KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
25-Jun-2025
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke, in a statement published on the Surrey city government’s website on June 25, urged the Canadian federal government to designate the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and similar groups targeting South Asian Canadians as terrorist organisations under Canadian law. Citing a surge in shootings, extortion attempts, and gang-related killings, Locke characterised these actions as “economic terrorism” rather than ordinary crime. She emphasized that such a designation would empower law enforcement with enhanced tools to dismantle these networks and better safeguard local communities.
25-Jun-2025
On June 25, Canadian author and journalist Terry Glavin, in an article for the National Post, called the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing the worst mass murder in Canadian history and the deadliest act of aviation terrorism before 9/11. He criticised the Canadian government’s failure to bring the perpetrators to justice and condemned the continued glorification of Khalistani extremists involved in the attack.
24-Jun-2025
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney, in a statement on X on June 24, paid tribute to the victims of the 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing, calling it the deadliest terrorist attack in Canada’s history. He affirmed that the new government “unequivocally stands against terrorism,” in what was widely seen as a direct message to pro-Khalistan elements. Carney’s remarks signalled a clear departure from the Trudeau administration, which had faced criticism for perceived leniency towards extremist groups.
20-Jun-2025
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner David Teboul while speaking to Vancouver Sun in Vancouver in Canada on June 20 confirmed they had identified the individual known for decades as “Mr. X,” who assisted in testing a bomb used in the 1985 Air India Flight 182 attack. Although the suspect died before he could be charged, the RCMP linked him to a bomb trial conducted with Talwinder Singh Parmar and Inderjit Singh Reyat weeks before the tragedy.
20-Jun-2025
On June 20, a man identified as MP Dhanoa was shot dead in a drive-by shooting at an automotive complex on Rutherford Road South in Brampton, Canada. Gangster Rohit Godara, a close aide of Lawrence Bishnoi, claimed responsibility for the killing via a post on Facebook, alleging that Dhanoa had refused to pay extortion money and had misbehaved during a warning call.
19-Jun-2025
Nijjar Trucking, a business owned by Raghbir Singh Nijjar—the cousin of deceased Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar—was fired upon in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada on June 19. Raghbir alleged that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang was responsible for the attack, linking it to an ongoing extortion campaign targeting South Asian business owners in the region.
18-Jun-2025
Canada’s premier intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), on June 18 released its annual report, officially acknowledging for the first time that Khalistani extremists are using Canadian soil to promote, fundraise, and plan violence in India. The report identifies Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) as a persistent threat, citing activities such as extremist financing and targeting Indian interests. CSIS also noted that such extremism continues to fuel Indian foreign interference concerns in Canada.
18-Jun-2025
Canada’s premier intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), on June 18 released its annual report, officially acknowledging for the first time that Khalistani extremists are using Canadian soil to promote, fundraise, and plan violence in India. The report identifies Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) as a persistent threat, citing activities such as extremist financing and targeting Indian interests. CSIS also noted that such extremism continues to fuel Indian foreign interference concerns in Canada.
18-Jun-2025
Canada’s premier intelligence agency, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), on June 18 released its annual report stating that India has shown a 'clear intent' to target members of the Sikh separatist movement in North America. This assessment follows CSIS’s acknowledgment that Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) pose a persistent threat, engaging in activities such as extremist financing and planning violence directed at India. The report cited the 2023 killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar as a significant escalation in India’s alleged countermeasures against the movement.
18-Jun-2025
On June 18, dozens of pro-Khalistan activists protested outside the Indian consulate marking two years since the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Vancouver, in British Columbia province in Canada. Nijjar was shot dead in Surrey in Canada in 2023.
17-Jun-2025
Speaking to the press in Kananaskis, Canada, on June 17, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that he must be 'careful' in commenting on the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar due to the ongoing judicial process. He also confirmed that he had discussed law enforcement cooperation and issues related to transnational repression with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their meeting at the G7 Summit.
17-Jun-2025
Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman on June 17 reported that Khalistani extremists staged an 'ambush' protest against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit for the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Protesters stomped on and tore the Indian flag, shouted separatist slogans, and played an aggressive anti-Modi song. They called on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to 'kill Modi politics' and urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to 'kill India politics,' even advocating for efforts to 'Balkanise India.'
17-Jun-2025
Criminologist Sergeant Tammy Lobb, speaking to Postmedia, addressed the ongoing investigation into the Air India Flight 182 bombing, stating that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) continues to pursue any emerging information, even nearly 40 years after the 1985 attack that killed 331 people. She affirmed that investigators believe all key suspects have been identified, though some aspects of the case remain unresolved.
