Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman has described the recent gun attack on Kap’s Cafe—owned by Indian comedian Kapil Sharma—as a “very bad sign” of escalating extremist violence in Canada and labelled it as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first major test on national security.
In an interview with ANI, Bordman highlighted the growing frequency of attacks tied to extremist groups, particularly Khalistani elements. He expressed serious concern that Babbar Khalsa International—a proscribed terror organisation in both India and Canada—has claimed responsibility for the shooting.
“This is not just a random act of violence. It’s a significant escalation,” Bordman said. “Babbar Khalsa took credit for this openly, posting about it on social media. That’s not something you expect in a country like Canada. That’s the kind of behaviour you see in places without functioning governments.”
The incident occurred early Thursday morning in Surrey, British Columbia. Multiple gunshots were fired at Kap’s Cafe around 1:50 am (local time), with at least ten bullet holes reported in the cafe’s windows. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, though staff were present at the time.
Bordman said the boldness of the attack and the public claiming of responsibility by a known terror outfit raises alarm bells. “We’ve seen attacks on synagogues, churches, temples — and this time, a celebrity-owned cafe. It shows these groups are testing limits. If there’s no response, other extremist groups will follow suit.”
He emphasized the need for Canadian leadership to respond decisively: “This is Carney’s moment. Under Trudeau, nothing would have happened. But Carney has a chance to chart a new course. If he really wants to improve ties with India and restore law and order, this is where he has to prove it.”
Bordman criticized the tendency of authorities at various levels to deflect responsibility. “If the federal government blames the province, and the province says it’s a local issue, and the local authorities do nothing — it creates a vacuum that emboldens terrorists.”
He noted that Canada’s criminal justice system operates differently than the U.S., with less public transparency and a tendency to keep investigations under wraps until completion. “So, we might not get immediate updates. But visible action is needed. Arrests, detentions, deportations — something that sets a clear deterrent.”
On whether Carney will act differently than Trudeau, Bordman expressed cautious optimism: “Carney has made moves to fix relations with India. If he truly intends to follow through, this attack is his first major opportunity to show it. If there’s real action, it could mark a shift in Canadian politics.”
The shooting adds to ongoing diplomatic strain between India and Canada, which peaked in 2023 when then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar — a claim India rejected as “absurd and politically motivated.” Under Carney’s leadership, however, both nations have signaled a desire to repair relations. He met Indian PM Narendra Modi during the G7 Summit in June, where the two reportedly discussed restoring bilateral ties.
As of now, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) said the investigation is in early stages and they are examining links to other incidents. Officers are gathering CCTV footage and speaking with witnesses, but no suspects have been identified. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
The attack on Kap’s Cafe is the latest in a string of violent incidents believed to be tied to extremist networks operating in Canada, raising serious questions about the country’s domestic security posture — and putting Mark Carney’s leadership squarely under the spotlight.
