Canada police arrest 'hit squad members' linked to Nijjar killing case: Report

NEW DELHI: The Canadian police on Friday arrested members of an alleged hit squad linked to the murder of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year, according to a media report.

According to sources, investigators had identified the suspects in Canada several months ago and had been actively investigating possible links to three additional murders in Canada, including the shooting death of an 11-year-old boy in Edmonton.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were reportedly instrumental in the apprehension of the individuals involved, although they were not immediately available for comment.

Members of the hit squad are alleged to have played different roles as shooters, drivers and spotters on the day Nijjar was killed at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey in British Columbia, according to the sources.

The men were arrested Friday during police operations in at least two provinces.

Police are expected to announce the arrests and share some details of their investigation later Friday, the report said.

45-year-old Nijjar was shot dead on June 18.

India had on Thursday rejected fresh comments by Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau on the killing of Nijjar and said the remarks once again illustrated the political space given in Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence.

Trudeau addressed a Khalsa Day event in Toronto on Sunday that was attended by some pro-Khalistan people.

On the sidelines of the event, he told the media that the killing of Nijjar in British Columbia in June last year created a "problem" and that he cannot ignore it, in an apparent reference to his earlier allegations of involvement of Indian agents in the assassination.

"PM Trudeau has made such remarks earlier as well. His remarks illustrate once again the political space that has been given in Canada to separatism, extremism, and violence," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"This not only impacts India-Canada relations but also encourages a climate of violence and criminality in Canada to the detriment of its own citizens," he said when asked about Trudeau's remarks.

India on Monday summoned the Canadian deputy high commissioner and lodged a strong protest with him over the raising of pro-'Khalistan' slogans at the event in the presence of Trudeau and several other leaders. Nijjar was a Khalistani separatist and he was wanted in India on various terror charges.

(With inputs from agencies)

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