Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a terrorist from Khalistani, forewarned passengers on Monday not to board Air India aircraft between November 1 and November 19. He claimed that on the designated dates—which fall on the “40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide”—an assault on an Air India aircraft could occur.
The founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the US, had issued a similar threat around the same time last year.
The latest warning from Pannun coincides with various Indian airlines having received numerous threats regarding possible explosions, all of which were later found to be false. It also happened during a hazy diplomatic dispute between Canada and India on claims made by the latter that India was targeting Khalistani elements in the nation, including the killing of another terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
A video, published by Pannun in November 2023, claimed that the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi would be renamed and would be closed on November 19. The video also advised people not to fly with Air India on that day. He was accused by the National Investigation Agency of criminal conspiracy, inciting religious hostility between communities, and a number of other charges covered by the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
In December of last year, Pannun issued a threat, citing rumours of a thwarted assassination attempt against him, to assault the Parliament on or before December 13. The anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Parliament in 2001 is December 13.
This year on Republic Day, he also threatened to assassinate State Police Director General Gaurav Yadav and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He also urged gangsters to unite and launch an attack on Mann on January 26.
Because he is the leader of SFJ, an organisation that promotes the creation of a distinct, independent Sikh state, Pannun has been listed as a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs since July 2020 due to allegations of sedition and secessionism. India had outlawed SFJ as a “unlawful association” a year earlier due to its “anti-national and subversive” actions.
In a separate event, on October 17, the US brought charges against a former member of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) spy agency for allegedly masterminding an attempted assassination of Pannun. New Delhi has denied the charges, calling them unfounded claims.
