KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
India 01-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 1 recovered a large packet containing 2.320 kg of heroin near the garbage dump of Kalsian village in Tarn Taran district.
India 01-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 1 recovered a packet wrapped in white cloth containing 545 grams of heroin on the outskirts of Kalsian village in Tarn Taran district.
India 01-Jul-2024
Police on July 1 arrested four members of the Shishu gang, identified as Jagsir Singh alias Shishu, Vicky alias Sundi, Kapil, and Sachin, from Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
India 01-Jul-2024
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on July 1 criticized the rebel Akali group for visiting the home of radical Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh in Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar district before meeting the Akal Takht Jathedar in Amritsar, accusing them of prioritizing politics over religious duties. The rebels, including leaders such as Prem Singh Chandumajra and Jagir Kaur, submitted a letter to the Akal Takht listing mistakes made during the SAD-BJP rule from 2007 to 2017.
India 01-Jul-2024
The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) on July 1 arrested a member of the Bambiha group involved in an extortion racket, identified as Harjeet Singh alias Pokhi in Faridkot in Faridkot district.
India 01-Jul-2024
The police initiated a massive search operation on July 1 after a woman named Asha Rani reported seeing two suspected militants carrying bags in Dinanagar, Gurdaspur district, Punjab. The description matched sightings in Pathankot on June 25.
India 01-Jul-2024
One Pakistani inmate, identified as Zafar Alam, died after a quarrel with fellow Pakistani inmate Sahib in Amritsar Central Jail, Punjab, on July 1. Alam, who suffered a fatal head injury during the scuffle, was taken to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. Alam had completed his jail term in 2011 but remained in prison due to pending verification from Pakistani authorities.
India 01-Jul-2024
Following the alleged drug overdose death of policeman Gursewak Singh, the police on July 1 arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Balkar and Karanjit, and booked three others, identified as Golu, Ajay, and Bheju, in Amritsar, Amritsar district. Gursewak, who was on leave from his post in Ludhiana, was found dead under a tree. The cause of death will be confirmed after the autopsy report, expected in two to three days.
India 02-Jul-2024
The Punjab government has sent an application to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla regarding the swearing-in of Khadoor Sahib Member of Parliament (MP) elect and Khalistani preacher, and the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Amritpal Singh, who is currently held under the National Security Act (NSA) in Dibrugarh jail in Assam until 2025. An application for parole was initially submitted to the Amritsar District Commissioner (DC) due to the NSA case against Amritpal in Amritsar, Punjab. This application was forwarded to the Punjab Home Department and then to the Lok Sabha Speaker. Amritpal, who won the Lok Sabha seat from jail, must take the oath within 60 days to retain his membership.
India 02-Jul-2024
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the police, on July 2, arrested three drug smugglers identified as Rasal Singh, Jaskaran Singh, and Amritpal Singh, and seized 5 kg of heroin from their possession in Amritsar district. The suspects were allegedly in direct contact with Pakistan-based drug smugglers, having retrieved the consignment via drone.
India 02-Jul-2024
The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on July 2 busted a trans-border narcotic smuggling network and arrested a drug smuggler identified as Lakhwinder Singh alias Lakha, seizing 5 kg of heroin and a motorcycle from his possession near Amritsar in Amritsar district. Acting on reliable inputs, police teams arrested him while he was en route from Khemkaran to deliver the consignment in Amritsar. Lakha was in direct contact with a Pakistan-based drug smuggler named Ali and was actively involved in drug trafficking, using drones to transport drug consignments from Pakistan.
India 02-Jul-2024
Nurpur Police on July 2 issued an alert after two individuals in Border Security Force (BSF) uniforms were spotted near the Nangal area in Rupnagar district of Punjab, in Nurpur in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh (HP). The alert, issued by Nurpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Ashok Rattan, instructs all district check posts to monitor for the suspects.
Pakistan 02-Jul-2024
According to sources, Pakistani Sikhs are concerned that the conflicts between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in Indian Punjab might weaken these crucial institutions. PSGPC president Ramesh Singh Arora, also Pakistani Punjab's first Sikh minister, stressed that the SGPC is the supreme religious body for Sikhs worldwide and that they are disheartened by the allegations from dissident leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal against its leadership. He called for investigations into allegations of sacrilege and violations of Sikh conduct.
India 02-Jul-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on July 2 issued a public notice announcing a cash reward of INR 10 lakh each for designated terrorist Goldy Brar and gangster Gurpreet Singh, both wanted in a case of extortion and firing at a businessman's house in Chandigarh. Goldy Brar, a key accused in the killing of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala and an affiliate of Lawrence Bishnoi's gang, is suspected to be based in Canada or the United States (US). The NIA assured the anonymity of anyone providing information leading to their arrest.
