Nijjar aide warned of 'increased threat to life', claims separatist Pannun

Canadian police warned an aide to listed Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar of an increased threat to his life, yet another Sikh separatist claimed on Tuesday (Aug27).

Separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said police in the Canadian province of Ontario had issued a so-called "duty to warn" notice to Inderjeet Singh Gosal this week.

Gosal worked as an aide to Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was gunned down in June 2023.

In September 2023,shortly after New Delhi hosted Canadian PM Justin Trudeau during the G20 leaders summit, the Canadian leader cited so-called "credible allegations" of possible Indian government involvement in Nijjar's killing.

Police have since charged four men with the killing. India has denied any connection to the shooting.

Meanwhile, in June 2024, the Canadian parliament went on to observe a "one-minute silence" in the memory of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India on June 21 was critical of the Canadian parliament's act of commemorating a listed terrorist.

"We naturally oppose any moves giving political space to extremism and advocacy of violence," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation last week said it was investigating an Aug 11 drive-by shooting that targeted a California activist with close ties to Nijjar.

New Delhi has called out Canada's harbouring of Sikh separatists who seek to create a homeland known as Khalistan by carving it out of the Indian region of Punjab.

Also watch |Canada: Three arrested in Nijjar's killing, yet to prove Indian gov't link with suspects

"I have been informed by Canadian officials about the threats to my life," a statement from Pannun cited Gosal as saying.

In June 2023, the FBI foiled an alleged assassination attempt against Pannun. Indian national Nikhil Gupta has been charged with trying to arrange the murder at the behest of an Indian intelligence official.