Milpitas, California: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) expresses profound grief and outrage over the reported killing of 28-year-old Gurdeep Singh, a young Punjabi Sikh from Jabbowal village in Punjab’s Kapurthala district, who was reportedly shot dead in New York City while making a pizza delivery. Gurdeep Singh had reportedly come to the United States more than a decade ago in search of a better future. Instead of returning home to his family after a day’s work, his family is now facing the unbearable task of bringing his body home.
Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of NAPA, said that the tragedy should not be treated as another isolated headline that disappears after a few days. “Every time a young Punjabi or Sikh person is killed, another family is destroyed. Another mother loses her son, another father loses his child, and another family is left asking why their loved one did not return home. We cannot allow repeated violence to become something the community simply learns to live with.”
NAPA emphasises that the motive behind Gurdeep Singh’s killing must be established by investigators and that it would be irresponsible to label the incident a hate crime, political attack or transnational-repression case without evidence. However, NAPA believes the wider pattern of threats, extortion, shootings and intimidation affecting members of the Punjabi and Sikh diaspora deserves immediate and serious attention from American authorities.
The concern is not based solely on today’s tragedy. In April 2026, reporting documented allegations of threats and extortion directed at Sikh immigrants in California and described investigations involving alleged India-based criminal networks. The reporting raised serious concerns about criminal organisations using intimidation and violence against members of the diaspora.
On July 7, 2026, U.S. federal authorities announced a major international crackdown involving alleged India-based organized-crime groups. Authorities announced 24 arrests across the United States, Canada and Europe and described allegations involving murder, extortion, drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The federal action demonstrated that organized criminal networks can operate across international borders and that American law enforcement is capable of pursuing such networks when sufficient evidence exists.
NAPA also notes the growing recognition in Washington of the threat posed by transnational repression. In July 2026, Senators Adam Schiff and John Curtis introduced bipartisan legislation addressing transnational repression, including threats and violence against people living in the United States. The development demonstrates that the issue has moved beyond community concern and into the national policy debate.
“The Sikh and Punjabi community is not asking for special treatment,” Chahal said. “We are asking for the same protection every American deserves. We are not asking authorities to prejudge any investigation. We are asking them to investigate credible threats seriously, follow the evidence, identify criminal networks where they exist and protect victims before another life is lost.”
NAPA is particularly concerned about the possibility that criminals may exploit the international and interstate nature of modern communications and organized crime. A threat may originate in one country, an intermediary may operate in another state, and the victim may live thousands of miles away. Law-enforcement agencies therefore must be able to share information and coordinate across jurisdictions.
“Criminals do not respect state borders, so law enforcement cannot afford to think only within state borders,” Chahal said. “If there are credible connections between threats, extortion, organized crime and violence, authorities must connect the dots. Follow the money, follow the weapons, follow the communications and follow the criminal networks. Where evidence establishes wrongdoing, prosecute it to the fullest extent of American law.”
NAPA further emphasizes that political expression must not be confused with criminal conduct. Sikh Americans have the constitutional right to support or oppose political causes, criticize governments, participate in elections, organize peacefully and express their views. No political disagreement can justify threats, stalking, extortion, intimidation or violence.
At the same time, NAPA strongly rejects collective blame. Criminal conduct by individuals or organizations must never be used to stigmatize an entire nationality, religion or community. The issue is not about blaming Indians, Sikhs, Punjabis or any other community; it is about identifying criminals and holding them individually accountable under American law.
NAPA is calling upon federal, state and local authorities to establish stronger coordination mechanisms for addressing credible threats against Sikh and Punjabi Americans. The organization also urges authorities to create accessible reporting channels for victims of threats, extortion and intimidation and to ensure that victims and their families receive appropriate protection and support.
NAPA further calls for stronger cooperation between law-enforcement agencies and Sikh and Punjabi community organizations. Community organizations are often among the first places where victims or their families seek help, and their concerns should be treated as an important source of information rather than being heard only after violence has occurred.
“Condolences are important, but condolences after a killing cannot be the entire policy,” Chahal said. “A government cannot bring a murdered person back to life. It can, however, take action that may prevent the next murder. That is why we are asking authorities to act before another family receives the devastating phone call.”
NAPA is also urging state and federal officials to take transnational repression seriously while maintaining the highest standards of evidence and due process. Where credible evidence demonstrates foreign-directed intimidation, surveillance, coercion or violence on American soil, such conduct must be investigated and prosecuted. Where evidence does not establish such a connection, authorities should say so clearly.
“The Sikh community does not want fear to become normal,” Chahal said. “Our young people came to America to work, study, build businesses and support their families. They should be able to deliver food, drive trucks, operate businesses, attend school, worship in gurdwaras and participate in American democracy without wondering whether someone is targeting them.”
NAPA extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Gurdeep Singh and calls upon investigators to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into his killing and to hold those responsible accountable under the law.
One death is a tragedy. Repeated deaths are a warning. When warning signs exist, government has a responsibility to act.
NAPA therefore calls upon American authorities at every level to move beyond statements of sympathy and develop a coordinated strategy against organized crime, extortion, intimidation and transnational repression.
“Gurdeep Singh should not become just another name added to a growing list of victims,” Chahal concluded. “Let his death be the moment America decides that the next victim must be prevented—not merely mourned. Enough is enough.”