India 03-Jul-2024
Faridkot Member of Parliament (MP) Sarabjit Singh Khalsa on July 3 revealed that jailed radical Khalistani preacher and MP-elect from the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency, Amritpal Singh, has been granted a four-day parole to take the oath as an MP on July 5. After a meeting with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Sarabjit Singh Khalsa disclosed Amritpal's oath-taking plans. Amritpal is currently held at Dibrugarh jail in Assam under the National Security Act (NSA).
United Kingdom 03-Jul-2024
General Election candidates in the United Kingdom (UK) have faced criticism for endorsing a “Sikh Manifesto” which calls for the self-determination of Sikhs, or Khalistan. The manifesto also criticizes the UK Government's stance on hate crimes against Sikhs. It has received support from senior Conservative and Labour representatives, including Angela Rayner and Theresa May. The Sikh Federation UK and The Sikh Network back the manifesto, while other Sikh groups and experts warn it could exacerbate geopolitical tensions. Critics argue it reflects problematic sectarian campaigning in UK politics.
India 03-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 3 recovered a drone along with two pistols, four magazines, and 40 rounds of Pakistan-made bullets near Nissoke village in Ajnala, Amritsar district. The recovered drone was a China-made DJI Matrice 300 RTK.
India 03-Jul-2024
Amritsar Rural Police on July 3 arrested a drug peddler identified as Jatin Singh and seized 2.5 kg of heroin from his possession near Maude village in Amritsar district. During the investigation, two more suspects, Sajan Singh and Daler Singh, were identified, and raids are underway to arrest them.
India 03-Jul-2024
Multiple media outlets on July 3 reported that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) constable Kulwinder Kaur, who had slapped actress and Member of Parliament (MP) Kangana Ranaut at Chandigarh Airport on June 6, 2023, was reinstated and transferred to Bengaluru in Karnataka. However, CISF sources confirmed she remains suspended pending a departmental inquiry.
India 03-Jul-2024
According to reports, in the past week, Bathinda district witnessed the deaths of five youths due to drug overdoses.
India 03-Jul-2024
Senior police officers from Punjab, Himachal Pradesh (HP), and Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), along with the Border Security Force (BSF) and central agencies, held a high-level meeting in Pathankot, Punjab, on July 3. The meeting focused on reviewing and improving security arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, which commenced on June 29 and will conclude on August 19. Despite recent hoax reports of suspicious activities near Pathankot, a high alert remains in place.
Pakistan 03-Jul-2024
Khalistani terrorist Gajinder Singh, who led the group that hijacked an Indian Airlines aircraft to Lahore in 1981 and was one of the most-wanted persons in the records of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA), passed away at the age of 73 after a brief illness in Lahore, Pakistan, on July 3. He was the founder of the separatist organization Dal Khalsa and had spent 14 years in a Pakistani prison for the hijacking. Since his release in 1995, Gajinder had been living in exile. After the terror attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001, the UMHA released a list of 20 people to Pakistan for extradition, with Gajinder being one of them.
Canada 04-Jul-2024
The banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) organized a protest on July 4 targeting India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa, Sanjay Kumar Verma, outside the Indian High Commission in Ottawa, Canada. This demonstration was part of a series of over 20 protests organized by the SFJ targeting Indian diplomatic missions. According to sources, despite India's repeated expressions of concern and requests for increased security to Global Affairs Canada, these protests persist and are fueled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statements about India’s role in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
India 04-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops and Punjab Police on July 4 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 550 grams from fields near Roranwala Khurd village in Amritsar district. The heroin was wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, and a metal ring along with an illuminating strip was found attached to the packet, indicating it had been dropped by a drone.
India 04-Jul-2024
Radical Khalistani preacher, chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), and Member of Parliament (MP) elect from Khadoor Sahib, Amritpal Singh, is set to be brought to New Delhi on July 5 on parole to take his oath as MP. The conditions of his parole specify that he can meet his family but cannot leave New Delhi or make media statements. An eight-member Punjab Police team arrived in Dibrugarh, Assam, to escort him to Delhi for the swearing-in, with plans to transport him on a military aircraft. Amritpal will be escorted back to Dibrugarh jail on the same day, where he is currently held under the National Security Act (NSA).
India 04-Jul-2024
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on July 4 arrested a prominent drug peddler, identified as Saktar Singh alias Laddi, as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to drug trafficking, in Tarn Taran district. Singh was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act following searches at about 10 locations in Sheron, Nausheran Pannuan, and Bugha villages of Tarn Taran district, during which some arms and drugs were recovered. The case is based on First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Punjab Police and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), revealing Singh's deep involvement in drug trafficking along the India-Pakistan border. The police stated that Singh's family is also implicated in illicit drug sales.
