From Surrey To Brampton: Series Of Shootings That Has Rocked Canada’s Indian-Origin Community

Last Updated:October 29, 2025, 17:21 IST

A string of shootings, from singers’ homes to business fronts, has exposed how gang-linked violence is spreading across Canada’s Punjabi diaspora

Punjabi singer Channi Nattan (Image: Instagram/@chaninattan)

What began as extortion rackets run by Indian gangs has turned into a violent, transnational web connecting Punjab, Australia, and Canada.

Over the past year, multiple gun attacks across British Columbia and Ontario have been traced to groups linked to Lawrence Bishnoi, Rohit Godara, and Goldy Brar, or to allied networks tied to Khalistani extremist Arsh Dala. Police describe these as coordinated criminal syndicates using social media both to threaten and to publicise their hits.

A string of recent firing incidents, from shootings outside celebrity homes to restaurant attacks, has exposed how these gangs are spreading their turf wars across Canada.

Chani Nattan (October 2025)

The latest attack targeted Punjabi singer Chani Nattan in Surrey, BC, a hotspot for Indo-Canadian gang wars. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The gang allegedly stated that the attack was carried out because Nattan had grown close to fellow singer Sardar Khera, which they said triggered the confrontation. Police have launched an investigation into the incident. There were no immediate reports of any injuries.

Darshan Singh Sahsi (October 2025)

Prominent Punjabi-Canadian businessman Darshan Singh Sahsi, 68, was shot dead outside his residence in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on Monday morning. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the killing.

Sahsi, originally from Rajgarh village near Doraha in Ludhiana district, was the president of Canam International, one of the world’s leading clothing recycling companies.

Teji Kahlon (October 2025)

Just days earlier, three men identifying themselves as gangster Rohit Godara’s aides uploaded a video confessing to shooting Punjabi singer Teji Kahlon in the stomach.

In a post on social media, the associates of the Godara gang claimed that Kahlon was supplying arms and was conspiring an attack against their gang.

Taking to Facebook, Godara members named as Mahender Saran Dilana, Rahul Rinau, and Vicky Phalwan claimed Kahlon was injured in the shooting. “We carried out the shooting in Canada at Teji Kahlon. He was shot in the stomach. If he understands, fine. If not, next time we will finish him," they said.

Kapil Sharma’s Kap’s Café Attacked (July–October 2025)

The comedian’s Surrey restaurant has been hit thrice — on 10 July, 7 August, and 16 October 2025 — by shooters claiming allegiance to the Bishnoi and Goldy Dhillon gangs.

Businessman’s Restaurant (October 2025)

Multiple shots were fired at a businessman’s restaurant in the Brampton area of Canada on October 16 by associates of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, with Goldy Dhillon taking responsibility for the same later on social media.

“I, Goldy Dhillon, belong to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and I take responsibility for the shooting that occurred at Zamindar Bar & Grill (295 Queen Street E, Brampton). He (the owner) had no dispute with our money; he only needed to be shown some good sense. We’ve only shown him the trailer, the film could cost him his life if he doesn’t learn how to speak respectfully," Goldy Dhillon’s post, roughly translated from Punjabi, read.

Navi Dhesi (October 2025)

A Bishnoi gang member calling himself Fateh Portugal claimed responsibility for three Surrey shootings, saying they targeted properties run by businessman Navi Dhesi, who had allegedly misused the Bishnoi name for extortion.

Portugal alleged that Tesi extorted $5 million from people using the Bishnoi name.

Prem Dhillon (February 2025)

In February 2025, assailants fired at Punjabi singer Prem Dhillon’s residence. Hours later, Zenta Kharar, an Australia-based associate of the Jaipal Bhullar gang and ally of Khalistani extremist Arsh Dala, claimed responsibility.

A viral post by the gang also mentioned the name of singer Sidhu Moosewala, who was shot down in Punjab’s Mansa district in 2022, and jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria.

AP Dhillon (September 2024)

Fourteen rounds were fired at global Punjabi star AP Dhillon’s home in Vancouver on 1 September 2024.

The Bishnoi and Godara factions both claimed the hit, citing Dhillon’s collaboration with Salman Khan in the video Old Money as the trigger.

Gippy Grewal (November 2023)

Multiple rounds of gunfire were directed at the car of renowned singer Gippy Grewal in Canada. Though bullets hit the vehicle, Grewal narrowly escaped unharmed. The alleged incident took place in the White Rock neighbourhood in Vancouver. Lawrence Bishnoi himself had claimed responsibility for the incident.

Canada Declares The Bishnoi Gang A Terror Entity

Responding to the surge in violence, Ottawa in September 2025 formally designated the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organisation, citing its involvement in murders, shootings and threats to specific communities.

“Acts of violence and terror have no place in Canada, especially those that target specific communities to create a climate of fear and intimidation," an official statement said.

The Bishnoi Gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi, is a transnational criminal organisation operating primarily out of India. They have a presence in Canada and are active in areas with significant diaspora communities, the statement said.

With the addition of the Bishnoi Gang, there are now 88 terrorist entities listed under the Criminal Code in Canada.

Karishma Jain

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar...Read More

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @kar...

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