In a shocking incident, a newly inaugurated restaurant owned by renowned comedian Kapil Sharma came under gunfire attack in Surrey in Canada's British Columbia on Wednesday night (local time). The eatery, named KAP'S CAFE, was reportedly targeted in a shooting that has left the local community shocked. As per the information, Harjit Singh alias Laddi, an operative of the banned terror outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and a most-wanted terrorist on the radar of India's National Investigation Agency (NIA), has claimed responsibility for the shooting. According to Laddi's statement, the firing was carried out in response to certain remarks allegedly made by Kapil Sharma.
According to reports, several rounds were fired at the premises, although no injuries have been reported so far. Local police immediately cordoned off the area and have launched an investigation into the incident. Videos of the incident have also emerged on social media. The comedian is yet to make any public comment on the incident. Meanwhile, authorities are probing whether the shooting was intended as a personal threat or connected to a larger pattern of intimidation by pro-Khalistan extremists active overseas.
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Kapil Sharma was present during his cafe's launch
Meanwhile, Kapil Sharma continues to stay busy with the third season of his popular Netflix show The Great Indian Kapil Show. He was also present during the cafe's soft launch in Canada a few days ago. Recently, Kapil’s wife, Ginni Chatrath, had shared a video thanking patrons for their love and support towards the cafe. Following, Wednesday's shooting, the police have launched an investigation into the incident.
Surrey Police siisues statement
According to an official statement from Surrey Police, officers were dispatched at approximately 1:50 am (local time) to the 8400 block of 120 Street following reports of the incident. Upon arrival, officers confirmed that bullets had been fired at the business premises, causing damage to the property. At the time of the incident, staff members were present inside the building but fortunately no injuries were reported.
Surrey Police officers secured the scene, collected evidence, and began canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance footage, the statement said. The case has now been handed over to the Frontline Investigative Support (FLIS) Team, which is leading the ongoing investigation. Authorities are currently exploring possible links to other incidents and examining potential motives behind the shooting. At this stage, no suspect information is available for public release. The Surrey Police Service expressed gratitude to the Delta Police Department officers who also responded promptly to assist during the incident, the statement added.
Who is Harjit Singh 'Laddi'?
Harjit Singh, also known as Laddi, is a Germany-based operative of the banned outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and is regarded as a high-profile extremist by Indian intelligence agencies. He is wanted in India for several terror-related crimes and is believed to have orchestrated multiple attacks targeting Hindu leaders and pro-India voices.
Laddi, along with his associate Kulbeer Singh alias Sidhu, has been accused of planning and supplying arms for the assassination of VHP leader Prabhakar in Nangal, Rupnagar district of Punjab on April 13, 2024. The duo is also being investigated for funding terror activities and recruiting local operatives for targeted killings. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for information leading to Laddi's arrest. In 2023, Punjab Police had busted a BKI module in Ludhiana linked to Laddi and another BKI handler.