The Indian consulate in San Francisco was set on fire allegedly by Khalistani supporters in the early hours of Sunday. This is the second such attack on the consulate in five months; Khalistani supporters had vandalised the Indian Consulate in March. The incident was “strongly condemned” by the US.

Diya TV, a local channel, shared a video of the arson which it said was released by Khalistani supporters. India Today could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.

BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa condemned the incident and said, “Khalistanis have become the enemy of India and Sikhs.

So far, there have been no reports of injuries and the fire was quickly brought under control by the San Francisco Fire Department.

“Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the U.S. is a criminal offense,” Matthew Miller, the spokesperson of the US State Department, said.

In March, as Punjab Police launched a nationwide search for Amritpal Singh in India, Khalistani supporters vandalised the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. Videos surfaced of a huge crowd attacking the Indian Consulate as Punjabi music blared in the background. A huge graffiti that read “Free Amritpal” was spray-painted on the outer wall of the San Francisco building.

Protesters shouting pro-Khalistan slogans broke through security barriers to install two Khalistani banners inside the Consulate premises. They also hit the door and windows with iron rods.