October 21, 2024: In a troubling announcement, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of the pro-Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has warned passengers to avoid flying with Air India from November 1 to November 19. This latest threat coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Sikh genocide, a date Pannun claims could see a potential attack on Air India flights.

Pannun, who holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States, made his warning public on Monday, echoing similar threats he issued last year. He has been designated a terrorist by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs since July 2020 due to his activities promoting sedition and secessionism.

The alarming statement comes as multiple Indian airlines are grappling with a series of threat calls regarding potential bombings, most of which have turned out to be hoaxes. Nonetheless, security agencies remain vigilant in light of Pannun’s history and the group's ongoing campaign for a separate Sikh state.

In November 2023, Pannun had previously claimed that Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport would be renamed and closed on November 19, urging the public to stay away from Air India flights that day. Following his threats, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) charged him with criminal conspiracy and promoting enmity between different groups based on religion, along with various offenses under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).