In a deeply disturbing incident that has reignited concerns around #KhalistaniExtremism and diaspora security, popular Indian comedian and actor #KapilSharma’s newly launched café in Canada was attacked just days after its soft opening.
The eatery, Kap’s Café, located in British Columbia, became the target of a brazen shooting that shattered its front window. While fortunately, no injuries were reported, the event has sent ripples of fear across both the local Indian-origin community and observers back in India.
Surveillance video from the scene shows a man inside a vehicle firing multiple rounds at the café’s storefront in rapid succession. Authorities believe the attack was deliberately timed shortly after the café’s debut — a milestone venture for Sharma and his wife, #GinniChatrath, who have jointly entered the hospitality business.
In a shocking development, #HarjeetSinghLaddi, a known Khalistani extremist and fugitive with close links to the banned terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), has allegedly claimed responsibility for the shooting. Laddi, who is currently residing in Germany, is already on India’s most-wanted list and has been the subject of international security scrutiny for years.
Indian agencies, including the #NationalInvestigationAgency (NIA), have placed a ₹10 lakh reward for credible information leading to his apprehension.
Laddi is also accused of orchestrating the April 2024 assassination of VHP leader Vikas Prabhakar, also known as Vikas Bagga, in Punjab’s Rupnagar district. That killing was reportedly carried out under the direct guidance of Wadhwa Singh Babbar, the Pakistan-based chief of Babbar Khalsa.
Initial investigations suggest that Laddi may have been incensed over an old comment or joke made by Sharma, which he considered offensive — a detail now emerging as a possible motive behind this targeted shooting.
Canadian police, along with forensic teams, have secured the scene and launched a full-scale investigation. Officials are also examining any online claims or videos related to the attack.
This latest episode has become yet another worrying milestone in the growing narrative of #Khalistan-related violence on Canadian soil. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), in a detailed report published last month, warned of ongoing threats emanating from extremist elements operating out of Canada, involved in fundraising, propaganda, and planning of violent acts, often directed towards India.
India has frequently flagged its concern over what it views as the Canadian government’s permissive stance towards these elements. Last year, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar voiced India’s frustration by stating:
“Our biggest problem right now is in Canada… Extremism and advocates of violence have been given a certain legitimacy in the name of free speech.”
These concerns had reached a boiling point in 2023 when then Prime Minister #JustinTrudeau accused Indian intelligence of involvement in the assassination of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar — a charge India vehemently denied. The diplomatic fallout led to expulsions of diplomats and a prolonged standoff between the two nations.
Although ties between India and Canada showed tentative signs of recovery following the leadership transition to #MarkCarney, events like the attack on Kapil Sharma’s café threaten to undo any progress. For many, the attack has rekindled painful memories of Babbar Khalsa’s violent legacy, including their responsibility for the 1985 Air India bombing and the assassination of Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
