KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
Delhi Police registered a case under appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code in the incident where pro-Khalistani graffiti was written on walls under the Kashmiri Gate flyover on September 27, according to ANI reports.
However, the pro-Khalistani graffiti has now been removed from the area.
This came amid ongoing tensions between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar that took place in Canada on June 18 this year.
Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced that intelligence agencies were investigating “credible" allegations linking Indian agents to the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
These allegations have heightened the problems between the two nations, leading to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats and India's temporary suspension of visas for Canadians.
India's response has been dismissive, labelling Trudeau's claims as "absurd" and issuing a travel advisory that warned its citizens about rising "anti-India activities" in Canada.
Earlier in August, Delhi Police also detained two persons in connection with writing pro-Khalistan messages on the walls of at least five Delhi Metro stations ahead of the G20 Summit. The cops informed that the two persons were detained from Punjab by the Delhi Police's Special Cell.
Pro-Khalistan messages including "Delhi Banega Khalistan" and “Khalistan Zindabad" were found on the walls of Shivaji Park, Madipur, Paschim Vihar, Udyog Nagar, and Maharaja Surajmal Stadium metro stadiums on August 27. A wall of a government school in Nangloi was also found defaced.
A purported video was also released by the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) which showed the defaced walls of the metro stations.
“G20 nations, when you will be meeting in Delhi on September 10, we will be organizing a Khalistan referendum in Canada," Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, spokesperson for the SFJ, had said in the video.
Prior to this incident, "anti-national" and "Khalistan-related" graffiti also appeared on walls in some areas of west Delhi, including Vikaspuri, Janakpuri, Paschim Vihar, and Peeragarhi on January 19, ahead of Republic Day.
As tensions continue to deepen between India and Canada over the June 18 killing of pro-Khalistan Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, crucial details have started coming out about his murder. Things took a sharp turn when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that India has "potential links" with the murder. Now, a report in the Washington Post, which quotes several witnesses to the incident and the security camera footage of the gurdwara, says that 50 bullets were shot at Nijjat and 34 hit him.
According to the report, members of the local Sikh community said that authorities have told them little about their investigation. They added that police were slow in their response and disagreement between agencies caused further delays. The Post mentioned that several business owners and residents near the gurdwara say they have not been quizzed or asked for security video by any agency so far.
Nijjar's Killing Captured In 90-Second Video
The security camera of the gurdwara recorded a 90-second footage covering the entire incident, the Post reported. It said that the video has already been shared with the investigators. According to the report, the footage begins with Nijjar’s gray pickup truck pulling out of a parking space. Later, a white sedan appears in an adjacent lot. It pulls up and drives parallel to the truck.
The footage shows the sedan matching up with the pace as soon as Nijjar's truck speeds up. Then the truck merges into the sedan’s lane and for a moment they’re side-by-side. As per the Washington Post, before the truck could reach the parking lot, the sedan pulls in front and brakes to block the truck.
Two men wearing hooded sweatshirts come out from under a covered waiting area and move toward the truck. They point a firearm at the driver’s seat. Soon, the sedan exits the parking lot. Then the two men run in the same direction after shooting Nijjar.
Recalling the scary moment, Bhupinderjit Singh, a volunteer at the gurdwara, said that he was playing soccer near the site when he heard what he first believed were fireworks. "My second thought was gunshots — and our president," he was quoted as saying by the Post.
He ran and opened the driver’s side door, he said and grabbed Nijjar’s shoulders. The gurdwara leader did not seem to be breathing, as per the report. It added that community members said investigators have told them that the assailants fired about 50 bullets and thirty-four hit Nijjar.
Chasing The Five Men
Soon after the shooting, Malkit Singh, a Gurdwara committee member who was also playing soccer, spotted two hooded men running toward neighboring Cougar Creek Park. He chased them through the park. He said he did not recognise them but said they were wearing "a Sikh get-up," with hoodies pulled over small pughs on their heads and masks over their "bearded faces".
Singh said the men ran out of the park to a cul-de-sac, and got into a waiting silver car. Surprisingly, he said, three other men were waiting inside the silver car. He couldn’t see their faces.
"One of the [running] men pointed his pistol at me right before getting into the car. The smell of gunpowder in the air shocked me and reminded me how dangerous they were," he said adding that the five men then drove off.
Delay In Police ASction, Alleged Community Members
Charanjeet Singh, the gurdwara’s caretaker, saw the assailant but didn't recognise them. He stayed with Nijjar’s body as the news of the killing engulfed social media.
