Canada arrests Inderjit Gosal, Pannun aide and Khalistani terrorist
What's the story
Inderjit Singh Gosal, a prominent Khalistani terrorist and close aide of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, has been arrested in Canada. The 36-year-old was taken into custody on multiple firearms-related charges in Ottawa. His arrest is seen as a major shift from Canada's previous lenient approach toward separatist groups in the name of freedom of speech.
Diplomatic influence
Arrest follows India's concerns over Canadian extremism
Gosal's arrest comes as India and Canada try to reset ties that have been fragmented after the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023. Canada found itself at the center of a geopolitical rift after then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's explosive allegation that the Indian government had a hand in the killing of Nijjar. After almost two years of strained tries, the two countries resumed normal diplomatic operations by reappointing high commissioners to each other's capitals.
Past incidents
Second arrest in less than a year
This is the second time Gosal has been arrested by Canadian police in less than a year. He was previously detained last November for his involvement in a violent incident at a Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area. At that time, he was said to be the main organizer of the so-called Khalistan referendum in Canada.
Key associations
Gosal was right-hand man of Pannun
Gosal is considered a right-hand man of Khalistani terrorist Pannun. He became a key Canadian organizer for SFJ after the death of Nijjar in June 2023. Pannun was declared an "individual terrorist" by India's Ministry of Home Affairs in July 2020. The SJF has over 100 cases registered against it and Pannun, with nearly 60 cases in Punjab alone.
Key role
Canadian authorities acted after intelligence inputs from India
According to News18, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval was instrumental in pressuring Canadian authorities to act against Gosal. Intelligence inputs from India, including financial trail intelligence and evidence linking Gosal directly to Pannun, were provided to Ottawa. This led Canadian authorities to take action against extremist sleeper cells exploiting the country's lenient environment.