Three Arrested in Slaying of Sikh Separatist Leader in Canada

On Friday, Canadian police announced that they have made three arrests in relation to the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The slaying, which occurred last June in suburban Vancouver, had sparked a diplomatic dispute with India.

According to Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, three suspects have been arrested and charged in connection to the slaying. The 45-year-old Nijjar was reportedly killed by masked gunmen in Surrey, outside Vancouver. However, the police refrained from commenting on the nature of the evidence or the motive, stating that the matter is still under active investigation.

The three arrested suspects have been identified as Kamalpreet Singh, Karan Brar, and Karampreet Singh. They were apprehended in Edmonton, Alberta, as mentioned by Royal Canadian Mounted Police Superintendent Mandeep Mooker.

Mooker also emphasized that the investigation does not conclude with the current arrests. It has been acknowledged that there may be additional individuals involved in the homicide, and the authorities remain committed to locating and apprehending each of them.

Diplomatic repercussions

The slaying of Nijjar had led to strained relations between Canada and India. In September, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's remarks about "credible allegations" of Indian involvement in the killing had sparked a diplomatic feud with India. In response, India vehemently denied any involvement in the slaying and accused Nijjar of links to terrorism.

Trudeau's demand that India take Canada's allegations seriously was echoed by the United States, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasizing the importance of accountability and allowing the investigation to proceed to its conclusion.