KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 25-Jul-2023
The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in Mansa, Punjab on July 25 committed the trial of the Sidhu Moosewala murder case to the District and Sessions Court, as it is exclusively triable by that court. All accused, including gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, appeared via video-conferencing. The next hearing is scheduled for August 9. A total of 29 accused were arrested, with some killed in encounters or inside jail. The court directed Jail Superintendents to present all accused physically on August 9, except for four- Goldy Brar, Lipin Nehra, Anmol Bishnoi and Sachin Bishnoi Thapan,who are currently abroad.
United Kingdom 25-Jul-2023
West Midlands police on July 25 confirmed that they are not investigating the death of Avtar Singh Khanda, the United Kingdom (UK) based head of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), as it was not deemed suspicious. Khanda passed away at Birmingham City Hospital, UK on June 15 due to terminal blood cancer. Pro-Khalistan groups had speculated that he was deliberately poisoned, but the hospital confirmed otherwise.
India 25-Jul-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 25 attached three properties of suspected members of organised crime syndicates, a house in Delhi owned by Irfan alias Chhenu Pehalwan, and two houses belonging to Kaushal Chaudhary and Amit Dagar in Gurugram, Haryana. The properties were attached as part of a crackdown on a terrorist-gangster-drug smuggler network with connections to designated individual terrorist Arsh Dala and other foreign-based terrorists. The properties attached were considered "proceeds of terrorism" and were used for planning terror conspiracies and executing crimes. Irfan was involved in multiple criminal cases, including murder and extortion, and supplied logistics support, including arms and ammunition, to the Bambiha gang. He provided a safe haven to the gang's absconding associates on the instructions of key operatives Chaudhary and Bhupi Rana. Choudhary and Dagar were closely associated with foreign-based terrorists and conspired with them and ground operatives through social media for extortion and killings.
India 25-Jul-2023
The Police along with the Special Task Force (STF) on July 25 conducted a targeted cordon and search operation in Ferozepur and Fazilka districts of Punjab and arrested 19 individuals and seized 320 grams of heroin, INR 13.96 lakh of drug money, and a large quantity of lahan and 27 vehicles. The operation to combat drug trafficking and anti-social activities was supervised by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Gurinder Singh Dhillon, and resulted in the registration of 15 First Information Reports (FIR).
India 25-Jul-2023
The Kartarpur Corridor reopened on July 25 after a five-day closure due to flooding in the River Ravi caused by the release of water from dams. Around 700 pilgrims were unable to visit the shrine during the closure and will need to reapply for the pilgrimage. The corridor offers visa-free access to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.
India 25-Jul-2023
The Kartarpur Corridor reopened on July 25 after a five-day closure due to flooding in the River Ravi caused by the release of water from dams. Around 700 pilgrims were unable to visit the shrine during the closure and will need to reapply for the pilgrimage. The corridor offers visa-free access to the historic Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan.
India 26-Jul-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 26 arrested a key aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, Vikramjeet Singh alias Vikram Brar, for his alleged involvement in the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala as well as targeted killings, weapons smuggling, and extortion, after his deportation from United Arab Emirates (UAE) in New Delhi. Earlier, an NIA team had travelled to the UAE to facilitate his deportation and subsequently brought him back to India. According to NIA, Vikram Brar, a native of Rajasthan, acted as a bridge between Bishnoi's gang and Khalistani terrorists, sending extortion money abroad. An Interpol-issued global arrest warrant was in effect for him.
India 26-Jul-2023
A Delhi court on July 26 summoned Congress leader Jagdish Tytler on August 5 for his alleged involvement in the Pul Bangash killings (New Delhi) during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a charge sheet on May 20, accusing Tytler of inciting the mob that set ablaze a gurdwara and killed three Sikhs. Charges of rioting, abetment, and murder have also been invoked against him.
India 26-Jul-2023
Punjab Police on July 26 conducted a large-scale Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Faridkot, Muktsar, and Moga districts of Punjab and arrested 79 anti-social elements and seized 128 grams of heroin, 115 kg poppy husk, 2560 intoxicant tablets, a huge quantity of illicit liquor and Lahan (raw material used to make liquor) and INR 68,500 of drug money from their possession. Police also registered a total of 66 First Information Reports (FIRs). According to the Special Director General of Police (DGP), law and order, Arpit Shukla, these efforts reflect Punjab Police's determination to root out the menace of drugs from the state and transform it into a vibrant and prosperous region known as the 'Rangla Punjab.'
India 26-Jul-2023
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on July 26 announced the release of short videos called 'The Punjab Files' to expose alleged conspiracies against Sikhs and Punjabis, in an aggressive strategy to champion the cause of Punjabis. The videos, based on historic accounts, will be released from July 29. The party has faced challenges since losing power in the 2017 Assembly elections and now has only three Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
India 26-Jul-2023
The Indian government on July 26 informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court (HC) that it lacks documents to establish the Indian citizenship of Avtar Singh alias Khanda, a pro-Khalistan leader who passed away in the United Kingdom (UK) on June 15. Khanda's sister, Jaspreet Kaur, filed a petition in the HC to perform his cremation in their hometown, Moga in Punjab. The HC has asked for the required documents from the petitioner's counsel. Khanda's body is currently at a hospital in the UK for post-mortem and investigation. The matter has been adjourned until August 4.
