KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
09-Apr-2026
According to reports, Canadian immigration proceedings against alleged India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang member Abjeet Kingra were abruptly halted on April 9 after authorities lost track of him during a scheduled deportation hearing. The case was being heard before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada when officials, minutes into the proceedings, confirmed they were unable to locate him. “Without knowing where he is, there’s not much else we can do,” the presiding member said before adjourning the hearing. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which is seeking Kingra’s removal, also indicated it lacked updated information on his whereabouts during the hearing. However, a British Columbia court later confirmed that Kingra remained in custody and is awaiting trial on serious charges, including an alleged shooting and arson incident at a Surrey home. Kingra is among several foreign nationals under scrutiny as part of a broader crackdown on organized extortion networks operating across Canada, particularly in British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario. He had earlier pleaded guilty to a high-profile attack on a residence linked to Punjabi singer AP Dhillon, where gunshots were fired and vehicles were set ablaze, and was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.
07-Apr-2026
Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) has called for a shutdown of Air India operations in Canada, citing claims by former CIA officer John Kiriakou alleging India’s role in the 1985 Air India Flight 182 (Kanishka) bombing. Kiriakou had stated, “India blew up a 747…” referring to the attack that killed 329 people. SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun echoed the claim, asserting that the Indian government was responsible—an allegation the group says it has raised since 2010.
06-Apr-2026
The Indo-Canadian community has expressed concern over the “deliberate” harassment and intimidation of Hindu Canadians, even as two pro-Khalistan protests outside major temples in Canada passed off without incident on April 5. Law enforcement ensured that protesters did not come within 100 metres of Triveni Mandir in Brampton (GTA) and Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, British Columbia. The so-called “Khalistan Zindabad” rallies, called by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), featured anti-India slogans targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian diplomatic officials in Canada.
05-Apr-2026
Hindu organisations in Canada have raised concerns over pro-Khalistan demonstrations by the India-banned extremist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) scheduled outside two temples on April 5, warning of potential disruption and intimidation of worshippers. Hindu advocacy groups have urged police to enhance security. The Hindu Canadian Foundation (HCF) termed the targeting of temples due to the community’s “ancient roots in India or indigenous cultural identity” as “xenophobia and Hinduphobia, plain and simple.”
04-Apr-2026
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang reportedly opened fire at a luxury car dealership in the Brampton area of Ontario, Canada. Shortly after, a social media post surfaced in which an individual identifying as “Manna Brampton” claimed responsibility on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi Group, describing the shooting as a retaliatory act. The post, titled “Language of Love,” included religious references and the invocation “Ram-Ram,” and named AutoVilla Car Sales in Mississauga and Brampton, along with an individual identified as Mani Randhawa, as targets. While police have not verified the authenticity of the post, the incident has caused concern among the local business community.
04-Apr-2026
As so-called Khalistan Zindabad rallies by the Khalistani secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) were scheduled outside two temples in Canada on April 5, law enforcement warned that unlawful acts would not be tolerated. The targeted sites included Triveni Mandir in Brampton (Greater Toronto Area) and Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, British Columbia. In a statement on April 4, Peel Regional Police (PRP) said, “Unlawful acts and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated,” adding that “hate has no place here.” Meanwhile, the management of Lakshmi Narayan Mandir secured a court order barring demonstrators from gathering within 100 metres of its premises on April 5.
02-Apr-2026
According to reports, Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) revised its position on foreign interference within days. On March 19, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme stated there was no evidence linking harassment and intimidation incidents to any foreign government. However, in a clarification issued on April 1, the agency acknowledged that foreign states are engaged in such activities in Canada. The RCMP noted it is aware of complaints of intimidation and harassment targeting certain communities, but added that establishing a direct, legally admissible link to a foreign entity remains a complex process. Previously, Canada had accused Indian agencies of using networks linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to carry out killings in the country.
01-Apr-2026
According to reports, two major Hindu temples in Canada are coordinating with authorities over security arrangements after pro-Khalistan groups called for rallies outside their premises on April 5. The call for “Khalistan Zindabad” rallies was issued by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), with locations including Triveni Mandir in Brampton (Greater Toronto Area) and Lakshmi Narayan Mandir in Surrey, British Columbia. Yudhishthir Dhanrajh, spiritual leader of Triveni Mandir, said Peel Regional Police have met temple authorities and assured continuous police presence. He added that police will enforce Brampton’s 100-metre bylaw, which prohibits demonstrations within 100 metres of places of worship.
