# Sikh activist claims FBI warned of imminent threat to life

> Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun says FBI warned of imminent threat to his life ahead of Khalistan referendum.
- Title: Sikh activist claims FBI warned of imminent threat to life
- Summary: Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun says FBI warned of imminent threat to his life ahead of Khalistan referendum. Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun…
- Keywords: gurpatwant singh pannun, fbi, khalistan referendum, sikhs for justice, narendra modi, mark carney, india, canada, assassination threat, khalistan, news, politics
- Source: Dawn — https://dawn.com/news/2037630/sikh-activist-gurpatwant-singh-pannun-claims-fbi-has-warned-him-of-imminent-threat-to-his-life
- Author: Anwar Iqbal
- Published: 2026-10-16T18:18:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: gurpatwant singh pannun, fbi, khalistan referendum, sikhs for justice, narendra modi, mark carney, india, canada, assassination threat, khalistan, news, politics
## Sikh activist claims FBI warning
Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a dual US-Canadian citizen and general counsel of Sikhs for Justice, claims FBI warned him of imminent threat to his life.

> FBI agents told Pannun they are investigating leads and said the threat is connected to potential travel to Canada to participate in the referendum but did not provide him with any further information
## Khalistan referendum in Edmonton
Sikh separatists organise non-binding Khalistan referendum in Edmonton, Canada on Oct 18 where participants will vote on Indian Punjab becoming independent and renamed 'Khalistan'.
## FBI 'Duty to Warn' notification
FBI issued 'Duty to Warn' notification on Oct 15 specifically concerning Pannun's planned travel to Canada for Khalistan referendum.
## RCMP warnings reported
Pannun has also reported receiving warnings from Royal Canadian Mounted Police about threats to his life and residence in Ontario.
## Assassination plot in February
In February, Indian national Nikhil Gupta pleaded guilty in US federal court to plotting assassination of Pannun with $100,000 payment for killing.
## Indian government employee involved
Gupta acted at direction of Indian government employee Vikash Yadav from India's Cabinet Secretariat who recruited him to arrange Pannun's killing.
## Plot disrupted before attack
The assassination plot was disrupted before any attack could take place with about $15,000 paid in advance of $100,000 total payment.
## Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar killed
Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was assassinated in Surrey, British Columbia in June 2023 which strained Canada-India relations.
## Pannun questions Canada-India security ties
Pannun questioned Canada's response to assassination threats against Khalistan referendum activists as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi strengthen bilateral security cooperation.
## Khalistan movement background
Sikh separatists demand creation of 'Khalistan', meaning 'the land of the pure', from Indian Punjab.
## Key takeaway

Sikh activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun claims FBI issued a 'Duty to Warn' notification about assassination threats linked to his travel to Canada for Khalistan referendum.