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Politics
Pannun Claims Shimla as Khalistan Capital, Sparking Security Concerns in Himachal Pradesh
✍️ The Times of India
🗓 17 Aug 2026, 11:36 PM
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Kashmiri separatist leader Pannun has declared Shimla as the capital of the proposed Khalistan state, prompting the Himachal Pradesh government to raise security alerts.
Kashmiri separatist leader Pannun announced that Shimla would serve as the capital of a future Khalistan state, a claim that has drawn immediate attention from the Himachal Pradesh authorities. The statement, made during a public gathering, was not backed by any official recognition and was largely symbolic. In response, the state government has heightened security measures across Shimla, deploying additional police and intelligence personnel. Officials have not yet issued a formal statement on the claim, but the move has raised concerns about potential unrest among local communities. The incident underscores the sensitivity surrounding Khalistan rhetoric in northern India.