In June last year, Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar was brutally murdered in Canada. The crime was linked to the Indian government by Ottawa, who accused them of involvement. Three men have since been arrested by Canadian police in connection with the murder: Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh, and Karan Brar, all Indian citizens. They have been charged with aggravated murder and conspiracy, according to court documents filed in Surrey, British Columbia where the crime took place.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are currently investigating the suspects’ possible links with the Indian government as they were believed to be part of a group of hired killers involved in three other murders in Canada. Nijjar, who supported the creation of an independent Sikh country called Khalistan, had previously been classified as a terrorist by the Indian government. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had accused the Indian government of involvement in the murder, leading to diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
However, it is not just their involvement in Nijjar’s murder that has raised concerns about political extremism and violence within the Sikh separatist movement. The suspects are also believed to be involved in other criminal activities including the murder of an 11-year-old boy in Edmonton. As such, authorities are working diligently to uncover the full extent of their criminal activities while investigations into Nijjar’s murder remain ongoing.