The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, recently designated a terrorist entity by Canadian authorities, has escalated its operations abroad by claiming responsibility for a series of targeted shootings in British Columbia. In a brazen Facebook post, self-proclaimed gang associate Goldie Dhillon admitted to orchestrating attacks on three outlets of the Ustaad G76 Indian restaurant chain in Surrey, accusing owner Navi Dhesi—also known as Navi Tesi—of mistreating employees and delaying salary payments. The incidents, which occurred on Monday, highlight the gang's growing influence in Canada's Punjabi diaspora, where extortion rackets have proliferated, often exploiting ethnic and business networks.

Surrey Police confirmed gunfire at the Ustaad G76 locations on King George Boulevard in South Surrey, the Newton branch, and an outlet on Lougheed Highway. Investigators reported bullet damage to building exteriors but no injuries, as the establishments were closed with no staff present at the time. Dhillon's post, which included a warning that "anyone who does such things will face the same consequences," underscores the gang's tactic of public intimidation via social media. This follows a pattern of online claims designed to instil fear and extract payments, with victims reportedly coerced into transferring funds under threats of violence.

The restaurant attacks cap a week of heightened activity for the Bishnoi syndicate. On October 6, gang member Fateh Portugal released videos taking credit for three prior shootings aimed at properties owned by Dhesi, alleging the businessman had extorted $5 million from individuals by falsely invoking the Bishnoi's name. Canadian police are probing these claims while urging the public to disregard online threats, emphasising that such posts often serve as psychological warfare rather than credible evidence. The surge in incidents has prompted a multi-agency response from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local forces, including enhanced surveillance on known gang affiliates and victim support programmes to combat the extortion wave plaguing South Asian communities.

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Canada's September 2025 terrorist designation of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang marks a significant escalation in countering transnational crime. Imprisoned in Gujarat's Sabarmati Jail since 2020, Bishnoi—whose network spans drug trafficking, contract killings, and real estate extortion—now faces international asset freezes and extradition risks. Indian intelligence agencies have long tracked the group's overseas expansion, linking it to high-profile cases like the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.

As bilateral cooperation between India and Canada intensifies under frameworks like the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, authorities aim to dismantle funding pipelines and disrupt recruitment. For now, the shootings serve as a stark reminder of the gang's audacity, forcing business owners in Surrey—a hub for over 200,000 Sikhs—to bolster security amid fears of further reprisals.

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