On the quiet night of July 9, 2025, the peace of Surrey, a bustling city in British Columbia, Canada, was shattered by gunfire. The target? Kap’s Café, a brand-new venture by India’s beloved comedian Kapil Sharma and his wife, Ginni Chatrath. The café, which had just opened its doors on July 4, was meant to be a cozy hub for the Indian community in Surrey, serving coffee, snacks, and a slice of Indian warmth. Instead, it became the center of a shocking attack that has left fans, locals, and the Indian diaspora worried and confused. Why was Kapil Sharma’s café targeted?
A Dream Café Meets a Nightmare
Kapil Sharma, famous for making millions laugh with The Great Indian Kapil Show on Netflix, stepped into the restaurant business with Kap’s Café. Located at 8496 120 Street in Surrey’s Newton neighborhood, the café was designed to be a welcoming space with pink walls, white accents, and cozy sofas—a place where people could relax and connect. The soft launch on July 4 was a hit, with the Indian community in Surrey excited to have a piece of Kapil’s charm in their city. But just five days later, around 1:50 AM on July 10, the café was attacked.
Surveillance footage shows a man firing at least nine to twelve bullets from inside a car, targeting the café’s glass windows. The shots left bullet holes in the façade and shattered one window pane. Nearby residential buildings were also hit, but thankfully, no one was injured, even though staff were inside the café at the time. The Surrey Police Service (SPS) quickly sealed off the area, and forensic teams began collecting evidence, including bullet casings. The police are reviewing CCTV footage and interviewing witnesses, but no suspects have been identified yet, and the motive is still unclear.
A Khalistani Terrorist’s Claim
The plot thickened when Harjit Singh Laddi, a Germany-based operative of the banned Khalistani terror group Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), claimed responsibility for the attack in a social media post. Laddi, who is on India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) most-wanted list, said the shooting was in response to remarks Kapil Sharma allegedly made about the Nihang Sikh community on his comedy show. Along with another individual named Toofan Singh, Laddi claimed the comments were offensive, though no specific details about the remarks have been confirmed by authorities.
This claim has raised eyebrows and sparked fear. The BKI is a known Khalistani extremist group, and Laddi is linked to serious crimes, including the 2024 murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Vikas Prabhakar in Punjab. His involvement suggests the attack might be more than just a random act of violence—it could be part of a larger pattern of targeting Indian figures abroad. But why Kapil Sharma, a comedian known for his humor and not political activism? The answer may lie in the broader tensions surrounding Khalistani extremism in Canada.
A Growing Threat in Canada
Canada, home to a large Indian diaspora, including many Punjabis, has been grappling with the rise of Khalistani extremism. The Indian government has repeatedly raised concerns about Canada being a safe haven for such groups, who use the country to plan and fund activities against India. In 2024, Canada’s Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) reported that Khalistani extremists are using Canada as a base for promoting violence, fundraising, and planning attacks, primarily targeting India. India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has criticized Canada for allowing such activities under the guise of free speech, saying, “When you tell them something, their answer is ‘no, we are a democratic country, and it is free speech.’”
The attack on Kap’s Café isn’t the first of its kind. In recent years, other Indian celebrities, like singers Gippy Grewal and AP Dhillon, have faced similar incidents in Canada, with groups like the Lawrence Bishnoi gang claiming responsibility. Surrey, in particular, has seen a wave of violence targeting South Asian businesses, with at least five shootings reported since June 2025. Some of these incidents are linked to extortion attempts, where business owners are demanded large sums of money and face violence if they refuse. For example, a local temple president in Surrey, Satish Kumar, reported surviving two shootings after receiving a $2 million extortion demand.
Could Kap’s Café have been targeted for extortion? Or was it a direct attack on Kapil Sharma because of his fame and alleged remarks? The police are exploring all possibilities, including whether the café was the intended target or if the shooting was meant to intimidate Kapil himself.
The Community’s Fear and Anger
The Indian community in Surrey, especially the Punjabi diaspora, is shaken. Kap’s Café was seen as a symbol of pride—a place where they could feel connected to their roots. “Kapil is a really prominent artist for our Punjabi community. We were all excited about this café opening,” said a local resident, Whitty, to India Today. She added, “Surrey is a beautiful community, but we need more protection.” The attack has sparked outrage, with community leaders demanding stronger safety measures from the Canadian government. Social media is buzzing with hashtags like #JusticeForKapsCafe and #StopKhalistaniTerror, as fans and supporters express their shock and solidarity.
Elenore Sturko, a local politician and Shadow Minister for Public Safety, criticized the British Columbia government’s response to rising crime, saying, “Members of our community are tired of living in fear.” The incident has put pressure on authorities to act swiftly and address the growing sense of insecurity among Surrey’s South Asian residents.
Kap’s Café Fights Back with Courage
Despite the fear, Kap’s Café has shown incredible strength. In an Instagram post, the café’s team shared a powerful message: “We opened Kap’s Café with hopes of bringing warmth, community, and joy through delicious coffee and friendly conversation. To have violence intersect with that dream is heartbreaking. We are processing this shock, but we are not giving up.” They thanked the Surrey Police, Delta Police, and the community for their support, adding, “Let’s stand firm against violence and ensure Kap’s Café remains a place of warmth and community.”
What’s Next?
The attack on Kap’s Café raises big questions: Why was a comedian’s café targeted? Was it really about a joke, or is there a deeper motive? The Surrey Police are working hard to find answers, but the investigation is still in its early stages. They’re looking at whether the shooting is linked to other extortion cases or if it’s a targeted act of extremism. The involvement of a known Khalistani terrorist like Harjit Singh Laddi points to a possible political angle, but until the police confirm the motive, it’s hard to say for sure.
For now, the Indian diaspora in Canada is rallying behind Kapil Sharma, hoping for justice. The incident has also put a spotlight on the challenges faced by Indian businesses and celebrities abroad, especially in areas with rising extremist activity. Punjab Minister Laljit Bhullar called the attack “extremely condemnable” and urged Canada to ensure such incidents don’t happen again.