India 26-Jul-2023
Sukhbir Singh Badal, the president of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in a written statement, on July 26 demanded two reserved seats in the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) assembly for the Sikh community. He advocated for equitable representation alongside seats proposed for Kashmiri Pandits and refugees from Pakistan-occupied J&K in the J&K Reorganization Bill.
India 26-Jul-2023
The Khanna police on July 26 busted an inter-state weapon supply gang by arresting four members, identified as Prashant Kaura, Krish Lawrence, Karambir Singh and RJ Rupak Joshi and recovered 32 bore pistol with two magazines, 13 live cartridges of .32 bore, a country made .315 bore pistol, six live cartridges of .315 bore, a Tata Nexon and OPTRA car from their possession, in Doraha, in Ludhiana district. The arrests were made during a special drive to apprehend criminals involved in supplying weapons in Punjab.
India 27-Jul-2023
The Chandigarh Police's anti-narcotics task force (ANTF) on July 27 arrested Shubham Jain and recovered 108 gm amphetamine and 70 gm heroin. Based on Subham’s disclosure, the Police arrested Puneet Kumar on July 30 and recovered an illegal .32-bore country loaded with five live cartridges, near Bazaar Number 4 in Ferozepur Cantonment in Ferozepur district. Puneet’s father is serving as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in Ferozepur. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Udaypal Singh, Puneet was part of a drug syndicate and used international numbers to communicate with other smugglers based in Pakistan, while his accomplice, Shubham Jain, delivered drugs locally.
India 27-Jul-2023
The Operation Cell of Punjab Police on July 27 arrested two alleged members of Deepu Banur gang, identified as Amandeep Singh alias Mani Topi and Rakesh Kania, and recovered a country-made pistol and live cartridges from him, in Chandigarh.
India 27-Jul-2023
The Gurdaspur Police on July 27 arrested three alleged drugs smugglers, identified as Vikramjeet Singh, Kuldeep Singh and Sandeep Kaur, and recovered 18 kg of pure-grade heroin, along with a swift car and a car camera from them at a check-post set up near Paniar sugar mill in Gurdaspur district. The gang is linked to United States (US) based narcotics smuggler Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal.
India 27-Jul-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on July 27 recovered approximately 885 grams of heroin concealed in two plastic bottles and a motorcycle from a farming field in Mode village in Amritsar district. The recovery was made based on specific information about the suspected movement.
India 27-Jul-2023
Punjab Police stated on July 27 that it will seek evidence from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) regarding the involvement of gangster and a key aide of Lawrence Bishnoi, Vikramjeet Singh alias Vikram Brar, in the Sidhu Moose Wala murder case. This comes after Brar's arrest by the NIA upon deportation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 26. The NIA had claimed that Brar operated a 'communications control room' for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang from the UAE, facilitating extortion calls and actively assisting in executing the Moose Wala murder. Although Brar has not been named in the charge sheets filed by the Punjab Police Special Investigation Team (SIT) for the murder case, they are now seeking NIA's evidence on his link to the crime. The Faridkot police also plan to bring Brar on production warrants in two cases, including an attempted murder and extortion case registered against him in Faridkot district.
India 27-Jul-2023
The Indian government informed the Parliament on July 27 that it had identified 15 shrines in Pakistan for pilgrimage under the India-Pakistan Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines. Among these, 11 are gurdwaras, and around 5,000 Sikh pilgrims from India have visited them in the past year. The Sri Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, inaugurated on November 9, 2019, has been used by approximately two lakh pilgrims to visit Gurdwara Shri Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, Pakistan.
India 27-Jul-2023
67 villages and 20 wards in Sangrur district of Punjab on July 27 passed a resolution to make their areas drug-free and socially boycott drug sellers.
India 27-Jul-2023
The police on July 27 arrested five persons identified as Gurpreet, Rohit, Jaswinder Jassa, Sarvesh and Bhoop Ram under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Abohar in Fazilka district.
India 28-Jul-2023
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal, in a statement on July 28, warned the Punjab government against interfering in Sikh religious affairs, stating that the 'Panth' will respond strongly to Chief Minister Bhagwant (CM) Mann's attempts to control sacred Sikh institutions. Badal accused CM Mann of following the path of past anti-Sikh tyrants. The SAD plans to meet Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on July 29 to address the issue and discourage further confrontation with the Khalsa Panth.
India 28-Jul-2023
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on July 28 urged the Centre Government to develop a new policy to counter Pakistani drones smuggling illicit drugs into Indian territory. He emphasized the need to strengthen the border with modern technologies to prevent drug smuggling. This reaction came after a Pakistani official Malik Mohd Ahmad Khan’s admission on July 17, regarding the use of drones for drug smuggling.
