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• May 4, 2024 | Pinaki Goswami

Nijjar's killing had sparked a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada...

Digital Desk: Canadian authorities announced on Friday the arrest of three Indian nationals suspected to be involved in the alleged hit squad that had killed Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. Nijjar's killing had sparked a diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau implicating "Indian agents" in the murder, a charge vehemently denied by India as "absurd" and "motivated."

The arrested individuals, Karan Brar (22), Kamalpreet Singh (22), and Karanpreet Singh (28), had been residing in Alberta as non-permanent residents for three to five years, according to Superintendent Mandeep Mooker of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team. They have been formally charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, as per court documents.

Notably, the suspects were previously unknown to law enforcement, prompting investigations into potential ties with the Indian government. RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul emphasized that the murder investigation remains active, with efforts extending to probing connections to the government of India.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen wanted in India for various terror-related offenses, was fatally shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023, triggering a diplomatic spat between Canada and India, leading to the expulsion of diplomats from both countries.

The recent arrest comes amid renewed tensions after separatist slogans advocating for 'Khalistan' were raised at an event attended by Prime Minister Trudeau earlier this week. India swiftly denounced Trudeau's remarks on Nijjar's killing, accusing Canada of providing a platform for separatism, extremism, and violence, which not only strains bilateral relations but also fosters an environment of criminality and violence detrimental to Canadian citizens.

The arrest of the three suspects underscores the complexities surrounding Nijjar's murder and its repercussions on international relations, underscoring the delicate balance between diplomatic discourse and criminal investigations in cases with significant political ramifications.