Indian Lawrence Bishnoi gang is at the center of a growing storm in Canada after the fatal shooting of 51-year-old Harjit Singh Dhadda in Brampton, Ontario. On May 14, Harjit left his home like any other day, tying his sage green turban and embracing his daughter Gurleen before heading to his trucking insurance office in Mississauga. It was the last time she saw him alive.
As Harjit parked his car near his office, two assailants confronted him. One of them opened fire, pumping several bullets into his body before fleeing in a stolen Dodge Challenger. Harjit was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries.
Just hours later, a chilling Facebook post surfaced. Two men claimed responsibility for the attack and identified themselves as members of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a notorious Indian criminal syndicate whose influence is now surfacing in Canadian cities. Lawrence Bishnoi, currently imprisoned in Gujarat, India, has long been known for orchestrating crimes through his vast network across borders.
Series of Shootings Triggers National Security Alert
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has been tied to two additional shootings in Canada within weeks of Harjit’s murder—one in Surrey, British Columbia, and another in Brampton. Both victims were Indian-origin businessmen. Canadian authorities now believe the incidents are not isolated but part of a broader pattern linked to Indian organized crime infiltrating Canadian territory.
Officials have described the killings as the manifestation of a disturbing trend: a transnational criminal network using Canada as a battleground. The attackers, while acting locally, appear to be following instructions from Bishnoi’s syndicate in India. Intelligence agencies in Canada suspect the group may also be targeting individuals based on political or ideological motives, particularly within the South Asian community.
“The gang originates from India, and ongoing investigations are examining why they are specifically targeting the South Asian community,” Alberta’s Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis told Al Jazeera. He added that credible intelligence links the group to extortion and organized violence in several Canadian provinces.
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Political Pressure Mounts for Terrorist Designation
Amid rising public concern, political leaders from multiple Canadian provinces have called on the federal government to officially label the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity. British Columbia Premier David Eby was one of the first to issue a strong statement. “The terrorist designation enables police to use the necessary tools to investigate and bring this activity to an end,” he said. “It gives police significant investigative tools.”
His Alberta counterpart, Premier Danielle Smith, reinforced the call in July. “Formally designating the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist entity will unlock critical powers, allowing law enforcement agencies to access the necessary tools and resources needed to disrupt operations and protect our people effectively,” she said on Facebook.
Other prominent figures, including Conservative Party lawmaker Jody Toor and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, have echoed these demands. They argue that waiting longer could result in more violence, particularly within immigrant communities that already feel vulnerable.
Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State for Combating Crime, confirmed that the federal government is considering the move seriously. “Public safety must come first,” she said. “If a group meets the criteria, it should be listed without delay.”
Terror Tag Could Strengthen Canada’s International Response
If designated a terrorist organization, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang would fall under Canada’s Anti-Terrorism Act, giving law enforcement agencies greater authority. It would allow for the seizure of assets, criminalization of funding and recruitment, and enable surveillance on suspected affiliates. The move would also enhance international cooperation, especially with intelligence-sharing alliances like the Five Eyes—comprising Canada, the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
“Terrorist designation would send a strong signal to India and other allies that Canada is taking the transnational threat seriously,” said Amarnath Amarasingam, a professor at Queen’s University and expert on extremism. “It also improves the chances of coordinating arrests globally, including through Interpol.”
In 2024, Canadian intelligence had already raised alarms over the Bishnoi gang’s suspected links to Indian intelligence agencies. Authorities alleged the gang was used to target political dissidents and critics of the Indian government living in Canada.
If the terrorist label is approved, it could open the door to sanctions, visa bans, and the blacklisting of financiers and supporters tied to the group. While investigations continue, community leaders urge swift and decisive action to prevent further bloodshed.
As the Lawrence Bishnoi gang expands its reach, Canada now faces a critical choice: treat this as conventional crime or recognize it as a transnational terror threat.
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