Canadian Authorities Apprehend Suspected Hit Squad in Khalistani Terrorist's Assassination
On Friday, a coordinated operation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) resulted in the arrest of three individuals allegedly linked to a hit squad responsible for the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year. The suspects, identified as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karan Brar, 22, were apprehended during simultaneous raids conducted in multiple provinces.
Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, an RCMP spokesperson, stated that the investigation is exploring possible connections between the suspects and the Indian government, highlighting the complexity of the case. The authorities had been closely monitoring the individuals for several months before executing the arrests.
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly played various roles within the hit squad, including shooters, drivers, and spotters, in carrying out Nijjar's assassination. The victim, a 45-year-old Khalistani separatist, was gunned down in June 2023 outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia.
Assistant RCMP Commissioner David Teboul emphasized the ongoing nature of the investigation, suggesting that additional arrests may be forthcoming. We are aware that others may have been involved in this homicide, and we are determined to apprehend each and every one of them, he affirmed.
Canadian authorities have collaborated closely with their American counterparts in this case. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking at a Khalsa Day event in Toronto, acknowledged the challenges posed by Nijjar's assassination and reiterated his belief in the involvement of Indian agents.
However, India has strongly disputed Trudeau's remarks, asserting that they reflect Canada's tolerance for separatism and extremism. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs conveyed a formal protest to the Canadian Deputy High Commissioner, expressing concerns over pro-Khalistan slogans raised at the event attended by Trudeau.
Nijjar, a wanted fugitive in India, was a member of the Khalistani separatist movement, advocating for an independent Sikh homeland. The ongoing investigation seeks to unravel the extent of the alleged hit squad's involvement and uncover the motivations behind Nijjar's assassination.
