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Pannun’s right hand Inderjit Singh Gosal held by Canadian authorities
Gosal’s detention highlights Ottawa’s shifting stance on Khalistan-linked figures, coming days after top security officials of India and Canada met.
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Staff Reporter - Mon, 22, Sep 2025
- 13:05 EDT
- 24
A group of protesters hold yellow flags with the word / Reuters/Carlos Osorio/File Photo
Canadian authorities have arrested a close associate and former security officer of Khalistani extremist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, Indian media reported.
The 36-year-old Inderjjit Singh Gosal has been arrested on firearms-related charges in Ottawa and linked to violent incidents as well as separatist mobilization, particularly after the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023.
Who is Pannun?
Pannun, a US-based lawyer, heads the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and has been designated a terrorist by India. He is known for spearheading pro-Khalistan campaigns abroad, including referendums calling for a separate Sikh homeland. Gosal is widely regarded as Pannun’s right hand in these efforts.
This is not Gosal’s first brush with law enforcement. In November last year, he was detained for allegedly attacking worshippers at a Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area but was later released on conditions. His latest arrest is being viewed as part of Canada’s broader move against pro-Khalistan elements accused of crossing legal limits.
Diplomatic Timing
The development comes as India and Canada attempt to repair strained relations. Last month, the two countries resumed normal diplomatic operations by reappointing their high commissioners in Ottawa and New Delhi.
On Sept 18, India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met his Canadian counterpart Nathalie G. Drouin in New Delhi for wide-ranging talks, with a focus on counterterrorism, separatism, and intelligence sharing.
Also Read: Former SFJ Insider Breaks Silence on Pannun’s Leadership
The talks mark a significant step in efforts to repair strained ties between the two countries following tensions over Nijjar’s killing and differing approaches to separatist activity. The arrest of Gosal, so soon after the NSA-level dialogue, is likely to be interpreted in India as a tangible response to its long-standing security concerns.
As of now, no official statement has been issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding Gosal’s arrest, and Canadian authorities too have not publicly commented beyond the legal charges.
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