Recent intelligence reports indicate a leadership vacuum within pro-Khalistani entities, leading to a dilemma, with only a few advocating violence. Several meetings have been held in the United States (US) and Canada to identify new leaders, including Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Disunity among Khalistani sympathizers is evident, with Pakistan-backed groups intensifying efforts in the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada. Indian agencies are closely monitoring these activities, warning against violent protests outside Indian consulates, and expressing concerns over human trafficking by pro-Khalistani elements.

Khalistani terrorist Gurpawant Singh Pannun, chief of the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), released a new video on April 8. In it, he threatened Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and former RAW chief Samant Goel, vowing to challenge them 'right in their own backyard.' The video features excerpts from Rajnath Singh's remarks on government action against terrorism and footage of PM Modi's strong statements on India's capability to retaliate against enemies. Pannun also labelled the upcoming Lok Sabha election in 2024 as an opportunity to 'shame' PM Modi. Furthermore, he pledged to continue campaigning for the Khalistan referendum and urged the United States, Canada, and Pakistan to adopt an equal punishment approach, citing 'Lex Talionis' (law of retaliation). His use of social media as a platform for these threats aligns with his past behaviour.

The United States (US) State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, on April 3 emphasized the need for India to conduct a thorough inquiry regarding the alleged involvement of Indian government agents in a plot to kill Khalistani terrorist and US citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. He reiterated the US's anticipation of the results of a full investigation by India.

United States (US) ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on March 31, in an interview with ANI, emphasised the 'red line' that should not be crossed between India and the US amidst the investigation into the alleged foiled assassination plot against US citizen and Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. He highlighted the distinction in freedom of speech between the US and India, emphasising that criminal conviction in the US requires action, not just speech. Garcetti stressed that no government employee of any country should be involved in such plots, highlighting it as an unacceptable violation of sovereignty and rights. He reiterated the commitment to working with India, ensuring that any criminal accusations meet the threshold for a successful outcome under US law. He also addressed recent threats made by Pannun against Air India and the Indian Parliament, underscoring the importance of respecting boundaries in international relations. Additionally, he advocated vigilance for Indian students studying in the US and reassured the safety of American college towns despite challenges, attributing increased awareness of incidents to social media.

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister (PM) Justin Trudeau, the Hindu Forum Canada (HFC) on March 29 urged PM Trudeau to prevent the glorification of terrorism in Canada and address concerns about safety among Canadian Hindus. The HFC expressed dismay over Trudeau's statements potentially emboldening extremist elements like Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. HFC also criticized Member of Parliament (MP) Sukh Dhaliwal's motion M-112, fearing it legitimizes baseless allegations, posing a danger to Hindu and broader Canadian communities.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, while addressing the media during a weekly briefing in New Delhi on March 28, emphasized India's and the United States' (US) capability in handling bilateral issues without the need for speculative comments or unsolicited advice from unrelated third parties, rejecting China's interference in the investigation into the alleged assassination plot against US citizen and Sikh For Justice (SFJ) leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

The chief of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, alleged via a video message on March 25 that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had received USD 16 million from Khalistani groups between 2014 and 2022. Pannun also claimed that Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal purportedly offered to secure the release of Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar in exchange for funds. According to Pannun, Kejriwal made this promise during a 2014 meeting in New York, United States (US). This accusation follows Pannun's earlier claim in January 2024 that Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann had accepted USD 6 million in donations from Khalistan supporters.

The leader of the banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on March 25 issued a threat to Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal, claiming Khalistanis in Tihar jail would hold him accountable for not fulfilling promises. Pannun, via a video message, accused Arvind Kejriwal of accepting USD 16 million from Khalistani groups between 2014 and 2022, alleging that Kejriwal promised to secure the release of Sikh extremist Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar in exchange for funds. However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) denied the allegations.

Dal Khalsa on March 23 rejected India's probe findings regarding its alleged involvement in a plot to kill Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the United States (US). Dal Khalsa demanded an independent investigation by US authorities and urged India to hand over any implicated former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) official for criminal proceedings in a US court.

