'Trumpanists, Not Terrorists': Pannun Condemns Arrest Of 6 Ukrainians, US National In India

Last Updated:March 19, 2026, 13:56 IST

Sikh Separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun condemned the NIA's arrest of an American and six Ukrainians, calling them "Trumpanists".

Sikh Separatist leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun condemned the arrest of an American national and six Ukrainians by the National Investigation Agency

(NIA) on charges of plotting terror activities against India.

Calling the accused ‘Trumpanists’ — a direct reference to US President Donald Trump — Pannun claimed in a video message that they are “not terrorists" and that they are “fighting for freedom".

“The Americans and the Ukrainians are not terrorists. They are ‘Trumpanists’ who stand for freedom, who stand for people’s right to self-determination, who stand with the people who are fighting India’s occupation. And Trumpanists, they are definitely conservatives. They are ready to create the seven sisters as a Christian homeland, a Trump land. And the way it would have been, they are supposed to cut this Siliguri corridor. And that’s why you are calling them terrorists," he said.

Pannun, a key Khalistani separatist leader, said, “Those who support freedom, they are not terrorists. They are not killing civilians. They are not killing non-competents. The legitimate targets? The Indian paramilitary forces, the Indian army."

7 Foreign Nationals Held In India

Seven foreign nationals, including six Ukrainians and one from the United States were arrested by the NIA on charges of orchestrating terror activities against India.

They were arrested after multiple NIA teams conducted a coordinated operation last week under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), along with other relevant sections.

According to the NIA, the accused were involved in the illegal transportation of large consignments of drones from Europe to Myanmar through India for use by ethnic armed groups.

The suspects were presented before a duty magistrate in Delhi on Saturday, who initially granted them three days’ custody.

On Monday, their custody was extended again until March 27.

News world 'Trumpanists, Not Terrorists': Pannun Condemns Arrest Of 6 Ukrainians, US National In India

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