Terror Network: Pro-Khalistani group issues letter to discredit Milewski, journalist hits back

According to reports, the group tried to discredit the article with the support of Pakistan intelligence agency ISI. 

The letter addressed to the board of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, which published the report, expressed concern in the manner in which the report casts wide aspersions on a 'highly visible, racialized community, engaged in legitimate advocacy', reports ANI.

Milewski, the author of the report, reacted to the letter and tweeted: "Re-posting for those who noticed that a letter from Sikh academics trashing this article fails to provide a single quote from it as evidence for their claims. They attack what it doesn't say but never dispute its point: Pakistan supports the Khalistan movement. So, thanks!"

The report admitted that the Khalistan movement is a geopolitical project nurtured by Pakistan.

The report said it threatened the national security of Canadians and Indians.

Veteran journalist Terry Milewski's report released by Macdonald-Laurier Institute titled "Khalistan: A project of Pakistan" said: "This week, reports from India continue to demonstrate the threat that Pakistan-sponsored Khalistani terrorism poses."

It might seem surprising that 35 years after Khalistani extremists bombed Air India Flight 182, the deadliest attack on aviation before 9/11, that a new generation of violent extremists has now emerged in Canada and India, the report said.

Given Pakistan’s continued campaign of agitation, “It’s clear who’s really driving the Khalistan bus: Pakistan,” writes Milewski.

He said in truth the Khalistan movement has been going nowhere in the Sikhs’ home state.

"For Canadians, Pakistan’s actions pose a real and present national security risk. As the Khalistani cause has little traction in Punjab, Pakistan’s support of Khalistani extremists entails leveraging extremists based in Canada, including supporters with ties to terrorism," the report said.

He further said: "With a looming “referendum” scheduled for November 2020 by proponents of an independent Khalistan, there has been skepticism from Sikh communities around the world."

"For its part, the Canadian government has stated it will not recognize it. However, the report warns that the referendum provides oxygen that fuels extremist ideologies, radicalizes young Canadians, wreaks havoc on reconciliation, and usurps legislatures," he said.