Canada has told India that security for Air India flights operating to and from the country’s airports has been enhanced even as law enforcement has said the matter is being investigated and taken “extremely seriously”, Hindustan Times has reported citing a senior Indian official.

This came after Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Pannun, the founder of the Khalistani terror outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), threatened to blow up Air India flights.

“Our government takes any threat to aviation extremely seriously. We are investigating recent threats circulating online closely and with our security partners,” a spokesperson for Canada’s Minister of Transport Pablo Rodriguez told the outlet the Globe and Mail.

Meanwhile, the Toronto Star reported that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or RCMP is investigating the threat. “The RCMP takes all threats to national security very seriously, including threats made online,” a spokesperson said.

Earlier, India’s High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma said Pannun’s statement was of “serious criminal intent, punishable in all legal jurisdictions” and added that should be taken cognisance of by Canada.

“We are asking the Sikh people not to fly via Air India. On November 19, there will be a global blockade. Air India won’t be allowed to operate. Sikh people, don’t travel by Air India after November 19. Your life can be in danger,” Pannun had said. He had also said that Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport would remain shut on November 19 and that its name would be changed to Shahid Beant Singh, Shahid Satwant Singh Khalistan airport.

Beant Singh and Satwant Singh were bodyguards who had assassinated former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.