Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Urges Sikh Soldiers to Refrain from Fighting in Potential India-Pakistan Conflict

Provocative Appeal from Pro-Khalistani Leader

New Delhi: Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a pro-Khalistani figure, has made a controversial statement urging Sikh soldiers in the Indian Army to abstain from combat if India engages in war with Pakistan, asserting that Pakistan is a supportive nation for Sikhs and the Khalistan movement.

In a video message, Pannun warned that should India launch an attack on Pakistan, it would signify a 'final war' for both the nation and Prime Minister Modi, suggesting that Punjabis would instead provide food to the Pakistani forces.

He reiterated this sentiment in another video, framing any military response to the recent Pahalgam attack as a catastrophic decision for India and its leadership.

Pannun, who leads the 'Sikhs For Justice' movement, provocatively claimed that Indian Punjabis would serve langar to the Pakistani army during such a conflict.

He addressed Sikh soldiers directly, stating that Pakistan should not be viewed as an adversary but rather as a friendly neighbor that would emerge once Punjab is liberated.

Pannun emphasized the need to reject Modi's aggressive war rhetoric, urging Sikh soldiers not to engage in conflict with Pakistan, which he described as a friendly nation for Sikhs and Khalistan.

The backdrop of these statements comes amid heightened tensions following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including 25 Indians.

In response to the attack, Prime Minister Modi has granted the Indian military full discretion to determine the timing and nature of any retaliatory actions.

Pannun's remarks appear to be an attempt to incite Sikh soldiers, although his assertions lack substantial evidence and seem to be a desperate tactic.

Amidst these tensions, several Pakistani officials have suggested that an Indian military response is imminent, leading to a significant drop in the Pakistani stock market, although India has not publicly acknowledged these claims.

Pannun further accused the Modi administration of being responsible for the Pahalgam attack, making bold allegations without substantiation.

The attack, which occurred on April 22, resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including a Nepali national, and has sparked widespread outrage and international condemnation.

Initially, the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba's offshoot, The Resistance Front, claimed responsibility for the assault, but later retracted their statement as India prepared for potential retaliation.