On Monday, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani terrorist, issued a warning to passengers not to board Air India flights from November 1 to 19. He claimed that an attack could occur on an Air India flight during the designated dates, which coincide with the “40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide.”
Around the same time last year, the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), who maintains dual citizenship in the United States and Canada, issued a comparable threat.
Several airlines in India have received numerous threat calls regarding potential bombings, all of which have been proven to be hoaxes. Pannun’s latest threat arises in this context. It also transpired during a period in which India and Canada were embroiled in a tumultuous diplomatic dispute as a result of Canada’s accusations that India was targeting Khalistani elements within the country, which included the murder of another terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
On November 19, 2023, Pannun released a video in which he claimed that Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport would be renamed and would remain closed. He also advised individuals to avoid flying with Air India on that day. He was charged by the National Investigation Agency with criminal conspiracy, promoting enmity between different groups on the basis of religion, and a variety of offenses under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Pannun issued a threat to attack the Parliament on or before December 13, 2018, in response to allegations of an alleged foiled assassination attempt. The terrorist attack on the Parliament in 2001 is commemorated on December 13.
In addition, he issued threats to assassinate Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of State Police Gaurav Yadav on Republic Day of this year. He also encouraged gangsters to form a united front and launch an attack on Mann on January 26.
Pannun has been designated a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs since July 2020 on charges of sedition and secessionism. This designation is based on his leadership of SFJ, a group that advocates for a distinct, sovereign Sikh state. India prohibited SFJ as a “unlawful association” a year prior to this date due to its involvement in “anti-national and subversive” activities.
On October 17, the United States charged a former officer of India’s spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) with allegedly directing a foiled plot to murder Pannun. New Delhi has rejected the charge as baseless allegations. This is another development.
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