New Delhi, India

A threat issued by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun last year, warning regular flyers of Air India to avoid travelling on the airlines on November 19, is being widely circulated on social media at a time when hoax bomb threats have been sent to almost 100 flights in the last seven days in India. 

Advertisment

The video is being shared by various social media users who are alerting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) about the threat that was given by Pannun last year. 

This has also resurfaced at a time when the Indian government is co-operating with the United States in the investigation of an alleged Pannun killing plot.

In the video, the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) Pannun said that “an attack could occur on an Air India flight” after November 19, which marks the anniversary of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. 

Advertisment

×

“Do not fly Air India. …We are asking the Sikh ‘panth’ not to fly via Air India. From November 19, there will be a global blockade. Air India won’t be allowed to operate. Sikh ‘panth’, don’t travel by Air India after November 19,” the SFJ founder can be heard as saying in the video.

Also Read: Who is Vikash Yadav? Ex-Indian intelligence officer charged in failed Pannun assassination plot

Advertisment

When the video was released, Pannun was booked by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under sections 120B, 153A & 506 of the IPC and sections 10, 13, 16, 17, 18, 18B & 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

"Pannun, the self-proclaimed General Counsel’ of the outlawed ‘unlawful Association’, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), is in the eye of the storm yet again following the release and circulation of video messages on various social media platforms urging the Sikhs not to fly on Air India planes on and after 19th November claiming threat to their lives if they flew on Air India. Pannun also threatened that Air India would not be allowed to operate in the world. Pannun’s assertions and threats have triggered a high alert as well as investigations by security forces in Canada, India and certain other countries where Air India flies," said NIA, in a statement.

Reacting to the circulation of the video, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, "I am not aware of any specific threat today... but we have seen threats, in the past, to our airlines, to our Parliament, to our diplomats and High Commissions, and our leaders. And all that is a source of concern." 

All about Gurpatwant Singh Pannun 

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is an important leader of the Khalistan separatist movement and holds dual citizenship of the United States and Canada. 

Watch: US Charges 2nd Indian In Pannun Murder Plot

His organisation, SFJ, has been demanding a separate Khalistan. In July 2020, Pannun was designated as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for his activities which promoted “separatism and inciting violence”. 

Multiple arrest warrants were also issued by the government of India against him and his properties were seized.

(With inputs from agencies)