Canadian police have arrested three Indian citizens in connection with the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the province of British Columbia in June 2023.
Authorities took Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22, into custody in Edmonton, Alberta, on Friday.
The three non-permanent residents have been charged with “first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder,” Integrated Homicide Investigation Team Superintendent Mandeep Mooker told reporters.
Mr Nijjar, 45, was gunned down outside a Sikh temple on June 18 in Surrey, a Vancouver suburb with a sizeable Sikh community.
His death sent shock waves across the country and around the world when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in September that Canadian authorities were pursuing allegations linking Indian government agents to the fatal shooting.
New Delhi rejected Mr Trudeau's claim as “absurd”.
Police provided few details as to the evidence they had against the three and said the “matter is still very much under active investigation”.
“We are investigating if there are any ties to the government of India. However, as I said, it's an continuing investigation, and I don't have any information to provide on that matter at this time,” Supt Mooker said.
Police outlined a detailed investigation that involved working with international partners as well as efforts to work with Indian law enforcement agencies.
“I'll be frank, I'd characterise that collaboration as rather challenging and difficult for the last several years,” Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said.
“The RCMP is very committed to continuing to establish a working relationship … we're going to continue our efforts, but its been difficult.”
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation earlier said the RCMP had arrested members of an alleged hit squad. It quoted a source saying investigators had identified the suspects in Canada some months ago and had been keeping them under surveillance.
Canada has been pressing India to co-operate in its investigation.
The US later revealed it had foiled an assassination attempt against a Sikh separatist on its soil.
The presence of Sikh separatist groups in Canada has long frustrated New Delhi. Nijjar was labelled a “terrorist” by India.
Neither the RCMP nor the Indian mission in Ottawa were available for comment.
Reuters contributed to this report
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Rio de Janeiro from Dh7,000 return including taxes. Avianca fliles from Rio to Cusco via Lima from $399 (Dhxx) return including taxes.
The trip
From US$1,830 per deluxe cabin, twin share, for the one-night Spirit of the Water itinerary and US$4,630 per deluxe cabin for the Peruvian Highlands itinerary, inclusive of meals, and beverages. Surcharges apply for some excursions.
Hales' batting career
Tests 11; Runs 573; 100s 0; 50s 5; Avg 27.38; Best 94
ODIs 58; Runs 1,957; 100s 5; 50s 11; Avg 36.24; Best 171
T20s 52; Runs 1,456; 100s 1; 50s 7; Avg 31.65; Best 116 not out
FA CUP FINAL
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
'HIJRAH%3A%20IN%20THE%20FOOTSTEPS%20OF%20THE%20PROPHET'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEdited%20by%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Idries%20Trevathan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPages%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20240%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Hirmer%20Publishers%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EAvailable%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Turkey - because the government look after animals so well there.
Favourite film: I love scary movies. I have so many favourites but The Ring stands out.
Favourite book: The Lord of the Rings. I didn’t like the movies but I loved the books.
Favourite colour: Black.
Favourite music: Hard rock. I actually also perform as a rock DJ in Dubai.
The bio
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite travel destination: Maldives and south of France
Favourite pastime: Family and friends, meditation, discovering new cuisines
Favourite Movie: Joker (2019). I didn’t like it while I was watching it but then afterwards I loved it. I loved the psychology behind it.
Favourite Author: My father for sure
Favourite Artist: Damien Hurst
Sui Dhaaga: Made in India
Director: Sharat Katariya
Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav
3.5/5
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
