Hardeep Nijjar's killing: Unveiling the role of Hardeep Nijjar in Brampton city's Khalistan referendum
Chandigarh, June 19: Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canada-based pro-Khalistan leader and a declared 'wanted' by the Indian government, was fatally shot in Surrey, Canada. Nijjar, originally from Jalandhar in Punjab, was the director of the banned organisation SFJ (Sikhs for Justice) and served as the president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.
The shooting took place in the gurdwara's parking lot, with witnesses reporting two gunmen fleeing the scene. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is currently investigating the incident.
It is with great sorrow that we report the tragic incident where Bhai Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Director of SFJ in Canada & President of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, was fatally shot in the parking lot of the gurdwara at 8:27 p.m. Witnesses reported that two gunmen fled after… pic.twitter.com/bpBivrlB0V — Sarbraj Singh Kahlon (@sarbrajskahlon) June 19, 2023
Nijjar played a significant role in organising the Khalistan referendum in Brampton city, which saw the participation of over one lakh people in the separatist activity. India had expressed its protest to the Canadian government for allowing such anti-India activities on its soil.
Also Read: Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar shot dead in Canada
His name also appeared in a charge sheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with a conspiracy to assassinate Hindu priest Kamaldeep Sharma in Jalandhar. The NIA accused Nijjar, along with three others, of planning to disturb peace and communal harmony in Punjab by targeting the priest. Nijjar and another accused, both based in Canada, were said to have hatched the conspiracy.
The Indian authorities had requested Canadian authorities to take action against Nijjar for his alleged involvement in terrorist acts in Punjab. The Punjab Police had previously sought his extradition as he was wanted in cases related to the revival of terrorism in the state.
According to the NIA, Nijjar was actively involved in recruiting, training, financing, and operationalizing pro-Khalistan terrorist modules to spread terror in India. He was known for delivering inflammatory and hateful speeches through social media platforms. In another case, the NIA had also attached Nijjar's property in his village in Punjab.
A cash reward of Rs 10 lakh was previously announced for information leading to the arrest of Nijjar, who was the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force, a pro-Khalistani outfit. He had also been accused of killing Ripudaman Singh Malik, who was acquitted in the 1985 Air India terrorist bombing case, in Surrey last year.
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- With inputs from agencies
