Canadian authorities investigate potential Indian government links in the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent figure in Sikh separatist movements, was found dead in Surrey, Canada, sparking investigations into potential connections with Indian government agents. Nijjar, aged 45, played a key role in advocating for an independent Sikh homeland and was actively involved in Sikh separatist activities.

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Net Worth:

Estimates of Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s net worth vary, but sources suggest it to be around $5 million.

Age:

Born in Bhar Singh Pura, Jalandhar district, Punjab, on October 11, 1977, Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s life took a controversial turn as he became a significant figure in the Sikh separatist movement. After his family moved to Canada, he worked as a plumber to make a living. 

On June 18, 2023, at the age of 45, Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s life came to a violent end. He was discovered dead inside a bullet-riddled car parked at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey at 8:27 pm. Nijjar, considered a Khalistani terrorist wanted by the Indian government, was the target of a fatal shooting in Surrey, Canada.

Wife:

While Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s personal life remained relatively private, it is known that he was a married man, but details about his wife, as well as their children, are scarce.

Family:

Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s father’s name was Piara Singh, but information about his mother and the nature of his parents’ profession remains undisclosed.

Nationality and Religion: 

His nationality was Indian but he was a Canadian citizen and he practiced Sikhism. 

Allegations and Legal Issues:

Nijjar’s involvement in Sikh separatist activities dates back to the 2010 Satyanarayan Temple bomb blast in Patiala, which resulted in injuries to several people. In 2013-14, he traveled to Pakistan, where he met Jagtar Singh Tara, the then Commander-in-Chief of the Khalistani Tiger Force (KTF). His actions led to the Indian government issuing a Look Out Circular (LOC) against him in January 2015, prompting extradition requests from India to Canada.

International Implications:

Indian intelligence agencies alerted Canadian authorities in December 2015 about a small arms training camp organized by Nijjar-led KTF in British Columbia, Canada. However, no action was taken due to a lack of evidence. In March 2016, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) issued a Red Corner Notice (RCN) against him. Despite being briefly taken into custody by Canadian law enforcement in April 2018, he was released due to insufficient evidence. Later, Nijjar became the president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey, where reports suggest he assumed this role by coercing the Gurdwara Committee.

In 2020, the NIA designated Nijjar as an individual terrorist and announced a reward of Rs. 10 lakh for information related to his involvement in the murder of Kamaldeep Sharma, a Hindu priest in Punjab’s Jalandhar. Additionally, he was charge-sheeted by the NIA in connection with the murder of Ripudaman Singh Malik, one of the accused in the 1985 Air India bombing.

Investigation into Assassination:

Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s assassination on June 18, 2023, at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey has raised suspicions, with Canadian authorities now examining credible allegations of links between his murder and Indian government agents. Nijjar’s death further complicates the international implications of Sikh separatist movements.

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As investigations continue, questions surrounding Nijjar’s life, advocacy, and potential connections to the Indian government remain at the forefront of this developing story.