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The targeted shooting of Punjabi singer Teji Kahlon in Canada has been linked to a brutal, transnational turf war between Indian organised crime networks, specifically factions loyal to the Lawrence Bishnoi–Rohit Godara syndicate, top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 on Wednesday. Kahlon was reportedly shot in the stomach—an attack method interpreted by sources as a clear “sign of warning” rather than an outright execution, mirroring previous intimidation tactics, such as the attack on comedian Kapil Sharma’s cafe. The incident highlights the alarming operational reach of these Indian gangster networks abroad, demonstrating their capability to carry out targeted strikes. The Punjabi Music Industry: A Battleground for Gang Finance Initial reports indicate that Kahlon’s social affiliations, through event and industry circles, connected him to members of rival gangs. This relationship, whether formal or informal, is at the heart of the conflict. The attack on Kahlon carries immense symbolic intimidation value and serves as a public warning to the entire Punjabi music industry and diaspora event circuit. Gangsters believe these music figures often maintain informal ties or financial dealings with rival syndicates. Intelligence sources suggest that similar attacks are a calculated strategy to control the flow of money generated by the industry. This funding is critical to gang operations, derived from: Diaspora Events and Shows: Payments from major international music events. YouTube Royalties: Significant digital earnings generated by music views. Financial Demands: Enforcing demands for loyalty or protection money from singers and producers. The incident showcases a disturbing pattern where symbolic violence is combined with digital propaganda to publicly project influence and enforce financial or loyalty demands on the entertainment ecosystem that often intersects with transnational organised crime.