According to the Washington Post, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police’s (RCMP) Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said police received the first report of the shooting at 8:27 p.m. Witnesses told The Post that it took between 12 and 20 minutes for the police to arrive. They described the interval as shocking, saying that a large number of police regularly patrol the neighborhood.
According to the Post, Bhupinderjit Singh said, "There was an hours-long tussle between Surrey police and the RCMP. They couldn’t decide who would head the investigation, so there was a delay."
Community members said they were most concerned that authorities did not offer Nijjar more protection, adding that they’ve been given little information since.
Khalistan supporters in Canada organized minor demonstrations outside India's diplomatic mission on Monday. This followed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's recent statement suggesting a potential connection between New Delhi and the assassination of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia.
One week ago, Trudeau said in parliament that domestic intelligence agencies were actively pursuing credible claims linking agents from India to the shooting of Nijjar, aged 45, which occurred in June.
In Toronto, approximately 100 protestors symbolically burned an Indian flag and expressed their discontent by striking a cardboard cut-out representing Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a shoe. Meanwhile, around 200 demonstrators assembled outside the Vancouver consulate.
In Ottawa, fewer than 100 individuals gathered in front of the Indian High Commissioner's office, displaying yellow flags bearing the word "Khalistan," signifying their support for the idea of establishing an independent Punjab region—a cause that Nijjar had championed.
One protester in Ottawa, Reshma Sing Bolinas, expressed gratitude towards Justin Trudeau, urging Canada to leave no stone unturned in uncovering the truth behind this heinous act and putting pressure on India to prevent the killing of innocent people in the future, reported Reuters.
Canada is home to approximately 7,70,000 Sikhs, representing the largest Sikh population outside of Punjab. In recent years, there have been numerous protests that have strained relations with India.
India had dismissed Trudeau's accusations as "absurd" and issued a travel warning last week due to increasing "anti-India activities" in Canada, advising travellers to exercise "utmost caution" without providing specific evidence or details of incidents.
Canada's accusations have triggered a diplomatic tit-for-tat, resulting in both nations expelling diplomats and New Delhi suspending visas for Canadians.
Some protesters in Toronto and Ottawa called for the expulsion of the Indian High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, who had earlier stated that authorities were aware of the protests and providing security.
Nijjar, a plumber who emigrated from Punjab a quarter-century ago and became a Canadian citizen, had been an advocate for Khalistan.
In July 2020, India designated him a "terrorist."
A new intelligence report has shed light on the agenda of Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. The report mentions Pannun's agenda of "disintegrating India along religious lines".
Security agencies have recently compiled a new dossier outlining Pannun's activities and his alleged plans to divide the country into multiple segments based on religion.
As per the dossier accessed by India Today, as many as 16 cases have been registered against Pannun across various states in India, underscoring the gravity of his anti-national activities. These cases span locations including Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand.
Notably, Pannun is currently believed to be living in the United States.
The intelligence report paints a chilling picture of Pannu's aspirations. It alleges that he aims to fragment India into multiple countries along religious lines. One of his proposed entities is a Muslim state, which he envisions as the "Democratic Republic of Urdustan".
Additionally, Pannun is actively working to radicalise the people of Kashmir, with the ultimate goal of separating the region from India. Pannun once even threatened to hoist the Khalistani flag at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport in Delhi.
WHO IS GURPATWANT SINGH PANNUN?
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was born in Amritsar and graduated in Law from Panjab University. His family had migrated from Pakistan to Amritsar's Khankot Village during partition in 1947. His father, Mahender Singh (now expired), worked at a company in Punjab. Pannun has one brother, Magwant Singh, who resides abroad.
Pannun is currently an attorney at law in the US. He is linked to ‘Sikhs for Justice’ (SFJ), a US-based secessionist group that supports the division of Punjab from India as Khalistan. He is the face of SFJ and its legal adviser.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was declared a terrorist for having links with Sikh for Justice by the home ministry under the Unlawful Activities Act.
PANNUN'S CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES
Often, Pannun has offered substantial financial incentives to those who support his agenda. He pledged to give $2.5 million to anyone who would hoist a Khalistani flag at Delhi's India Gate.
He had also promised to give $1 million to any policeman for stopping the Indian Prime Minister from hoisting the Tricolour at the Red Fort on India's Independence Day in 2021.
Pannun has been accused of playing a major role in promoting and commissioning terror acts and activities, and spreading fear and terror in Punjab and elsewhere in the country through his threats and intimidation tactics.