India 04-Jul-2024
After a group of Akali rebels submitted a joint written apology to the Akal Takht for their role in the Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) mistakes, political observers suggested that the SAD needs a complete overhaul with new, energetic leadership. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh has remained silent on the matter, but according to sources, the issue will be discussed by the Five High Priests. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Kiranjot Kaur and Global Sikh Council representative Gurpreet Singh emphasized the need for fresh, non-controversial leadership and true remorse from the rebels.
United Kingdom 05-Jul-2024
Following the landslide victory of the United Kingdom (UK) Labour Party under Keir Starmer, concerns about its historical pro-separatist stance, particularly towards Khalistan and Kashmir, persist within the Indian diaspora. The party has attempted to rectify its image under Starmer, shifting away from its earlier perceived anti-India rhetoric by distancing itself from pro-Khalistani elements within its ranks and emphasizing a new strategic partnership with India. This includes potential areas of cooperation such as security, education, and trade. However, the presence of party members with pro-Khalistani sympathies continues to pose challenges to this rebranding effort.
India 05-Jul-2024
The radical Khalistani preacher and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief, Amritpal Singh, who was granted a four-day parole for his swearing-in as a Member of Parliament (MP), took his oath before Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in Parliament, New Delhi, on July 5. After the ceremony, he met with his father, Tarsem Singh, and two uncles before returning to Dibrugarh Central Jail, where he is currently held under the National Security Act (NSA). Earlier, he had left the high-security jail at 4 am on July 5 and was flown to New Delhi in a special aircraft for the swearing-in ceremony.
United Kingdom 05-Jul-2024
A record 28 persons of Indian origin were elected to the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament on July 5, with notable victories including Preet Kaur Gill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi securing their seats for Labour in Birmingham Edgbaston and Slough, respectively, for the third time. Nadia Whittome won in Nottingham East, while new entrants such as Kirith Entwistle and Sonia Kumar marked their first wins in Bolton North East and Dudley. Additionally, Rishi Sunak, Suella Braverman, Priti Patel, and Claire Coutinho were among the prominent Tories who retained their seats, reflecting a significant representation of the Indian diaspora across major UK parties.
India 05-Jul-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami expressed solidarity on July 5 with radical Khalistani preacher and Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, criticizing the Central and state governments for discriminatory actions against the Sikh community.
India 05-Jul-2024
Sandeep Thapar, a prominent figure of the Punjab Shiv Sena, was seriously injured after an attack by at least three men dressed as Nihang Sikhs in Ludhiana on July 5. The attackers used kirpans (swords) and escaped on Thapar’s scooter after the altercation. Two of the three attackers, identified as Sarabjit Singh and Harjot Singh, were arrested by the police, while the third, Tehal Singh, remains at large. According to sources, Sandeep was likely attacked due to his outspoken views against Khalistan, anti-national elements, and various local issues.
India 05-Jul-2024
On July 5, jailed radical Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) took his oath as a Member of Parliament (MP) in New Delhi. Singh, who is under arrest under the National Security Act (NSA), was flown from Dibrugarh in Assam to New Delhi for his parliamentary oath. Despite his controversial past and statements declaring himself not an Indian citizen, his mother, Balwinder Kaur, insisted he is not a Khalistan supporter but merely advocating for Punjab's youth and fighting against drug issues. Amritpal’s father, Tarsem Singh, stated that his son, now widely recognized for his political and social activism, has transcended family ties to become a son of Punjab and the Sikh community.
India 05-Jul-2024
Balwinder Kaur, the mother of Khalistani radical preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD) Amritpal Singh, asserted on July 5 that her son is not a supporter of Khalistan, after he was sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) in New Delhi. Amritpal was taken back to Dibrugarh jail in Dibrugarh, Assam after his oath-taking ceremony. Kaur demanded his immediate release to enable him to fulfill the promises made during his election campaign, which focused on issues such as the drug menace and the welfare of Punjab’s youth.
India 06-Jul-2024
Four days after being shot by the Border Security Force (BSF) on the night of July 1 and 2 near the Sadiqi Border Outpost (BOP) in the Fazilka sector, a Pakistani intruder was buried on July 6 in the Panjpeer graveyard in Abohar, Fazilka district, Punjab. The burial was conducted according to Muslim rituals in the presence of officials from the concerned department. The intruder, whose body was not claimed by Pakistani Rangers, had been killed after illegally crossing into Indian territory.
India 06-Jul-2024
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) President Harjinder Singh Dhami congratulated the four turbaned Sikhs and five Sikh women elected as the United Kingdom's (UK) new Members of Parliament (MPs). They associated this achievement with Punjabi and Sikh pride, recognizing the community's global reputation for hard work and excellence in politics.
