KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
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.
04-Mar-2026
According to a press release, a seven-month targeted enforcement initiative funded by British Columbia’s Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement (SITE) Program led to 121 arrests and the seizure of significant quantities of illegal drugs and weapons, marking progress in efforts to combat repeat offenders and organized crime. Between June 1, 2025, and January 15, 2026, the Kelowna Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) used provincial funding to conduct additional intelligence-led enforcement operations targeting high-risk offenders and areas experiencing elevated levels of violence and social disorder.
03-Mar-2026
A 45-year-old Punjabi-origin social media influencer and activist, Nancy Grewal, known for her outspoken criticism of the Khalistan movement, was stabbed to death on the night of March 3 in LaSalle, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. No suspect has been named or arrested in connection with the incident. On social media, Grewal frequently commented on social and political issues in Punjab and had openly criticized Khalistani groups, including pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Nancy Grewal’s mother, Shinderpal Kaur, speaking from Jalandhar, Punjab, on March 5, claimed that her daughter had been receiving death threats in Canada. She said Nancy was stabbed multiple times and alleged that some hardliners in Windsor had hostility towards her. Urging Canadian authorities to arrest those responsible, Kaur added that Nancy had previously survived an attack when her house was set on fire but continued to receive threats thereafter.
02-Mar-2026
The Globe and Mail published a report alleging links between an Indian intelligence officer and the 2023 killing of Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Citing national security and law enforcement sources, the report claims that consular staff in Vancouver provided information that facilitated Nijjar’s assassination in Surrey, British Columbia. One official, reportedly a visa officer, is alleged to have acted as an undercover operative for India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), using diplomatic cover to gather intelligence on Nijjar through contacts within the local Indian diaspora. The officer allegedly worked with a career diplomat, identified only as Manish, who was serving as Consul-General in Vancouver at the time.
27-Feb-2026
Despite strong protests from pro-Khalistan groups, amplified by sections of the Canadian media, Ottawa has not contradicted a senior official’s February 25 statement that India was no longer engaged in interference or targeted violence in Canada. A statement from the office of Prime Minister Mark Carney, cited by The Globe and Mail, said: “Canada will continue to take measures to combat any forms of transnational repression, transnational organised crime, and any contravention of the Criminal Code or rule of law on Canadian soil.” The statement also referred to the ongoing security and law-and-order dialogue between Canada and India.
25-Feb-2026
According to reports, a senior Canadian official stated on February 25 that the government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney believes India has ceased its alleged attempts at transnational repression in Canada. The remarks were made during a background briefing ahead of the Prime Minister’s trade mission to New Delhi and Mumbai. “We’re confident that this activity is not continuing… If we believed that the Government of India was actively interfering in the Canadian democratic process, we likely would not be undertaking this visit,” the official said. However, Sikh activist groups in Canada have expressed continued concerns about their safety, despite Ottawa’s apparent effort to reset ties. Several groups have reportedly issued an ultimatum to federal politicians, warning of a boycott and restrictions on access to gurdwaras and Sikh-organised events unless their concerns receive greater attention.