The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted raids at the premises of suspects in Punjab with connections to the outlawed ‘Unlawful Association’ Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). The raids, conducted in coordination with Punjab Police, were based on specific inputs about suspects linked to SFJ. This action comes two days after the NIA announced a case against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a listed individual terrorist associated with SFJ, over a viral video threatening Air India passengers with a global blockade from November 19.
Pannun, the self-proclaimed General Counsel of SFJ, issued threats in his video messages, urging Sikhs not to fly on Air India planes, claiming a threat to their lives. He also warned of closing the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) on November 19. The latest threat aligns with Pannun’s past efforts to disrupt essential transportation networks, including railways and power plants, promoting enmity between Sikhs and other communities. SFJ was banned as an ‘unlawful association’ in 2019, and Pannun was listed as an ‘individual terrorist’ in 2020.
The Ministry of Home Affairs banned SFJ under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in 2019. Pannun, under NIA scrutiny since 2019, had his property confiscated in 2023. Non-bailable warrants and ‘Proclaimed Offender’ status were issued against him in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The recent raids aim to address the security threat posed by SFJ and its activities in India.