OTTAWA: Canada has said it takes any “threat” to aviation “extremely seriously” and is investigating online warnings, issued by a banned pro-Khalistan group, to Air India passengers against traveling on Nov. 19. A few days after warning.
Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, founder of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), had recently released a video threatening passengers on Air India flights on November 19, the day the ICC World Cup final will be held in Ahmedabad.
The Government of Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police have confirmed that they are investigating a possible terrorist threat.
Federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez posted on social media on Thursday that the government was investigating the alleged threat with its security partners.
“Our government takes any threat to aviation extremely seriously. We are investigating the recent threats circulating online closely and with our security partners. We will do everything we can to keep Canadians safe. “
The RCMP confirmed Thursday it was investigating, but declined to comment further, the Vancouver Sun newspaper reports.
National RCMP spokesperson Marie-Eve Breton said, “The RCMP takes all threats to national security very seriously, including those made online.”
On Thursday, India said it would continue to pressurize foreign governments not to accommodate such extremist elements.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said New Delhi strongly condemns such terrorist threats and will take necessary security measures.
Diplomatic relations between Canada and India have deteriorated since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations in September over the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the Canadian city of Surrey in June.
Days after Trudeau’s allegations, India announced it was temporarily suspending the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to reduce its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity. India has since resumed issuing four types of visas for Canadians.
Canada has already recalled 41 diplomats and their family members from India.
