New Delhi: In what could be described as dramatic footage, the killing of Sikh extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar appears to have been a “larger and more organised” operation than earlier reported, involving around six men and two cars, said a Washington Post report published Tuesday.
Nijjar’s car had also previously been bugged with a tracker, according to Moninder Singh — one of the founders of Sikh Liberation Front (SLF) established in 2017 and spokesman of the British Columbia Sikh Gurdwara Council — indicating that the shooting was targeted.
Chief of pro-separatist outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), 45-year-old Nijjar was shot outside Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey on 18 June by two unidentified gunmen. His death has sparked a diplomatic row between India and Canada, resulting in tit-for-tat expulsions of diplomats, visa bans, reduction of staff at high commissions and more.
Now, footage from a security camera present on the scene has shown new details in the case, said The Washington Post article. A 90-second video clip from the gurdwara security camera shows a white sedan pursuing Nijjar’s grey truck after it exits its parking spot. As it approaches the exit, the sedan blocks the truck’s path. Two masked men in hooded sweatshirts appear from “under a covered waiting area” and approach the truck.
“Community members say investigators have told them that the assailants fired about 50 bullets. Thirty-four hit Nijjar,” the report said.
According to The Washington Post, Bhupinderjit Singh — a volunteer at the gurdwara, of which Nijjar was president — was the first to reach the scene to find that Nijjar was not breathing. He then attempted to pursue the assailants along with a fellow community member, Gurmeet Singh Toor.
Another gurdwara member, Malkit Singh, attempted to pursue the gunmen on foot in the neighbouring Cougar Creek Park. The only witness to get a more distinct look at the gunmen, Malkit Singh described them as wearing a “a Sikh get-up with hoodies pulled over small pughs (turbans) on their heads and masks over their bearded faces.” While one of the men, just over five feet tall and heavy set, was struggling to run fast, the other was about 4 inches taller and leaner, he added, the report said.
Exiting the park, the two unidentified men got into a silver 2008 Toyota Camry, where three men were waiting for them and escaped.
“One of the [running] men pointed his pistol at me right before getting into the car,” Malkit Singh said. “The smell of gunpowder in the air shocked me and reminded me how dangerous they were.”
The Surrey Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Integrated Homicide Investigation Team noted that the police first received a report of the incident at 8.27 pm local time.
According to The Washington Post, witnesses observed a “shocking” delay of about 12-20 mins for police to arrive at the scene despite many police officers regularly patrolling the area. Witnesses observed that Surrey police and the RCMP had “an hour-long tussle” over jurisdiction and who would lead the investigation.
After roughly three months, no one has been charged in the case yet. Apart from the description of the assailants as “two heavier set males”, there has been no information regarding the identities of the suspects. On 21 July, the police asked for public help in identifying the gunmen while on 16 August, the Canadian authorities asked for assistance in recognising the silver 2008 Toyota Camry and driver. However, almost 40 businesses in the vicinity from where the assailants escaped have stated that they are yet to be contacted by the police.
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A ‘hit list’
Many members of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara note that threats to Nijjar’s life were well-known, The Post reported, adding that his son wished his father was given better protection, a bulletproof car and vest, which requires special permits in British Columbia. However, Nijjar is not the only one under threat in the community.
Moninder Singh, the article added, said that he had been told by the federal authorities that his name, like Nijjar’s, has also appeared on “a hit list” but said that he was unaware if the local agencies have been made aware of this.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation against the Indian government, though, has given hope to these community members that the perpetrators will be caught.
Last week, Trudeau on the floor of the Canadian parliament said federal authorities were investigating a possible link between the Indian government and Nijjar’s killing. The US ambassador to Canada, David Cohen, revealed Saturday that “shared intelligence among Five Eyes partners” informed Trudeau’s accusation.
India has rejected these allegations, dismissing them as “absurd and motivated”. The Ministry of External Affairs has also called Canada ‘a safe haven’ for extremists.
Amid strained ties, both countries have issued travel advisories to their citizens. Canada updated its travel advisory yet again Monday, asking citizens to “remain vigilant and exercise caution”. “Safety and security — calls for protests; Entry and exit requirements – visa services suspended,” the update states.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)
Also read: Trudeau’s allegation on Nijjar killing based on Five Eyes input, says US envoy on India-Canada row