Canada

The Canadian police on Friday (May 3) arrested three alleged Indian nationals in relation to the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

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Nijjar, 45, was shot dead last June by masked gunmen in a busy car park in a Vancouver suburb.

The Superintendent Mandeep Mooker while announcing the arrest of the suspects said, “the three suspects were Karan Brar, 22, Kamal Preet Singh, 22, and 28-year-old Karan Preet Singh.”

Also read: Canadian police found no ‘foreign interference’ behind attack on home of Nijjar’s associate

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“All three of them had been living in Edmonton, Alberta where they were arrested. They have been charged with first-degree murder, as well as conspiracy to commit murder,” Mooker added.

Police further said that investigations is not only "limited to the involvement of the people arrested."

"There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters. Certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested," Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said.

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3 suspects arrested

Police further said there may be more arrests or charges in the killing.

It is worth mentioning that the killing of Nijjar sparked a major diplomatic row between India and Canada.

The diplomatic row escalated after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged involvement of Indian government in the incident. Delhi strongly denied the allegation.

Watch: Three arrested in Nijjar murder case

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Notably Nijjar was designated a terrorist by the National Investigation Agency in the year 2020.

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Hardeep Singh Nijjar had affiliations with the banned Indian separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Within the SFJ hierarchy, he held the position of 'Number 2' after Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Nijjar's origins trace back to Jalandhar's Bharsingh Pura village, and he relocated to Canada in 1996.

Although initially a plumber in Canada, Nijjar's financial standing saw a remarkable uptick due to his involvement in pro-Khalistan activities.

Also read: Video of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing in Canada surfaces

Nijjar's engagement with terrorism commenced with his membership in Babbar Khalsa International, led by Jagtar Singh Tara.

Later, he established his own group, Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). He played a substantial role in identifying, connecting, training, and financing Khalistani cells in India, leading to over 10 FIRs against him.

(With inputs from agencies)