Sikh Leader Targeted in Highway Shooting in California

WOODLAND — Satinder Pal Singh Raju, a prominent Sikh leader from the Sacramento area and member of the Khalistan movement, reported being targeted in a highway shooting on August 11. Raju, who is affiliated with the group Sikhs for Justice and has participated in referendum voting in various locations, was traveling as a passenger in a truck on Interstate 505 when the incident occurred. As they approached the County Road 27 exit, a white Honda Civic allegedly tailgated them before gunfire erupted through the driver's side window. The driver managed to steer the vehicle into a ditch to evade further danger, and both men took cover behind hay bales until California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers arrived. The highway was subsequently closed for investigation. A CHP spokesperson indicated that there are currently no suspects and described the incident as isolated, assuring the public that there is no ongoing threat. Meanwhile, the FBI has not confirmed any involvement in the case. Raju expressed that this violent act is reminiscent of the assassination of his close friend, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada last year. He conveyed a sense of determination rather than fear, stating, "I realize it's the same way they assassinated my friend, the same way they're attacking me." Despite the attack, Raju remains committed to his advocacy for the Sikh community and the Khalistan movement.