According to reports from central intelligence agencies, Pro-Khalistan Entities (PKEs) are experiencing a leadership vacuum, prompting efforts to cultivate new leaders besides Khalistani terrorists and the chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The report said that fragmentation within PKEs has led to discord among supporters and reduced violent protests, citing the absence of strong leadership. Pakistan-backed groups are also trying to intensify their recruitment to advance the Khalistan agenda in the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada, amid concerns over unchecked human trafficking.

According to sources, following the United States (US) claims of an alleged plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, an intelligence operative from India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) has been removed from his position, and several others have been reshuffled. India's investigation concluded that rogue operatives, not authorized by the government, were involved in the plot. Although the Indian government revealed little officially, it informed US authorities about the findings of the high-level committee.

United States (US) on March 20 urged India to swiftly and transparently investigate allegations of Indian government involvement in an assassination attempt on US citizen and Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). US Congressman Dean Phillips questioned the State Department about imposing sanctions on Indian officials, while Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu stated that the Biden administration is continuing to collaborate with India to address the matter effectively. India reportedly informed the US that rogue operatives, not sanctioned by the government, were involved in the plot but has yet to publicly announce findings from its probe.

Khalistan terrorist and the chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on March 20 issued a threat against former Indian ambassador to the United States (US) Taranjit Singh Sandhu via a video, offering INR 25 lakh to anyone who targets him. Pannun accused Sandhu of involvement in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. According to top intelligence sources, this is an open threat to Sandhu, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on March 19.

According to a Bloomberg report released on March 20, an investigation by the Government of India reportedly found that rogue officials, not authorized by it, were involved in a foiled plot to kill US-based Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The findings have been submitted to US authorities, although there's no official confirmation yet. According to the report, at least one possibly retired individual who was no longer employed by India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), was found to be directly involved in the foiled plot.

Social media platforms, including YouTube and X, blocked access to a CBC documentary on Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on March 14, following directives from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The documentary, part of CBC's 'The Fifth Estate' program, featured CCTV footage of Nijjar's murder in British Columbia and an interview with Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who issued threats against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Some members of the Indo-Canadian community criticized the documentary for being biased and propagandistic.

Khalistan terrorist and chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on March 13 issued threats against New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, following Peters' challenge to claims linking India to the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. Peters' remarks questioning the "Indian link" to Nijjar's killing marked a departure from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's narrative. This incident represents the first open contestation of Canada's assertions by a Five-Eyes partner.

On March 12, employees of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) received threatening audio messages warning of economic destruction from March 12 to April 30, purportedly from Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, coinciding with the 1993 bomb blast anniversary, in Mumbai in Maharashtra. The complainant stated that the audio clip advised caution from March 12 to April 30, with Pannun allegedly recommending the selling of Indian stocks and the purchasing of American ones. Several employees' mobile numbers, listed on the website's Contact Us section, received these audio clips. The Mumbai police registered a case against unknown persons under various sections of the IPC, suspecting Pannun's involvement due to his history of issuing threats against India.

Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, put out a poster on social media on March 6, calling for violence against Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma. This came after the India-Canada Chamber of Commerce announced Verma's participation in a networking event scheduled to be organized in Edmonton, Canada, on March 11. The poster featured Mr. Verma's image painted in the middle of a target, with the words 'Challenge, target, question.' Pannun's past aggressive campaigns, which included linking diplomats to assassinations, resulted in the shutdowns of Indian consular services.

According to sources, intelligence agencies have warned of potential disruption by pro-Khalistani elements during Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi's rally, scheduled for March 7 at Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Khalistan terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has reportedly called for raising pro-Khalistan and Pakistan flags. Despite doubts about SFJ's presence in J&K, security forces are on high alert.

According to sources, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), is reportedly orchestrating a plan to incite violence within the farmer's movement in India. He allegedly encouraged supporters through text messages to take up arms against Indian security forces and revealed plans to smuggle weapons from Pakistan via Kartarpur and across the Rajasthan border. Pannun's scheme includes using social networks in the United States (US), Canada, Australia, and Pakistan to spread propaganda and destabilize the movement. Despite stringent security measures, concerns persist about potential support from Pakistan, prompting heightened vigilance by intelligence agencies.

