In a shocking incident on Sunday evening, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the separatist outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was shot dead by unidentified individuals within the premises of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara Sahib in Canada. The incident took place at 8:27 pm local time, according to reports from PTI. Nijjar’s name had previously appeared on a list of designated terrorists released by the Indian government, which included 40 other individuals.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had been actively pursuing Nijjar for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to assassinate a Hindu priest in Jalandhar, Punjab. Last year, the NIA had announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh for any information leading to Nijjar’s arrest. The NIA had stated that Nijjar, presently residing in Canada, was the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and had conspired with the outfit to carry out the attack. In July 2022, the NIA filed a chargesheet against Nijjar and three other individuals for their role in a conspiracy to kill Hindu priest Kamaldeep Sharma in Jalandhar’s Phillaur area.
The chargesheet implicated Nijjar’s associates Kamaljeet Sharma, Ram Singh alias Sona, and Arshdeep Singh alias Prabh, stating that the attack was orchestrated by Nijjar and Arshdeep Singh. The investigation further revealed that the motive behind the conspiracy was to disrupt peace and communal harmony in Punjab by targeting a Hindu priest. The NIA had previously filed a chargesheet against Nijjar in another case related to conspiring to commit terrorist acts against India.
The agency also accused Nijjar of promoting the secessionist and violent agenda of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), led by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, within India. The Indian government had urged Canadian authorities to take action against Nijjar due to his alleged involvement in terrorist activities in Punjab. Apart from being the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force, Nijjar was also the president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey and associated with the SFJ. In 2020, Nijjar was appointed as SFJ’s representative in Canada and played a significant role in organizing the Khalistani referendum in Brampton.
The targeted shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist and prominent figure in the Khalistan Tiger Force, has raised concerns about the spread of extremist ideologies and the need for international cooperation in combating such threats. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining peace, harmony, and unity among different communities, while jointly working towards eradicating terrorism and its roots.