Khalistani terrorist Pannun threatens to disrupt India-England Test in Ranchi, FIR lodged

An FIR has been lodged against US-based designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun for threatening to disrupt the fourth Test match between India and England in Ranchi, officials said, adding that security has been tightened in the Jharkhand capital in the wake of the threats.

According to PTI, citing officials, Pannun, who has been designated as a terrorist by the home ministry, has also appealed to the banned CPI (Maoist) through a video uploaded on social media to disrupt the match.

The fourth Test will commence at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi from 23 February. The England team reached the city on Tuesday.

“Gurupatwant Singh Pannun has threatened the India and England teams to cancel the match in Ranchi. He also urged the CPI (Maoist) to create disturbance in a bid to cancel the match.
An FIR has been lodged against him at Dhurwa police station under the IT Act and investigation has been initiated,” PTI quoted Deputy Superintendent of Police, Hatia, P K Mishra, as saying to reporters on Tuesday.

Pannun has been on the National Investigation Agency’s radar since 2019, when the anti-terror federal agency registered its first case against the “designated individual terrorist”.

Known for inciting fear and spreading terror in Punjab and other parts of the country through intimidation tactics, Pannun has remained under NIA scrutiny.

On 3 February, 2021, the special NIA court issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Pannun, subsequently labeling him a “Proclaimed Offender” on 29 November of the same year.

In a move aimed at tightening its grip on Pannun, who operates from the US and Canada, the NIA seized a property belonging to him in Amritsar, Punjab, and in the Union Territory of Chandigarh in September 2023.

Pannun serves as the self-proclaimed general counsel for the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) organisation.

With inputs from agencies