KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
27-Sep-2023
In a recent interview, senior Canadian journalist Terry Milewski questioned why proponents of Khalistan aren't seeking a share of the Sikh Empire's territory, which now lies within Pakistan's borders. He highlighted the historical significance of Lahore, once the capital of the Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and suggested that these regions of Pakistan should be considered integral to any Khalistan claims. Milewski also accused Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau of following in his father's footsteps by supporting Khalistani extremists and pointed out Pakistan's potential involvement in the Khalistan movement.
27-Sep-2023
According to sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation has revealed that Canada-based gangster and Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, along with Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, facilitated the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) by providing target details, arranging weapons, sending terror funds through the Money Transfer Service Scheme (MTSS) channels, and raising funds through extortion. The funds extorted from victims were sent to Arsh in Canada through hawala operators. The recruits apprehended by security agencies were part of a conspiracy to kidnap and kill individuals of other faiths to advance KTF's terror agenda in Punjab. The investigation identified a group of individuals residing abroad, specifically in Canada, the United States, and Pakistan, including Lakhbir Singh alias Landa; Arsh Dala; Harinder Sandhu alias Rinda; Satwinder Singh alias Goldy Brar; Warring alias Raman Judge; Charnjit Singh alias Rinku Bihla; Sanawer Dhillon; Gurpinder Singh alias Baba Dalla; Gaurav Patyal alias Lucky; and Anmol Bishno. They are involved in various criminal activities.
27-Sep-2023
According to reports, Gurmeet Singh Toor was warned on August 24 about threats to his life in a document titled 'Duty to Warn' by the Surrey Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Toor is a senior member of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and a close associate of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead in June 2023. The document was made public by the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), but it did not provide specific details about the threat.
26-Sep-2023
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on September 26 refuted claims of a delay in their initial response to the fatal shooting of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. They stated that their officers reached the scene within four minutes of the incident, contrary to a Washington Post report. The RCMP also clarified that they were the jurisdictional police responsible for the investigation and denied any conflict with Surrey Police.
26-Sep-2023
According to sources, pro-Khalistani elements in Canada have reportedly been luring young individuals from Punjab by sponsoring visas for medium-skilled jobs, such as religious duties in gurudwaras controlled by them. Slain Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and others are said to have established a network that provides shelter and low-wage jobs to illegal immigrants and Indian students. These individuals are subsequently indoctrinated into the separatist movement, leading to anti-India activities, including protests and religious gatherings. It was also previously reported that the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was alleged to charge fees for issuing letters that falsely claim religious persecution to support political asylum applications in Canada.
26-Sep-2023
The Hindu Forum Canada on September 26 sent a letter to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Marc Miller, requesting an investigation into Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), for promoting hate in a recent video targeting Hindu Canadians of Indian origin. They urged the IRCC to consider deeming Pannun 'inadmissible' to Canada, emphasizing the need to address Khalistani elements promoting hate speech. The video was released following Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's statement regarding potential links between Indian agents and Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Pannun's comments in the video led to concerns within the Hindu community and prompted calls for Canada to address hate speech and incitement of violence within its borders.
25-Sep-2023
Chandra Arya, a Member of Parliament (MP) from Canada's Liberal Party, in an interview on September 25 expressed concerns over the safety of Hindu Canadians following threats issued by Khalistan extremists. Arya, who is a member of Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's party, cited three reasons for this fear: the violent history of the Khalistan movement, the recent public celebration of the assassination of former Indian PM Indira Gandhi in Toronto, and threats made by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun against Hindu Canadians. He also emphasized that while most Sikh Canadians do not support Khalistan, there is a close integration between Hindu and Sikh Canadians. However, he noted that a small fraction of the population supports extremism.
25-Sep-2023
According to an Indian official, India has suspended visa services for Canadian nationals, but it has clarified that the suspension does not impact applications for fresh Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. While there was initial confusion regarding the eligibility of recent Canadian citizens or individuals of Indian origin to apply for new OCI cards, Indian officials have stated that the suspension is only for visa services and does not affect OCI services.
25-Sep-2023
Khalistan supporters in Canada on September 25 organized protests outside the Indian mission in Toronto, in response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent statement, suggesting a potential connection between India and the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Approximately 100 protesters symbolically burned the Indian flag and expressed their dissatisfaction by striking a cardboard cut-out representing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a shoe.
25-Sep-2023
On September 25, approximately 75 Khalistan supporters rallied outside the Consul General of India in Vancouver, Canada. They were denouncing the Indian government's alleged involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar by stepping on a large Indian flag, which was placed on wet ground. The World Sikh Organization (WSO) issued a pre-emptive warning about the potential for 'incitement and interference' and urged vigilance. WSO President Tejinder Singh Sidhu also called for efforts to locate the individuals responsible for Nijjar's murder.
