Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder: Canadian police arrest 3 Indians part of a hit squad

Canadian police have arrested three Indians suspected to be part of an alleged hit squad linked to the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia last year.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police arrested three men on Friday, identified as Karanpreet Singh, 28, Kamalpreet Singh, 22 and Karan Brar, 22. According to court documents, the three accused have been charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

"We're investigating their ties, if any, to the Indian government," RCMP superintendent Mandeep Mooker said at a press conference. 

The arrested men were living as non-permanent residents in Alberta for three to five years, said Mooker, who leads the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

Reportedly, the investigators had identified the suspects in Canada some months ago and kept them under tight surveillance.

The alleged members of the hit squad purportedly assumed various roles as shooters, drivers, and spotters during Nijjar's assassination. 

Canadian police said they had worked with US law enforcement agencies on the case, and suggested more arrests might be coming.

"This investigation does not end here. We are aware that others may have played a role in this homicide and we remain dedicated to finding and arresting each one of these individuals," said assistant RCMP commissioner David Teboul.

45-year-old Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and a wanted man in India on various terror charges, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023. 

Nijjar's killing triggered a massive political row between India and Canada last year after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the role of "Indian agents" in the murder. India had rejected the charge as "absurd" and "motivated". After Trudeau's charges, both countries expelled diplomats of the other country.

Earlier this week, a fresh row erupted between India and Canada after separatist slogans on 'Khalistan' were raised at an event addressed by Trudeau. The incident prompted New Delhi to summon their Deputy High Commissioner and lodge a strong protest.