Canadian Police Arrest Three in Murder of Sikh Separatist Leader
Canadian authorities arrested three Indian men on Friday in connection with the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said they are investigating whether the suspects have ties to the Indian government.
Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was shot dead in June 2022 outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. He was a vocal advocate for the creation of Khalistan, an independent Sikh homeland in India.
The suspects, identified as Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karan Brar, were arrested in Edmonton, Alberta. They are expected to be transferred to British Columbia by Monday.
RCMP Superintendent Mandeep Mooker stated that the investigation into the suspects' potential ties to the Indian government is ongoing. The Indian mission in Ottawa has not yet commented on the arrests.
The murder of Nijjar and the alleged involvement of Indian government agents have strained relations between Canada and India. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has previously cited evidence of Indian government involvement, prompting a diplomatic crisis.
The White House has also expressed concern about the reported role of the Indian intelligence service in assassination plots in Canada and the United States. Canadian police have indicated that they are collaborating with U.S. law enforcement agencies in the investigation.
Sikh advocacy groups have welcomed the arrests but emphasized the need for further investigation. They believe that the suspects were part of a larger network and that those who directed the assassination must be held accountable.
The investigation into Nijjar's murder is ongoing, and further arrests are possible.