KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
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.
24-Feb-2026
A video circulating online shows multiple rounds of gunfire directed at the residence of Punjabi-origin man Lovjeet Sandhu in the Savanna Park area of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Police confirmed that several shots were fired; however, no details have been released regarding injuries or property damage. The suspect reportedly fled the scene, and an investigation is underway. Following the incident, a social media post allegedly linked to Aarzoo Bishnoi began circulating, claiming responsibility for the attack. The post referenced associates purportedly connected to the Lawrence Bishnoi group and included warnings aimed at rivals.
24-Feb-2026
According to reports, Canadian authorities have deported a Punjabi youth, Lovebir Singh, accused of involvement in extortion-related criminal activities, and released his photograph to seek public assistance regarding his associates and activities during his stay in the country. The Surrey Police Service identified Singh in early 2026 as a suspect in extortion-linked crimes. A foreign national who had been in Canada since the fall of 2023, Singh became the subject of an immigration probe after the police shared their findings with the Canada Border Services Agency. Following the investigation, he was deported. Police stated that his photograph was released after determining that public disclosure was necessary to support ongoing investigations.
23-Feb-2026
A video of a firing incident surfaced on social media, purportedly showing shooters identified as Arzu Bishnoi and Tyson Bishnoi opening fire at a house believed to belong to a drug trafficker in Canada, with the entire episode captured on camera. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang later claimed responsibility for the attack, naming Arzu Bishnoi, Subhav Lodhkar, and a new member, Tyson Bishnoi. Subhav Lodhkar is reportedly wanted in connection with the murder of Baba Sita and is described as a gangster from Pune, Maharashtra, India. Following the Canadian government’s designation of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organisation, the group has reportedly adopted a more aggressive posture, with multiple incidents of firing and murder reported in Canada.
21-Feb-2026
According to a report by Global News, after alleging the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada’s Justice Department has moved to withhold certain sensitive national security evidence in the ongoing trial. Federal lawyers representing the Attorney General of Canada have filed an application in Federal Court under Section 38 of the Canada Evidence Act, seeking permission to suppress specific evidence on the grounds that its disclosure could be “injurious to international relations and national security.” The application states that the Attorney General received four notices in 2024 and 2025 flagging sensitive or potentially injurious information related to the case. Meanwhile, the British Columbia Prosecution Service, which is prosecuting the four accused, declined to comment, citing the pretrial stage of the case and an existing publication ban.
19-Feb-2026
According to Canadian media reports, the Canadian government has initiated a drive to deport alleged gangsters residing in the country illegally or on refugee status—a move that could affect several India-linked crime figures, including Goldy Brar, a prime accused in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala. Reports indicate that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has compiled a list of 296 alleged gangsters from various countries. Of these, 32 have already received deportation orders from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. However, the CBSA has not publicly disclosed the names of those facing deportation. If Canada proceeds with strict enforcement, several wanted individuals with alleged links to Punjab, including Goldy Brar and Arshdeep Singh Gill, could be deported to India, where Punjab Police are expected to take action in pending criminal cases upon their return.
14-Feb-2026
According to sources, the Canadian trial related to the killing of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar remains at the pre-trial stage. Proceedings involving four Indian nationals are unlikely to move to the trial phase or have dates fixed before August this year. The development comes a day after Indian national Nikhil Gupta pleaded guilty in the United States (US) to plotting the assassination of pro-Khalistan activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. US authorities have linked the alleged conspiracy to kill the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) general counsel to Nijjar’s murder.
14-Feb-2026
Dinesh Patnaik, India’s High Commissioner to Canada, stated in a February 14 interview that if credible evidence links members of the Indian establishment to the crime, New Delhi will cooperate with Canada and take appropriate action; referring to the trial of four Indian nationals accused of murdering pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar, he cautioned that the outcome remains uncertain. “We have nothing to worry about on this account. We want to work with the Canadians to bring the perpetrators to justice. And if we find there are elements within our own establishment involved, and there is evidence to prove the link, then we will take action,” he said.
13-Feb-2026
According to Toronto CityNews, escalating extortion threats are forcing some families in Peel Region to leave Canada, as police struggle to address cases that span provincial and international borders. An Indian-origin resident, Dharmjit, who said he was targeted by an extortion gang in October 2025, claimed that police lack adequate resources to tackle such crimes. He reported receiving repeated extortion calls despite blocking the numbers and informing authorities. On November 25, shots were fired at his farm. Dharmjit said police advised the family to stay away from the property; however, when they later returned, the gunfire resumed.
08-Feb-2026
India and Canada on February 8 agreed to establish security and law enforcement liaison officers to facilitate the sharing of information on transnational criminal networks and the illegal flow of drugs, including fentanyl precursors. The agreement was reached during National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval’s two-day visit to Ottawa, aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation on security and law enforcement issues.
08-Feb-2026
According to reports, Peel Regional Police (PRP) Sergeant Harinder Sohi, a Canadian police officer who participated in a pro-Khalistan protest organized by the secessionist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) outside a Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) in November 2024, has been temporarily demoted as a disciplinary measure. He is, however, expected to be reinstated to full rank and pay after completing the penalty period. The decision has raised concerns within the Hindu community, particularly as the protest had turned violent. During the incident, some demonstrators forcibly entered the temple premises. Among those subsequently charged was Inderjit Singh Gosal, SFJ’s coordinator for the so-called Khalistan Referendum.
