Designated Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has issued another threat to India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Pannun, who is wanted for several crimes in India, is notorious for resorting to inflammatory comments against the South Asian country's top leaders.
Pannun Draws Parallels Between India and Israel
In the shocking video, he could be seen saying that if India did not vacate Punjab for the formation of an independent state of Khalistan, its citizens and security forces could face carnage, the likes of which, Hamas carried out against Israel on Saturday.
"Modi, learn from Palestine-Israel conflict. People under occupation from Punjab to Palestine will react and violence begets violence. If India is going to keep occupying Punjab, there will be a reaction and, Modi and India, you will be responsible. SFJ believes in ballot. SFJ believes in vote. Liberation of Punjab is on the cards. India, choice is yours: ballot or bullet," Pannun could be heard saying in the video.
Pannun's remarks come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine after Hamas carried out the worst attacks on the Jewish state's soil since its formation in 1948.
Rockets fired from the Gaza City (R) being intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence missile system (L) on October 10, 2023.
© AFP 2023 EYAD BABA
Israeli-Palestinian Tensions Explode
The violence that broke out on Saturday has left more than 3,600 confirmed dead on both sides, with Israel unleashing airstrikes in retaliation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "destroy Hamas" as the country's Defense Minister called up 300,000 reservists, which analysts say is an imminent sign of a ground invasion of Gaza.
However, with the Palestinian armed movement reportedly holding at least 150 Israeli hostages, including the Jewish state's military commanders, Tel Aviv could find itself in a dilemma.
Furthermore, boots on the ground in Gaza could stretch Israeli resources, considering the Iran-backed Hezbollah has threatened to strike the country's northern borders if it does send troops to the densely-populated Gaza Strip.
Khalistani Terrorists Find Safe Haven in Canada
Getting back to Pannun, he ranks among the most notorious faces associated with the Khalistan movement.
While a demand for a separate state for Sikhs carved out of India's existing state of Punjab has hardly found any takers in the South Asian sovereign nation, radical figures supporting this cause have found a "safe haven" in Canada.
Last month, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused "agents of the Indian government" of carrying out the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, leading to the souring of ties between the two countries.
Interestingly, Trudeau has not provided any evidence to substantiate his claims. India, on the other hand, has vehemently dismissed his allegations.