New Delhi, September 22, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Security agencies have flagged what officials describe as a shift in the strategy of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in Punjab, with frequent smaller incidents, attacks targeting police personnel and increased attempts to smuggle drugs and weapons through drones.
According to intelligence officials, the Khalistan movement has not gained the level of local support that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is believed to have anticipated. Officials said this has made recruitment more difficult and limited the ability of terror groups to carry out large-scale operations.
An official said the ISI-backed BKI appeared to have altered its approach in response, focusing on more frequent but smaller operations.
“The recent killings of Punjab policemen and attacks targeting them appear to be the first step in efforts to revive the Khalistan issue. While the targeting of police personnel is a matter of serious concern, outfits such as the BKI have also intensified drone activity to smuggle drugs and arms into Punjab,” the official said.
An Intelligence Bureau official said the emerging pattern was significant, with smaller incidents allegedly being carried out at regular intervals to put sustained pressure on Punjab’s security apparatus.
“This is aimed at stressing the security mechanism in Punjab. When the mechanism is under pressure, it is easier to launch large-scale operations in the state,” the official said.
Officials described the approach as “slow and steady”, while acknowledging that Punjab Police have foiled several operations linked to Khalistani groups.
Data cited by officials showed that between September 3 and 16, arms and drugs were seized on nine occasions. During the 12-day period, 33 kg of heroin and 38 weapons were seized, including AK-47 rifles and different types of pistols. As many as 115 live cartridges were also recovered.
Officials also pointed to an increase in attacks targeting police personnel. On February 23, Assistant Sub-Inspector Gurnam Singh and another police personnel, Ashok Kumar, were shot dead at a border check post near the International Border.
On May 24, Assistant Sub-Inspector Joga Singh was killed in an early-morning attack. Earlier this month, Assistant Sub-Inspector Harjit Singh was shot dead in another attack. Days before Harjit Singh’s killing, another ASI was shot at near Ajnala but survived.
Security officials said repeated threats against Punjab Police personnel were also part of what they described as a psychological pressure campaign.
“The big attacks are clearly not on the cards for now. However, if one gets to read about police officials being targeted so frequently, and the quantity of arms ammunition, and drugs being pushed into the state only leads to a panic situation. It feels as though the state is always under an imminent threat,” officials said.
According to officials, security agencies are simultaneously dealing with alleged recruitment by ISI-backed networks, attempts to smuggle arms and drugs, threats to police personnel and online propaganda by groups such as Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).
They said the cumulative pressure was intended to keep the security apparatus continuously engaged and potentially create an opportunity for a larger terror operation.
The allegations and assessments cited by the officials remain subject to ongoing security investigations.
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