28-Mar-2026
On March 28, an Indian-origin man, Jasman Sekhon, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in a townhouse complex in Sullivan Heights, Surrey, Canada, in an incident suspected to be linked to organised crime. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) stated that Sekhon had prior interactions with police and was believed to be involved in the drug trade, adding that early indications suggest the killing was a targeted attack.
27-Mar-2026
According to reports, Canadian law enforcement is examining whether pro-Khalistan extremism may have been a factor in the March 3 murder of Indo-Canadian influencer Nancy Grewal at her residence in LaSalle, Ontario. A report by Windsor Star noted that investigators are probing possible links between the killing and the Indian Sikh separatist movement she had publicly criticized. A spokesperson for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) stated that authorities are “looking at all potential links” and exploring all avenues. Grewal, a resident of the Windsor suburb of LaSalle, was known for her outspoken criticism of the Khalistan movement.
26-Mar-2026
A Canadian court on March 26 stayed gun-related charges against Inderjeet Singh Gosal, a leader of the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in Canada, in the aftermath of the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Gosal, a close aide of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, had been arrested during a traffic stop in Ontario on September 19, 2025, along with Jagdeep Singh and Arman Singh, after police allegedly recovered a loaded handgun from their vehicle. While charges against Jagdeep and Arman Singh were dropped earlier, the court has now stayed the case against Gosal as well. Following the ruling, Gosal said that with the charges and travel restrictions lifted, he would continue his pro-Khalistan activities.
25-Mar-2026
Canada’s House of Commons on March 25 passed the Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9), which for the first time criminalizes the public display of flags and symbols of designated terrorist organizations when used to promote hatred. The bill cleared its third reading with a 186–137 vote and now moves to the Senate for further review. It introduces a new offence under the Criminal Code for the wilful promotion of hatred against identifiable groups through the display of symbols linked to listed terrorist entities, including Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), both designated as terrorist organizations in Canada and India. The bill also strengthens penalties for hate-motivated crimes and creates new offences for intimidating or obstructing individuals seeking access to places of worship, schools, or other religious and cultural sites.
23-Mar-2026
According to reports, Surrey—considered an epicenter of Canada’s extortion crisis—has seen a steady decline in shootings linked to extortion, as authorities continue to use deterrents such as deportation. In a video update, Norm Lipinski of the Surrey Police Service (SPS) said that in March 2026 there have been “zero” extortion-related shootings, compared to one in February and 10 in January. However, four extortion cases were still reported this month. Police have also undertaken community outreach, including meetings with international students at local colleges and universities, according to the Vancouver Sun.
21-Mar-2026
On March 21, a 22-year-old student from Punjab, Birinder Singh, was shot dead by unidentified assailants while driving on a highway near Edmonton in what police described as a random and deeply troubling act of violence. Birinder was on a road trip to Alberta’s Rocky Mountains when a bullet fired from a passing pickup truck struck him. According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), a grey pickup truck approached the Honda Civic he was driving, and someone inside opened fire before fleeing the scene. Authorities later located the suspect vehicle, but no arrests have been made so far
20-Mar-2026
Mike Duheme, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), said in an interview with CTV News that there is no current evidence linking the Government of India to clandestine activities or transnational repression on Canadian soil. He added that, based on available information, there are presently no such activities in Canada tied to India. However, he noted that in cases of transnational repression, establishing links to a specific foreign entity can be difficult.
19-Mar-2026
According to reports, authorities in Canada have removed two Indian origin men following investigations into organised criminal networks operating across India and Canada, involving extortion, arson, drug trafficking, and firearms offences. Arshdeep Singh, who arrived on a study permit in 2022, was found inadmissible due to his involvement in a criminal organisation and deported on January 19, 2026. Sukhnaaz Singh Sandhu, a temporary resident since 2016 and a suspected member of the Ruffians gang, was similarly removed on February 3, 2026. Both were linked to criminal networks with connections to India. The removals are part of a broader crackdown by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) targeting organized crime and extortion. Since August 2025, the agency has initiated 372 immigration investigations, issued 70 removal orders, and carried out 35 deportations linked to such networks. Operations initially focused on the Pacific and Prairie regions before expanding to the Greater Toronto Area in November 2025.
17-Mar-2026
Punjabi singer Gippy Grewal allegedly received a threatening call in the name of gangster Goldy Brar, with the caller warning of a potential attack if the warnings were ignored. An audio clip of the purported call is circulating on social media. In the recording, the caller can be heard saying, “Yes, Gippy, this is Goldy Brar speaking. I had sent you a message a few days ago, but you haven’t replied yet.” However, police have not yet received any complaint in the matter.