India 28-Jul-2023
In a joint operation, the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) of Punjab Police and Moga Police on July 28 arrested three members of the Gopi Dallewalia gang, identified as Nirmal Singh alias Nimma, Aprail Singh alias Shera and Jaskaran Singh alias Karan and recovered three .32 calibre pistols along with 10 live cartridges and a Hyundai Verna car, from Mehatpur in Jalandhar district. According to the Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the arrest has resulted in the successful solving of the murder case of Santokh Singh. The murder of Singh resulted from an ongoing gang conflict between the Lawrence Bishnoi and Devinder Bambiha gangs. The masterminds behind the murder are identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi Dallewalia and Gaurav Sharma alias Goru Bacha.
India 28-Jul-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on July 28 recovered a bottle containing around 425 grams of heroin on the outskirts of Mode village in Amritsar district.
India 28-Jul-2023
The Mohali district court on July 28 directed the physical production of Jagtar Singh Hawara, a convict in former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh's assassination, on August 10 in connection with an 18-year-old terror-related case. Hawara, currently in Tihar Jail, was booked in 2005 under the Explosive Act and Arms Act. The court ordered the issuance of production warrants and a letter to Tihar Jail's superintendent for his appearance in the case.
India 28-Jul-2023
The police on July 28 arrested a woman drug peddler, identified as Rekha and recovered heroin from her possession in Phagwara in Kapurthala district.
India 29-Jul-2023
The Ludhiana police on July 29 arrested two gangsters, identified as Boota Khan and Manish Prabhakar in Haibowal, Ludhiana in Punjab, in connection with a complaint filed by Retired Punjab Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Sandeep Sharma, regarding him and his wife receiving calls threatening to harm their children. Sharma stated that his family was receiving threats due to his past actions against drug peddlers and gangsters during his service with the anti-drug Special Task Force (STF).
India 29-Jul-2023
The Punjab Police, in a joint operation with the State Special Operation (SSOC) Cell, Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar, on July 29 busted a foreign-based terror module of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and arrested five yet to be identified individuals and recovered two illegal weapons and live ammunition from them in SAS Nagar district. According to the Director-General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the KLF module, backed by foreign-based handlers, aimed to target minority leaders, police officials, and prominent individuals to disturb harmony. They were also recruiting foot soldiers through jailed individuals operating under the fake name, Ranjodh Singh, using social media to propagate false narratives and providing monetary incentives for carrying out targeted killings in Punjab.
India 29-Jul-2023
Police on July 29 busted a narco-crime syndicate operated by gangster Sandeep Kumar alias Ravi Balachauria and arrested Akashdeep Singh and Akashdeep Singh alias Billa and recovered 1.2 kg of heroin, 3 pistols, 260 live cartridges and INR 1.4 lakh drug money and a weighing machine from their possession in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.
India 29-Jul-2023
A former pro-Khalistan leader and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) member, Avtar Singh Sanghera during his visit to India, was alarmed by the widespread drug addiction among Punjabi youth and calls on them to focus on education and nation-building instead of falling prey to false propaganda and money-driven political leaders. He urged pro-Khalistan elements abroad to avoid actions that could harm Sikhs, especially the youth in India. Sanghera leads a quiet life in the United Kingdom (UK) and distances himself from Khalistani events.
India 29-Jul-2023
Maninderjeet Singh Bitta, former President of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) and chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front (AITF), blamed the politicians accountable for the rise of terrorism in Punjab during the 1980s and 1990s. He advocated for united efforts to combat extremist elements attempting to revive militancy in Punjab with Khalistan sentiments. Bitta urged the Union government to publish a White Paper on Operation Blue Star and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to clarify misconceptions.
India 29-Jul-2023
The Punjab Cabinet on July 29 approved an increase in the monthly maintenance grant for Sikh soldiers who deserted their barracks during Operation Blue Star in 1984. The grant will be raised from INR 10,000 to INR 12,000 for 76 "Operation Blue Star-affected" soldiers to meet their increased daily needs and cope with market inflation, according to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office.
India 30-Jul-2023
Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on July 30 urged for compulsory registration of drones to curb drug and weapon smuggling from across the border. He highlighted incidents where drones from Punjab went to Pakistan and returned with consignments. Mann has already requested the Union government to enforce drone registration to identify owners involved in illegal activities.
India 30-Jul-2023
Rupnagar police on July 30 arrested four inter-state drug peddlers, identified as Sohan Lal alias Kala, Poonam alias Mona, Baljit Singh alias Beeta and Veer Singh alias Veeru and recovered 1kg of heroin, 143 grams of gold ornaments, INR 1 lakh drug money and a Fortuner SUV from them, near Jot Palace at Bunga Sahib in Rupnagar district.
Azerbaijan 30-Jul-2023
According to reports, a Delhi Police Special Cell is expected to reach Azerbaijan by July 30 to facilitate the arrest of gangster Sachin Bishnoi, a key conspirator in the Punjabi singer Siddhu Moose Wala murder case. Sachin Bishnoi, nephew of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, had been on the run since the murder in May last year and had fled the country using a forged passport. His extradition is expected to reveal crucial information about the murder case. Sachin was detained in Azerbaijan a few days ago, and now the process of bringing him back to India will be initiated with the arrival of the Indian security team.
