on September 18 from Toronto, Ontario in which Canadian Sikhs will vote on the question “Should Indian Governed Punjab Be An Independent Country”. Khalistan Referendum Voting Centre in Toronto, named after, ‘martyred’ Harjinder Singh Pahra, who was killed in an encounter in 1988, to honor the young pro-Khalistan Sikh who went back to India from Canada to participate in the then ongoing armed struggle for Khalistan in the wake of the Indian Army’s June 1984 attack on the Golden Temple. Terming September 18 voting as “Journey From Khalistan Rocket To Referendum”, the SFJ’s General Counsel, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stated that the “ballot is the most potent weapon of this century through which we will balkanize India and liberate Punjab”
India 31-Jul-2022
Professor Jagmohan Singh, nephew of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, on July 31 said the statement made by Sangrur MP (Member of Parliament) Simranjit Singh Mann that Bhagat Singh was a terrorist is continuation of the narrative which served the ruling class during the British rule. He said this discourse was driven by “people who had always cooperated with the government” and questioned Sangrur MP’s own past related to the killings of Nihangs. Jagmohan said he did not recommend filing an FIR against MP Simranjit Singh Mann as it would unnecessarily make him a “hero.”
India 31-Jul-2022
According to reports, Police have managed to get 10-day custody of gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria in the murder case of rival Ranbir Singh alias Rana Kandowalia, on July 31. In August 2021, Rana Kandowalia was shot at a private hospital, where he had gone to meet a relative. Jaggu had allegedly taken responsibility of the crime on his social media account.
India 31-Jul-2022
Moga police raided a rented house and arrested four drug dealers along with 1 kg of heroin and drug money worth INR 10 lakh from Dusanjh Road in Moga district.
India 31-Jul-2022
According to reports, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on July 31 met Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Pankaj Kumar Singh to discuss border security and discussed reducing drugs and weapons flowing through drones across the border. Currently, drugs and weapons coming from the Pakistani side via drones are a big challenge in front of Punjab and the central government.
India 31-Jul-2022
The pro-Khalistani organization Dal Khalsa’s spokesperson Paramjit Singh Mand on July 31, in a video message, urged Sikhs not to hoist Tiranga under the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ movement from August 13 to August 15. The video of a meeting of Sikh Groups at Bargari Morcha, Behbal Kalan, on July 31 was published by Rehmat TV.
India 01-Aug-2022
A large group of people, including women, stormed into the Chavinda Devi police check post in an area that falls under the jurisdiction of the Amritsar Rural police in Amritsar district, on August 1 night, allegedly attacked the four policemen on duty, and freed a ‘drug smuggler’ from police custody. The accused allegedly claimed that Akashdeep Singh, who was arrested with 9 grams of heroin, was not a smuggler but an addict. However, Majitha Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Manmohan Singh said that the police are identifying those who freed Akashdeep.
United Kingdom 01-Aug-2022
According to reports, a section of British Sikhs has written to the United Kingdom (UK')s Prime Minister (PM) contenders Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, asking them to clarify their views on issues faced by the community. The national press secretary of Sikh Federation (UK), Jaspal Singh on August 1 said that the community's main issues were the release and return of Scottish national Jagtar Singh Johal who has been jailed in India for five years, UK home secretary Priti Patel's alleged comments labelling British Sikhs as extremists, and addressing anti-Sikh hate in the same way as antisemitism and Islamophobia.
India 01-Aug-2022
Punjab Police on August 1 arrested five members belonging to the gang of Lawrence Bishnoi, the alleged mastermind behind singer Sidhu Moosewala’s murder, along with weapons from Fatehgarh Sahib district. The arrested persons were identified as Sandeep Sandhu, Harpreet Singh, Sandeep Singh, Charanjit Singh and Gurmukh Singh. Eight weapons, including five 0.32 bore country made pistols and three 0.315 bore country made pistols, along with 30 cartridges, were recovered from the arrested gangsters.
India 01-Aug-2022
The Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill on August 1 disclosed that over 2,200 drug smugglers were arrested while 30 kg of heroin and other narcotics were seized in Punjab in the last one month as part of an ongoing anti-drug drive in the state. Police also seized cash worth INR 48.95 lakh from the smugglers arrested during this period. In addition to this, police also arrested 99 proclaimed offenders and absconders wanted in drug cases in the last one month, said Gill. He also said that police recovered 30 kg of heroin, 75 kg of opium, 69 kg of ganja, and 185 quintals of poppy husk, besides seizing 12.56 lakhs tablets, capsules, injections, and vials of pharma opioids from across the state. Since July 5, police registered a total of 1,730 first information reports (FIRs) of which 145 are related to commercial quantity.
India 02-Aug-2022
Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) chief Baljit Singh Daduwal on August 2 asked the Sikh youths, especially baptized ones, to stay away from dollar dreams shown by a secessionist organisation in the name of Khalistan. In a video message he said that “It is tragic that the Sikhs, mainly Amritdhari youths, have got swayed by these promises and end up in jails. They are not even getting bail. Many youths have been in jail for over two years. The organisation that got this unlawful work done didn't even pay them.” Daduwal also said many Sikh families were suffering because their young sons were getting lured by payment of a few hundred to thousand dollars and promise of a job made by a US-based secessionist organisation in exchange for hosting Khalistan flags or painting its slogans.
India 02-Aug-2022
Madhya Pradesh Police arrested one person, identified as Asan Singh for allegedly supplying arms to Khalistani terrorists in Burhanpur in Burhanpur District of Madhya Pradesh. Several country-made pistols were also recovered from him. According to sources, police was looking for him for the last seven months.
India 02-Aug-2022
The Malout city police arrested five persons, identified as Rachpal Singh, Sewak Singh, Manphool Singh, Dharamvir Singh and Husanpreet Singh along with 20-gm heroin and Rs 22,000 drug money in Muktsar district on August 2.
India 03-Aug-2022
The Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)’s general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in an email send to media houses, said that “Shimla will be the capital of independent Punjab and Sikh sovereigntists will raise Khalistani flags there”. He also urged the people of Himachal to refrain from raising the tricolour on August 15. “The issue is between Sikhs and India and since Modi government is determined to use violence, people of Himachal should stay out of this conflict,” Pannun said. He said that the SFJ had released the map of areas earmarked for secession from India through the Khalistan Referendum on July 26, 2022, and Shimla was declared as the future capital of Sikh homeland Khalistan. SFJ’s map encompasses the areas of pre-1966 Punjab, which include Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Sikh majority areas of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, he added.