Diaspora in Support of Air India Amid Pannun's Threat as Worried India Beefs Up Security | Exclusive
All Indians and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) should take Air India flights only from November 19, Overseas Friends of BJP (OFBJP) has said, dismissing Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Pannun’s threat that their lives could be in danger.
The organisation said it will request the UK government to take action against Pannun “as this kind of threat is intimidating to those who are UK citizens and has very negative impact on their safety and psychology”.
In a video message on Saturday, Pannun, the leader of separatist group Sikhs for Justice, warned Sikhs in Punjabi: “Don’t fly Air India after November 19, your lives may be in danger.” That sentence was repeated twice. In a statement issued along with the video, Pannun also called for a ‘Global blockade’ of the airline from Vancouver to London.
In a new video statement, Pannun also glorified the killers of former prime minister Indira Gandhi and said the IGI airport must be renamed as Beant Singh Satwant Singh airport. He said India’s economy must be broken “to break its backbone” as he threatened Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, and Congress leaders Kamal Nath and Jagdish Tytler. Pannun also threatened to attack the Cricket World Cup final.
The open threat comes at a time when ties between India and Canada are ‘going through a difficult phase’ following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations against India in September over the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
Meanwhile, top Intelligence sources told CNN-News 18 that India is concerned about the safety of Air India and its staff in UK and Canada since Pannun’s threat.
“Pannun is openly threatening one nation sitting in these countries and no action is taken despite multiple requests. He has already attacked Indian High Commission in UK and Canada. We have raised the security bars of our airlines,” they said.
The sources added: “We have done briefing as per security guidelines and our missions will be in touch with the authorities concerned in their respective countries. We are fearful that Pannun can radicalise people and the same can translate to hostage crises or physical damage to Air India. The crew is also going to be briefed as they halt to various cities in these countries during a layover for 24-48 hours. The threat analysis has already been sent to the Ministry of External Affairs and they will do the needful on an urgent basis.”
The sources said India has sufficient proof against not only Pannun but also countries that are sheltering the “global terrorist” who is threatening India on a daily basis.
“He is not capable of doing anything substantial but he is radicalising youth without any reason and motive. The world knows about his connection with Pakistan and his immigration racket. We expect Trudeau to listen to this and take action against this terrorist,” they added.
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