Hardeep Singh Nijjar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 October 1977 |
| Died | 18 June 2023 (aged 45) Surrey, British Columbia, Canada |
| Cause of death | Killed by gunshot |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Occupation | Terrorism |
| Movement | Khalistan |
Hardeep Singh Nijjar (11 October 1977 – 18 June 2023)[1] was a Canada-based[2] terrorist and advocate for the creation of a separate Sikh state out of the Punjab region of India.[3]
He was wanted by Indian authorities and was killed in Canada on 18 June 2023.[4][5]
Early life
Nijjar, originally hailing from the village of Bhar Singh Pura in Jalandhar, Punjab, and migrated to Canada in 1997, where he pursued a career as a plumber. However, Nijjar's life in Canada was marked by his deep involvement in Khalistan militancy, a separatist movement advocating for the creation of an independent Sikh state. He held a prominent role as the alleged "mastermind" behind the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), an organization classified as a banned terrorist group. Additionally, Nijjar was associated with the prohibited separatist entity known as Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Notably, India officially designated him as a terrorist in the year 2020.
Nijjar's notoriety extended to being a fugitive wanted in several criminal cases. Among the most heinous incidents linked to him was the 2007 explosion in Ludhiana, Punjab, which claimed six lives and left approximately 40 individuals injured. Furthermore, he was implicated in the assassination of Rashtriya Sikh Sangat President Rulda Singh in Patiala in 2009.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) took a substantial interest in Nijjar's criminal activities. In a significant development, in July, the NIA announced a cash reward of ₹10 lakh for information leading to Nijjar's apprehension in connection with the murder of a Hindu priest in Jalandhar, Punjab. Moreover, the agency is actively investigating recent attacks targeting Indian diplomatic missions in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, seeking to establish any potential links to Nijjar and his associates.[6]
In February 2018, Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister of the Punjab, gave the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau a list of most wanted persons that included Nijjar's name. On 13 April 2018, the Surrey unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) briefly detained Nijjar for questioning and released him within 24 hours without laying any charges.[7]
Killing
On 18 June 2023, Nijjar was shot dead in his car by two masked gunmen in the parking lot of a Sikh temple in Surrey. He was found in his vehicle with gunshot wounds. In the aftermath of his death, certain Sikh separatist groups alleged that Indian diplomats played a role in his assassination.[8]
On September 18, 2023, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau stated that Canadian intelligence has identified a credible link between his murder and the Indian government, calling on India to cooperate with Canada in investigating the murder.[9] In response to the killing, the Canadian foreign minister Mélanie Joly ordered the expulsion of a top Indian diplomat in Canada, who headed the operations of the Research and Analysis Wing, India's external intelligence agency, in Canada.[10] The investigation was said to have led to the suspension of talks on a Canada–India trade deal.
On 19, September, India categorically dismissed the "baseless" allegations made by the Canadian government, which claimed the involvement of Indian agents in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a figure associated with Khalistani militancy.
"We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated...We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law," the statement said.[11]
Later, India took the decision to expel a senior Canadian diplomat, a move that came shortly after Canada had expelled an Indian diplomat. These actions followed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's assertion of a possible connection between the Indian government and the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, identified as a Khalistani terrorist.[12]
References
- ↑ Kant, Aditya. "Hardeep Singh Nijjar shot dead in Canada: A look at the pro-Khalistani leader's family background". The Statesman. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
- ↑ Fife, Robert (18 September 2023). "Trudeau says intelligence shows India was behind slaying of Sikh leader in Surrey, B.C." The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
Mr. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and leader in Surrey's Sikh community
- ↑ Yousif, Nadine (18 September 2023). "India may be linked to Canadian Sikh leader's death - Trudeau". BBC News. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ↑ "Hardeep Singh Nijjar, advocate for separate Sikh state, shot dead in Canada". 20 June 2023.
- ↑ "Hardeep Singh Nijjar Third Khalistani Terrorist To Die in 45 Days". NDTV.com. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
- ↑ "Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Khalistani Terrorist At Centre Of India Vs Canada". NDTV.com.
- ↑ Anirudh Bhattacharyya (27 April 2018). "Canadian police frees Khalistani 'separatist' Hardeep Nijjar after 24 hours in custody". Hindustan Times.
- ↑ "'Heated' demonstration at Indian consulate in Toronto sees one arrested". The Globe and Mail. 9 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
- ↑ Yousif, Nadine (18 September 2023). "India could be behind killing of Canadian Sikh - Trudeau". BBC News. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
- ↑ Tasker, John Paul (18 September 2023). "Trudeau accuses India's government of involvement in killing of Canadian Sikh leader". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
- ↑ Template:Site web
- ↑ "India expels top Canadian diplomat hours after Trudeau's move in massive row". India Today.