Non-bailable warrants of arrest were issued against Pannu by the Special NIA Court on February 3, 2021 and he was declared a "Proclaimed Offender" (PO) on November 29 last year.
Holding his own party-led government responsible for inaction against Khalistan extremists, Liberal party MP Chandra Arya on Sunday asserted that Hindu Canadians are fearful after the threats issued by extremist elements.
Arya, who is a leader of PM Justin Trudeau's party, has repeatedly raised the issue of threats to Hindu Canadians and urged the community to stay calm and vigilant.
Arya's remark came after Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and other extremist elements issued threats to Hindu Canadians, warning them to go back to India, amid the ongoing standoff between the two nations.
Speaking to CBC News, Chandra Arya said, "I am more worried about the consequence of what happened after the Prime Minister's (Trudeau) statement.
The concerns of the safety of Hindu Canadians here, Hindu Canadians are fearful".
He also cited a popular column, which had stated "The risk of ethnic and sectarian bloodshed in Canada is real"
"What I am worried is that the bloodshed is going to be Hindu Canadian's blood," Arya added.
The Canadian MP emphasized three major reasons, why he thinks that the Hindu Canadians are fearful today.
"First, the history of the Khalistan movement is filled with violence and killings.
Tens of thousands of Hindus and Sikhs have been killed by Khalistterrorists in the history of the Khalistani movement. The Canadians forget the biggest mass killing in history happened 38 years back, in the Air India bombing. That was the biggest aviation terrorism before 9/11. And that was done by a Canada-based Khalistani terrorist. The fact is that those terrorists are still worshipped at some places in Canada," he said.
Arya also condemned the tableau parade, which was organized to celebrate the assassination of former PM Indira Gandhi
"Secondly, just a few months back, here in Toronto, a floor, a public parade of a cut-out of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi with a white saree splattered in blood, and her two assassins pointing guns at her. A public floor celebrating the attack...this is the core of terrorism, the killing of a duly elected Prime Minister of the largest democracy in the world.
It was allowed to be publicly displayed and celebrated. Tell me, which country would allow, in the name of freedom of expression and freedom of speech, allow this to happen," Arya further said.
He added, "Thirdly, the leader of Sikhs for Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatened the Hindu Canadians to leave the country and go to India. And this type of hate crime is done openly, without any consequences".
The Liberal party leader also clarified that a vast majority of Sikh-Canadians don't support the Khalistani movement and are closely integrated with the Hindu Canadians.
"Most Sikh-Canadians, a vast majority of Sikh-Canadians in Canada is not supporting the Khalistani movement. Well, they may not openly speak against the Khalistan movement, but they have a very close relationship with Hindu Canadians, through family relationships, and social and cultural ties. There is a very great integration of Hindu and Sikh Canadians here. However, a small fraction of the Sikh community are hardcore Khalistani terrorists," Arya added.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that Ottawa had credible intelligence linking Indian agents to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Nijjar in Vancouver. India, however, dismissed the allegations as "absurd and motivated".
This triggered diplomatic tensions between the two countries, with both New Delhi and Ottawa taking diplomatic steps and India suspending visa services to Canada.
Hardeep Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was shot dead outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18.
US-based pro-Khalistan organisation, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), has asserted that India’s attempts to silence and coerce SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun through asset seizures in Indian Punjab and false cases would not deter the Khalistan Referendum movement, which continues despite challenges.
Pannun spoke after India’s federal anti-terror agency said it has confiscated the properties of Pannun whom it accuses of terror activities in India – following Canadian PM Justin Trudeau’s public and shocking accusation that India was behind the assassination of pro-Khalistan Canadian leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was a friend and ally of Pannun.
The seizure of a house and land owned by Pannun in India’s northern state of Punjab “comes as a big boost to the country’s crackdown on the terror and secessionist network being operated from various countries, including Canada,” a statement issued by the Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) said.
SFJ General Counsel Pannun said India was desperate and in a state of shock over the success of Khalistan Referendum campaign which has mobilised tens of thousands of Sikhs in the UK, Canada, Europe and America through Khalistan Referendum voting.
On the seizure of his property in Punjab by the NIA, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said, “The issue at the heart of the conflict with India is not the properties of an individual – Pannun.”
