NextFin news, On Monday, September 22, 2025, Canadian law enforcement officials arrested Inderjeet Singh Gosal, a prominent Khalistani extremist and close associate of Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the designated terrorist leader of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) organization. The arrest took place in Ottawa, Canada, on multiple charges related to firearms possession.
Gosal, aged 36, has been identified as the principal organizer of the so-called Khalistan referendum activities in Canada and served as the personal security officer to Pannun, who holds dual US-Canadian citizenship and hails from Punjab, India. The SFJ is banned in India for its involvement in separatist and terrorist activities.
Sources within intelligence agencies confirmed that Gosal's arrest follows his previous detention in November 2024 in connection with a violent attack at the Hindu Sabha Mandir temple in the Greater Toronto Area. During that incident, Khalistani sympathizers attacked devotees, leading to police intervention. Gosal was conditionally released by Peel Regional Police after that event.
This arrest comes shortly after high-level bilateral talks between India and Canada, where National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin met in New Delhi last week. The discussions focused on repairing strained relations following the 2023 diplomatic fallout over the killing of Khalistani militant Hardeep Singh Nijjar, with both sides agreeing to enhance cooperation against terrorism and transnational crimes.
India had previously recalled its high commissioner and several diplomats from Canada in October 2024 after Ottawa alleged Indian involvement in Nijjar's killing, which India denied. The arrest of Gosal is seen as a significant move reflecting improved security collaboration between the two countries.
Canadian authorities have not publicly detailed the full scope of charges against Gosal, but intelligence sources emphasize the seriousness of the firearms-related offenses. The arrest is expected to contribute to ongoing efforts to curb Khalistani extremist activities in Canada and abroad.
As of Monday, September 22, 2025, investigations continue, and further legal proceedings against Inderjeet Singh Gosal are anticipated.
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