Canada: Gunshots fired at residence of Hardeep Nijjar's associate Simranjeet Singh

Canada: Nearly nine months after the killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year, who was fatally shot on June 18 in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Canadian suburb Surrey, recently gunshots were reported at the residence of Simranjeet Singh, an associate of the Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. 

The tragic incident unfolded on Thursday in the early hours and the targeted house is confirmed to be owned by Simranjeet Singh and eyewitnesses said that a car parked at the residence as well as the home were riddled with bullets.

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The Surrey detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed the news and the statement reads, “On February 1, 2024, at approximately 1:21 a.m., Surrey RCMP received a report of shots fired at a residence in the 2800-block of 154 Street. Frontline officers attended the scene and located evidence consistent with a shooting. No injuries were reported.” 

“Police remained in the area, examining the scene, speaking with witnesses and canvassing the neighbourhood for CCTV footage. The Surrey RCMP Major Crime Section has conduct of the investigation and investigators believe this was an isolated incident. Officers are still working to determine the motive of this incident. 

If you have any information including CCTV and dash camera footage, please contact Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 and quote file 2024-15076,” statement added. 

Meanwhile, Moninder Singh, spokesperson for the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council and a notable personality in Canada, expressed to media sources that Simranjeet Singh believes the recent incident of gunshots could be orchestrated by the Indian state or its agents to intimidate him from his activist endeavors. Moninder Singh also suggested that Simranjeet Singh's association with the late Hardeep Singh Nijjar might be a contributing factor in this context.

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In recent months, diplomatic relations between India and Canada strained, primarily due to Canada's allegations linking Indian agents in killing of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year. Despite Canada making these allegations, India has firmly rejected the accusations.  Subsequently, the relationship between India and Canada became tense.

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