Police in Canada have made arrests in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, months after authorities accused the Indian government of being involved in the operation. The Khalistan Tiger Force chief was one of the most wanted in India.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Canada’s westernmost province of British Columbia said on Friday afternoon that three people were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into Nijjar’s killing, according to local media.
Nijjar was shot dead by two unidentified men on June 18, last year, outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia. In September last year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canadian agencies were investigating the involvement of the Indian government in the shooting.
India and Canada have been dealing with an unprecedented diplomatic crisis since Trudeau’s statement. New Delhi accused Canada of not doing enough to stem anti-India activism and “Sikh extremism” while rejecting the allegations.
The three individuals — all Indian nationals — were arrested in Edmonton, Alberta, and charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, RCMP Superintendent Mandeep Mooker told reporters.
The arrested persons are identified as 28-year-old Karanpreet Singh, 22-year-old Kamalpreet Singh and 22-year-old Karan Brar.
“This investigation does not end here. We are aware that others may have played a role in this homicide, and we remain dedicated to finding and arresting each one of these individuals,” Mooker said.
He added that police are “investigating if there are any ties to the government of India”.