India 06-Jul-2024
According to reports, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh and Sheikh Abdul Rashid, both imprisoned on serious charges, won seats from the Khadoor Sahib and Baramulla constituencies, respectively, raising concerns about security risks. Amritpal, under the National Security Act (NSA), and Rashid, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), were given limited parole to take their oaths as Members of Parliament (MPs). Terror accused cannot become Members of Parliament (MPs) in the West, but they can in India. Both face potential disqualification under Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (RPA), if convicted.
India 06-Jul-2024
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab regarding the release of gangster Daljit Bhana during the Jalandhar West bypoll in Punjab. BJP state office secretary Suneel Dutt Bharadwaj claimed that Bhana, involved in various murder cases, has been creating panic among voters by roaming the area with police officials. Bharadwaj urged the EC to cancel Bhana’s parole, fearing he might be used for booth capturing.
Canada 06-Jul-2024
The Peel police arrested five persons in recent months on charges of demanding huge sums of money as ransom from Punjabi businessmen and firing shots in Peel, in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in Ontario, Canada. The police stated that the suspects made ransom demands and fired at businesses to intimidate owners into paying. The accused face 14 charges and will be produced before the court after further interrogation. The police have urged other affected businessmen to come forward.
India 06-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops recovered a packet of heroin weighing 480 grams from fields near Wazirpur Afgana village in Gurdaspur district on July 6.
India 06-Jul-2024
The police on July 6 arrested one person, identified as Aniket and seized 6 grams of heroin from his possession, in Sangrur in Sangrur district.
India 06-Jul-2024
The police on July 6 arrested one person, identified as Jarnail and seized 20 kg of poppy husk from his possession, in Sangrur in Sangrur district.
India 06-Jul-2024
The police on July 6 arrested one person, identified as Sahil and seized 10 strips of intoxicant pills from his possession, in Sangrur in Sangrur district.
India 06-Jul-2024
According to senior police sources, the preliminary questioning of two Nihangs, identified as Sarabjit and Harjot, arrested for the attack on Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar, revealed that his statements against Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale on social media and public platforms led to the assault. They also disclosed that the Nihangs had long harbored a grudge against Thapar and acted impulsively upon seeing him at the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana. The suspects' cellphones have been sent for forensic examination, and their call details are being analyzed.
India 06-Jul-2024
Jalandhar rural police arrested a high-profile absconding criminal, Jobanjeet Singh, who was wanted in two separate heroin consignment cases: a 2,988 kg heroin haul seized at Mundra port in Gujarat in 2021 and a 200 kg heroin haul in 2022, and seized one .32 bore pistol and five live rounds from his possession in Jalandhar district. Jobanjeet, along with two other accomplices, Harjinder Singh alias Jinder and Kulwinder Singh alias Kaka, were involved in an extortion attempt demanding INR 50 lakh from Nakodar resident Manpreet Singh. During the investigation, it was revealed that England-based gangsters Jagdeep Singh alias Jagga and Gala, along with Amrik Singh alias Mika, were also involved in orchestrating the extortion plot.
India 06-Jul-2024
Radical Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, issued a statement on July 6 from Dibrugarh jail in Assam, where he is held under the National Security Act (NSA), disapproving of remarks made by his mother, Balwinder Kaur, denying his support for Khalistan. Amritpal emphasised his commitment to Khalistan despite his mother's claims to the contrary. He stressed that promoting Khalsa Raj is a matter of pride, aligned with the historical sacrifices of Sikhs, and warned his family against deviating from this path.
India 07-Jul-2024
Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, Giani Harpreet Singh, met with the family of radical Khalistani preacher and Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, the chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), on July 7 in Amritsar in Amritsar district.
India 07-Jul-2024
According to sources, the Indian government is set to extend the ban on the Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), based on fresh evidence from ongoing National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigations into the group and its chief, Khalistani terrorist Gurupatwant Singh Pannun.
India 07-Jul-2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal, on July 7, congratulated the 10 Sikh Members of Parliament (MPs) elected to the United Kingdom's (UK) House of Commons, urging them to collaborate on promoting Sikhism and combating hate crimes against the community. He highlighted the significant contributions of Sikhs since the first settlers arrived in the UK in 1911, noting that Sikhism is now the fourth largest religious group in the UK.
India 07-Jul-2024
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on July 7 issued a statement criticizing the Punjab Police for lacking adequate training to handle hate speech against the Sikh community, despite the recent establishment of 28 new cybercrime police stations across Punjab, as announced by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. They expressed concerns over the absence of a robust plan to combat hate speech impacting Sikhs.
