Canadian authorities have arrested three Indian nationals in connection with the murder of Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, saying that their investigation remains ongoing and “others” played a role in the homicide, reports PTI.
Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals residing in Edmonton, have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Investigators believe they are part of an alleged hit squad tasked by the Indian government with Nijjar’s killing outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2023. Nijjar held Canadian citizenship.
“The investigation does not end here. We are aware that there are others out there that played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to identifying and arresting each one of them,” Superintendent Mandeep Mooker, Officer in Charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said, as quoted by PTI.
The three men were arrested for the murder of Nijjar Friday morning by IHIT investigators, with the assistance of members from the British Columbia and Alberta Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Edmonton Police Service.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said they are not able to make any comments about the nature of the evidence collected by police nor “can we speak about the motive” behind Nijjar’s murder.
“However, understanding this situation has attracted considerable and very broad public interest, I will say this matter is still very much under active investigation. I will underscore that today’s announcements are not a complete account of the investigative work currently underway.
“There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters, certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today, and these efforts include investigating connections to the Government of India.”
India and Canada’s relations have been strained since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s allegations last year of potential Indian involvement in Nijjar’s killing. India dismissed Trudeau’s charges as “absurd” and “motivated.”
All three suspects are Indian nationals who have resided as non-permanent residents in Canada for three to five years, according to Mooker. Coordination with India in the investigation has been challenging, he said.
Meanwhile, on Monday, India lodged a strong protest with the Canadian deputy high commissioner regarding the raising of pro-Khalistan slogans at an event attended by Prime Minister Trudeau and other leaders. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was named in the event.
India has consistently expressed concerns regarding the space given to separatists, terrorists, and anti-India elements in Canada, considering it a core issue in bilateral relations.
Following Trudeau’s accusations last year, India temporarily halted the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens. Visa services were resumed several weeks later.