NIA To Delay Visit To Canada For Investigation Into Attack On Indian High Commission, Threats To Diplomats

In light of the ongoing dispute between Canada and India regarding the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has opted to delay their scheduled visit to Canada next month.

The visit was intended to aid the investigation into the attack on the Indian High Commission, purportedly carried out by pro-Khalistan activists.

During a meeting, NIA officials determined that the current circumstances were not conducive to their investigative efforts. The meeting also delved into the extradition process for Arshdeep Singh Gill, a designated terrorist of Khalistan Tiger Force residing in Canada.

Earlier this year, supporters of Khalistan held a protest outside the Indian High Commission in Canada, chanting pro-Khalistan slogans and reportedly assaulting Indian-origin journalists present at the scene.

The NIA has registered cases related to violence in Canada, violence at the Indian High Commission in London, and an attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco.

NIA teams have already visited London and San Francisco as part of their investigation, with a third team seeking approval from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to visit Canada.

The NIA's investigations extend beyond banned pro-Khalistan groups, also encompassing cases involving Punjab gangs and their connections with terrorist organisations.

A chargesheet has been filed against Gill, with substantial evidence indicating his involvement in providing financial and logistical support, including sophisticated weapons to gangs in India, for terrorist activities and targeted assassinations.

The MHA designated Gill as a terrorist on 9 January, following investigations that uncovered his involvement in grave crimes such as murder, extortion, targeted killings, and terrorism.

The R&AW had previously tracked Gill's location in Canada and shared this information with relevant intelligence agencies.

During a meeting at the NIA headquarters, discussions centered on the extradition of Gill, who also plays a significant role in supporting gang members opposed to Lawrence Bishnoi, a incarcerated gangster.