Three individuals have been taken into custody by Canadian authorities in connection with the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver last June, sparking a diplomatic dispute with India.
Assistant Commissioner David Teboul of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police announced the arrests, revealing that Kamalpreet Singh, Karan Brar, and Karampreet Singh have been charged in the murder of 45-year-old Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was fatally shot by masked assailants in Surrey, located just outside of Vancouver. However, details regarding the evidence and motive behind the crime have not been disclosed.
"This case is actively being investigated," stated Teboul.
Superintendent Mandeep Mooker of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed that the three suspects were apprehended in Edmonton, Alberta. Mooker emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and that additional individuals suspected of involvement in the homicide are being pursued.
Relations between Canada and India reached a boiling point in September after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen named Nijjar. India, on the other hand, vehemently denied any role in the slaying and accused Nijjar of having ties to terrorism. Trudeau's remarks at the G-20 further escalated tensions, with him stating that any foreign government's involvement in the killing of a Canadian on Canadian soil is a violation of sovereignty.
In response, Canada decided to recall 41 of its 62 diplomats from India in October following India's decision to revoke their diplomatic immunity. India also took retaliatory measures by suspending visas for Canadian citizens and issuing a travel advisory citing security threats against its diplomats in Canada.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken weighed in on the situation in September, emphasizing the need for accountability and a thorough investigation to determine the truth behind Nijjar's murder.
Nijjar, a Canadian citizen of Indian origin, was a plumber and a prominent figure in the movement advocating for an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan. Despite allegations, he had denied any involvement in terrorist activities.
The history of the Sikh insurgency in north India during the 1970s and 1980s, culminating in a government crackdown that resulted in the deaths of thousands, including key Sikh leaders, adds a complex layer to the current diplomatic tensions between Canada and India.
Although the Khalistan movement has seen a decline in its political influence, it still maintains a support base in the state of Punjab, India, as well as among the significant Sikh diaspora living overseas. Despite the cessation of active insurgency in the region years ago, the Indian government has issued multiple warnings regarding the resurgence efforts of Sikh separatists.
