Canadian police have issued a threat warning to Inderjeet Singh Gosal, an aide to slain Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This follows an investigation by Ontario police, working in conjunction with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), who determined that Gosal’s life is at increased risk.
Gosal served as an aide to Nijjar, who was assassinated in June 2023. The murder sparked a diplomatic crisis between Canada and India, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accusing the Indian government of possible involvement. Four individuals have been charged with the killing, and India has denied any connection to the incident.
Adding further complexity to the situation, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating a drive-by shooting that targeted a California activist with close ties to Nijjar in August 2023.
This latest threat warning underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding Sikh separatism and the potential for violence. Gosal, in a statement, acknowledged the threat but reaffirmed his commitment to the cause of Sikh independence.
Neither the RCMP nor Ontario police have publicly commented on the specific nature of the threat or the individuals believed to be responsible. The office of Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc also declined to comment.
This incident follows a previous alleged assassination attempt against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Sikh separatist, which was foiled by the FBI in June 2023. An Indian national, Nikhil Gupta, was charged with attempting to arrange the murder at the behest of an Indian intelligence official.
The escalating tensions and violence highlight the complex and sensitive nature of the Sikh separatist movement and the potential for international ramifications.
