KHALISTAN EXTREMISM MONITOR
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
A project of the Institute for Conflict Management
02-Jun-2026
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) on June 2 announced the arrest of Brian Kiraly-Miller, in connection with the January 13 murder of Indo-Canadian businessman Baljinder Singh in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. While investigators have not disclosed a motive for the killing, IHIT stated that the incident was a targeted shooting. Authorities added that further details regarding the motive and circumstances of the homicide could not be released due to ongoing court proceedings.
28-May-2026
According to reports, a Canadian police officer on May 28 revealed that the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang, allegedly linked to Canada’s growing extortion crisis, had sent a letter to a police station in Abbotsford, British Columbia, in August 2025 claiming it had 1,000 foot soldiers willing to carry out shootings. Testifying at a deportation hearing, Constable Kevin St. Louis told the Immigration and Refugee Board that the letter outlined the gang’s criminal network and its role in extortion activities. He said the letter also stated that “every business needs to pay their tax,” indicating the group’s financial motives behind the threats and extortion racket. The Abbotsford Police Department later confirmed receiving the letter.
26-May-2026
Dinesh Patnaik, in an interview published by The Globe and Mail on May 26, strongly rejected allegations of Indian state involvement in crimes on Canadian soil, describing several of the claims as “fantasy.” He also questioned the credibility of Canadian intelligence agencies over their handling of the Khalistan issue. Patnaik alleged that sections of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) had been influenced by Khalistani separatist groups operating from Canada and claimed there was a widespread perception in India that Canada’s security establishment had been “compromised.” Referring to the Nijjar investigation and broader allegations of Indian interference, Patnaik stated that Khalistani groups had turned Canada into a base for separatist activities directed against Punjab. He further argued that intelligence narratives against India had been shaped by political considerations, while distinguishing what he termed “real issues” related to extremism and security concerns from allegations linking the Indian government to criminal acts in Canada.
25-May-2026
Peel Regional Police arrested 17 suspects, most of them young men of Punjabi origin, linked to a violent criminal network allegedly involved in extortion, shootings and arson attacks targeting South Asian business owners in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada. According to police, the group, known as “Four Brothers,” was involved in multiple violent incidents targeting restaurants, trucking companies and other businesses in Brampton, Mississauga, Caledon and parts of British Columbia, with links extending to California in the United States (US). Investigators alleged that the network used intimidation, threats and escalating violence to extort local businesses. The investigation began in December 2025 as a joint operation involving Ontario Provincial Police, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC) of Canada. Police said the 17 accused were linked to 24 incidents, including 16 violent attacks allegedly connected to the “Four Brothers” group, involving arson and multiple shootings in which 324 rounds were fired. Authorities further stated that six of the accused could face immigration action, including possible deportation following the conclusion of criminal proceedings.
21-May-2026
According to reports, gunshots fired at the residence of Arvinder Khosa in Surrey, Canada, on May 20 were reportedly linked to an extortion case, with probe agencies investigating the possible involvement of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The Surrey Police Service (SPS) has launched an investigation into the shooting incident.
20-May-2026
According to reports, the residence of newly elected Cricket Canada president Arvinder Khosa in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, was targeted in a shooting early on May 20. Multiple bullet holes were reportedly found in the door, windows, and exterior walls of the house. Khosa confirmed the shooting but declined to provide further details. Police said the house was occupied when officers responded around 4:40 a.m., though no injuries were reported. The Surrey Police Service said the investigation is in its early stages, but the incident is believed to be linked to extortion activities.
14-May-2026
Two Punjabi youths living in Canada, Damanjeet Singh and Pardaman Singh, have been arrested and charged under the Criminal Code following a Surrey Police Service investigation into a shooting linked to extortion threats, in Canada. Police said both accused are foreign nationals and that the Canada Border Services Agency is involved in the case. The incident occurred on April 22, when officers responded to reports of gunfire at a residence in the 13400 block of 87A Avenue in Surrey. Police confirmed damage to a house and a vehicle, but no injuries were reported. Authorities released photographs of the accused and appealed for witnesses or victims to come forward as investigations continue into violent extortion-linked criminal networks.
11-May-2026
Actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh on May 11 addressed the recent controversy involving Khalistan supporters during his concert in Canada, stating that harassment of his fans would not be tolerated. In an Instagram post, Dosanjh said that while peaceful protests outside venues were acceptable, attempts to enter concerts and intimidate attendees crossed a line. He added that people carrying flags or banners often did so to express their identity or support, but abusing fans under the same pretext was unacceptable.
10-May-2026
In a targeted gang-related shooting on May 10, two youths aged 16 and 18 were shot dead inside an underground parking lot in the Newton neighbourhood of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. While Police and Canadian media did not disclose their identities, community sources indicated that the victims were believed to be of Punjabi origin. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), which has taken over the investigation, confirmed that the double homicide was targeted and linked to the ongoing gang conflict in British Columbia. Both victims, residents of Surrey, were reportedly associated with organized crime networks.
09-May-2026
According to reports, Khalistani elements prominently displayed separatist symbols during the “Nagar Kirtan” parade held in Calgary, Canada on May 9. Tens of thousands reportedly participated in the procession from the Dashmesh Culture Centre to Prairie Winds Park, where Khalistan flags and separatist messaging were visible throughout the event. Although presented as a cultural and religious gathering, the parade drew criticism for allegedly providing a platform for pro-Khalistan activism and extremist narratives in Canada.
