US-based pro-Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has once again issued threats against India with several pictures showing pro-Khalistan graffiti in the national capital going viral.
Ahead of Republic Day, the founder of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) said his outfit aims to “avenge” the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed outside a Gurdwara in Canada’s Surrey on June 18 last year by unknown men.
SFJ was declared an ‘unlawful association’ by the Centre on July 10, 2019.
Pannun, who was declared a terrorist by India on July 1, 2020, has been actively exhorting Punjab-based gangsters and youth over social media to challenge the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.
Repeated threats
This is not the first time that Pannun has issued such threats against India.
In December last year, he threatened to attack Parliament on or before December 13.
In November 2023, Pannun warned Sikhs to not fly in Air India aircraft after November 19. He claimed that Air India would not be allowed to operate on November 19 – the day of the 2023 Cricket World Cup final.
In September 2023, he asked Hindu-Canadians to leave Canada amid tensions erupted after the diplomatic row between India and Canada over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
Pannun has been under the scrutiny of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) since 2019. The NIA registered its first case against him due to his involvement in promoting and carrying out acts of terror. He has been using various tactics, including threats and intimidation, to create fear and terror in Punjab and other parts of the country.
Non-bailable warrants of arrest were issued against Pannun by the NIA Special Court on February 3, 2021, and he was declared a ‘Proclaimed Offender (PO)’ on November 29, 2022.
Last year, the NIA confiscated Pannun’s house and land in Amritsar and Chandigarh.
(With inputs from agencies)
