Police in Surrey, Canada, are investigating an arson attack outside the home of Khalistan activist Narinder Singh Randhawa, who had previously been warned that his life could be in danger.
A car was found engulfed in flames late on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, and a bus linked to the property had been spray-painted. Surrey Police Service says it believes a suspect deliberately set the car alight before fleeing on foot. Detectives have not established a motive.
What we know about the Surrey arson
Officers responded at around 11.45pm local time to a vehicle fire in the 14500 block of 91 Avenue, in Surrey, British Columbia. Firefighters were extinguishing a passenger vehicle that was fully ablaze when police arrived.
Police also found that a bus associated with the residence had been vandalised with spray paint. The force described the investigation as one into arson and mischief, the Canadian legal term used for certain forms of criminal damage.
The Canadian Press identified the home as belonging to Narinder Singh Randhawa, an organiser associated with Sikhs for Justice, which campaigns for a separate Sikh homeland known as Khalistan.
Previous warnings and reported CCTV footage
According to The Canadian Press, Randhawa had previously received a police ‘duty to warn’ notice concerning a threat to his life. The group Sikhs for Justice said the notice was issued in April 2026. Randhawa had previously told the news agency that police suggested his activism and attendance at demonstrations could be connected to the threats.
Speaking to Canadian broadcaster RED FM after the fire, Randhawa said footage from his household CCTV showed a person approaching the property, attempting to break a car window and setting the vehicle on fire. This is Randhawa’s account of the footage; the recording has not been publicly authenticated by investigators.
The incident followed a protest outside the Indian consulate in Vancouver earlier that day, which Randhawa reportedly helped organise. The timing is relevant to the investigation but does not, by itself, establish a link between the demonstration and the fire.
What activists allege
Sikhs for Justice has described the incident as a targeted attack and called for it to be investigated as terrorism. Activists believe it forms part of a wider campaign of intimidation directed at supporters of the Khalistan movement.
Those allegations have not been adopted as findings by Surrey Police. The available police statement does not identify the suspect, accuse any organisation or government, or establish that the fire was politically motivated.
Why the case has attracted attention
The attack has renewed attention on the June 2023 killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a gurdwara in Surrey. Nijjar was associated with the Khalistan movement, and Randhawa has been described in Canadian reporting as part of the same activist community.
Canada’s then prime minister, Justin Trudeau, said there were credible allegations of a link between agents of the Indian government and Nijjar’s killing. India rejected those accusations. That earlier dispute provides important context, but it is not evidence that India, or anyone connected to the Nijjar case, was responsible for the October 2026 arson.
What police have said
Surrey Police Service’s Major Crime detectives are seeking witnesses, CCTV and dashcam footage. Anyone near 145 Street and 91 Avenue between 11pm and midnight on 28 October is asked to contact the force on 604-599-0502, quoting 26-116977 (SP).
Police said in their 29 October statement that the motive for the arson and vandalism remained under investigation. No arrest or suspect identification was announced in that release.
What we don’t know
- Who set the car on fire or vandalised the bus.
- Whether the perpetrator specifically targeted Randhawa because of his activism.
- Whether the incident is connected to previous threats or the protest earlier that day.
- Whether police have independently verified the CCTV account reported by Randhawa.
Police are treating the vehicle fire as suspected deliberate arson, not merely an unexplained car fire. The unanswered question is the motive and who was responsible.
Sources
- Surrey Police Service: official arson investigation and witness appeal, 29 October 2026
- The Canadian Press: activist identified and previous warning reported, 29 October 2026
- RED FM Vancouver: Randhawa’s account of CCTV footage and threats, 29 October 2026
- Associated Press: background on Hardeep Singh Nijjar and the Khalistan movement
- Global News: video report on the Surrey fire, 29 October 2026
Watch: Global News report from Surrey
The Global News report includes footage from the aftermath, activist reactions and a Surrey Police Service interview. Watch the report directly on YouTube if the embedded player does not appear.
