Panjab Police’s Assertion on Number of Pro-Khalistan Outfits Abroad Doesn’t Add Up

At a recent National Investigative Agency conference, Panjab Police Inspector General of Police (Internal Security) Nilabh Kishore reported a set of outlandish numbers of those involved in anti-India activities. The police revealed that 56 Pro-Khalistan Entities (PKEs) are operating in various countries. The Panjab Police said they have taken significant actions against these groups by filing 130 First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and arresting 580 individuals. A further breakdown of these PKEs reveals 13 in the United States, 12 in Canada, 7 in Germany, 6 in the United Kingdom, 6 in Pakistan, 2 each in Philippines, Armenia, Portugal, and Malaysia, and four in different other countries. It is not clear what ‘other countries’ means. The report further said that some of these entities were linked to 15 targeted killings in Panjab over the past six years (2017-2023). Suddenly, the report takes a turn and begins equating PKEs with gangsters. A major difference is that unlike Khalistan activists, gangsters have no issues with the Indian state. The police confirmed they have arrested 4,597 gangsters and neutralized 22 in encounters. The arrested gangsters come from various states. Furthermore, 11 pro-Khalistan activists have been deported, red-corner notices have been issued against 13 individuals, and properties of four persons have been forfeited under UAPA. The police are processing red-corner notices for 40 more people. The wild numbers, the easy equation between Khalistan activists and gangsters, and the fact that only The Indian Express from mainstream media and one right-wing outlet has carried this report, casts a shadow of doubt on its validity.