Court records show that Amandeep Singh, one of the alleged hitmen accused of killing B.C. Sikh temple leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, was arrested and released in Surrey, B.C. shortly before the attack. Singh had previously signed an undertaking agreeing to turn up for his court appearances and not possess firearms, but he allegedly opened fire on Nijjar in the parking lot of Surrey’s Guru Nanak Sikh Temple twelve days later.The RCMP is investigating the possible involvement of the Indian government in Nijjar’s killing, which may be part of a trend where foreign intelligence services are contracting out killings to crime groups. Singh, along with three others accused of taking part in the murder, are Indian nationals in their 20s who came to Canada on temporary visas. Singh was studying in Surrey but took a year off and worked nightshifts at a warehouse before allegedly being involved in the shooting.
Singh was charged with fleeing police and dangerous driving after failing to stop for the RCMP, but was released on an undertaking before Nijjar’s murder. He was accused of being involved in the possession of a loaded firearm found in a semi-trailer. Singh moved to Ontario and was staying in Brampton until he was arrested with four others on November 3, 2023. Singh was still detained in Ontario when he was charged with Nijjar’s murder in May.The Sikh community, led by Nijjar’s close friend Moninder Singh, has focused on India as the primary culprit behind the assassination. They are calling for justice, including an inquiry into India’s role in the assassination and interference in Canada. India has denied any involvement in the conspiracy and blamed gangs for the killing, while also complaining about Canada’s failure to crack down on the Khalistan movement.
A similar plot against Nijjar’s associate, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, was disrupted in the United States, where an Indian intelligence officer based in New Delhi is accused of hiring an Indian crime figure to carry out the murder. Both Nijjar and Pannun were organizing a referendum on Khalistan at the time they were targeted. Pannun believes that only the “foot soldiers” have been arrested so far, and is urging Canada to investigate further. He has accused Indian diplomats, consular representatives, and RAW agents in Ottawa and Vancouver of involvement in the plot. Since the RCMP arrests, India has allegedly launched a wave of terror against pro-Khalistan activists in India.
In response to the arrests in Canada, the Punjab Police in India claimed to have arrested three men they described as Sikhs for Justice “operatives.” The director general of the police force, Gaurav Yadav, posted photos of the men and accused them of writing pro-Khalistan slogans at public places. He claimed the men were backed by Pannun, whom he referred to as the “mastermind” behind the campaign. Pannun has criticized these actions as attempts to suppress the pro-Khalistan movement and has called for international investigations into the alleged involvement of Indian intelligence in targeting activists. The situation is ongoing, with tensions between the Sikh community, India, and Canada impacting relations and investigations into these alleged plots and assassinations.
