Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun says FBI warned him of new ‘imminent threat’ to life | Today’s news
Sikh separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun told CBS News that he is facing new threats to his life. Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen, was previously the target of a foiled 2023 assassination attempt allegedly masterminded by a former Indian intelligence official.
According to Pannun, FBI agents visited his home in New York on Thursday to issue a warning about what he described as an “imminent threat to my life.”
Agents reportedly said they were investigating the leads and noted the threat was related to his potential trip to Canada, though they did not provide further details.
Read also | Pannun Threatens Kapil Sharma After Cafe Attack: Report
The Pannun organization, Sikhs for Justice, is scheduled to hold a non-binding referendum on Sunday, October 18 in Edmonton, Canada. The vote calls on Sikhs to decide whether the northern Indian state of Punjab should become an independent state renamed “Chalistan”.
Responding to the situation, Pannun stressed that the main issue was not whether he would “survive another assassination plot”, but rather whether the Sikh people’s right to self-determination “can be stopped by threats of assassination”.
“He can’t,” he declared.
FBI agents reportedly told Pannun that the threat was related to a potential trip to Canada and were investigating leads without giving him any additional information.
Read also | Nikhil Gupta pleaded guilty in New York to the alleged plot against Pannun
Nikhil Gupta pleads guilty
The renewed threats come as trials continue for the 2023 plot. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have charged former Indian intelligence officer Vikash Yadav and Indian citizen Nikhil Gupta with plotting an assassination attempt.
Gupta pleaded guilty in February to murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Sentencing is due in November, where Pannun is expected to appear.
The foiled plot against Pannun coincided with the June 2023 assassination of his friend Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another prominent Sikh separatist. Nijjar was fatally shot outside his gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.
In September 2023, Canadian authorities announced that they had evidence linking Indian government agents to Nijjar’s murder, describing it as a violation of Canadian sovereignty.
Read also | Canada calls Khalistani extremists ‘threat to national security’
Pannun is a terrorist in India
India has officially designated Pannun, the leader of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), as a terrorist for his anti-India activities and continued advocacy of Khalistan separatism.
Pannun was actively involved in promoting separatist propaganda, inciting violence and attempting to radicalize members of the Sikh diaspora. He is accused of funding anti-India campaigns, instigating attacks and using social media platforms to promote separatist narratives.
SFJ, a group of Pannun heads, was banned in India in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for its role in promoting terrorism and seeking the creation of an independent state of Khalistan. Authorities say Pannun, operating from abroad, continues to coordinate efforts to destabilize India and target Indian diplomatic missions.
India has filed several charges against Pannun, including conspiracy to commit acts of violence and threats against Indian leaders and institutions. He is also wanted in connection with threats made against Air India and Indian embassies around the world.