July 12, 2025: Kap’s Café, the newly launched coffee shop owned by Indian comedian Kapil Sharma in Surrey, BC, was shot at late Wednesday night in what Canadian and Indian authorities believe was a planned, ideology-driven assault.
The Shooting
At around 1:50 a.m. local time, gunfire erupted at Kap’s Café, not long after its soft launch on July 4. Authorities report at least 8–12 shots were fired—damaging the exterior windows—though no injuries were reported.
- The Surrey Police Service FLIS and RCMP quickly responded and are investigating the motive—ranging from ideological targeting to possible extortion.
Who Claimed Responsibility?
Harjit Singh “Laddi”, an operative of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and one of India’s most-wanted terrorists, claimed responsibility. Laddi cited an alleged derogatory remark by Sharma about Nihang Sikh attire as his reason.
- Laddi, designated a BKI terrorist, is already under a ₹10 lakh reward by the Indian NIA and accused of past extremist activities, including the assassination of a VHP leader in 2024.
Broader Implications
Experts warn that this incident is part of a series of Khalistani-linked extremist attacks aimed at Indian-origin public figures and businesses across Canada.
With Kapil Sharma’s expanding global presence—especially following The Kapil Sharma Show Season 3 on Netflix—the café may have become a symbolic target.
Fresh Threat Escalates Tensions
- Days after the shooting, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, founder of pro-Khalistani group SFJ (banned in India), issued a video threat. He accused Kapil of using the café and business as a cover to “export Hindutva,” warning: “Canada is not your playground. Take your blood money back to Hindustan… Is it just a comedy venue or part of a larger conspiracy to export Hindutva?”.
Response from Kap’s Café
- In a heartfelt Instagram statement, the café team said: “We opened Kap’s Café with hopes of bringing warmth, community and joy… To have violence intersect with that dream is heartbreaking. We are processing this shock, but we are not giving up.” The team also expressed gratitude to Surrey and Delta Police for their swift response.
Why It Matters
| Impact | Description |
|---|---|
| Diaspora Security | Highlights rising threat levels for Indian-origin businesses in Canada amid extremism. |
| Cross-border Links | Underlines ongoing militant threats tied to banned Khalistani outfits like BKI and SFJ. |
| Political Fallout | Could escalate diplomatic tensions between India and Canada and affect diaspora relations. |
✅ What’s Next
- Canadian law enforcement continues probing with a focus on motive, links to past extortion cases, and coordinating with Indian agencies. The public and media are watching closely to see if this assault marks the start of a surge in extremist targeting of Indian-linked entities abroad.