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Khalistani-linked networks in Canada are said to be engaged in extortion, drug smuggling, terror financing, and even real estate investments.
Goldy Brar, a key figure in the Khalistani terror network, along with his associates, allegedly masterminded these attacks. File pic/X
A string of recent attacks targeting Indo-Canadian individuals and businesses in British Columbia and Ontario has drawn renewed attention to the growing nexus between pro-Khalistani extremist groups and organised crime syndicates, according to top intelligence sources tracking these developments.
Officials say outfits such as Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) are increasingly relying on gangsters like Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar, and Arsh Dalla to execute their operations. While these incidents have involved violence, intelligence inputs suggest the primary intent has been to damage property and intimidate targets, rather than to cause fatalities.
Criminal-Terror Nexus
The intelligence dossier reviewed by CNN-News18 points to a hybrid operational model. These Khalistani-linked networks are said to be engaged in extortion, drug smuggling, terror financing, and even real estate investments. Coordinated attacks and intimidation campaigns are reportedly funded through hawala channels, with money moving from India to hubs like Canada and Thailand.
Goldy Brar, Arsh Dalla, and Lawrence Bishnoi are believed to be the key players orchestrating the extortion rackets and financing radical activities abroad. Canadian soil, sources say, continues to serve as a staging ground for planning and fundraising by Khalistani extremists — a fact officially acknowledged by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).
Reluctance to Act
New Delhi has repeatedly handed over lists of wanted individuals, including Brar and Dalla, seeking extradition or prosecution. However, Indian security officials privately express frustration at what they see as Ottawa’s “weak enforcement,” attributing the lack of action to domestic political considerations, including the voting strength of the Sikh diaspora in key constituencies.
Pattern of Intimidation
The strategy, sources say, revolves around targeted shootings, threats, and extortion calls aimed at high-profile Indo-Canadians, with the goal of establishing dominance and spreading fear within the community.
Recent Incidents
- Kap’s Café, Surrey, BC – On August 8, 2025, the café was shot at, leaving six bullet holes and shattered windows. The attack came less than a month after a similar incident. Harjit Singh Laddi, linked to BKI, had earlier claimed responsibility.
- Brampton, Ontario – In May 2025, three Indo-Canadians allegedly fired shots inside a vacant business while demanding extortion money.
- Fraser Valley, BC – In 2023, extortion letters demanding “protection money” were circulated among South Asian businesses, traced back to Indian-origin gangs.
Security officials warn that unless there is stronger international cooperation, the blend of organised crime and separatist extremism in Canada will remain a potent threat to Indo-Canadian safety.
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
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