25-Sep-2023
Around 100 Khalistan supporters demonstrated outside the Indian High Commissioner's office in Ottawa, Canada, where they displayed yellow flags emblazoned with the term ‘Khalistan’ on September 25.
25-Sep-2023
On September 25, Indian diplomatic missions in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver, Canada, were barricaded and security was increased due to calls for protests by the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). SFJ called for the protests to raise awareness about India's alleged involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and demanded the expulsion of the Indian ambassador to Canada.
25-Sep-2023
According to reports, rivalries among pro-Khalistan gangs in Canada have intensified, resulting in violent clashes and killings, including the recent murder of Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke. These gangsters often collaborate with pro-Khalistan operatives in Canada, allegedly funded by the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ), engaging in illegal activities like money laundering, drug trade, and extortion. Despite Indian concerns, the Canadian government has been criticized for not taking substantial action against these elements, with Canada being a safe haven for wanted criminals and sympathizers of the Khalistan movement.
25-Sep-2023
According to sources, Pro-Khalistan elements in Canada, including Hardeep Singh Nijjar, have allegedly been recruiting Punjabi youths through visa sponsorship for low-skilled jobs and religious duties in the gurdwaras they control. Once these youths are in Canada, they are reportedly influenced to support the separatist movement, organize anti-India protests, and participate in radical religious congregations. This human trafficking channel is viewed as an effort to bolster Khalistani support in Canada and has raised concerns about how Canadian agencies handle these pro-Khalistan elements on their soil.
25-Sep-2023
According to a 2018 Canadian report by the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), the Canadian government had been investigating the alleged involvement of Indian intelligence agencies in the country for several years before the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This revelation comes amid the ongoing diplomatic dispute between India and Canada, which was triggered by Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau's claim of a 'potential link' between the Indian government and Nijjar's killing. The report also highlights the strained relations between India and Canada due to the presence of Khalistan movement supporters and the increasing acceptance of anti-India elements under Trudeau's government.
25-Sep-2023
According to a source from an Indian intelligence agency, there are approximately 250 gurdwaras in Canada, with eight reportedly controlled by Khalistani groups, primarily located in Surrey, British Columbia, Brampton, Abbotsford, and certain areas in Toronto. These groups have an estimated 10,000 Sikhs with Khalistani sympathies, including 5,000 hardcore supporters. The Khalistani presence in Canada has been a source of tension in India-Canada relations, with allegations and counter-allegations regarding support for anti-India activities. In Canada, there are several gurdwaras with reported Khalistani influences, including: Guru Nanak Sikh Temple Gurudwara in Surrey, British Columbia Province; Sikh Gurdwaras Council and Dixie Gurudwara in Ontario Province of Canada. Additionally, there are Sikh organizations like the World Sikh Organisation (WSO), which are seen as promoting the Khalistani narrative in Canada and have influential members in various fields, including politics and the judiciary. International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Khalistani Zindabad Force (KZF), Khalistani Liberation Force (KLF), Khalistani Commando Force (KCF), Khalistani Tiger Force (KTF), and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) are various Khalistani organizations with operatives in Western countries, including Canada.
25-Sep-2023
According to sources, posters threatening harm to Indian diplomats outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, where Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed, have reportedly been removed due to pressure from local authorities. The removal is seen as a gesture to convey a positive message to India amid escalating tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi over Nijjar's murder and allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Trudeau alleged a link between Nijjar's killing and the expulsion of an Indian diplomat, leading to diplomatic actions, including expulsions and downsizing of missions by both countries.
25-Sep-2023
According to reports, Khalistani supporters on September 25 shouted anti-India slogans, tore the Indian flag, and even struck a cut-out of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi with shoes during their protest demonstrations, which took place outside the Indian High Commission in Ottawa and the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver, Canada.
25-Sep-2023
A Washington Post report on September 25 featured statements from various witnesses and security camera footage from the gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. The footage revealed that Hardeep Singh Nijjar was targeted with approximately 50 bullets, 34 of which hit him. According to the report, the murder involved a group of at least six individuals and two vehicles. The security footage, spanning 90 seconds, shows Nijjar's gray truck being pursued by a white sedan, which ultimately blocked his path. Two hooded men emerged from the sedan, pointed firearms at Nijjar, and fled the scene after the shooting. Malkit Singh, a Gurdwara committee member, pursued the assailants through a park, describing them as wearing Sikh attire and fleeing in a silver car with three other individuals.
24-Sep-2023
The banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) planned to protest at Indian diplomatic missions in Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver on September 25, denouncing what they perceive as India's involvement in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The protest is expected to be peaceful but could lead to increased security measures and local disruptions near the protest sites.