15-Mar-2026
According to a report by OMNI News, after surfacing in Surrey and Brampton, the menace of extortion targeting Punjabi business owners has reached Vancouver in Canada. Builders have reportedly slowed work and are seeking to remove their phone numbers and project details from public records for safety. The report noted that Punjabi builders in Vancouver are taking down job-site signs and reducing their online and public presence as extortion threats spread across the city’s Punjabi business community.
14-Mar-2026
A 22-year-old youth from Amritsar, Birinder Singh, was shot dead in Edmonton, Canada on March 14. According to reports, Birinder was on his way to celebrate his birthday with friends when an assailant in another vehicle suddenly opened fire, killing him on the spot. His family has urged the Canadian government to ensure justice and improve safety for Punjabi, particularly Sikh and immigrant communities, alleging a rise in hate crimes targeting them.
10-Mar-2026
According to a March 10 report in Khalsa Vox, the brutal stabbing of 45-year-old Nancy Grewal, a Canada citizen and outspoken critic of the Khalistan movement, has heightened concerns about Khalistani extremism spilling into violence on Canadian soil, amid longstanding tensions between India and Canada over the issue. The report noted that the killing has shocked Canada’s South Asian communities and the wider public. Between March 7 and 9, it added, fresh details emerged that intensified scrutiny over possible Khalistani extremist links, though the investigation continues with no arrests or suspects identified.
09-Mar-2026
According to reports, the murder of Indo-Canadian social media influencer and outspoken critic of the Khalistan movement, Nancy Grewal, has renewed calls in Canada to formally classify Khalistani extremists as terrorists. Grewal was stabbed to death at a client’s home in LaSalle, Ontario on March 3. Police confirmed the homicide was “not a random act of violence” and is being investigated as “an intentional act against her,” but have not linked any individual or group to the attack.
06-Mar-2026
Conflicting and sensational claims of responsibility have surfaced on social media following the stabbing death of Punjabi-origin social media influencer Nancy Grewal in LaSalle, Ontario, Canada. Anonymous profiles linked to pro-Khalistan rhetoric and rival Punjab-based gangster networks have blamed each other in an apparent attempt to exploit the incident. One post, featuring Sikh religious symbols and hashtags such as #Akash_Harike, claimed the killing was carried out on behalf of the “Prava” (brothers of the Sikh Panth), naming Akash Harike and Sukha Sandhu as responsible. The message accused Grewal of “speaking wrongly” against Khalistan and the Dharma, framing the attack as retribution for her criticism of the separatist movement. In contrast, another post attributed to gangster Goldy Brar claimed the crime was carried out by his network, naming Goldy Brar, Sachin Bishnoi (Dhattaranwali), and the Lawrence Bishnoi group. The message alleged Grewal’s links to the killings of Vicky Middukhehra and Gurlal Brar, as well as the encounter death of Ankit Bhadu, asserting the attack was an act of revenge while also mocking authorities for alleged inaction.
06-Mar-2026
According to reports, a man identified by Canadian immigration authorities as a member of a violent student gang, Sukhnaaz Singh Sandhu, has been deported to India nearly five years after officials first flagged him as a potential public safety risk. Documents obtained by CBC News show that Sandhu was identified in 2020 by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) as being linked to a Surrey-based gang known as the Ruffians, a group police say was involved in drug trafficking and violent offences. Despite these concerns, Sandhu remained in Canada for several years while immigration proceedings moved through the system. During that period, police reports described what authorities called a “high-risk lifestyle,” involving firearms incidents, alleged fraud, stolen vehicles, fleeing police, and suspected drive-by shootings.
05-Mar-2026
A social media account promoting Khalistan extremist views claimed responsibility for the stabbing of Punjabi-origin social media influencer Nancy Grewal in LaSalle, Ontario, Canada. In a post written in Punjabi, the account alleged that Grewal was killed for criticizing the Khalistan movement, stating that she had spoken “against religion and Khalistan” and warning that others who did the same would meet a similar fate. The report noted that it has not independently verified the authenticity of the social media account or the claim. In a statement, LaSalle Police said investigators are examining all available information but declined further comment to protect the ongoing investigation. However, Police indicated that they believe the stabbing was a targeted attack and not a random incident.
04-Mar-2026
British Columbia Premier David Eby, in an interview with CTV News on March 4, said he had no information indicating any involvement of the Indian government in extortion cases under investigation in the province. He stated that while police may have additional details, the provincial government had not received evidence linking India to the cases. Eby added that authorities had received allegations suggesting possible involvement of the Bishnoi gang, or individuals claiming association with the gang to lend credibility to their threats.