India 07-Jul-2024
The police on July 7 arrested three individuals, including a woman, identified as Kuldeep Singh, Harpal Singh alias Kala, and Paramjit Kaur, and seized 1 kg of heroin along with INR 7 lakh in drug money from their possession in Zira, Ferozepur district.
India 07-Jul-2024
On July 7, a violent clash between two rival groups resulted in four deaths and eight injuries in Vithwan village in Batala, Gurdaspur district. The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and are conducting further investigations. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's handling of law and order in the state, highlighting this incident as a reflection of the deteriorating security environment under Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann's administration.
India 07-Jul-2024
Border Security Forces (BSF) troops on July 7 recovered a Pakistani drone from fields near Wan village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a China-made DJI Mavic 3 classic model.
India 07-Jul-2024
Border Security Forces (BSF) troops on July 7 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 250 grams on the outskirts of Rorawala village in Amritsar district.
India 08-Jul-2024
Punjab Police, on July 8, busted an interstate organized crime syndicate and arrested the kingpin of the gang, identified as Jai Sharma alias Sukha Pistol Ambarsarya, along with four members - Nikhil Sharma alias Lala, Moni, Arpit Thakur, and Karan Sharma and seized two .32 bore pistols, three magazines, and eight live rounds from their possession in Kharar, SAS Nagar district. This marked the first case registered under the new "organized crime" sections of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which allows for life imprisonment or the death penalty for crimes resulting in death.
India 08-Jul-2024
The Police on July 8 arrested a man, who allegedly introduced himself as an aide of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and made extortion calls, identified as Sandeep Singh from Kaoni village in Gidderbaha in Sri Muktsar Sahib district. Singh is accused of making extortion calls on July 3 and 4, demanding INR 1 crore and 30 tolas of gold from a local farmer named Amarjit Singh.
India 08-Jul-2024
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, while speaking to the media in Chandigarh on July 8, stated that external pressures are being applied to Balwinder Kaur, mother of jailed radical Khalistani preacher and Lok Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, concerning her comments denying her son's support for Khalistan. Bittu emphasized that Amritpal, having sworn an oath on the Indian Constitution, is expected to prioritize the welfare of the nation and Punjab. Despite this, Amritpal recently expressed pride in the idea of a Khalsa state, revealing a tension between his constitutional commitments and personal convictions.
India 08-Jul-2024
The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the Jalandhar police on July 8 arrested a key assailant and member of the Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), identified as Simranjit Bablu, involved in the fatal shooting of former Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan (BTFK) chief Rattandeep Singh, and seized one .32 Webley revolver, a .32 pistol, along with a magazine and 19 cartridges from his possession on the outskirts of Jalandhar city in Jalandhar district. He was arrested after a brief encounter with the police, during which he sustained bullet injuries to his legs while attempting to flee. The police are investigating links to Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda and US-based gangster Gopi Nawanshehria, who orchestrated the killing.
India 08-Jul-2024
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Laxmi Kanta Chawla condemned the sword attack on Punjab Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar in Ludhiana, urging against framing the incident as a Hindu-Sikh conflict. The attack occurred on July 5, and the Ludhiana police have since arrested two suspects, Sarabjit Singh and Harjot Singh, while a third suspect, Tahal Singh, remains at large. Meanwhile, Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar criticized the state's deteriorating law and order under Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann's governance.
India 09-Jul-2024
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) issued a notification on July 9 extending the ban on Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), declaring it an unlawful association for another five years, effective from July 10, 2024, under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The SFJ stands accused of engaging in anti-national and subversive activities that threaten India's sovereignty and internal security, including support for violent extremism and militancy aimed at establishing a sovereign Khalistan. The UMHA underscored the necessity of halting SFJ's operations to prevent the escalation of subversive actions and violence within the country.
India 09-Jul-2024
The Rajasthan Police recently filed charges against prominent Sikh leader Tejinder Pal Singh Timma for allegedly posting a video on July 5 on social media that glorified radical Khalistani preacher and Waris Punjab De (WPD) chief Amritpal Singh, in Sri Ganganagar district, Rajasthan.
India 09-Jul-2024
Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh on July 9 issued a strong warning against the exploitation of Sikh religious practices by filmmakers for profit. He highlighted a recent incident in Ghaura village near Chandigarh, where a film shoot involving a replica of the Guru Granth Sahib during an Anand Karaj ceremony was interrupted by the local Sikh community. Singh stressed the importance of filmmakers honoring Sikh maryada and traditions. He announced plans to prepare a report addressing the violation and preventing similar incidents in the future.
Pakistan 09-Jul-2024
Pakistani cricketer Kamran Akmal apologised for his controversial remarks about Arshdeep Singh’s Sikh religion on live TV, acknowledging his mistake in an interview.
