Surrey: Bishnoi gang charges and RCMP warnings deepen security fears for Sikh community
Surrey's large Sikh community is confronting a deepening security crisis after RCMP formally warned activists in British Columbia and Ontario of credible threats to their lives, while American federal authorities announced charges against Bishnoi gang members for allegedly ordering the killing of a B.C. Sikh leader. Against this backdrop, a gurdwara continues its tradition of seva through wildfire relief donations, and a film about Sikh human rights abuses—banned in India—has found a receptive audience in Surrey community screenings.
RCMP issues formal life-threat warnings to Sikh activists in B.C. and Ontario
The RCMP has issued formal duty-to-warn letters to Sikh activists in British Columbia and Ontario, informing them that credible intelligence indicated their lives were at risk, CityNews Vancouver reported. The warnings arrived amid ongoing investigations into threats against Sikh community leaders in Canada, a pattern that escalated sharply following the 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, who was shot dead outside the temple. British Columbia's attorney general confirmed the community was reeling from the latest revelations, though insiders described the threat environment as something that had been building for some time. A photograph of Nijjar on a banner outside the Surrey gurdwara has become an enduring symbol of the community's grief and demands for justice. The duty-to-warn letters are a formal step used by Canadian police when they have specific, credible intelligence that a named individual faces a threat to their life, obligating officers to inform the person. For Surrey's Sikh community, the warnings underscore that activists and community leaders remain at serious risk from transnational threats. [2]
U.S. announces charges against Bishnoi gang members for ordering hit on B.C. Sikh leader
United States federal authorities have announced criminal charges against members of the Bishnoi gang for allegedly directing the killing of a Sikh leader in British Columbia, Global News reported. The Bishnoi gang is a criminal network believed to operate across North America and maintain links to organised crime figures in South Asia. The charges represent a significant development in the ongoing investigation into transnational networks that have been targeting members of Canada's Sikh diaspora. American prosecutors becoming involved in the case signals that the alleged criminal conspiracy crossed into U.S. jurisdiction and that law enforcement agencies in both countries are coordinating their efforts. The Bishnoi gang has been linked to a series of violent incidents and threats against Sikh community members in Canada, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario. The charges have been welcomed by community advocates who have long pressed Canadian and international authorities to take stronger action against the networks they say are operating with relative impunity. For Surrey's Punjabi community, the development brings cautious hope that meaningful accountability may be approaching. [5]
Film on Sikh activist Khalra, banned in India and pulled from streaming, draws screenings in Surrey
A film about Sikh human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, starring Punjabi singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh, has attracted strong interest at community screenings in Surrey, B.C., after being blocked in India and removed from a streaming platform within 48 hours of its release, CBC reported. The film, Satluj, portrays Khalra's investigation into extrajudicial killings and disappearances of Sikhs during Punjab's separatist insurgency in the 1980s and 90s—a period of deep trauma for the Sikh community worldwide. India's film censorship board blocked the film's release for approximately two to three years before it was finally launched on a streaming service, only to be taken down on government orders citing security concerns, according to reports. Gurpreet Singh, a Delta-based independent journalist, said the heavy-handed treatment of the film by Indian authorities has only deepened its resonance for diaspora communities. Surrey screenings of the film were planned for the weekend, drawing participants eager to engage with a story that many feel has been suppressed. Khalra himself was killed in disputed circumstances, adding a layer of tragedy to a film about his efforts to document state violence. [6]
Surrey Sikh gurdwara mobilises donations for B.C. wildfire victims through seva drive
A Surrey Sikh gurdwara organised a donations drive to support British Columbia residents displaced and harmed by the province's ongoing wildfire season, the Surrey Now-Leader reported. Gurdwaras across Canada have long distinguished themselves as community institutions that provide relief and support during disasters and emergencies, reflecting the Sikh religious principle of seva—selfless service to humanity without expectation of reward. The Surrey gurdwara collected food, essential supplies and monetary donations from community members, who turned out in significant numbers to contribute. British Columbia has experienced substantial wildfire activity, with evacuations affecting communities across the Interior and other regions. The gurdwara's wildfire relief effort drew participation not only from Surrey's Sikh community but from the broader multicultural population of the city, demonstrating the gurdwara's role as a hub of civic life. Organisers indicated they hoped to continue the drive as long as the need persisted among displaced families. The response reflects a recurring pattern in which Surrey's Punjabi community has stepped forward during regional crises to offer material and moral support. [3]
Cricket Canada president's Surrey home shot at for second time in extortion case
Surrey Police Service officers were called to a home in the South Newton neighbourhood in the early hours of a Thursday morning after reports of a shooting outside the residence of Cricket Canada's president, CBC reported. Front-line officers responded near 57 Avenue and 148 Street shortly after 4 a.m. The residence was occupied at the time but no one was injured. Police confirmed the incident was believed to be extortion-related, and noted the same home had previously been targeted in a shots-fired incident on May 20, 2026. The repeat targeting of the same address indicates a sustained criminal threat against the resident. Cricket Canada draws its membership and leadership predominantly from South Asian diaspora communities, including the large Indian, Pakistani and Sri Lankan populations in Surrey and Greater Vancouver. The case highlights how extortion-related violence, which has become a persistent concern in Surrey, is now reaching into the leadership of South Asian community sports organisations. The investigation was described as being in its early stages, with police not releasing details about suspects. [4]
Sources: [2] CityNews Vancouver · [5] Global News · [6] CBC · [3] Surrey Now-Leader · [4] CBC