08-May-2026
Jaskaran Saroye, a 27-year-old man from Punjab, was arrested and charged in connection with a shooting investigation in Surrey that police believe is linked to ongoing extortion-related violence in the region, in Cabada. He was arrested by the Surrey Police Service Extortion Response Team after officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Surrey. The incident occurred on April 13 near 94A Avenue and 127 Street in Surrey, where gunshots were fired at an occupied house. Although the residence sustained damage, no injuries were reported.
07-May-2026
Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, in a video that surfaced a day before his concert in Winnipeg, stated, “I’m being abused from both sides,” while referring to the controversy surrounding protests by pro-Khalistan supporters at his recent Aura 2026 concert in Calgary. Tensions between the singer and certain pro-Khalistan groups reportedly escalated after he criticised individuals displaying Khalistan flags during the concert.
06-May-2026
According to reports, Canadian authorities deported more than 30 young men of Indian origin in 2026 over their suspected involvement in organized extortion networks operating across British Columbia’s Lower Mainland and other parts of Canada. Those deported reportedly included Prabhjot Singh, Lovebir Singh, Arshdeep Singh, and Sukhnaaz Singh Sandhu, all in their twenties. By mid-March 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) had reportedly conducted at least 35 enforced removals linked to these networks as part of a broader crackdown that involved 372 immigration investigations and the issuance of 70 removal orders in coordination with police agencies targeting transnational organized crime.
04-May-2026
An Indian-origin bookie, identified as Simranjit Singh alias Sam Canada, allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as its “accountant” in Canada, was shot dead in a targeted attack in the Newton area of Surrey, Canada on May 4. Investigators were reportedly probing the possible involvement of pro-Khalistan shooters with Indian links. Soon after the killing, fugitive gangster Rohit Godara, who has split from the Bishnoi network, claimed responsibility on social media, describing the victim as a “close associate” and “main handler” of rival groups allegedly involved in match-fixing and illegal betting operations in Canada. The post also warned that others aiding rival gangs would be targeted, though Canadian authorities have not officially verified its authenticity.
04-May-2026
The Surrey Police Service on May 4 released a photograph of a 20-year-old Punjabi youth, identified as Prabhjot Singh, who was recently deported from Canada over his alleged involvement in extortion-related activities. Following his arrest earlier in 2026, police shared intelligence with the Canada Border Services Agency regarding his suspected role in the ongoing extortion crisis. Subsequently, Singh was stripped of his legal status and deported. The Surrey Police Service is now seeking further information about him and his associates.
03-May-2026
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), in its Public Report 2025, acknowledged the threat posed by extremist Khalistani elements while clarifying that advocacy for Khalistan remains lawful political activity in Canada. The report revisited politically motivated violent extremism, recalling the Air India Flight 182 bombing—the deadliest terror attack in Canadian history—and noted that although no Khalistan-linked attacks occurred in 2025, a small subset of extremists continued to use Canadian soil to support or finance violence in India. It emphasised that non-violent advocacy for Khalistan is not considered extremism, stating that only a limited group using Canada as a base to promote, fundraise, or plan violence—primarily in India—are classified as Khalistani extremists.
03-May-2026
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), in its Public Report 2025, identified India alongside China, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan as key state actors involved in interference and espionage targeting Canada. It alleged that New Delhi has historically sought to cultivate covert ties with Canadian politicians, journalists, and sections of the Indo-Canadian community to advance its strategic interests. The report also raised concerns over “transnational repression,” including surveillance and coercive measures aimed at silencing criticism of the Indian government. CSIS linked these concerns to the presence of Khalistan supporters in Canada, noting that India views the issue through a domestic security lens and warning that Canada must remain vigilant against potential transnational repression activities.
02-May-2026
A firing incident occurred at the Chai Sutta Bar, located next to Indian comedian Kapil Sharma’s outlet, Kap's Cafe, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada on May 2. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack via social media and issued threats to both the café owner and Sharma. A post attributed to a Facebook account named “Tyson Bishnoi Zora Sidhu” warned Sharma to “fall in line” and threatened similar violence if he failed to comply.
24-Apr-2026
The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) has issued a special bulletin warning of a sustained campaign of coercion targeting South Asian diaspora communities across Canada. The report notes that financially vulnerable young Indian male students on study permits are being recruited by gangs as “foot soldiers” to carry out targeted violence, including extortion, shootings, and arson—particularly in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario. FINTRAC identifies the Bishnoi gang and the rival Bambiha gang as key drivers of this violence, noting that the Government of Canada designated the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity on September 29, 2025. The bulletin also highlights the growing role of copycat actors and smaller criminal groups exploiting the gangs’ notoriety to intensify extortion threats. Additionally, it underscores a rising trend of criminal networks recruiting vulnerable students as money mules and operatives in these activities.
23-Apr-2026
Pro-Khalistan supporters and sympathizers linked to the banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) allegedly created unrest during a concert by Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh in Vancouver on April 23. During the “Aura-2026” concert, proceedings were briefly disrupted when demonstrators waved flags and raised anti-India slogans. Security personnel intervened, leading to brief altercations before the individuals were escorted out of the venue. Sources claimed the protest involved individuals identified as Pawandeep Singh Bassi and Mandeep Singh Ravi, who are allegedly associated with SFJ. They further alleged that the outfit released a video and poster labeling the singer as an “agent of BJP and RSS.”