Khalistani Terrorist Pannun Issues Fresh Threat To Air India Passengers

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on Monday warned passengers not to fly on Air India flights from November 1 to 19. He asserted that an attack could take place on an Air India flight during the specified dates, which coincide with the "40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide".

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. He has been designated a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs since July 2020 on charges of sedition and secessionism. “Do not fly Air India. …We are asking the Sikh ‘panth’ not to fly via Air India. From November 1 to 19, there will be a global blockade. Air India won’t be allowed to operate. Sikh ‘panth’, don’t travel by Air India,” the SFJ founder said.

Pannun, also accused by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in multiple cases, is known for insulting the Indian flag and has even threatened Indian diplomats on several occasions. According to sources, Pannun misuses his access in the UK and Canada for spreading anti-India propaganda.

In November 2023, Pannun released a video claiming that Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport would be renamed and would remain closed on November 19, warning people against flying on Air India that day. In December last year, Pannun threatened to attack the Parliament on or before December 13, following reports of an alleged foiled plot to kill him. December 13 marks the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Parliament in 2001.

He also threatened to kill Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of State Police Gaurav Yadav on Republic Day this year. He also urged gangsters to unite and launch an attack on Mann on January 26.

Pannun's fresh threat comes amid several airlines in India receiving multiple threat calls about potential bombings, all of which turned out to be hoaxes. It also occurred at a time when India and Canada are engaged in a murky diplomatic row following Canada's allegations of India targeting Khalistani elements in the country, including the murder of another terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.