India 09-Jul-2024
Four Sikh leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Punjab, including National General Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa, along with BJP leaders Tejinder Singh Saran, Parminder Brar, and Srinivasulu, received death threats on July 9 through a letter sent to the BJP's office in Chandigarh. The letter contained inflammatory content and slogans supporting Khalistan and Pakistan, demanding that the leaders either resign from the BJP or face fatal consequences. Describing the leaders as "traitors of Sikhism," the letter has prompted the leaders to report the threat to the Chandigarh Police. It also mentions seeking revenge for deaths of "brothers" in Canada and warns BJP ministers to leave Punjab.
India 09-Jul-2024
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed another chargesheet on July 9 in the Salaya drug seizure case, naming Manoj Kumar Sharma as the 25th accused in connection with the smuggling of 500 kg of heroin from Pakistan into India via Gujarat, before the NIA Special Court in Ahmedabad in Gujarat.
Pakistan 09-Jul-2024
Kartarpur Management Unit Deputy Secretary Saifullah Khokhar stated on July 9 that Pakistan has completed the 420-meter-long bridge at the Kartarpur Corridor zero line, overcoming a two-and-a-half-year delay. The completion prepares the bridge for use pending the finalization of a 10-feet section on the Indian side. Initiated to provide a flood-resistant route to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib for Sikh pilgrims, the project, costing PKR 4.53 million, was funded by Pakistan's Public Development Fund with construction by the Frontier Works Organisation and National Engineering Services Pakistan.
India 09-Jul-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police on July 9, recovered one drone and a packet of heroin weighing 550 grams from farming fields near Kalia village in Tarn Taran district.
India 09-Jul-2024
The Border Security Force (BSF), in a joint operation with Punjab Police, recovered a drone on the outskirts of Kalia village in Tarn Taran district on July 9.
India 10-Jul-2024
According to a senior police official of the Special Task Force (STF) against drugs, Punjab Police arrested 974 habitual offenders or suspected peddlers from June 6 to July 6 as part of an ongoing drive against drugs, particularly in Tarn Taran, Amritsar Rural, and Gurdaspur districts in Punjab. These arrests were made under Section 110 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and Section 129 of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNNS), which allow for preventive custody of up to 10-15 days. This initiative aims to disrupt the drug supply chain and closely monitor the offenders, even post-release, to deter drug-related activities.
India 10-Jul-2024
On July 10, the Border Security Force (BSF) stated that its troops have recovered 126 drones and 150 kg of heroin in the first six months of 2024, significantly outperforming 2023 figures along the 553-km long India-Pakistan border in Punjab. In 2023, the BSF had captured 107 drones from Pakistan. Additionally, the force neutralized one Pakistani national and arrested 21 others attempting to cross the International Border (IB), demonstrating their enhanced capability and dedication to safeguarding national security.
India 10-Jul-2024
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Punjab Police on July 10 told the Punjab and Haryana High Court that one of the two controversial TV interviews of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was conducted inside Bathinda jail in Punjab using the Signal app. The SIT, investigating these interviews, requested more time to complete its probe and clarify the circumstances of the second interview. The next hearing date was set for August 7.
India 10-Jul-2024
The Rouse Avenue court in New Delhi on July 10 deferred the final arguments in an anti-Sikh riots case involving former Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Sajjan Kumar due to his hospitalization. This case is related to the deaths of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the Saraswati Vihar area. The next hearing has been scheduled for July 18.
India 10-Jul-2024
The police on July 10 busted a fake arms license racket operating from the Tarn Taran Sewa Kendra and arrested eight persons, including one of its employees and seized six fake arms licenses, Aadhaar cards, seven pistols, revolvers, a double-barrel rifle, and a laptop with details of forged documents, a printer, and a scanner from their possession in Amritsar district. District manager of the Sewa Kendra, Suraj Bhandari, who is the prime suspect, is absconding.
India 10-Jul-2024
Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC) president Bhupinder Singh Assandh announced on July 10, while addressing the media in Kurukshetra, that the committee will ensure the reconstruction of demolished homes for four Sikh families in Amupur village, Karnal district, either through government efforts or by the committee itself. Additionally, the HSGMC plans to repurchase the land taken from these families. Assandh also revealed plans to discuss further Sikh community issues in Haryana with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and to support local farmer union activities with provisions for langar and tea.
Pakistan 10-Jul-2024
According to sources, there is an alleged plot within the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to replace Ramesh Singh Arora, Punjab's first Sikh minister and current president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (PSGPC), with a Christian minister in Pakistan's Minority Affairs Office, a position historically held by a Christian. Critics, including a faction within PML-N, accuse Arora of misconduct and have called for his dismissal to restore the position to a Christian.