The issue is about the land of the Sikh people – Punjab – that is forcefully occupied by India and the resources of the indigenous people of Punjab that are being plundered by Delhi. Khalistan Referendum 2025 loaded with millions of ‘votes’ is going to be ‘Sikhs’ Surgical Strike’ against India that will liberate Punjab to create Democratic Republic of Khalistan (DRK) where people of all religions are going to have equal status, rights and freedoms.”
In 2020, India asked Interpol to issue a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against Pannun, alleging him to be a terrorist but after review of the case, Interpol rejected India’s request on the grounds that India has failed to produce any evidence linking Pannun with any act of violence or terrorism anywhere in the world including India.
Interpol further held that India is seeking RCN against Pannun because of his human rights activism and his political campaign – the Khalistan Referendum.
Over the last few years, India has asked the United States and Canada to take action against Pannun, but the two governments took no action due to the lack of evidence and failure of India to back up its claims.
Tensions between India and Canada have escalated after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada had credible intelligence linking Indian government agents to the murder in Canada in June of Nijjar who was the president of the Khalistan Referendum chapter in Canada, under the banner of Sikhs For Justice which has been spearheading the voting campaign.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday confiscated land and part of a house belonging to Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the US-based founder and lawyer of the banned Sikhs for Justice, in Amritsar and Chandigarh.
Pannu, a Khalistan separatist who has been on the NIA’s radar since 2019, was designated an “individual terrorist” by the government on July 1, 2020. The SFJ was declared an “unlawful association” by the Centre on July 10, 2019.
In recent days, Pannu issued blatant threats to senior Indian diplomats and government functionaries in public forums, the NIA said in a statement. “He had also threatened Canadian Hindus a few days ago, asking them to leave Canada and claiming that they had adopted a ‘jingoistic approach’ by siding with India,” it said.
“Investigations have revealed that Sikhs for Justice was misusing cyberspace to radicalise gullible youth and instigate them to undertake terrorist crimes and activities,” it said, adding that Pannu was found to be the “main handler”.
“Pannu… has been actively exhorting Punjab-based gangsters and youth over the social media to fight for the cause of the independent state of Khalistan, challenging the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country,” the NIA said.
In February 2021, the Special NIA Court had issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Pannu, and he was declared a “proclaimed offender” last November.
According to the NIA, the properties confiscated include a 46-kanal (5.7 acres) agricultural land at Khankot village in Amritsar and a one-fourth share of a house in Chandigarh’s Sector 15/C area.
These properties were earlier attached following orders passed by the government in two different cases, the NIA said, adding that they have now been confiscated on the NIA Special Court’s orders under the relevant section of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in a case registered on April 5, 2020.
Meanwhile, the NIA has also issued a notice to seize the property of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose killing in Canada in June this year has triggered a diplomatic row between India and Canada. While Nijjar’s immediate family, originally from Bhar Singhpura (Phillaur) village in Jalandhar, is settled in Canada, he still has a house and land in the village.
The notice for seizure of property, pasted outside Nijjar’s locked house, was issued by the Special CBI Court in Mohali. It directs Nijjar’s family members/ representatives “to appear before the court regarding the application… filed by the NIA to confiscate immovable property belonging to Hardeep Singh Nijjar… on September 11”.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/nia-confiscates-us-based-khalistan-leader-gurpatwant-pannus-properties-amritsar-chandigarh-8952828/
Gangster Sukha Duneke has been killed in Canada, according to reports.
He was killed in an inter-gang rivalry. Duneke was part of Khalistan movement in Canada.
Sukhdool Singh alias Sukha Duneke, who escaped to Canada from Punjab in 2017 on forged documents, was shot dead in Winnipeg by assailants.
His name figured in the NIA wanted list which was released on Wednesday.
The killing of the Canada-based gangster, who had at least 18 cases against him including those for murder, attempt to murder and robbery, took place on Wednesday night Canada time, sources said.
Hailing from Duneke Kalan village in Punjab’s Moga district, the gangster fled to Canada in December 2017, official sources said.
An active member of the Davinder Bambiha gang, Duneke was closely associated with Canada-based gangster-turned-terrorist Arsh Dalla, gangster Lucky Patial, Malaysia-based gangster Jackpal Singh alias Lali and other criminals.
The dreaded gangster was managing the activities of the gang from foreign soil and was also involved in running an extortion racket, targeted killings of rival gang members in Punjab and neighbouring areas through his local contacts and managing the network of his foreign-based associates, sources said.
In the last few months, the number of extortion calls made by Duneke had increased considerably in Punjab and neighbouring areas, they added.
