Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a pro-Khalistan activist, has issued a warning to Air India travelers, recommending avoiding flights scheduled between November 1 and November 19, which aligns with the commemoration of the anti-Sikh riots.
During the commemoration of the anti-Sikh riots anniversary, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Khalistani separatist, has reportedly cautioned Air India passengers, advising them against traveling on Air India flights from November 1 to 19, as per information disclosed by India Today.
During the corresponding timeframe last year, Pannun, holding citizenship in both Canada and the United States, reportedly made a comparable threat, as highlighted in the report.
The recent surge in threats is a matter of concern with multiple airlines facing a rise in bomb threats targeting their flights in recent weeks. According to sources cited by PTI, there have been approximately 100 hoax threats directed at various flights just this week. IndiGo, Vistara, Akasa Air, and Air India are among the carriers reportedly affected, including flights operating internationally. On October 20 alone, there were reports of six threatened flights each from IndiGo, Vistara, and Air India.
Amid heightened tensions between India and Canada regarding the alleged “assassination” of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, another prominent Khalistani leader, the strained relationship is further exacerbated. Both Pannun and Nijjar have been labeled as “terrorists” by India.
Reportedly, in November 2023, officials in the United States successfully thwarted an assassination attempt on Pannun. The White House emphasized that it had raised the issue with Indian authorities at the highest echelons, underscoring its gravity.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is identified as a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, serving in the capacity of general counsel for Sikhs for Justice. He plays a pivotal role in orchestrating unofficial referendums advocating for the creation of an independent Sikh nation, particularly in nations hosting significant Indian expatriate communities like Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Last year, he asserted that India aims to eliminate him due to his involvement in the referendum campaign, stating that India’s transnational terrorism now poses a direct threat to the sovereignty of the United States.
Pannun, hailing from Khankot village near Amritsar, was born to Mahinder Singh, a retired employee of the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board. He reportedly completed his education at Punjab University during the 1990s and went on to establish the SFJ in 2007. This organization, headquartered in New York, promotes the creation of Khalistan, an autonomous Sikh state separate from India.
In 2019, the Indian administration prohibited the SFJ citing the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act due to its activities against India. Shortly after, Pannun was singled out as an “individual terrorist” under the UAPA for his involvement in advocating secessionism and purportedly inciting Punjabi Sikh youth to resort to arms.
In a previous interview, Pannun stated that Nijjar had been his trusted companion for more than two decades, describing him as a “younger brother.” He held India responsible for Nijjar’s passing.
