Canadian police arrest suspects in killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Nijjar: Reports

The Canadian Police on Friday (May 3) have arrested people involved in the killing of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, according to a media report.

Nijjar was shot dead outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on the evening of June 18, 2023.

He was designated a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency in the year 2020

The police are probing links between the alleged assailants and three additional killings in Canada, including the murder of an 11-year-old boy in Edmonton, the reports said.

The Canadian police, as per CBC News, will share details about the ones arrested later in the day.

The report further said that the alleged assailants are likely the associates of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently behind bars in India over plotting the killing of popular Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.

As per another news outlet CTV news, court documents showed the three arrested are Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh and Karan Brar. 

They face one count of first-degree murder and a count of conspiracy to commit murder.

India-Canada diplomatic rift

The development comes against the backdrop of strained diplomatic ties between India and Canada after Ottawa accused New Delhi of having a role in the killing of Nijjar in June 2023. 

However, India has strongly rejected the allegations, calling them "baseless" and "absurd".

Also read: Video of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing in Canada surfaces

Earlier, the alleged video of the the killing surfaced on the internet.

CBC News said exclusive security video was obtained by The Fifth Estate, an investigative documentary series that airs on the network.

The attack, which has been termed as 'highly coordinated', was carried out by six men and involved two vehicles.

India summons Canada envoy over Khalistan slogans at event attended by Trudeau

This also comes after India summoned the Canadian deputy high commissioner over the raising of pro-Khalistan slogans at an event in Toronto, Canada, which was attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other political leaders.

"The Government of India's deep concern and strong protest was conveyed at such disturbing actions being allowed to continue unchecked at the event. This illustrates once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism and violence," said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement.

Trudeau as well as opposition leader Pierre Poilievre attended the Khalsa Day celebrations in Toronto on Sunday (Apr 28) where loud chants of pro-Khalistan slogans were raised.

As the Canadian prime minister was set to address the public to mark Khalsa Day, the "Khalistan Zindabad" chants got louder, as seen in the video released by Canada-based CPAC TV.

NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow were also present at the event.

(With inputs from agencies)