In January, two of Duneke's associates -- Kulwinder Singh alias Kinda and Paramjeet Singh Pamma -- were arrested by the counter-intelligence wing (Bathinda) and three pistols and cartridges seized from their possession.
The two men were part of the extortion racket run by Duneke.
After his father died in 1990, Duneke got a peon's job at the Moga deputy commissioner's office on compassionate grounds. During the eight years he continued with the job, he became addicted to drugs, sources said.
A lookout circular was issued against Duneke in 2022.
His name had also figured in connection with the killing of international kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian in March last year. He was accused of arranging the shooters for the killing.
Duneke's name also cropped up following the killing of two rival gang members -- Manpreet Singh and Vicky Singh -- by the shooters of the Bambiha gang in January 2022
The Centre on Thursday issued an advisory to private television channels to refrain from interviewing individuals linked with terrorism. The advisory comes amid the worsening ties between India and Canada over Canada PM Justin Trudeau's public allegations that India had a role in the assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. As several strong moves from both India and Canada followed, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a wanted terrorist in India appeared on a television channel. The advisory, however, does not mention Pannun or Canada's name.
“It has come to the notice of this Ministry that a person in a foreign country against whom there are serious cases of crime including terrorism, belonging to an organization which has been proscribed by law in India was invited for a discussion on a television channel wherein the said person made several comments/remarks which were detrimental to the sovereignty/integrity of the country, security of India, friendly relations of India with a foreign state and also had the potential of disturbing public order in the country,” the I&B ministry advisory said.
"While the Government upholds media freedom and respects its rights under the Constitution, the content telecast by TV channels must adhere to the provisions of the CTN Act, 1995, including sub section (2) of Section 20," the advisory said.
"In the light of the above, television channels are advised to refrain from giving any platform to reports/references about and views/agenda of persons of such background including those against whom there are charges of serious crimes/terrorism and belonging to organizations which have been proscribed by law, having regard to the reasonable restrictions laid down under Article 19(2) of the Constitution and mentioned under sub-section (2) of Section 20 of the CTN Act," the advisory said.
The order is in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, security of state, friendly relations of India with any foreign state, or public order or morality, the advisory said.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannu is a US-based Sikh extremist who heads the Sikhs for Justice Group. The pro-Khalistan group was banned in India in 2019. Pannun was designated as a terrorist in India.
Sikhs for Justice has recently threatened Hindus of Indian origin and asked them to leave Canada or supporting the country of their origin and “promoting violence” by celebrating Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing. The threat video surfaced after Justin Trudeau's allegation. The video was removed by YouTube on Thursday.
India on Thursday suspended the visa services in Canada citing security threats. Calling Canada a safe haven for terrorists, the ministry of external affairs said India has asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in India.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a designated terrorist and leader of banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has threatened the Hindus living in Canada to leave the country and announced a fresh referendum and vote if the Indian high commissioner was responsible for the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
In a video that is going viral on social media, Pannun said that they want to avenge Nijjar, whose death has sparked a diplomatic row between India and Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused 'agents of the Indian government' of orchestrating the attack.
"Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have repudiated your allegiance to Canada and the Canadian constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada, and go to India. Pro-Khalistan Sikhs have always been loyal to Canada. They have always sided with Canada and uphold the laws and constitution," Pannun was heard saying in the 45-second video.
"On October 29, the shaheed (martyr) Nijjar referendum is happening in Vancouver. I urge all Canadian Sikhs to be in Vancouver on October 29, to vote on: Is the Indian High Commissioner Responsible for the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar," he said.
Meanwhile, the SFJ radical outfit has announced to hold protests and shut down Indian consulate offices in Canada in the coming week, Canadian media outlet Global News reported.
“We will not allow the Indian consulates to function and we’re going to push the Canadian government to name the individuals who are responsible for assassinating and giving the orders to hit Nijjar,” Khalistani radical Gurpatwant Singh Pannun from Sikhs for Justice told the outlet.
“He has been assassinated outside the gurdwara — that was being done to give a very strong message to pro-Khalistan Sikhs that they will be hunted, even in the Western world," he added.
After Canada accused India and drew links with the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, New Delhi lashed out at the Canadian government, rubbishing the claims and urging it to take action against anti-India activities ongoing in the country.
Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat after the country's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a speech levelling grave allegations against India. New Delhi, in a retaliatory move, also asked a senior Canadian diplomat to leave the country within the next five days.
"The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India. The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days," an official readout said.
"The decision reflects Government of India’s growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities," it added.