India 10-Jul-2024
Jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Raghbir Singh, strongly condemned the registration of a sedition case against Tejinder Pal Singh Timma, Mukh Sevadar of Baba Deep Singh Gurdwara in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan. He criticized the case as a misuse of new legal measures, highlighting it as the first sedition case against a Sikh since India's independence. Giani Raghbir Singh argued that if advocating for a separate state constitutes treason, similar charges should apply to those promoting a Hindu Rashtra. He urged the Indian government to stop treating Sikhs as second-class citizens and to dismiss the case against Timma.
India 10-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops intercepted and neutralized a drone on July 10, recovering both the drone and a packet containing 566 grams of heroin in Kalash village in Tarn Taran district. The recovered drone was a China-made DJI Mavic 3 Classic.
India 11-Jul-2024
Sikh leader and national president of the National Akali Dal, Paramjeet Singh Pamma, called for decisive governmental action following a terror attack in Kathua district, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), which resulted in the deaths of five soldiers and injuries to five others. Pamma highlighted the need for a strong response, including potential air strikes, to counteract Pakistan's continued attempts to destabilize Kashmir and Punjab through acts of terrorism. The Sikh community, deeply concerned by the escalating violence, seeks effective measures to ensure peace and security in the region.
India 11-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 11 recovered one pistol body (without upper slide and barrel), one empty pistol magazine, and less than 1 gram of heroin in farming fields near Mastgarh village in Tarn Taran district.
India 11-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 11 recovered a packet of heroin weighing 570 grams from farming fields near Kilche village in Ferozepur district.
India 11-Jul-2024
Balkaur Singh, the father of the slain rapper Sidhu Moose Wala, criticized the Punjab government and Punjab Police in a video message, alleging misinformation regarding interviews conducted by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Balkaur asserted that the interviews, broadcast on March 14 and 17, 2023, took place in Punjab, not elsewhere. He accused Punjab’s leadership of concealing the truth, reflecting his ongoing frustration with the investigation into his son's murder.
United States 11-Jul-2024
Jasdip Singh Jassee, head of Sikh Americans for Trump, said that the June 27 presidential debate impacted Donald Trump's popularity and expressed strong support for him ahead of the Republican National Convention. As the community heads to the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Jassee highlighted the increased support for Trump among the Sikh and broader South Asian communities, attributing it to dissatisfaction with current policies under President Biden. Jassee emphasized the importance of a fair and legal election for Trump's potential victory, while also noting the challenges in immigration, crime, and economic policies.
Canada 11-Jul-2024
Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, announced on July 11 that the Calgary Municipal Plaza, a government facility owned and operated by the city of Calgary in Canada, will host the next phase of its so-called Khalistan referendum on July 28. However, Calgary's official venue listings do not reflect this event, and the Plaza is noted to be closed that day for resurfacing.
United Kingdom 11-Jul-2024
The police on July 11 arrested a 17-year-old boy for stabbing two worshippers at the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Gravesend, United Kingdom (UK). The attack has sparked comments from various leaders, including Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) Dr. Lauren Sullivan and Tan Dhesi, who expressed distress over the violence and called for increased efforts to tackle anti-Sikh hate crimes.
India 11-Jul-2024
Punjab Police disclosed that gangster Gopi Nawanshahria, implicated in the murder of Khalistani terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) militant Rattandeep Singh, fled to the United States (US) using a fake passport and is now believed to be in California. This revelation followed the arrest of BKI member Simranjeet Bablu, linked to a module directed by Pakistan-based terrorist Harwinder Rinda and Nawanshahria. The duo had orchestrated the April 3 murder in Shaheed Bhagat Singh (SBS) Nagar, Punjab, aiming to instill societal panic.
India 11-Jul-2024
Police on July 11 arrested the brother of radical Khalistani preacher and chief of Waris Punjab De (WPD), currently jailed Member of Parliament Amritpal Singh, identified as Harpreet Singh alias Happy, along with Harpreet’s aide Lovepreet Singh and drug supplier Sandeep Arora and seized 4 grams of ice (methamphetamine), two lighters, a digital weighing scale, three mobile phones, a half-burnt Rs 20 note, and a silver paper from their possession near Phillaur in Jalandhar district. A First Information Report (FIR) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered against them. Police reported that Harpreet admitted to consuming drugs for three years, and a medical examination confirmed the presence of multiple drugs in their systems. They have been sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
India 12-Jul-2024
Punjab Police submitted to the high court that 10 government employees, including nine jail officials and a doctor, have been implicated in a drug racket operating from the Ferozepur Central Jail in Ferozepur district, Punjab. The case, set for further hearing on July 25, revealed that inmates had access to mobile phones, with one device logging 38,850 calls over a year.
