Who Is Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. India on 'foiled plot' to kill Khalistani terrorists in the US.

Read More Kalinga Express

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is a prominent figure associated with the Khalistani movement. Khalistan advocates argue for the establishment of a separate Sikh state, independent of India. Pannun has been linked to the legal aspects of the movement, often working on international platforms to garner support for the cause.

Pannun was born in Khankot village on the outskirts of Amritsar — the son of a former Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board employee named Mahinder Singh. He is believed to have graduated from Punjab University in the 1990s and founded the SFJ in 2007. The New York-based organization advocates for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan to be carved out of India.

Pannun is a key organizer of non-binding referendums calling for a separate Sikh state that has been held in countries with large Indian diasporas, including Canada, the UK, and Australia. According to a report in Bloomberg, an American phase of the voting will begin on January 28 in San Francisco.

1.  Khalistani Movement: The demand for Khalistan gained momentum during a period of political and social unrest, with some factions resorting to violence to achieve their goals. The movement has been a source of tension between the Sikh community and the Indian government.

2.  Foiled Plot to Kill Khalistani Terrorists in the US: Without current information on this specific event, it's challenging to provide accurate details. However, a "foiled plot" generally refers to an unsuccessful attempt to carry out a planned action, often involving illegal or harmful activities. If there were allegations of a plot to harm Khalistani activists in the US, it would likely involve legal and law enforcement measures to prevent such actions.

It's crucial to note that the term "terrorists" can be subjective and politically charged. While some may consider individuals associated with the Khalistani movement as terrorists, others may view them as freedom fighters or activists fighting for their perceived rights.

3.  International Implications: If there were indeed attempts to harm Khalistani activists on foreign soil, it could lead to diplomatic tensions between India and the country where the alleged plot occurred. Such incidents may trigger discussions about extradition, international law, and the responsibilities of nations in preventing violence on their soil.

The Indian government banned the SFJ in 2019 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act for its anti-India activities. A year later Pannun was declared an "individual terrorist" under the UAPA for promoting secessionism and allegedly encouraging Punjabi Sikh youth to take up arms.

This wasn't the first time that Pannun had issued a threat. In September, he urged Hindu Canadians to leave Canada amid the diplomatic row. In a video that circulated on social media, he said pro-Khalistan Sikhs have consistently shown loyalty to Canada and went on to threaten Indo-Canadian Hindus, urging them to leave the country.

In conclusion, the situation involving Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and the alleged foiled plot to kill Khalistani terrorists in the US requires up-to-date information to provide accurate details.