Canada Designates Lawrence Bishnoi Gang as Terrorist Entity

Canada Designates Lawrence Bishnoi Gang as Terrorist Entity

The Canadian government officially designated the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity on Monday, September 29, 2025. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced the decision, stating that the measure provides law enforcement with 'enhanced powers to combat a group that has instilled fear through violence and intimidation'. The designation reflects Canada's commitment to addressing transnational organized crime and its impact on communities within the country.

Implications of the Designation

The listing of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang under the Criminal Code carries significant legal ramifications. It prohibits Canadians from providing any financial or material support to the organization, making such actions a criminal offense. Furthermore, the designation enables authorities to:

• Freeze assets and seize property belonging to the gang.
• Initiate criminal charges against individuals affiliated with the entity.
• Deny entry into Canada for individuals suspected of having ties to the gang under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

This move adds the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to a list of 88 terrorist entities under Canada's Criminal Code, providing security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies with additional tools to disrupt its operations and enhance public safety.

Background of the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang is identified as a transnational criminal organization primarily operating out of India, with a notable presence in Canadian provinces such as British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta. The gang is led by Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been imprisoned in India since 2014 but reportedly continues to coordinate criminal activities from behind bars. The organization has been linked to a wide array of violent incidents, including:

• Over 50 violent incidents in Canada since 2023, encompassing firebombings and shootings.
• Widespread extortion rackets targeting South Asian communities.
• The 2022 murder of Punjabi rapper Sidhu Moose Wala.
• Threats against Bollywood actor Salman Khan.
• The 2024 murder of Maharashtra politician Baba Siddique.

Canadian police have also linked the gang to extortion cases within Canada, and the RCMP previously accused the group of orchestrating violence against Sikh activists in the country, including the 2023 murder of Khalistan activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Diplomatic Context and Political Pressure

The designation comes at a sensitive time for Canada-India relations, as both nations work towards resetting their diplomatic ties. The decision follows recent talks between India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin, where a collaborative approach to combating terrorism and transnational crimes was discussed. The move also follows significant political and community pressure within Canada. Provincial premiers, including David Eby of British Columbia and Danielle Smith of Alberta, along with mayors like Patrick Brown of Brampton and Brenda Locke of Surrey, had publicly called for the gang's designation. Federal opposition leader Pierre Poilievre also amplified these calls, emphasizing the need for action against the gang's activities on Canadian soil. While India has denied claims of its government's involvement with the gang in targeting Khalistan-linked figures, it has maintained that it has warned Canada about the gang's threats and cooperated to disrupt its financial flows.