17-Jun-2025
On June 17, Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, and agreed to restore full diplomatic representation by reappointing High Commissioners. The meeting, described as 'excellent' by Modi and a 'great honour' by Carney, marked a significant reset in bilateral relations after nearly 20 months of diplomatic freeze.
16-Jun-2025
Hundreds of pro-Khalistan activists on June 16 gathered at Calgary Municipal Plaza in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to protest Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit for the G7 Summit. The protesters chanted slogans such as 'Kill Modi Politics' and beat drums bearing lion emblems.
16-Jun-2025
On June 16, videos surfaced from Canada showing Khalistani extremists using children to desecrate the Indian tricolour and kick portraits of Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi. One clip also featured Khalistani supporter Manjinder Singh openly threatening to kill the Prime Minister. Indian Sikh leaders strongly condemned the use of children in hate propaganda, calling it a betrayal of Sikh values. They urged the Canadian government to take serious action against such radical activities.
16-Jun-2025
On June 16, during the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, a group of Khalistani extremists staged a protest to draw attention to the arrival of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The demonstration was relatively subdued and was closely monitored by law enforcement authorities.
16-Jun-2025
British Columbia Premier David Eby on June 16 in Victoria, British Columbia, announced plans to write to Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging the Canadian government to designate the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organisation. The announcement comes amid a wave of extortion threats targeting South Asian business owners, particularly in Surrey, where police have linked several incidents to the gang.
15-Jun-2025
Jasdip Singh Jesse, founder and chairman of Sikhs of America, told ANI that the tone of India–Canada relations has shifted under new Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and that Khalistani support and influence seen during Justin Trudeau’s tenure will now diminish. He described Trudeau as a “weak prime minister” who pursued an agenda against India, and expressed optimism that, with Carney at the helm, such elements would no longer receive official backing. Jesse also praised Carney’s invitation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the G7 Summit, calling it a sign of renewed goodwill and a positive reset in bilateral ties.
15-Jun-2025
In an interview with ANI on June 15, New York-based expert on Khalistani terrorism Puneet Sahani warned that the ongoing Khalistani agitation is severely damaging Canada’s international reputation. Sahani cautioned that Canada risks becoming 'a Pakistan of the West' if it fails to confront extremist networks responsible for violent rhetoric and incidents, such as the recent harassment of journalist Mocha Bezirgan in Vancouver. He also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to adopt tougher measures against overseas Khalistan-linked organisations, warning that the new generation of radicalised diaspora activists poses a growing threat to both India–Canada diplomatic relations and regional stability.
14-Jun-2025
On June 14, Dal Khalsa’s Secretary for Political Affairs, Kanwar Pal Singh, addressed a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, expressing concern over Canada’s renewed engagement with India despite allegations of extrajudicial killings and interference. The letter warned against prioritising trade over Sikh rights, citing the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the alleged surveillance of Canadian Sikh leaders.
14-Jun-2025
Canadian authorities on June 14 confirmed that security arrangements for the G7 Summit are being guided by an 'intelligence-led, threat-informed' approach amid planned protests by pro-Khalistan groups over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation. The summit is being held in Kananaskis, Alberta. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) Integrated Safety and Security Group (ISSG), responsible for protecting dignitaries, has established an exclusion zone around the summit venue.
13-Jun-2025
Sukhi Chahal, Founder and CEO of The Khalsa Today, emphasised in an interview that fringe elements cannot define India-Canada relations. Speaking ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the G7 Summit in Canada, Chahal described the moment as a potential turning point for both diplomatic ties and the Indian diaspora. He criticised Khalistani groups for misrepresenting the Sikh community and condemned their silence on the rising drug-related crimes involving Punjabi youth. Despite past tensions, he expressed hope for renewed cooperation under Canada’s evolving leadership.
12-Jun-2025
World Sikh Organization spokesperson Balpreet Singh, on June 12 in Ottawa, criticised Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney for inviting Indian PM Narendra Modi to the upcoming Group of Seven (G7) Summit, calling on Carney to revoke the invitation. He described the move as insensitive, noting that it coincides with the anniversaries of the June 1984 anti-Sikh violence and the 2023 assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
11-Jun-2025
Canadian Prime Minister (PM) Mark Carney, in an interview with Radio Canada on June 11, defended the invitation extended to Indian PM Narendra Modi for the G7 Summit, stating that India’s presence is essential for addressing global challenges such as energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. Carney acknowledged the ongoing tensions surrounding the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case but affirmed that law enforcement cooperation between the two countries remains active.