An Indian citizen, Amandeep Singh, was arrested in Ontario for his alleged involvement in the killing of B.C. Sikh temple leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar was shot outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Surrey, B.C. on June 18, 2023. Singh has been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He is believed to be one of the gunmen who opened fire on Nijjar and then fled the scene. This arrest is the latest in a series of arrests related to Nijjar’s killing, with three other suspects arrested in Edmonton in May.
Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and leader of the Khalistan movement, had long been accused by the Indian government of leading a terrorist group responsible for attacks in India. However, no credible evidence was ever produced to support these claims. The suspects arrested in connection with Nijjar’s killing are believed to have links to India’s violent Bishnoi crime group. Amandeep Singh, like his co-accused, arrived in Canada on a temporary visa but was allegedly involved in violent crime. He had been previously charged with firearms and drug offenses in November.
Trudeau had linked Nijjar’s killing to the Indian government, accusing Indian government agents of potential involvement in the murder. India has denied these accusations, despite similar allegations made by the FBI in a separate case involving an attempt to kill one of Nijjar’s associates. Both Nijjar and his associate were prominent figures in the Khalistan movement, viewed as a national security threat by the Indian government. The RCMP is still investigating the suspected involvement of the Indian government in Nijjar’s killing, raising questions about the motive behind the suspects being in Canada.
The suspects involved in Nijjar’s killing were found to have been living in various locations such as Brampton, Surrey, and Abbotsford. The four hitmen suspected in the case have ties to the Bishnoi crime group and are believed to have arrived in Canada on temporary visas. The arrests have highlighted concerns about foreign intelligence services contracting out killings to crime groups in Canada. Canada’s national security agencies have named India as one of the major perpetrators of foreign interference and espionage, along with China, Russia, and Iran. The spike in temporary residents in Canada has also raised concerns about the government’s policies.
The arrests of individuals connected to the killing of Nijjar have brought attention to the Khalistan movement and the ongoing tensions between the Indian government and Sikh activists seeking independence for Punjab state. The nature of the arrests and allegations have raised suspicions of transnational repression and foreign interference in Canada. The ongoing investigation by the RCMP into the suspected involvement of the Indian government in Nijjar’s killing has added a layer of complexity to the case. The significance of the arrests and the potential links to criminal organizations have raised concerns about national security and the safety of Canadian residents.
