Canada arrests 3 Indian nationals over Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing
What's the story
Canadian law enforcement has arrested three Indian nationals over the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada last year.
The three suspects were identified in court filings as Karanpreet Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karan Brar.
The men, who had been living in Edmonton, Alberta, for the last three years, have been charged with first-degree murder as well as conspiracy to commit murder.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Nijjar's killing had sparked a diplomatic spat between India and Canada last year after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of "Indian agents" in the assassination.
The charge was dismissed as "absurd" and "motivated" by India.
The diplomatic fallout later resulted in the expulsions of senior diplomats from both countries.
Nijjar, who was wanted in India on various terror charges, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023.
Diplomatic strain
Separate and distinct investigations ongoing: Police
The police added that investigations were ongoing, including "connections to the government of India."
Nijjar's killing remains "very much under active investigation," Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Assistant Commissioner David Teboul told a press conference on Friday.
"There are separate and distinct investigations ongoing into these matters. Certainly not limited to the involvement of the people arrested today," Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said.
Twitter Post
Canadian Police making statement on the arrests
Canadian Police statement on the arrest of 3 Sikh men who are members of Lawrence Bishnoi gang for murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada still has no evidence against India. No action taken by Canada against Khalistani terrorists. pic.twitter.com/aiQjfOw38w
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) May 3, 2024
Controversial claims
US accused India of trying to kill another Sikh separatist
Canada's allegation of a connection between Nijjar's murder and the Indian government deepened after the United States accused an Indian government official of conspiring to kill another Sikh separatist.
The US made the announcement just weeks after Trudeau alleged the same.
A US indictment unsealed in November accused Indian national Nikhil Gupta of trying to kill American citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who is also wanted in India and considered a terrorist by the government.
US
Gupta was acting on orders from unnamed Indian government: US
According to US prosecutors, Gupta was following orders from an alleged Indian government official.
The Indian government, however, has denied any involvement in the purported murder plot against Pannun.
US prosecutors said Gupta allegedly told an undercover law enforcement agent masquerading as a hitman that Nijjar was one of his targets, just one day after his death in Canada.
"We have so many targets," Gupta allegedly said.