Who Is Harjeet Singh Laddi, the Khalistani Terrorist Behind Firing at Kapil Sharma’s Canada Café?
Khalistani terrorist Harjeet Singh Laddi, a key operative of the banned group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), has emerged as the prime suspect behind the recent firing incident at Kap’s Café in Surrey, Canada — a restaurant reportedly linked to Indian comedian Kapil Sharma.
The attack took place late on July 9, when unidentified assailants opened fire outside Kap’s Café, located in the Newton neighbourhood of Surrey, British Columbia. Around 12 bullets were fired at the premises, damaging the property. Fortunately, no injuries were reported despite staff members being present inside at the time.
NIA’s Most-Wanted Terrorist
Harjeet Singh Laddi has long been under surveillance for his extremist activities and is currently on the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) most-wanted list. Based in Canada, Laddi is closely associated with Babbar Khalsa International, one of the oldest and most active Khalistani terror outfits, known for seeking a separate Sikh homeland through violent means.
The NIA has announced a reward of ₹10 lakh for information leading to Laddi’s arrest. He is also the prime accused in the June 2024 murder of Vikas Prabhakar, a senior leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), who was gunned down in Nangal, Punjab. The subsequent investigation revealed a deeper conspiracy involving Laddi and his associate, Kulbir Singh alias Sidhu, among others.
Motive Behind the Attack
The motive behind the Surrey café attack appears to be rooted in religious outrage. According to sources, a comedy segment on The Kapil Sharma Show allegedly made disparaging remarks about the Nihang Singhs, a traditional warrior order within Sikhism known for their distinctive attire and strict religious observance.
A statement attributed to the attackers claimed the remarks were offensive to Sikh values and mocked sacred traditions. “This is a mockery of Sikh spiritual traditions and the dignity of Nihang Singhs. No religion or spiritual identity should be ridiculed in the name of comedy,” the statement read.
The attackers also claimed they had attempted to contact Kapil Sharma’s team prior to the attack. “We called his manager several times, but all our calls were ignored. There was no response,” the statement added, demanding a public apology from Sharma.
Police Investigation Underway
The Surrey Police Service confirmed the incident and said a thorough investigation is underway. “On Thursday, July 10, at 1:50 am, Surrey Police Service was called to a business located in the 8400 block of 120 Street for a report of shots fired,” the statement said.
Upon arrival, officers determined that the shots were fired at the business, causing property damage. The police collected evidence and are reviewing surveillance footage and speaking with potential witnesses. However, no suspects have been publicly identified yet.
Canadian journalist Sameer Kaushal shared a video of the scene on X, showing bullet holes in the café’s glass windows. The footage has since gone viral, drawing widespread attention in both Canada and India.
The incident has reignited concerns over Khalistani extremism on foreign soil, especially in Canada, where multiple such elements are known to operate with growing impunity.
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