On 23 February 2023, supporters of Amritpal Singh, head of the outfit Waris Punjab De, broke through barricades at the Ajnala police station in Amritsar district to demand the release of his aide Lovepreet Singh "Toofan". Police said six personnel were injured; Toofan was freed the next day. A statewide crackdown followed on 18 March, and Amritpal was arrested on 23 April 2023 and held under the National Security Act in Assam for three years. He won a Lok Sabha seat from detention in 2024 and went on trial in the Ajnala case in 2026.
Key takeaways
- On 23 February 2023, Amritpal Singh's supporters, some carrying swords and guns, broke into the Ajnala police station to demand the release of his aide Lovepreet Singh Toofan.
- The Punjab DGP said six police were injured and that police held back because the crowd came with a palki carrying the Guru Granth Sahib; Toofan was freed the next day.
- A statewide crackdown from 18 March 2023 led to 112 arrests in two days and a mobile internet shutdown; Amritpal was arrested at Rode on 23 April and held under the NSA until April 2026.
- He won the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat from detention in 2024, and in May 2026 an Amritsar court framed charges against him, including attempt to murder.
Background: Waris Punjab De and Amritpal Singh
Waris Punjab De was founded by the actor and activist Deep Sidhu during the agitation against the three farm laws Tribune. After Sidhu died in a road accident in February 2022, Amritpal Singh, who had returned from Dubai, became its head at an event in Rode, the native village of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale in Moga district PTI via Deccan Herald. Police and much of the press described him as a Khalistan sympathiser.
Central officials later told The Tribune they had warned the Punjab Police about him since he arrived in India in September 2022 Tribune.
How it started: a kidnapping complaint
On 16 February 2023 the Ajnala police registered a case on a complaint by Varinder Singh of Chamkaur Sahib in Ropar district. He said Amritpal's supporters abducted him outside a Damdami Taksal premises in Ajnala, took him to a tubewell near Jandiala Guru, beat him with sticks and took his phones and wallet. The FIR, under IPC sections including 365 (kidnapping), named Amritpal, several associates and 20 unknown people Tribune.
Two days later police arrested Lovepreet Singh "Toofan" of Tibri village in Gurdaspur. Amritpal said there was no evidence that Toofan was at the spot, called the FIR false and threatened to gherao the police station Tribune.
Timeline
The police station is stormed
Amritpal's supporters, some brandishing swords and guns, broke through barricades and entered the Ajnala police station complex. They had brought a vehicle carrying a saroop of the Guru Granth Sahib, ostensibly for an "amrit sanchar" ceremony Tribune. Reports put the crowd at "hundreds" PTI; a 2025 report citing police put the mob at 200 to 250 ETV Bharat. That evening SSP Satinder Singh announced Toofan would be released and an SIT would probe the kidnapping case Tribune.
Toofan walks out of jail
A sub-divisional judicial magistrate in Ajnala discharged Toofan on a police application, after police told the court their inquiry did not show he was at the scene. Amritpal called it a "victory of the panth" PTI. Police later said an FIR over the storming was registered the next day Tribune.
Chief Minister and Akal Takht respond
Bhagwant Mann said those who used the Guru Granth Sahib as a shield could never be "waris of Punjab" Tribune. The Akal Takht Jathedar set up a panel on carrying the scripture to protest sites Tribune.
Crackdown begins; Amritpal escapes
Police chased Amritpal's convoy through the Shahkot and Mehatpur areas of Jalandhar, arrested 78 people and seized eight guns and 373 cartridges, but he got away. Mobile internet was suspended across the state Tribune.
High Court questions police
Hearing a habeas corpus plea, Justice NS Shekhawat said: "You have 80,000 police. How has he not been arrested? If he escaped, this is an intelligence failure" Scroll.
Arrest at Rode
Amritpal was arrested at Rode village in Moga and flown to Dibrugarh under the NSA Tribune.
Both accounts of Ajnala
Amritpal Singh's account
Amritpal said the 16 February FIR was "fake" and that he and his supporters had given police "enough evidence" of Toofan's innocence. He blamed the police for the clash: "Yesterday's situation could have been averted had the police listened to us," he said, adding that they had set a Wednesday deadline for the release. He warned the DGP that any "illegitimate action" would lead to more protests PTI via Deccan Herald. His defence lawyer said in 2026 that no weapon or vehicle was recovered from him during the investigation Tribune.
Police and government account
Government's position DGP Gaurav Yadav said the demonstration was permitted on assurances it would be peaceful, but "under the cover of Palki Sahib of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, police were attacked in a cowardly manner with sharp-edged weapons, stones and bricks". Six personnel were injured, including SP Jugraj Singh, a former India hockey player, who needed 11 stitches. "Had the police opened fire, it would have led to more issues," he said PTI via Orissa Post. He said some people named in the kidnapping FIR had been "wrongly mentioned" PTI.
Opposition leaders said the state had given in. Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said "Nip the evil in the bud", and critics read Toofan's release as the AAP government yielding to pressure PTI.
