India To Ask Canadian Authorities For Enhanced Security For Air India Flights After Pannun's Threat

The Indian government will take up the matter pertaining to latest threats issued by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun and seek additional security for Air India flights between India and Canada, Hindustan Times reported citing India's High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma.

"We shall take up the threat against Air India flights originating from and terminating in Canada, with the Canadian authorities concerned," Verma was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times. Air India operates several weekly flights between New Delhi and Canada's Vancouver and Toronto.

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In a new video message, Pannun, who heads banned outfit Sikhs For Justice, urged Sikhs to not travel on Air India flights on November 19 as that could put their lives in "danger". The apparent threat to blow up one or multiple flights operated by Air India emerged on social media on Sunday.

"We are asking the Sikh people not to fly via Air India. From November 19, there will be a global blockade. Air India won't be allowed to operate. Sikh people, don't travel by Air India after November 19. Your life can be in danger," Pannun said in the video that is circulating on social media.

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"We have studied the contents of the video, which is in clear violation of Chicago Convention, which lays out a framework for international civil aviation operations. Canada and India, among many other nations, are parties to the convention," Verma stated.

After the bombing of Air India Flight 182, the Kanishka, on June 23, 1985, India cannot afford to have a lower threat perception of Khalistani outfits. Talwinder Singh Parmar was the suspected mastermind behind the explosion that claimed 329 lives on board the Kanishka.