In retribution for the June death of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, Canada accused Indian government operatives of involvement and expelled a top Indian diplomat. While the Canadian Sikh diaspora praises Nijjar as a leader and political activist, the Indian government has previously labeled him a terrorist. It had also declared a reward of Rs. 10 lakh for his apprehension. Here’s an overview of everything we know about Nijjar.
Nijjar immigrated to Canada in 1997
Nijjar (46) was born in the city of Jalandhar, Punjab, during the onset of the Sikh rebellion. Despite the fact that the Indian government destroyed militancy in Punjab in the 1990s, international desire for Khalistan, an independent Sikh nation, persisted. In 1997, a young Nijjar apparently traveled to Canada and worked as a plumber. He grew connected with pro-Khalistan elements over time and eventually joined Jagtar Singh Tara’s Babbar Khalsa International. Later, he formed his own organization, Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).
Accused of participation in bombings and murders
A bomb attack at a cinema hall in Punjab’s Ludhiana killed six people in 2007, prompting the arrest of four Babbar Khalsa terrorists. Nijjar was afterward mentioned in it. Then, in 2010, another bomb exploded near a Hindu temple in Patiala, prompting the Punjab Police to arrest Nijjar. He was accused of masterminding the murder of self-proclaimed spiritual leader Baba Bhaniara in 2014. He coached mobster Mandeep Dhaliwal to target Shiv Sena leaders in 2015. Dhaliwal was apprehended in 2016.
The Punjab government requested Nijjar’s extradition
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was served with a Look Out Circular and a Red Corner Notice in 2015 and 2016, respectively. He was named in the 2007 Ludhiana bombing in 2016. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) acknowledged in 2018 that it was looking into Nijjar’s participation in the murder of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders in Punjab. Captain Amarinder Singh, Punjab’s then-Chief Minister, reportedly submitted a list of wanted offenders to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2018.
Details about Nijjar’s death and criminal charges
Hardeep Singh Nijjar was designated a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2020 under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The same year, he allegedly collaborated with mobster Arsh Dalla to murder Dera Sacha Sauda supporter Manohar Lal. Lal was later assassinated in his Bathinda office in 2021. Furthermore, the Punjab Police sought Nijjar’s extradition in 2022 since he was wanted for allegedly spreading terrorism in the province.
On June 18, two unidentified individuals shot Nijjar dead in the parking lot
Notably, Hardeep Singh Nijjar was involved with the banned Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) and its founder, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, who also served as Nijjar’s lawyer. The assassinated commander was also apparently planning an unauthorized global vote on Khalistan. On June 18, two unidentified individuals shot Nijjar dead in the parking lot of the Surrey Gurdwara, of which he was president. His killing sparked significant speculation because he was the third Khalistani activist to be slain abroad in 45 days.