In a blood-boiling incident and an act of destabilizing Indo-US relationship, Khalistani supporters on Saturday set ablaze Indian Consulate in San Francisco. As per initial information the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was set ablaze by members of Sikh For Justice (SFJ), a designated terror group, between 1:30 and 2:30 am. No members inside the Indian consulate sustained any kind of injuries in the fire which was later extinguished by firefighting teams. Notably, the Khalistani elements have been sharing the Indian consulate on fire video and terming it as a victory for them. The video is now viral on social media with netizens condemning the Khalistani supporters for carrying out such a deadly act on the Indian Consulate. In fact, the United States of America (USA) has also strongly condemned the cowardly attack on the Indian consulate by the Khalistani supporters.
In a statement on Twitter, spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "The US strongly condemns the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco." "Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the US is a criminal offence," Miller added.
Watch Video of the attack
Indian Consulate in San Francisco was set on fire between around 2 am on Sunday. Khalistanis are circulating this video on SM while claiming the responsibility of this attack.The fire dept. extinguished the fire immediately. USA Govt. must take strict steps against the culprits. pic.twitter.com/VlBJx10tSh
— PunFact (@pun_fact) July 4, 2023
'Security Lapse': 'Unidentified' drone spotted flying over PM's Residence, probe launched
The recent attack on the Indian consulate comes after multiple Khalistani leaders were mysteriously killed. It is being said that the recent arson attempt is suspected to be linked to the recent killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a slain Khalistani terrorist in Canada. For those who are unaware, pro-khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, wanted by the Indian government, was killed in a targeted shooting in Canada's Surrey. Nijjar was shot dead outside a gurdwara in the North American country. Apart from Nijjar, Paramjit Singh Panjwar in Pakistan and Avtar Singh Khanda were also killed in the past few months.
It is pertinent to mention here that a few months, Indian Consulate in San Francisco was also attacked by pro-Khalistan elements when the Punjab Police were on the hunt to nab Waris Punjab De Chieg Amritpal Singh in India.
Members of the group raised slogans against India and vandalised the property. This sparked massive condemnation from the Indian government and the Indian diaspora in San Francisco.
It is pertinent to mention here that the threat of the SFJ is rising against India. A poster being shared on social media says that a "Khalistan Freedom Rally" will be organised on July 8 that will start in Berkeley, California and end at the Indian embassy in San Francisco. Sikh for Justice (SFJ) chief terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu had said on June 30 that from July 8, Indian embassies would be surrounded. This incident was carried out on the very next day of its announcement i.e. on the night of 1st July.