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Firing at Kapil Sharma’s Surrey café; Babbar Khalsa operative claims responsibility

No injuries reported in shooting at newly opened restaurant in Canada.

Kapil Sharma opened The Kaps Cafe in Canada in June. (@thekapscafe_/Instagram)

Kap’s Café, a newly opened restaurant owned by popular Indian comedian and actor Kapil Sharma, came under gunfire attack in Surrey, British Columbia, late Wednesday night.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), at least eight shots were fired at the café, located in the 8400 block of 120 Street, on the border of Surrey and North Delta. Police received the report of shots fired at around 1:50 a.m. and responded swiftly.

“Upon police arrival, it was quickly determined that the shots were fired towards the business, damaging the property, while staff members were still present inside,” noted a Surrey Police news release issued Thursday (July 10). RCMP said no one was injured.

Staff Sgt. Lindsey Houghton told Surrey-Now Leader that “the motive has not yet been determined.” The Surrey Police Service Frontline Investigative Support (FLIS) Team is leading the probe and examining possible connections to other recent incidents of extortion. Police said there is “no suspect information to share”.

Meanwhile, Harjit Singh Laddi, an operative of the banned terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and one of India’s most wanted men listed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media post. He along with one Toofan Singh cited anger over certain remarks allegedly made by Kapil Sharma on Nihangs as the motive behind the shooting.

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A post shared by Kap’s Cafe (@thekapscafe_)

Sharma, known for his long-running comedy show, had only last weekend launched Kap’s Café along with his wife Ginni Chatrath.

The menace of extortions

This attack comes close on the heels of a spate of extortions wracking the South Asian community in Vancouver. Earlier this month, the RCMP charged two individuals with gun and arson offences in connection with a series of extortion attempts targeting business owners in Surrey last year.

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The RCMP said the arrests followed a joint investigation launched in late 2023 involving police forces in British Columbia, other parts of Canada, and international agencies. Victims had reported receiving threats demanding large sums of money, followed by acts of violence or property damage when those demands were not met. No injuries were reported.

Satish Kumar, president of the Lakshmi Narayan Mandir Temple and owner of Reflections Banquet Hall, was among those targeted. He said the arrests were a positive step but noted that the extortion attempts had not ceased. “It was good to hear about the arrests,” he said, “but the threats have not stopped.”

Kumar had received a $2 million extortion demand and said he was threatened after refusing to pay. He was later targeted in two separate shooting incidents. Last month, he organised a public forum in Surrey to highlight how extortionists were increasingly targeting South Asian Canadian business owners.

Also read | What is Sikhs for Justice, the group India wants designated as Foreign Terrorist Organisation in the US

Last month, Rajasthan-origin gangster Rohit Godara claimed responsibility for the killing of a businessman identified as M.P. Dhanoa on Rutherford Road in Brampton. This marked the gang’s second killing in the region, following the murder of Harjit S. Dhadda in Mississauga earlier the same month.

Singers, a target

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Punjabi singers have also faced attacks in the past. In November 2023, the home of Punjabi singer Gippy Grewal in White Rock was targeted in a shooting incident. The Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility.

The same gang had also claimed responsibility for a shooting at Punjabi singer AP Dhillon’s house on Vancouver Island in September 2024.

RCMP later arrested 25-year-old Abjeet Kingra of Winnipeg and issued an arrest warrant for 23-year-old Virkam Sharma, who they said had returned to India.

Condemning the shooting, Maninder Gill, Friends of Canada& India Foundation’s President, said: “Canada is a a champion of entrepreneurship and free enterprise, but criminal incidents targeting businesses for extortions have instilled fear in the community. The attack on Kapil Sharma’s KAP’s Cafe is despicable and I urge the Surrey Police & RCMP to take stringent action against the culprits , as this incident will bring international disrepute to the city of Surrey. I urge Canada and India to enhance cooperation between law enforcement agencies to crack down on transnational crime.”

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More

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