Canadian authorities announced on Friday the arrest of three individuals from India suspected to be involved in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. The killing of Nijjar had triggered a diplomatic confrontation between India and Canada when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused “Indian agents” of involvement, a claim vehemently denied by India.
The arrested individuals, identified as Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22), and Karanpreet Singh (28), had been residing in Alberta as non-permanent residents for three to five years, according to Superintendent Mandeep Mooker of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. They have been formally charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, as per court documents.
Authorities stated that prior to the arrests, none of the suspects were known to law enforcement, prompting an investigation into potential ties with the Indian government.
The murder case remains actively pursued, emphasized Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner David Teboul during a press briefing. He indicated ongoing investigations, including into the possible involvement of the Indian government.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen facing terror charges in India, was gunned down outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023. Trudeau’s allegations against India escalated tensions, leading to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats between the two nations later that year.