The Punjab government, the Centre and the Akal Takht
Government's position Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann condemned the use of the scripture at Ajnala, and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema asked the Akal Takht and the SGPC to act against those responsible Tribune. After the crackdown began, Mann said in a video message: "Some anti-national elements hobnobbed with foreign forces to put the state on boil and disturb its hard-earned peace. Strict action has been taken against them" Tribune. After the arrest he called Amritpal "a stooge in hands of forces inimical to the state and country" Tribune.
Centre's position Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in April 2023: "There is no wave (of Khalistan). Many times, some people try, but the governments have done their job. The Punjab government has done a good job, the Centre has supported" ANI via Business Standard.
The Akal Takht's 16-member panel on carrying the Guru Granth Sahib to protest sites handed a sealed report to Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh on 12 March 2023; its contents were not made public in the reporting reviewed Tribune. During the manhunt the Jathedar asked Amritpal to surrender, and on 27 March gave the state a 24-hour ultimatum to release the detainees. Mann accused him of serving the "Badals-controlled" SGPC; the government then reportedly released 348 of 360 detainees Tribune.
The 18 March operation and the internet shutdown
Police described it as a statewide cordon and search operation against "elements" of Waris Punjab De, accused of "spreading communal disharmony, murder bid, attack on cops" and obstructing public servants Tribune. Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said Amritpal's car was chased for 20 to 25 km and he escaped by changing vehicles PTI via Outlook.
Mobile internet and SMS were suspended across Punjab from 18 March, with banking exempted. The order said the aim was to "prevent any incitement to violence and any disturbance of peace and public order" PTI via Outlook. Services were restored on 21 March except in Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Moga and Sangrur districts, the Ajnala sub-division and parts of Mohali, where curbs ran to 23 March Tribune Scroll.
Amritpal's legal adviser told the High Court he had already been detained; police said in an affidavit he "was neither arrested nor detained or taken into custody at any point in time" Tribune. Central officials said 50 companies of central armed police had been sent at the state's request after Mann met Amit Shah Tribune.
Arrests and NSA detentions
Police reported 78 arrests on 18 March and 34 more on 19 March, when four detainees were flown to Dibrugarh PTI via Outlook. On 26 March police said 353 people had been held in preventive custody, of whom 197 were released, along with 40 arrested on criminal charges and seven detained under the NSA. On Mann's direction, the DGP ordered officers to ensure "no innocent person is harassed or arrested" PTI via Outlook. By 29 March, 348 of 360 detainees had reportedly been released Tribune.
By the time of Amritpal's arrest, nine aides, including his uncle Harjit Singh and Papalpreet Singh, were in Dibrugarh under the NSA. Amritpal had escaped police twice, on 18 March in Jalandhar and on 28 March in Hoshiarpur Tribune.
Disputed · Arrest or surrender IG Sukhchain Singh Gill said police surrounded Rode overnight but did not enter the gurdwara, "respecting the maryada", and Amritpal "had no place to run". Jasbir Singh Rode, Bhindranwale's nephew, said he surrendered, and Amritpal said in a video that he was courting arrest Tribune.
Protests in Punjab and abroad
In Mohali, supporters held a four-day sit-in at Sohana chowk from 18 March. Police removed them on 22 March, arrested about 30 people and said they recovered sticks and swords Tribune.
On 19 March, protesters at India's High Commission in London pulled down the national flag. India summoned the UK's deputy high commissioner, and the Metropolitan Police said one man was arrested and two security guards were injured Scroll. The same day in San Francisco, protesters broke through barriers, damaged the Indian consulate and injured officials, according to the NIA, which registered a case including UAPA charges and later sought information on 10 wanted people IANS.
Lok Sabha win from detention
Contesting as an independent in 2024, Amritpal won Khadoor Sahib by 1,97,120 votes over Congress's Kulbir Singh Zira. He took the oath on 5 July 2024 on a four-day parole granted by the Amritsar district magistrate with the state's authorisation PTI via Deccan Herald. Two later pleas for parole to attend Parliament were rejected by the High Court, with the state citing law and order Tribune.
NSA extensions
An order of 3 June 2024 extended his NSA detention to April 2025 Tribune. In March 2025 the state let the NSA lapse for seven of his aides, who were brought back to Punjab to face trial, but in April 2025 extended Amritpal's by another year. Government's position Officials cited "additional evidence hinting at the MP continuing to be a threat to the law and order situation in Punjab", including a UAPA case in Faridkot Tribune.
The Ajnala case in court
Charges were framed against his associates on 29 July 2025 under the IPC and Arms Act; all pleaded not guilty Tribune. Before the NSA term ended, the High Court allowed the state to keep him in Dibrugarh and try him by video link, citing "proximate danger of breach of public order" if he attended in Amritsar LawTrend.
The detention expired at midnight on 22 April 2026, and Punjab Police arrested him in Dibrugarh in the Ajnala case Northeast Now. On 14 May 2026 an Amritsar sessions court framed charges including attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy, but dropped the Arms Act charges after the defence argued that no weapon was recovered Tribune PTC News. By July 2026 about four witnesses had testified Tribune. On 29 July 2026, supporters marching from Mohali for his release clashed with Chandigarh police Tribune.
