India Requests Enhanced Security for Air India Flights in Response to SFJ Threat

India is worried about security threats to Air India flights going to and from Canada by a Sikh separatist group. They will ask Canadian authorities to make sure these flights are safe.

Indian intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that they are taking this threat seriously and have informed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) about it. They plan to take action quickly.

The sources mentioned that the leader of this Sikh separatist group, Punnun, has been openly making threats, and despite many requests, no action has been taken against him. He has even attacked the Indian High Commission in the UK and Canada.

India is following security guidelines and will work with their missions to communicate with the relevant authorities in these countries. They are concerned that Punnun may influence people to engage in dangerous activities or cause harm to Air India flights.

In addition, Air India's flight crews will be informed about this situation, especially when they have layovers in these countries for 24-48 hours.

The threat came from a Sikh separatist group called Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), led by Gurpatwant Pannun, in a video released on Saturday. In the video, Pannun warned Sikhs not to fly Air India after November 19, saying their lives might be in danger. He also called for a global boycott of the airline from Vancouver to London.

Officials have reviewed the video and found it to be in violation of international aviation rules, such as the Chicago Convention, which outlines the framework for international civil aviation operations. India and Canada, along with many other countries, are part of this convention.

The civil aviation agreement between India and Canada has measures to address such threats, and the issue will be discussed with the authorities urgently.

All of this is happening at a time when relations between India and Canada are strained, following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September regarding the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. In response to these allegations, India temporarily suspended visa issuance to Canadian citizens and asked Canada to reduce its diplomatic presence in India to achieve parity. Canada has already withdrawn 41 diplomats and their family members from India.