India 30-Jul-2023
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on July 30 criticized the denial of a visa to United Kingdom (UK) based chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) to Avtar Singh Khanda's mother Charanjit Kaur and sister Jaspreet Kaur to attend his last rites in the UK on August 5. Khanda, who was under scrutiny for alleged anti-India activities, had political asylum in the UK and passed away on June 15. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Delhi Unit chief Paramjit Singh Sarna also urged the British High Commission to issue visas to Khanda's family, citing universal human rights.
India 30-Jul-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) on July 30 shot down a Pakistani drone and recovered 3 kg of heroin near Kalash village in Tarn Taran district of Punjab. On July 31 morning, in a joint search operation, Punjab Police and the BSF recovered heroin and the hexacopter from near Khemkaran village in Patti tehsil, Tarn Taran district.
India 30-Jul-2023
The makers of the biopic on human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra unveiled a new poster of the film with a changed title, "Punjab 95," on July 30. Initially titled "Ghallughara," the film faced delays with the Censor Board requesting a title change and content modification. The makers have approached the Bombay High Court against the Censor Board, which demanded 21 cuts and modifications to some dialogues. Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh, who plays the lead role, had earlier revealed that the film has been selected to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Canada 31-Jul-2023
Pro-Khalistan elements in Canada initiated their latest episode of a poster campaign targeting India's senior-most diplomats in the British Columbia province in Canada. In Surrey, Canada, on July 31, a new set of posters with the word 'Wanted' were displayed in various locations, targeting Indian diplomats in Canada, High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, the consul general in Vancouver, Mr. Manish and Toronto, Mr. Siddhartha Nath. Videos of the posters being put up were shared on social media, with many posts seemingly originating from Pakistan-based or pro-Pakistan accounts, some of which were recently created. This batch of posters, like earlier ones also referred to the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the leader of Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), as “assassination” and blamed his death on Indian diplomats. Meanwhile, Maninder Gill, president of Friends of Canada and India Foundation (FCIF) in Surrey, Canada strongly criticized the posters and urged the city to prevent their display, citing violations of municipal bylaws.
India 31-Jul-2023
A graffiti carrying a pro-Khalistani slogan “Haryana will become Khalistan” was spotted on July 31 outside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s (SDM) office in Mandi Dabwali in Sirsa district of Haryana. Later, the banned Khalistani organization Sikhs For Justice’s (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, in a video message, claimed responsibility for the act, and issued a warning to the Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister (UHM) Amit Shah, and Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Manohar Lal Khattar, stating that India will cease to exist on August 15, and Haryana will transform into Khalistan.
India 31-Jul-2023
The Police on July 31 arrested two high-profile gangsters, identified as Jatinder alias Jindi and Puneet Bains alias Mani, and recovered nine illegal weapons from them, in Ludhiana district.
India 31-Jul-2023
Fatehgarh Sahib Police on July 31 initiated a special campaign to educate school children about the harmful effects of narcotics and drug abuse, following Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann's directives in Fatehgarh Sahib.
India 31-Jul-2023
The Punjab Police on July 31 conducted a cordon-and-search operation (CASO) and arrested 12 persons and seized 40 grams of heroin, 12 kg ganja, and 1 kg poppy husk and INR 2.50 lakh in drug money from their possession, in Sahibzada Ajit Singh (SAS) Nagar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts in Rupnagar Range in Punjab. The operation was conducted under the direction of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav and overall supervision of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rupnagar Range Gurpreet Singh Bhullar.
United Kingdom 31-Jul-2023
Sikh Press Association on July 31 announced that the funeral Avtar Singh Khanda, the United Kingdom (UK) based head of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), will take place at Guru Nanak Gurdwara Smethwick in Sandwell, UK on August 5. Khanda's family in India, including his mother Charanjit Kaur and sister Jaspreet Kaur from Moga, Punjab, were unable to repatriate his body to Punjab, and denied visas to travel to the UK for his last rites.
India 31-Jul-2023
Police on July 31 arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Roop Chand and Jaswinder Singh, and recovered 211 intoxicant tablets from their possession in Phagwara in Kapurthala district.
India 01-Aug-2023
A National Investigation Agency (NIA) special court on August 1 declared six gangster-turned-terrorists, identified as Canada-based Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, Ramandeep Singh alias Raman Judge, Lakhbir Sandhu alias Landa, and Pakistan-based Harvinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda, Lakhbir Rode and Wadhawa Babbar as Proclaimed Offenders (PO). The NIA had on July 22 filed a chargesheet against nine accused, including Dala, Landa and Rinda, in a case registered by the agency on August 20, 2022. According to the NIA, they were involved in a criminal conspiracy to smuggle arms and ammunition across international borders to support terrorist acts in India, linked to pro-Khalistan organizations such as Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). The accused were engaged in smuggling arms, explosives, IEDs, drugs, and other contraband into India with the support of terror outfits and organized criminal gangs.
India 01-Aug-2023
Senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler, on August 1 filed an application seeking anticipatory bail in a case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots at Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi.