Outcome
- Injuries at Ajnala: Six police personnel, per the DGP.
- Arrests: 112 in two days; 353 in preventive custody by 26 March 2023, most released.
- NSA: Ten held in Dibrugarh; most aides' detention lapsed in March 2025, Amritpal's in April 2026.
- Internet: Statewide mobile shutdown, 18 to 21 March 2023.
- Court: Charges framed against 41 accused; Amritpal's trial under way by video link.
What is still pending
The trial was continuing in October 2026, with no verdict reported. Amritpal remains in Dibrugarh jail, and he faces about a dozen other FIRs and is named in the 2024 murder of Gurpreet Singh "Hari Nau" Tribune.
Questions people ask
What happened at Ajnala police station in 2023?
On 23 February 2023, supporters of Amritpal Singh broke through barricades and entered the police station to demand the release of his aide Lovepreet Singh Toofan. Police said six personnel were injured. Toofan was released the next day.
When was Amritpal Singh arrested?
On 23 April 2023 at Rode village in Moga district, after more than a month on the run. Police say he was surrounded; he and his supporters say he gave himself up.
How long was the internet shut in Punjab?
Mobile internet and SMS were suspended statewide from 18 March 2023 and restored on 21 March, except in some districts and areas where curbs lasted until 23 March.
Is Amritpal Singh still in jail?
Yes. His NSA detention ended on 22 April 2026, but he was arrested in the Ajnala case and remains in Dibrugarh jail, appearing in court by video link.
Sources
- Tribune: Radicals storm police station to force release of kidnap accused, 24 Feb 2023
- PTI via Deccan Herald: Amritpal Singh's aide Lovepreet walks out of Amritsar jail, 24 Feb 2023
- PTI via Orissa Post: Police attacked in "cowardly" manner, says Punjab DGP, 24 Feb 2023
- Tribune: Those who used saroop as shield can't be waris of Punjab, says CM, 26 Feb 2023
- Tribune: Akal Takht Jathedar forms panel on use of Guru Granth Sahib at protest sites, 25 Feb 2023
- Tribune: Ajnala row panel submits report to Takht Jathedar, 12 Mar 2023
- Tribune: Crackdown ordered after Centre's assurance to govt, 19 Mar 2023
- Tribune: 78 of Waris Punjab De arrested in crackdown, Amritpal on the run, 19 Mar 2023
- PTI via Outlook: Amritpal's driver, uncle surrender; 34 more supporters held, 20 Mar 2023
- Tribune: It all started with a kidnapping and assault case, 20 Mar 2023
- Tribune: Murder bid, assault cases against Amritpal, 21 Mar 2023
- Scroll: "You have 80,000 police personnel, how did Amritpal Singh escape?", HC asks, 21 Mar 2023
- Tribune: 80K cops, still he fled: HC raps Punjab as Mann pats own govt, 22 Mar 2023
- Tribune: Protesters removed from Sohana chowk, 22 Mar 2023
- Scroll: India summons British diplomat after tricolour is pulled down at London mission, 20 Mar 2023
- PTI via Outlook: 197 released so far, 7 detained under NSA, says Punjab Police, 26 Mar 2023
- Tribune: Government reaches out to Takht, releases 348 detainees, 30 Mar 2023
- ANI via Business Standard: No Khalistani wave in Punjab, Centre keeping close watch: Amit Shah, 22 Apr 2023
- Tribune: Cornered, Amritpal surrenders, arrested, 24 Apr 2023
- IANS: NIA seeks info on 10 wanted people in San Francisco consulate attack case, 21 Sept 2023
- Tribune: Why is Amritpal Singh's detention extended by another year?, June 2024
- PTI via Deccan Herald: Amritpal Singh granted parole, likely to take oath on July 5, 3 July 2024
- ETV Bharat: 7 associates of Amritpal Singh to be brought to Punjab; govt not to extend NSA, 16 Mar 2025
- Tribune: Still a threat: Punjab extends MP Amritpal's NSA detention by a year, 19 Apr 2025
- Tribune: Amritpal's aides produced in court for attack on Ajnala police station, 1 Aug 2025
- LawTrend: Amritpal Singh to appear virtually from Dibrugarh jail; High Court cites "proximate danger", Apr 2026
- Northeast Now: Punjab Police arrest MP Amritpal Singh in Dibrugarh, Apr 2026
- Tribune: Amritpal Singh back in Dibrugarh jail in Ajnala case, 25 Apr 2026
- Tribune: Ajnala attack case: challan filed against Amritpal Singh; trial to begin May 2, 30 Apr 2026
- Tribune: Charges framed against Amritpal Singh in Ajnala police station attack case, 14 May 2026
- PTC News: Amritsar court frames charges in Ajnala police station attack case, 15 May 2026
- Tribune: Next hearing in Ajnala police station attack case on July 21, 14 July 2026
- Tribune: Waris Punjab De activists clash with cops at march for Amritpal's release, 30 July 2026