Third Attack on Kapil Sharma’s Café in Canada, Lawrence Bishnoi Gang Claims Credit
NEW DELHI, Oct 16: For the third time in the last four months, shots were fired at comedian Kapil Sharma’s Kaps Café in Canada’s Surrey late Wednesday. Gangsters Goldy Dhillon and Kuldeep Sidhu, both part of Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claimed credit for the attack on social media.
A video of the attack was shared; the shaky clip, shot from inside a vehicle, showed a man sticking his arm out the window and firing multiple shots from a handgun. At least half-a-dozen shots were fired.
This was the third time since July that Kapil Sharma’s property was targeted in a shooting incident. The first attack was on July 10, when some employees were still inside. The second attack, in which at least 25 shots were fired, happened on August 8.
Dhillon and Sidhu’s post claiming responsibility for the attack – and warning the “general public” to stay away – came shortly afterwards. “I, Kuldeep Sidhu, and Goldy Dhillon take responsibility for the three shootings that took place (at Kaps Cafe). We have no enmity with the general public.”
The viral screenshot of the post from Goldy Dhillon shows the threatening tone, claiming that he had called Kapil Sharma, but he ‘didn’t hear the ring’, resulting in the action. “If he still doesn’t hear the ring, the next action will be conducted in Mumbai,” it added.
“Those with whom we have a dispute should stay away from us. Those who engage in illegal (illegible) work and do not pay people should also be prepared,” the gangsters declared. There was also a warning for “those who speak against religion in Bollywood”. They should “be prepared… bullets can come from anywhere” the chilling message said.
After the first incident, a member of the terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) said a participant at the comedian’s show made some “humorous” remarks on the traditional dress and conduct of Nihang Sikhs, which hurt sentiments of the community. BKI terrorist Harjit Singh Laddi had claimed responsibility for the July 10 firing.
The BKI is recognised as a terrorist outfit by the Canadian government. Laddi is also on the National Investigation Agency’s most-wanted list. After the first two attacks, Kaps Cafe had said it would continue to stand against violence to keep the place a symbol of “warmth and community” for its visitors.
The Canadian government in late September had listed Bishnoi gang as a “terror entity.” The gang is allegedly operated by gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is in jail in India. While Delhi has long sought a handle on terror groups targeting India, the Liberal government in Ottawa has acted, saying that this gang “targets specific communities,” such as the diaspora, within Canada.
The listing on September 29 comes after reports over several months that the Bishnoi gang targeted pro-Khalistan elements, including Sikh Canadian citizens, inside Canada over the past few years.
(Manas Dasgupta)