India 01-Aug-2023
Gangster Sachin Bishnoi, involved in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, was extradited on August 1 from Baku, Azerbaijan to New Delhi, India, and produced in Delhi’s Patiala House court, which remanded him in police custody for ten days. He is the cousin of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, another suspect in Moosewala's murder. His arrest is part of a series of arrests breaking the backbone of foreign-based criminal networks in Punjab.
India 01-Aug-2023
The Union Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs, Nisith Pramanik in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on August 1 stated that anti-national elements and smugglers are using drones to smuggle arms and narcotics across the India-Pakistan border in Punjab and in the last three years till June 30, 2023, 53 such incidents have been detected. According to him, the government has taken various measures, including increased border surveillance by the Border Security Force (BSF), laying of nakas in suspected dropping zones, and sensitizing the public in border areas to report any drone activities to the authorities. The Home Ministry has also established an Anti-Rogue Drone Technology Committee (ARDTC) to counter rogue drones effectively.
India 01-Aug-2023
Rupnagar Police on August 1 arrested six persons and seized 2,000 litres of 'lahan' (raw liquor), 322 grams of heroin, and INR 7,600 in drug money, in Rupnagar district of Punjab.
Canada 01-Aug-2023
An anti-India poster was discovered on August 1 outside the housing building of the Indian Consulate in Vancouver, Canada. The posters featured the word "Wanted" under photographs, naming India's top diplomats in Canada, including the High Commissioner to Ottawa, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Verma, and the Consul Generals in Vancouver and Toronto, Mr. Manish and Mr. Siddhartha Nath, respectively. India has complained to Canadian authorities over the security lapse that led to the anti-India poster being placed on the building.
India 01-Aug-2023
On August 1, Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorist Jagtar Singh Hawara, linked to the assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Beant Singh, appeared in a district court through video conferencing for a trial related to his alleged escape from the Model Burail jail in Chandigarh. The court scheduled the next hearing for August 11. Hawara is currently held in Delhi's Tihar Jail.
India 01-Aug-2023
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on August 1 conducted raids at 31 locations in Punjab and Haryana to uncover the conspiracy behind the attack on the Indian High Commission in London on March 19 and seized incriminating digital data, documents, and other evidence. The attack occurred during a pro-Khalistan protest where around 50 individuals committed trespass, injured officials, and damaged public property. The NIA's searches targeted an office of United Kingdom (UK) based NGO Khalsa Aid and the residence of its Managing Director (MD), Amarpreet Singh, in Patiala, Punjab and the residence of Paramjit Singh Pamma, a wanted Khalistan Terrorist Force (KTF) militant, in Mohali, Punjab.
Canada 01-Aug-2023
A couple from Punjab, Rajvinder Kaur and Randhir Singh, based in Montreal, Canada who claimed to be at risk due to alleged links to the Khalistan movement, were denied refugee status by the Canadian authorities. Their lawyer stated that their only hope now lies in intervention from Canada's immigration minister, Marc Miller. Similar cases involving potential deportation from India and claims related to Khalistan have been seen in the past, with a significant number of such refugee claims not being accepted. In the first quarter of 2023, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada accepted 833 claims and rejected 722, continuing the trend of higher rejection numbers in recent years.
India 02-Aug-2023
Punjab Police on August 2 sought information on the whereabouts of Sukhpal Singh, who went missing 29 years ago in Fatehgarh Churian in Gurdaspur district, amid allegations from his family that he was killed in a fake encounter by the suspended Punjab Police Inspector General (IG), Parmraj Singh Umranangal. Sukhpal Singh's wife claims that Umranangal killed him and falsely presented his body as that of a wanted militant, Gurnam Singh Bandala, who is still alive. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing the case, and Umranangal has been questioned in connection with the alleged disappearance.
Canada 02-Aug-2023
Public Safety Canada on August 2 assured that law enforcement in Ottawa is investigating a video that appears to threaten Indian diplomats in Canada and will ensure the safety of all diplomats in Canada. Tensions between Canada and India have arisen over issues related to Khalistani separatists who made and distributed posters online and offline, accusing Indian diplomats of being "killers," and a parade float depicting the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister (PM) Indira Gandhi.
United Kingdom 02-Aug-2023
The Sikh Federation in United Kingdom (UK) on August 2 accused the Indian investigation agency National Investigation Agency (NIA) of intimidating and targeting relatives of prominent pro-Khalistan leaders living abroad, including British Sikhs after the NIA raided homes of Khalistani leaders linked to Khalsa Aid, Federation of Sikh Organisations (FSO ) and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) among others, in an attempt to uncover the conspiracy behind the attack on the Indian High Commission in London, UK.
India 02-Aug-2023
The Police on August 2 arrested a smuggler, identified as Gurlal Singh and seized 1kg heroin and a 30 bore China-made pistol with five rounds of ammunition from his possession in Manawala village in Amritsar district. The accused had shot at a police team during a checkpoint operation in Sukhewal village in Nabha tehsil of Patiala district in Punjab and fled towards Amritsar. He was finally nabbed near Manawala village, according to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP-rural) Satinder Singh.
