Canadian police have decided to arrest members of an alleged hit squad investigators that were believed to be tasked by the government of India with ending Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s life in Surrey, according to media reports on Friday.
The ties between Canada and India have been strained ever since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations in September last year of the “potential” involvement of Indian authorities in the killing of Najjar. However, New Delhi rejected Trudeau’s charges and called them “absurd”.
Quoting sources who’ve been close to the investigation, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that the police are actively investigating possible links to three additional murders in Canada, including the shooting of an 11-year-old boy in Edmonton.
Members of the hit squad are alleged to have played different roles as shooters, drivers, and spotters on the day Nijjar was killed at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, according to sources.
The men were arrested Friday during police operations in at least two provinces. Sources state that investigations have identified the alleged hit squad members in Canada a few months ago and have been keeping them under tight surveillance. Police are expected to announce the arrest and share some details of their investigations later on Friday.
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Canadian citizen, was shot dead on 18th June 2024, shortly after evening prayer at his Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey. India on Thursday rejected the fresh comments made by PM Trudeau’s killing of Najjar and said the remarks once again showcased the political space given in Canada to extremism, separatism, and violence. Trudeau even addressed a Khalsa Day event in Toronto on Sunday that was attended by some pro-Khalistan supporters.