05-Feb-2026
York Regional Police in Canada on February 5 announced a major operation targeting organized crime in the Greater Toronto Area, stating that seven serving police officers and one former officer have been charged with criminal conspiracy to commit the murder of an Ontario corrections officer. Investigators said the accused officers illegally accessed, collected, and shared personal and confidential information with organized crime figures, which was then used to facilitate the conspiracy.
05-Feb-2026
Calgary Police Service Deputy Chief Asif Rashid, while addressing reporters ahead of a community engagement town hall in the Martindale neighbourhood on February 5, said that police and the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) are investigating 21 extortion-related cases in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, of which 11 have escalated into shootings or other violent incidents. He said members of the South Asian community are being specifically targeted.
04-Feb-2026
Punjab-origin Alberta’s Minister for Indigenous Relations, Rajan Sawhney on February 4 said that the Canadian government is aware of the escalation in gangster-related activities and that the federal administration is working to address the issue. Sawhney emphasized that South Asian students in Canada are largely law-abiding, adding that reports of chaos and unlawful incidents represent only a small fraction compared to the overall community.
01-Feb-2026
Three persons of Punjab origin, Harjot Singh, Taranveer Singh and Dayajeet Singh Billing have been charged by the Surrey Police in British Columbia, in connection with an extortion-related shooting incident in the Crescent Beach neighborhood, in Canada on February 1. The accused were arrested shortly after police received reports of gunshots and a small fire outside a residence near Crescent Road and 132 Street at around 3:50 am. Police said officers from the specialized Project Assurance unit were already patrolling the area due to a spike in extortion-related violence. The suspects were later located near 28 Avenue and 140 Street after allegedly abandoning a vehicle, fleeing on foot, and subsequently entering a rideshare vehicle.
30-Jan-2026
According to Indian media reports, Canadian leaders have condemned Alberta separatists for meetings with officials linked to United States (US) President Donald Trump, highlighting an irony given Canada’s long-standing tolerance of Sikh Khalistani separatists. Meetings between Alberta Prosperity Project (APP) representatives and Trump officials prompted the Canadian prime minister to reiterate Canada’s sovereignty, while the British Columbia premier termed the outreach “treason.” The developments have fueled claims that Trump or his proxies are encouraging resource-rich Alberta to break away from Canada—an irony noted in India, where Canada’s stance on separatism has long drawn criticism.
28-Jan-2026
Surrey, British Columbia (BC), Mayor Brenda Locke said Ottawa will deploy 20 additional Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers to combat a surge in extortion cases involving gunfire at homes and businesses. The announcement follows British Columbia Premier David Eby’s decision to convene an inter-provincial meeting in Surrey, bringing together police leadership from B.C., Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, along with the head of the RCMP’s national extortion task force. Eby said Prime Minister Mark Carney has agreed to provide additional federal resources to strengthen RCMP anti-gang and extortion operations in British Columbia.
26-Jan-2026
Police on January 26 arrested two Indian nationals of Punjabi origin, Harshdeep Singh and Hanspreet Singh, for their alleged involvement in a shooting in Surrey, from a vehicle near 129 Street and 84 Avenue in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. A loaded handgun was recovered from the vehicle, and both were charged with multiple firearms-related offences, including possessing a prohibited firearm in a vehicle and dangerous driving. They remain in custody. Police said the action was part of Project Assurance, under which the Surrey Police Service (SPS) conducts proactive patrols in neighborhoods and business areas targeted by extortion and related shootings. Surrey recorded 132 extortion attempts in 2025, including 49 involving gunfire, beyond the 35 suspected extortion cases. Most incidents in British Columbia have targeted members of the South Asian community, with several prominent Punjabi-origin businessmen killed in recent months.
26-Jan-2026
In a major action against rising extortion threats, the Surrey City Council in Canada on January 26 declared a local state of emergency in response to a surge in extortion-related threats and violence affecting the community. Reports said Punjabi-origin gangsters are allegedly involved in a significant number of extortion cases targeting South Asian businesses. The move marks the first time an elected municipal council in Canada has declared a state of emergency to address criminal activity. Mayor Brenda Locke spearheaded the motion, which was unanimously approved, citing that the scale and frequency of the crimes have overwhelmed local resources and traditional policing mechanisms.
22-Jan-2026
A 28-year-old Indian-origin man, Dilraj Singh Gill, was shot dead in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, on the afternoon of January 22. Police said a nearby vehicle fire was linked to the shooting. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) stated that Gill was known to police and that the killing appears to be connected to the British Columbia gang conflict.
21-Jan-2026
In a press note issued on January 21, Canada’s British Columbia Extortion Task Force said it is investigating the involvement of 111 foreign nationals—several suspected to be Punjabis—in a series of extortion cases targeting communities in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia. Investigators are analysing hundreds of hours of CCTV footage and have stated that refugee or asylum status will not shield suspects from legal action. Four months after its launch on September 17, 2025, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in British Columbia said the task force has taken over 32 cases from multiple jurisdictions and is examining physical, digital, and forensic evidence to dismantle extortion networks, while supporting local police across the province. The task force is working with national policing partners and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to address immigration violations. As of January 20, 2026, nine individuals had been removed from Canada.