India 02-Aug-2023
According to senior officials, security agencies are concerned about the ‘reverse drone’ operations by smugglers at the India-Pakistan border, especially the Punjab region. Some senior officials said that the forensic analysis of downed drones revealed that some originated from the Indian side, particularly in Punjab, indicating a trend that could increase. Smugglers dispatch drones from India to Pakistan, where they are loaded with drugs and weapons before being called back to India, avoiding the risk of getting caught while dropping items in Indian territory. Anti-drone systems have been installed at the border to address the issue.
India 02-Aug-2023
Police on August 2 arrested two persons, identified as Sahil Bhatia and Taranjeet Singh, and seized 153 kg of poppy husk and a mini truck from them, in Kandrodi Morr Nangal village in Pathankot district of Punjab. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harkamal Preet Singh, two notorious gangsters, Preet Sekhon and Sonu Roadmajra, were assisting the smugglers with logistical support. The authorities are currently investigating their connections in the matter.
India 02-Aug-2023
Punjab Police on August 2 conducted a statewide search operation in all 26 prisons in Punjab, called "Operation Satark," to prevent the entry of narcotics, cell phones, and prohibited items into the jails. According to Special Director General of Police (DGP-Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, Police, during the operation, recovered 21 mobile phones, SIM cards, chargers, knives, nails, and 8.7 grams of opium.
India 02-Aug-2023
Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on August 2 directed officials to identify and act against errant officials in the prisons department to tackle the drug menace in jails.
India 03-Aug-2023
A report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment, tabled in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament) on August 3, revealed that Punjab, with a population of approximately three crores, has 66 lakh drug users. The report highlights that 21.36 lakh people are consuming various types of opioids, 30.68 lakh are regular cannabis users, 9.93 lakh are using sedatives, 1.87 lakh are using inhalants, 1.5 lakh are using cocaine, and 1.36 lakh are using stimulants.
India 03-Aug-2023
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) of Punjab Police on August 3 arrested Harjeet Singh, an Indian national based in Spain, on charges of terror financing and facilitating target killings in Punjab, at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi. His associate, identified as Amrinder Singh alias Bunty, was also arrested in Khanna, in Ludhiana district of Punjab. Harjeet funded and assisted Bunty in carrying out the target killings, and investigations revealed their connection with foreign entities linked to Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), according to Additional Inspector General (AIG) SSOC, Mohali, Ashwani Kapur. Harjeet also used fake Facebook accounts to promote radical content and activities of banned separatist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ).
India 03-Aug-2023
Immigration officials at the Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab on August 3 detained Tanmanjit Singh Dhesi, a Sikh Member of Parliament (MP) in the United Kingdom (UK), due to the lack of necessary travel documents before eventually releasing him after two hours. Dhesi is known for being the first Sikh MP to wear a turban in Britain and has been in the headlines in Punjab politics, with controversies surrounding his alleged support for Khalistan and criticism of the Indian government's actions in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
India 03-Aug-2023
Sikh organizations, Panth Sewak and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on August 3 strongly criticized the Narendra Modi government, in the wake of a raid conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Khalsa Aid, claiming it is an attempt to target those actively working for the betterment of the Panth.
India 03-Aug-2023
Punjab Police on August 3 arrested a gang of robbers who were planning to strike at a grocery store in Ludhiana and a jewellery shop in Mohali, identified as Kulwant Singh alias Guddu, Narinder Singh alias Nandi, Amarinder Singh alias Captain, Lovish Kumar alias Lovi and Parampratap Singh and recovered two illegal country made pistols and eight live cartridges from their possession. Their accomplice, Yadwinder Singh managed to escape. Kulwant Singh is also associated with the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).
India 03-Aug-2023
Minister of State for Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), Nityanand Rai in his reply to a question put by Congress Member of Parliament (MP) KC Venugopal informed the Rajya Sabha that Punjab ranks third among states with the highest number of First Information Reports (FIRs) registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between 2019 and 2021. Uttar Pradesh leads the list with 31,482 FIRs, followed by Maharashtra with 28,959, and Punjab with 28,417. The UMHA shared various measures taken by the Union and state governments to combat the drug menace, including the approval of new regional and zonal offices for the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and strengthening the organizational structure.
India 03-Aug-2023
A report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment, which was tabled in the Lok Sabha on August 3 revealed a shocking rise in drug addiction among children, young adults, and adults in India. According to the report, in Punjab alone, 6.97 lakh children between 10-17 years are addicted to drugs, with opioids, cocaine, and inhalants being widely prevalent. The situation is equally alarming in other states like Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, with millions of drug users reported among adults. The committee expressed distress over the exorbitant numbers and called for urgent measures to address the drug menace.
India 03-Aug-2023
Punjab Police on August 3 arrested a person, identified as Shinder Singh and recovered six kilograms of heroin and INR 1.50 lakh cash from his possession, near Amritsar.
India 05-Aug-2023
Deceased United Kingdom (UK) based head of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) Avtar Singh Khanda's sister, Jaspreet Kaur on August 5 presented documents, including an expired passport, driving license, and Class XII certificate, to establish his Indian citizenship before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The central government had previously informed the court that it possessed no documents to establish Khanda's citizenship. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on August 18.
