Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has issued a chilling warning to passengers, advising them against flying on Air India between November 1 and 19. Pannun, founder of the separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), claims that an attack could occur during this period, which he says marks the “40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide.” His threats have heightened security concerns as multiple airlines in India have recently received hoax bomb threat calls.
Pannun, who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States, had made similar threats last year around the same time. This warning comes amidst escalating tensions between India and Canada, following allegations from the Canadian government regarding India’s involvement in targeting Khalistani elements, including the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another terrorist.
In a recent video, Pannun stated that Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport would be renamed and suggested it would remain closed on November 19, further warning against flying on Air India that day. He has faced serious legal repercussions, with the National Investigation Agency charging him with criminal conspiracy and promoting enmity between groups based on religion under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Pannun has a history of issuing threats, including a December 2022 warning to attack the Indian Parliament on the anniversary of a 2001 terrorist attack. He also threatened to kill Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of State Police Gaurav Yadav earlier this year, urging gangsters to unite against Mann on Republic Day.
Designated a terrorist by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs since July 2020, Pannun has led SFJ in its advocacy for a separate Sikh state, with the organization banned as an unlawful association in 2019 for anti-national activities. In a related incident, the United States charged a former officer of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) with allegedly directing a foiled plot to murder Pannun, a claim New Delhi has dismissed as unfounded.