India 12-Jul-2024
A local court on July 12 sentenced a drug peddler, Gaurav, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of INR 1 lakh for possessing 1 kg of heroin in Ludhiana, Ludhiana district, Punjab. Despite his defence claiming false implication and lack of independent witnesses, the court upheld the conviction, noting the general public’s hesitance to participate as witnesses.
India 12-Jul-2024
According to sources, the Punjab Taxation Department is investigating a suspicious transaction involving 190 kg of gold in Amritsar, valued at approximately INR 140 crore, which was purchased without paying the required GST. The investigation is exploring potential links to a massive gold heist at Pearson Airport in Toronto, Canada, where 6,600 gold bars worth $20 million were stolen. The ongoing probe is looking into whether this gold was part of the stolen consignment suspected to have been smuggled into India and Dubai.
India 12-Jul-2024
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 12 granted bail to Gursant Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hilal Ahmed Shergoji, and Bikramjit Singh, who were booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act) in a 2020 narco-terror case. The court, citing the nearly four-year judicial custody period, deemed it sufficient to sever ties with alleged associates. It found that prima facie offences under UAPA were not substantiated against all except Shergoji, primarily considering the accused under the NDPS Act.
Canada 13-Jul-2024
According to reports, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's constant pandering to the minority votes of Khalistani separatists and his historical anti-India biases are to blame for strained Indo-Canadian relations. Despite diplomatic efforts, Canada's political landscape is complicated by its support for secessionist groups and inadequate intelligence responses to terrorism, undermining its international standing.
India 13-Jul-2024
Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on July 13 asked the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to display portraits of Khalistani extremists Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Panjwar, and Gajinder Singh at the Central Sikh Museum in the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar, Punjab. This request was made during a function organized by the SGPC and Dal Khalsa to pay tribute to terrorist Gajinder Singh, who led the 1981 hijacking of an Indian Airlines aircraft. The Jathedar cited the trio's 'sacrifices' as the reason for this honour.
India 13-Jul-2024
According to sources, the elder brother of radical Khalistani preacher and jailed Member of Parliament (MP) Amritpal Singh, Harpreet Singh alias Happy, who was arrested on July 11 near Phillaur, admitted to a three-year drug habit. The drugs were delivered via GT Road in Ludhiana, and at the time of their arrest, Harpreet and his associate Lovepreet Singh had consumed one gram each. Harpreet described using INR 20 notes to consume the drug, and records indicate his longstanding acquaintance with Arora. This arrest comes as a surprise to many, as Amritpal's campaign emphasized his efforts against drug abuse, including opening a de-addiction centre in his village, Jallupur Kheda, in Amritsar district, Punjab.
India 13-Jul-2024
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Mohinder Bhagat won the Jalandhar West assembly seat, defeating Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominee Sheetal Angural by over 37,000 votes in Jalandhar district, Punjab. Bhagat received 55,246 votes, while Angural garnered 17,921. Indian National Congress (INC) nominee Surinder Kaur came third with 16,757 votes, followed by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate Surjit Kaur with 1,242 votes and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate Binder Kumar with 734. The bypoll was held after Angural resigned as an AAP legislator and joined the BJP in March.
India 13-Jul-2024
Sardar Parvinder Singh, a member of the State Minorities Commission, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on July 13, strongly condemned the Indira Gandhi government's actions during June 1 to 6, 1984, accusing them of desecrating the sanctity of the Sikh pilgrimage site Amritsar Sahib and the Akal Takht with deadly attacks. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to introduce a resolution in the forthcoming budget session, declaring June 6 as National Regret Day to acknowledge and apologize for the tragic incidents.
India 13-Jul-2024
Border Security Force (BSF) troops on July 13 intercepted and neutralized a drone and recovered a packet containing one Beretta pistol, two Star-mark pistols, seven magazines, and a plastic torch near Maharsona village in Fazilka district.
India 13-Jul-2024
According to sources, Punjab Police witnessed a significant rise in Ice drug (methamphetamine) smuggling across the border, with 15.4 kg seized in the first half of 2024 compared to just 1.04 kg recovered in 2023. This surge is attributed to a decrease in heroin supply due to Taliban control over opium in Afghanistan, prompting Pakistani smugglers to include Ice with heroin shipments to establish a market in Punjab. Concerns over the drug's potency and addictiveness have heightened, with authorities stressing the need for vigilant community awareness and stringent law enforcement measures.
India 13-Jul-2024
The police on July 13 arrested an unidentified person and seized 1.5 kg of opium from his possession near Moonak grain market in Sangrur district.
India 13-Jul-2024
The Police on July 13 arrested one unidentified woman and seized 10 grams of heroin from her possession in Sunam in Sangrur district.
India 13-Jul-2024
The Police on July 13 arrested one unidentified woman and seized 100 intoxicant pills from her possession, in Dhuri in Sangrur district.