India 05-Aug-2023
The President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), Harjinder Singh Dhami on August 5 welcomed the Queensland High Court's ruling in Australia, which favoured Sikhs' right to wear the 'kirpan' as part of their religious faith.
India 05-Aug-2023
Former Congress leader Jagdish Tytler on August 5 appeared before a court as an accused in connection with the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, where a supplementary charge sheet included witnesses' statements which claimed that Tytler had urged the mob to "kill the Sikhs," leading to deaths and a gurdwara being set on fire. The charge sheet also states he violated prohibitory orders, incited the mob, and promoted enmity between religious groups.
India 05-Aug-2023
Gangster Vikramjeet Singh, an associate of Lawrence Bishnoi, was remanded in three days' police custody by a Faridkot court on August 5 for an INR 50 lakh extortion case. He was brought from the UAE (United Arab Emirates) to New Delhi by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and then to Faridkot on a day’s transit remand on August 4. Singh is accused of making extortion calls on Bishnoi's orders and is also linked to an attempt on the life of a Dera Sacha Sauda follower, as well as the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.
India 05-Aug-2023
Punjab Police on August 5 recovered an additional four kilograms of heroin from Bute Dian Chhana village in Jalandhar District of Punjab in a follow-up operation after arresting Shinder Singh on August 3 with six kilograms of heroin and INR 1.50 lakh cash. Singh had hidden the drugs under a road being constructed in his village, which was located and retrieved by the police. The total seizure now stands at 10 kg.
India 05-Aug-2023
According to sources, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) is considering deploying advanced anti-drone systems along the International Border (IB) in Punjab to counter rogue drones from Pakistan, which are often used to transport contraband. Systems such as SkyWall 100, DroneGun Tactical CHIMERA, and anti-drone radar from Bharat Electrical Limited are currently under evaluation. These systems would possess enhanced night-vision, laser, and jamming capabilities, with a range of up to 400 meters, enabling them to jam signals from rogue UAVs and even capture them using a net. The primary focus is on countering Pakistani drug smugglers and terrorist activities, and there are plans for establishing an advanced drone forensic lab and collaborating with start-ups.
India 05-Aug-2023
Punjab Police on August 5 revealed that they had on August 1 arrested two arms suppliers identified as Harpal Singh and Kishore Singh Rathore and recovered 17 pistols of .32 bore along with 35 magazines from their possession from Khargone and Bharwani districts Madhya Pradesh (MP). The weapons were intended for criminal gangs associated with Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Ravi Balachauria, according to Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.
India 05-Aug-2023
The Police of August 5 arrested two persons, identified as Rohit and Daljinder and recovered two pistols and nine live cartridges from their possession, in Hoshiarpur in Hoshiarpur district.
India 05-Aug-2023
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Prem Singh Chandumajra on August 5 expressed concern over the recent National Investigation Agency (NIA) raids in Punjab, targeting Khalsa Aid's office and the manager's house. He also condemned the alleged harassment of Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, a Sikh Member of Parliament (MP) from the United Kingdom (UK), at the international airport in Amritsar. Chandumajra drew parallels between these incidents and past instances of targeting Sikhs during Congress rule, comparing the current events to historical anti-Sikh actions.
India 05-Aug-2023
The Ludhiana police on August 5 recovered an illegal country-made .32 bore revolver, a magazine and two live cartridges based on information provided by a member of Davinder Bambiha gang, identified as Gurvir Singh alias Guri who was arrested in May.
India 05-Aug-2023
Punjab Police on August 5 arrested a member of the Shubham Mota gang, identified as Kunal Sharma alias Kembi and recovered two pistols, 32 bore and a .315 bore guns, along with five live cartridges from his possession from New Kundan Puri in Ludhiana district.
India 06-Aug-2023
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on August 6 at around 10 pm intercepted a drone entering Indian territory from Pakistan near Rattan Khurd village in Amritsar district. The following morning, on August 7, a joint search operation with Punjab Police was conducted, leading to the recovery of a damaged Hexacopter drone and a battery in a nearby farming field.
India 06-Aug-2023
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami on August 6 raised objections to the appointment of a non-Sikh administrator for the Gurdwara Board of Takht Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra.
India 06-Aug-2023
Counter Intelligence (CI) Wing of Punjab Police on August 6 arrested two traffickers, identified as Gagga Gill alias Gaga alias Kali and Veer Singh alias Veeru and recovered 41.8 kg of heroin, two 9 mm pistols, four magazines with 100 rounds, and a .30 Turkish semi-automatic pistol with two magazines and 15 rounds from their possession in Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
India 06-Aug-2023
Counter Intelligence (CI) Wing of Punjab Police on August 6 arrested two traffickers, identified as Jasbinder Singh alias Bhinda, and Jagdip Singh alias Bhuchhar and recovered 6 packets of heroin, weighing 36 kg near Palla Megha Village in Ferozepur District.