The Assam Police on March 1 increased security for Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma following a phone threat issued by a member and supporter of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), regarding the alleged mistreatment of Amritpal Singh and his associates in Dibrugarh Jail in Assam. The caller demanded the transfer of jailed Amritpal Singh and his associates to Amritsar jail, threatening consequences for the CM. The caller claimed that the message was being delivered at the behest of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on February 29 issued a threat via email, targeting India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, during his visit to the province of British Columbia. Verma’s visit includes stops in the capital Victoria, as well as Vancouver and Surrey, in Canada and he is scheduled to meet Surrey’s Mayor Brenda Locke and the Surrey Board of Trade on March 1. In the email, Pannun accused India of being responsible for the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He stated that pro-Khalistan Sikhs would seize the opportunity to directly challenge and question the High Commissioner, aiming to derail otherwise rich Canada-India bilateral relations.

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun released a video on February 29 encouraging the kidnapping of ministers or their family members and advocating for breaking into Dibrugarh jail in Assam to release the jailed Khalistani preacher Amritpal Singh. In the video, Pannun suggests to people how to attack jails and uses the picture of a Union Minister and his son while discussing abduction. Pannun also recommends filing a complaint with the United Nations (UN).

Khalistani terrorist and the leader of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, released a video on February 27 announcing violent protests against Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma in Surrey, Canada. This comes in response to the condemnation by Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar of Khalistani supporters in Canada for threatening Indian diplomats. In the video, Pannun stated that they would challenge and target Ambassador Verma on March 1 in Surrey and burn the Indian flag in front of consulates in Canada, America, and Australia on March 2. Notably, the Indian High Commission in London, United Kingdom (UK), was attacked by pro-Khalistani elements in March 2023, and there was an attempted arson at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, United States (US), in July 2023.

Khalistani terrorist and the chief of the banned terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on February 20, threatened to disrupt the fourth cricket test match between India and England, scheduled to take place from February 23 in Ranchi, Jharkhand. In a shared video, Pannun urged Maoists to cause disturbance, cancel the match, and called for raising Maoist and Khalistan flags during the event. The Jharkhand Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against him on the same day.

In a video shared on social media, the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) chief, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on February 18 called upon protesting farmers to arm themselves with weapons and 'use a bullet for a bullet.' He claimed that weapons were readily available at Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan and across the international border with Rajasthan, igniting concerns amid ongoing farmer’s demonstrations in India. Pannun's call for violence was swiftly dismissed by Pakistani authorities as baseless.

On February 12, the property of Inderjit Singh Gosal, a close associate of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was hit by gunfire in Brampton in Ontario province in Canada. The construction crew discovered a bullet hole in the unfinished house. Gosal is a vocal proponent of Khalistan and collaborates closely with Khalistani terrorist and the chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), released a video on February 12 urging Indian farmers to seize Delhi and hoist Khalistan flags. This action has intensified concerns about radical infiltration within the ongoing protest movement. In the video, Pannun specifically calls for placing Khalistan flags on the chest and house of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Furthermore, he attempts to fuel the Khalistani movement by invoking the names of deceased youth from Punjab who were victims of terrorism. Pannun’s call to action highlights the efforts to hijack the farmers’ protest for separatist agendas.

The Czech Justice Ministry spokesperson, Vladimir Repka informed the Times of India that the Czech Republic has suspended extradition proceedings for Indian national Nikhil Gupta, who was indicted by the United States (US) for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, pending a Constitutional Court decision. Gupta, detained in Prague, alleges human rights violations and faces extradition requests from both the US and India.

The United States (US) Embassy in New Delhi stated on January 31 that discussions between the US Congress and the Biden administration are ongoing, in light of reports that the delivery of 31 MQ-9A Sea Guardian and Sky Guardian drones to India has been stalled by the United States (US), pending a "meaningful investigation" into the alleged conspiracy to assassinate Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the banned Khalistani terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ). Pannun, labelled a terrorist by India, is portrayed by the US as a victim, leading to friction between the two nations. Additionally, the US has also delayed the sale of six Boeing P-8I aircraft to India due to concerns over alleged Indian government actions against Pannun.

