Ottawa: Canadian authorities have released photographs of three individuals arrested in connection with the killing of India-designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year, amidst ongoing investigations into alleged ties to the Indian government.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) identified the suspects as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karan Brar, 22, all Indian nationals. The trio was apprehended in Edmonton, Alberta.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) of Surrey RCMP announced on Friday that the three men had been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in relation to the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver.
In addition to releasing the suspects’ photographs, Canadian authorities also disclosed images of the vehicle believed to have been used by the suspects leading up to the homicide in Surrey.
At a news conference on Friday, RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul underscored the active nature of the investigation into Nijjar’s murder.
“Three suspects have been arrested and charged for their alleged involvement in the killing of Nijjar,” Teboul stated. “We are not able to make any comments on the nature of evidence or the motive behind Nijjar’s murder. However, I will say this matter is very much under active investigation.”
Teboul also acknowledged ongoing inquiries into potential connections to the government of India, indicating separate and distinct investigations into these matters.
Responding to questions regarding alleged ties to the Indian government, Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc deferred to the RCMP, emphasizing the seriousness with which Canadian authorities approach such matters.
“I have full confidence in the security apparatus of the government of Canada and the work of the RCMP,” Leblanc affirmed. “But questions with respect to particular links or non-links are properly put to the RCMP.”
Police have not provided evidence of any link to India, amidst speculation in Canadian media. India has consistently refuted allegations of involvement in Nijjar’s killing, dismissing them as “absurd and motivated.”
Hardeep Singh Nijjar, designated a terrorist by India’s National Investigation Agency in 2020, was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in Surrey in June last year. The killing sparked diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusations of Indian involvement being rebuffed by Indian authorities.
The investigation into Nijjar’s killing continues, with Canadian authorities collaborating with various agencies across the country to pursue leads and gather evidence.