India 07-Aug-2023
The anti-drug committee of Bhagta Bhaika village on August 7 apprehended three drug smugglers and turned them over to the police after recovering 15 gm of heroin and a weighing fork from their possession in Bhagta Bhaika village in Bathinda district. A video of the smugglers confessing to selling heroin to local residents was circulated on social media.
India 07-Aug-2023
Police on August 7 arrested three alleged drug peddlers, identified as Gurjinder Singh alias Sabi, Sandip Singh alias Fauji and Sanyam Aneja, and recovered four kilograms of heroin from their possession, after intercepting their car near Pulli village in Bathinda District.
India 07-Aug-2023
Gurcharan Singh Hawara, the foster father of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) chief Jagtar Singh Hawara, on August 7, announced that the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (QIM) plans to observe August 15 as a "Black Day" by marching from Mohali to Chandigarh. He said that the protesters will use black and saffron flags to protest the Punjab government's failure to release Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences. The ongoing protest at Mohali's YPS Chowk, which started on January 7, has caused disruptions in traffic. A previous clash with the police on February 8 resulted in injuries to 33 officers.
India 07-Aug-2023
Several Delhi residents received pre-recorded threat calls from the banned Khalistani organization Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), asking people to steer clear of the Red Fort on August 15 and warning of a potential terrorist attack during Independence Day celebrations. Following the initial report from Rohini, Delhi Police lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at Budh Vihar police station in North West Delhi district. Many individuals, including government and media figures, subsequently received similar messages from overseas numbers.
India 07-Aug-2023
The Border Security Force (BSF) in a joint operation with Punjab police on August 7 intercepted and recovered a Pakistani drone from the outskirts of Rajoke Village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone is a quadcopter, model DJI Matric RTK- 300.
Australia 08-Aug-2023
A video circulated on social media on August 8, showing Khalistan supporter Laddi Lahoria being reportedly beaten inside his car by three unidentified youths with sticks after he made derogatory remarks against Hindus in Australia. Lahoria was sitting inside his car in an underground parking where this incident took place.
India 08-Aug-2023
The Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi, V K Saxena on August 8 approved the prosecution of two men, identified as Vikram Singh and Balram Singh who were arrested for painting pro-Khalistan graffiti with anti-national slogans like “Khalistan Zindabad”, “SFJ”, “1984”, “Punjab Banega Khalistan”, “Referendum 2020 Vote for Khalistan”, at multiple locations in West Delhi at the behest of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The accused were found with evidence linking them to the act, including CCTV footage and payment records. In the course of the investigation, the individuals revealed that they engaged in these actions based on directives from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of SFJ.
India 08-Aug-2023
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 8 denied regular bail to Kulbir Singh, an alleged member of Khalistani terror outfits Babbar Khalsa Dal (BKI) and Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), stating that Article 21 of the Constitution encompasses the right to live free from terrorism. The court emphasized the need for strong action against members of declared terrorist organizations and asserted that the government is responsible for ensuring a terrorism-free life for citizens.
India 08-Aug-2023
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Member of Parliament (MP) from Sangrur, Simranjit Singh Mann on August 8 addressing the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament), urged an end to Sikh killings globally, citing some recent examples of the death of Khalistani operatives like Avtar Singh Khanda, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Panjwar, and Ripudaman Singh Malik, among other Sikhs like Deep Singh Sidhu and Sidhu Moosewala.
India 08-Aug-2023
At a meeting of prominent Sikh bodies held on August 8 in Ajnala in the Amritsar district, Amrik Singh Ajnala, the president of Damdami Taksal, criticized the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for neglecting Sikh religious issues and evading responsibility. The meeting chaired by Amrik Singh highlighted concerns over stolen Sri Guru Granth Sahib copies and missing saroops.
India 08-Aug-2023
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on August 8 met with police officers in Patiala district to discuss law and order, focusing on combating drug smuggling, gangster-terror links, and anti-social elements. He emphasized thorough investigations and instructed officials to seize properties of drug smugglers, apprehend offenders, and address public grievances while maintaining zero tolerance for corruption. The visit occurred in preparation for Independence Day celebrations with Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann.
India 08-Aug-2023
Vikramjeet Singh Brar, a key aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, on August 8 was granted a three-day police remand in Faridkot, Punjab in relation to the attempt to murder case of a Dera Sacha Sauda follower. He was brought from New Delhi following his deportation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Brar is facing multiple cases, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion, and his alleged involvement in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case, operating as a "control room" for the Lawrence Bishnoi terror gang from the UAE.
India 08-Aug-2023
Vikramjeet Singh Brar, a key aide of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, on August 8 was granted a three-day police remand in Faridkot, Punjab in relation to the attempt to murder case of a Dera Sacha Sauda follower. He was brought from New Delhi following his deportation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Brar is facing multiple cases, including murder, attempt to murder, extortion, and his alleged involvement in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case, operating as a "control room" for the Lawrence Bishnoi terror gang from the UAE.
India 08-Aug-2023
The Amritsar Customs and DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence) on August 8 destroyed 527 kgs of narcotics, including Heroin and Ganja, through incineration in Amritsar, Punjab. The event was virtually attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.