SURREY Police Service (SPS) officers are investigating a shots fired incident at a Newton neighbourhood business that has been identified as comedian-actor Kapil Sharma’s fancy Kap’s Cafe that only recently opened for business.

Indian newspaper The Tribune reports: “Harjit Singh Laddi, an operative of the banned terrorist outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and one of the NIA’s most wanted individuals, has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.” The NIA is India’s National Investigation Agency.

The shooting was filmed from inside the vehicle from which the shots were fired and put on Facebook.

www.instagram.com/thekapscafe_/

The SPS said that on Thursday, July 10, at 1:50 a.m., police were called to a business located in the 8400-block of 120 Street for a report of shots fired. Upon police arrival it was quickly determined that the shots were fired towards the business, damaging the property, while staff members were still present inside. There were no injuries to anyone at the business.

SPS officers gathered evidence and canvassed the area for witnesses and surveillance video

Surrey Police Service Frontline Investigative Support (FLIS) Team has assumed conduct of the investigation. This investigation is continuing and connections to other incidents and potential motives are being examined. There is currently no suspect information available to share.

SPS thanked the Delta Police Department officers who also responded to this incident.

According to timesnow.com, Laddi wrote in a post: “In an episode of Kapil Sharma’s comedy show ‘The Kapil Sharma Show,’ a character made some humorous remarks about the dress or behaviour of Nihang Sikhs. These remarks were considered to hurt the religious sentiments of Nihang Sikhs. This mockery is a mockery of Sikh spiritual traditions and the dignity of Nihang Sikhs. No religion or spiritual identity can be made fun of in the guise of comedy.”

He wanted Kapil Sharma to apologize publicly.

Anyone with information about this incident should contact the SPS non-emergency line at 604-599-0502 and quote file number 25-57153 (SP) or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca

According to Indian media, the cafe, which is run by his wife Ginni Charthrath, has said in a statement on the Kap’s Cafe’s Instagram page: “We opened Kap’s Cafe 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.  Thank you for Your Support. Your kind words, prayers, and memories shared via DM mean more than you know. This cafe exists because of your belief in what we’re building together. Let’s stand firm against violence and ensure Kap’s Cafe remains a place of warmth and community.”