According to reports, more than 127,000 American Sikhs participated in the Khalistan Referendum on United States (US) soil, organized by the Khalistani terror outfit Sikh For Justice (SFJ) in San Francisco. Amid diplomatic tensions with India, the referendum saw heavy security following an earlier alleged assassination attempt on SFJ chief and Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Pannun vowed to intensify the campaign against India, citing alleged genocidal policies and expressing a desire for self-determination among Sikhs.

Former Punjab Health Minister Laxmikanta Chawla, who is also the chairman of the Durgana Temple Committee in Amritsar, extended an invitation to Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to visit India on January 26. He stated that upon Pannun's arrival in India, the country would demonstrate its resilience and effectively address any issues.

On January 25, the Uttar Pradesh Police Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) was granted seven days' police custody remand (PCR) for three Khalistani suspects arrested in Ayodhya on January 18, by a court in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. They were apprehended for conducting a recce of sensitive sites before the Ram Lalla 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony in Ayodhya. The suspects, identified as Shankar Dussad, Ajit Kumar Sharma, and Pradeep Puniya, were taken into custody after their Khalistani connections were confirmed through intercepted voice messages attributed to Khalistani terrorist Gurupatwant Singh Pannun.

A special court in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is set to deliver a verdict on January 24 on the police remand of gangster Shankar Lal Dusad and his associates, Ajit Kumar Sharma and Pradeep Punia, who were arrested in Ayodhya based on the UP ATS's application. The arrest was made on January 18, with alleged connections to the banned Khalistani terror organization Sikh For Justice (SFJ), led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The ATS aims to gather information about associates and Pannun's influence in UP, investigating mobile data and audio messages related to the case.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terrorist group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), threatened to kill Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav on January 26, Republic Day, prompting the police to review security at the Republic Day function venue, Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana district. The police are monitoring individuals with criminal records or Khalistani ideology and may detain them ahead of Republic Day.

In light of the death threats issued by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Police have intensified security measures across the state, including Patiala, where Governor Banwarilal Purohit will lead the state-level Republic Day event on January 26 and unfurl the National Flag. The deployed police force consists of around 20,000 personnel for Republic Day celebrations across the state.

Punjab Police, on January 23, booked the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on charges of promoting religious enmity at the Sultanwind police station in Amritsar district. The First Information Report (FIR) was filed based on a social media video in which Pannun claimed that the Shri Durgiana Mandir had no historical significance in Hinduism. He also warned the temple management to hand over the keys to the Golden Temple. Pannun made these remarks while Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi consecrated the Ram Lalla idol in Ayodhya. Pannun faces charges under sections 153A, 153B, and 505 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the IT Act.

Khalistan terrorist and the chief of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on January 22 issued a threat via a video to target Hindu temples in India following the consecration of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. Pannun vowed to damage the Durgana pilgrimage site in Amritsar, Punjab, and target Haridwar and Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh (MP) after the so-called Khalistan referendum, which is set to take place on January 26.

According to reports, the West's silence on Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's recent death threats against the Chief Ministers (CMs) of Delhi and Punjab raises concerns about the tolerance of terrorism. Pannun has a history of violent rhetoric, including calls for attacks on Air India flights and the Indian Parliament. While free speech is valued, the international community's failure to condemn Pannun's actions undermines the global commitment to combating terrorism and threatens regional stability. It is urged that the West break its silence and unequivocally denounce Pannun's threats to prevent potential tragic consequences.

According to intelligence sources, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) is planning an attack on January 22 to sabotage the Ayodhya Ram Temple pran pratishtha (consecration) ceremony in Uttar Pradesh (UP), as revealed in an audio clip accessed by CNN-News18. In the audio, Pannun guides two individuals to target an important place in UP during the Ayodhya event. Intelligence sources indicate that the evidence will be shared with the United States (US) and Canada.

Khalistani terrorist Gurupatwant Singh Pannun on January 20 issued a video message, threatening 'political death' to Delhi and Punjab Chief Ministers (CMs) Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann, respectively, unless his three associates - Jagdish Singh, Manjeet Singh, and Davinder Singh, who were arrested by the Punjab Police - are released by February 15. Pannun also accused Arvind Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann of accepting USD 6 million in donations from Khalistan supporters. The three arrested men disclosed to the police that Pannun had instructed them to raise the Khalistan flag and spray pro-Khalistan graffiti on walls ahead of Republic Day. Threatening to assassinate Mann, Pannun said that “hands that hold the Khalistan flag will not shy away from holding rocket launchers”.

