Inderjit Singh Gosal Held in Ottawa on Firearms-Related Charges
Ottawa – Canadian authorities have arrested Inderjit Singh Gosal, a Khalistani extremist and close aide of designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, on multiple charges linked to firearms possession, according to reports on Monday.
The 36-year-old Gosal, regarded as one of Pannun’s most trusted associates and personal security officer (PSO), was taken into custody in Ottawa. His detention marks the second time in less than a year that he has been apprehended by Canadian law enforcement.
History of Extremist Activities
Gosal rose to prominence as a key Canadian organiser for the US-based Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) following the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023.
In November last year, he was arrested in connection with a violent incident at a Hindu temple in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), where he allegedly attacked Hindu-Canadian worshippers. He was later granted conditional release by Peel Regional Police.
Association with Pannun and SFJ
Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen originally from Punjab, is the chief of Sikhs for Justice and was declared an “individual terrorist” by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in July 2020. His organisation had already been banned a year earlier for extremist activities.
Indian authorities have filed over 100 cases against SFJ and Pannun, with nearly 60 of them registered in Punjab alone. Gosal’s proximity to Pannun and active role in SFJ’s Canadian operations have made him a key figure in the Khalistani extremist network.
Diplomatic Backdrop
The arrest comes at a time when India and Canada are attempting to rebuild strained ties, focusing on counterterrorism and security cooperation.
Relations between New Delhi and Ottawa deteriorated in 2023 after then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged an Indian link to the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India firmly rejected the allegations as “absurd” and accused Canada of sheltering extremist elements.
Recent Engagements Between India and Canada
On Thursday, India’s National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin held extensive talks in New Delhi. The discussions highlighted counterterrorism and transnational crimes as priority areas for cooperation.
The arrest of Gosal is expected to add momentum to the renewed security dialogue between the two nations.
