A newly opened restaurant by comedian Kapil Sharma in British Columbia, Canada, was targeted in a shooting on Wednesday night, with multiple bullets striking the cafe and nearby buildings.
Though no injuries were reported, the incident has raised alarm among local residents and members of the Indian diaspora in the region.
Multiple Shots Fired
According to media reports, at least nine bullets were fired at Kapil Sharma’s restaurant.
The cafe, called Kap’s Cafe, is situated in Surrey, British Columbia, and marks the comedian’s foray into the food business. Sharma’s wife, Ginni Chatrath, is also closely involved in the venture.
Surrey police confirmed that multiple shots were fired at the premises, leaving bullet marks on the cafe’s front and nearby residential buildings.
The area has been cordoned off, CCTV footage is under review, and investigators have recovered spent bullet casings from the scene, police said, adding that a forensic investigation is currently in progress.
Khalistani Terrorist Claims Responsibility
The shooting has been claimed by Harjit Singh Laddi, a known Khalistani terrorist who is on the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) list of most-wanted fugitives.
Laddi is believed to be affiliated with the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International.
According to reports, he ordered the attack due to being offended by a past comment made by Sharma.
Shooting Caught On Camera
Surveillance footage captured the incident, showing a man firing several rounds from inside a vehicle aimed at the cafe’s glass facade.
The rapid succession of shots startled locals, prompting a swift deployment of police and forensic teams to the scene.
Investigations are currently underway, with authorities reviewing footage and examining evidence collected from the site.
Wanted In VHP Leader’s Killing
Laddi is also wanted by Indian law enforcement in connection with the murder of Vikas Prabhakar, a senior leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), also known as Vikas Bagga.
Prabhakar was shot dead in April 2024 at his shop in Punjab’s Rupnagar district. Laddi is suspected to have played a key role in orchestrating the killing.
Rising Extremist Activities In Canada
The attack comes amid renewed concern over extremist elements operating from Canadian soil.
The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) recently reported that Khalistani groups have been planning violent actions targeting India while enjoying a safe haven in Canada.
“Khalistani extremists continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising, or planning of violence primarily in India,” the CSIS warned in its latest security briefing.
New Delhi has repeatedly raised concerns over such activity, accusing Ottawa of turning a blind eye.
India has long urged the Canadian government to act firmly against those exploiting its democratic values to push extremist agendas.
Free Speech And Extremism
India has often criticised Canada’s permissive stance toward extremist rhetoric under the banner of free speech.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the issue last year, stating, “Our biggest problem right now is in Canada. Because in Canada, the party in power and other parties have given these kinds of extremism, separatism, and advocates of violence a certain legitimacy in the name of free speech. When you tell them something, their answer is ‘no, we are a democratic country, and it is free speech’.”
Signs Of Diplomatic Thaw
India-Canada relations had taken a nosedive in 2023 following the then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s claim that “Indian agents” were involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
However, diplomatic ties have shown signs of improvement since Mark Carney took over as Canada’s Prime Minister earlier this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Canada for the G-7 Summit, marking the first high-level visit since Carney assumed office, suggesting efforts are being made to repair the frayed relationship.
(With inputs from IBNS)