Slogans and pro-Khalistan graffiti were found on the boundary wall of a school in the Uttam Nagar area of West Delhi on January 19, prompting a police investigation. Similar graffiti had earlier appeared in Nihal Vihar in West Delhi. These incidents occurred ahead of Republic Day, with Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatening to hoist the Khalistani flag in Delhi on January 26.

A Czech appeals court in Prague, Czech Republic, has approved the extradition of Indian national Nikhil Gupta, accused of orchestrating an unsuccessful plot to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on United States (US) soil, to the US. The US Department of Justice indicted Gupta in November 2023, alleging that he paid an undercover agent for the assassination attempt, funded by an Indian government agency. While the Czech High Court dismissed the idea of direct government involvement, it approved extradition. Gupta's lawyers plan to appeal to the Czech Constitutional Court.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Yogi Adityanath on January 18 received a threat from Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the chief of the banned Khalistani terrorist organization Sikh For Justice (SFJ), following the arrest of three individuals ahead of the Ram Temple ceremony in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. Pannun issued a threatening voice message, accusing the police of torturing two pro-Khalistan youths and filing false cases against them. The recorded message warns of an SFJ response on January 22, coinciding with the Ram Temple ceremony in Ayodhya. Security agencies are on high alert and actively investigating the matter.

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on January 17 responded to veiled threats from designated Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, stating that such intimidation won't deter him from ensuring peace and prosperity in the state while speaking at Municipal Bhawan in Chandigarh. He attributed the threats to the government's zero-tolerance policy against anti-Punjab forces and vowed to bring the masterminds hiding abroad to justice. Pannun, designated as a terrorist in 2020, had urged gangsters to join his banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and disrupt Republic Day events.

Gurpal Singh, the coordinator of the banned Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) in Italy and a close associate of SFJ chief and Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, claims to have received a direct threat on January 16 from Indian state agents warning him to cease Khalistan advocacy or face consequences in Rome, Italy. Singh alleges the involvement of individuals linked to the Indian High Commissioner in Rome in setting up a spy network in Italy. He filed a complaint with Italian law enforcement on January 18 and remains steadfast in organizing the Khalistan Freedom rally in front of the Indian Embassy in Rome on January 26, the Indian Republic Day.

Slogans supporting Khalistan, linked to Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun's Republic Day threats, were discovered on the walls of Chander Vihar area in West Delhi on January 16. The graffiti read 'SFJ, January 26, Khalistan.’ Later, Delhi Police removed the slogans and filed a case. Pannun had also warned of hoisting the Khalistani flag on January 26, urging sympathizers of the banned terrorist outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) to write slogans calling for a referendum and voting for a separate Khalistan. Before Republic Day and Independence Day, SFJ’s sleeper cells were reportedly linked to such activities.

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun issued a threat on January 16 to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, urging gangsters to join the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and disrupt Republic Day events, preventing Mann from hoisting the national flag. The threat was delivered via a video message sent by email to some journalists. Pannun compared CM Mann to the late assassinated CM Beant Singh and Yadav to the assassinated officer Gobind Ram. Additionally, Pannun issued threats to Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, daring him to attend Republic Day without security. He also called for a referendum on Khalistan.

Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President, Sunil Jakhar, on January 16, urged External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, via a post on the social media site X, to prompt the United States (US) administration to take action against Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who had threatened Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. Jakhar emphasized the need for swift US action to maintain credibility and friendships.

According to reports, several Khalistani organizations, including Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), World Sikh Parliament (WSP), and Sikh Youth for America, are actively promoting the demand for a separate Punjab while operating from the United States (US). SFJ, a banned Khalistani terror outfit led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a known Khalistani terrorist, plans to hold a referendum on Khalistan in San Francisco, US, on January 28, potentially straining India-U.S. relations. SFJ's anti-Indian campaign has faced bans in India for supporting separatism. Many Gurudwaras in California, home to over 250,000 Sikhs, are reportedly influenced by Khalistan supporters, raising concerns about extremism and violence. The Hudson Institute, a US think tank, has called for investigations into Khalistan-related activities within America.