In a significant development, the notorious Khalistani terrorist and radical separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in a targeted attack within the premises of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Nijjar, the head of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and a prominent figure in the pro-Khalistan movement, was gunned down by two unidentified assailants.

This incident comes as a major blow to Khalistani separatism, following the recent deaths of other high-profile Khalistani leaders. The circumstances surrounding Nijjar's killing and its implications are still being investigated, with local police apprehending two individuals in connection with the incident.

The news of Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing sent shockwaves through his followers and supporters, triggering a highly charged atmosphere at the crime scene. Within a short span of time, hundreds of Nijjar's followers converged on the location, expressing their grief and anger over the incident. Their emotions were palpable as they raised anti-India slogans, reflecting their deep-rooted allegiance to the Khalistani cause.

The scene was filled with a mixture of disbelief, sorrow, and simmering resentment towards the perceived oppressors of the pro-Khalistan movement. Nijjar's followers, who had admired and revered him as a leader, were now confronted with the harsh reality of his violent demise. The air was thick with a sense of loss and a desire for justice, as they sought solace in their shared grievances against India.

The recent series of deaths within the pro-Khalistan movement has sparked significant intrigue and speculation. It is indeed a remarkable coincidence that three prominent figures associated with the movement have met untimely demises within the span of a month.

The recent series of deaths within the pro-Khalistan movement has sparked significant intrigue and speculation. It is indeed a remarkable coincidence that three prominent figures associated with the movement have met untimely demises within the span of a month. Each of these incidents has added fuel to the ongoing discourse surrounding the Khalistan cause, generating widespread attention and raising questions about potential connections or underlying factors.

The first of these high-profile deaths was that of Paramjit Singh Panjwar, the chief of the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), who was reportedly shot dead in Pakistan. This incident sent shockwaves through the pro-Khalistan community, as Panjwar had long been considered a formidable and influential figure within the movement. His assassination added an aura of mystery and apprehension, leaving many wondering about the motives and circumstances behind his killing.

Following Panjwar's death, the pro-Khalistan movement faced yet another blow with the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), in Canada. Nijjar's demise further intensified the prevailing sense of unease and raised concerns about the safety and security of prominent Khalistani leaders. The circumstances surrounding his targeted shooting within the premises of a Gurdwara added a sinister dimension to the incident, leaving both his followers and observers baffled and searching for answers.

Adding to the string of deaths, Avtar Singh Khanda, the chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), passed away in a hospital due to oncological complications. While Khanda's death was attributed to health issues, its proximity to the other two incidents has ignited speculation and led to conjecture about potential connections or common underlying factors. The sudden demise of a key Khalistani figure like Khanda only added to the sense of tragedy and instability within the movement.

These consecutive deaths have not only dealt a significant blow to the pro-Khalistan movement but have also raised concerns about the overall security and well-being of its leaders. The close succession of these incidents has prompted fervent discussions and debates within both the Khalistani circles and the wider public domain. Various theories have emerged, exploring the possibility of external influences, internal rivalries, or even a coordinated effort to suppress the movement.

The Rise and Notoriety of Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Hardeep Singh Nijjar, aged 46, originally hailed from Bhar Singh Pura village in Jalandhar, India. He had been based in Canada for several decades and had gained infamy as a wanted terrorist. The Indian government had declared Nijjar a wanted fugitive and offered a reward of Rs 10 lakhs for information leading to his arrest. Nijjar served as the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and was also the director of the banned terrorist outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). His involvement in the organization of the Khalistan referendum in Brampton city further solidified his position within the pro-Khalistan movement.

Involvement in Terrorist Activities: Nijjar's role in promoting and propagating Khalistani separatism was extensive. He was known for his active participation in operationalizing, networking, training, and financing Khalistani militants across the globe. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had recently filed a chargesheet against Nijjar, highlighting his involvement in various terrorist activities. He faced charges in multiple cases registered and investigated by the Punjab Police, leading to the issuance of a red corner notice against him.

Connections and Activities: Nijjar's notoriety grew after his visit to Pakistan in 2013-14, where he met with Jagtar Singh Tara of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and representatives of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Reports indicate that he organized a training camp for Khalistani militants in Missigen Hills, British Columbia, in December 2015, providing small arms training. He played a significant role in training KTF militants and coordinating their activities in India.

Implications and Rivalry: The recent deaths of prominent Khalistani leaders, including Nijjar, have sparked speculation within the Khalistani circles. Accusations of Nijjar's involvement in the alleged poisoning of Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) chief Avtar Singh Khanda have surfaced, with Canadian authorities investigating potential rivalry and revenge motives. Nijjar was also named as a suspect in the assassination of Sikh leader Ripudaman Malik in 2022.

International Cooperation and Red Corner Notice: Hardeep Singh Nijjar's activities drew the attention of global authorities. The then Chief Minister of Punjab, Captain Amarinder Singh, handed over a list of wanted terrorists, including Nijjar, to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2018. This led to increased international cooperation in tracking Nijjar's movements. With the issuance of a red corner notice against him, efforts to apprehend Nijjar intensified.

Conclusion: The killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent figure in the Khalistan movement and a wanted terrorist, marks a significant blow to Khalistani separatism. His involvement in organizing training camps, coordinating militant activities, and promoting Khalistan ideology had drawn the attention of international security agencies. The circumstances surrounding Nijjar's death and the potential implications for the pro-Khalistan movement are under investigation.

Additional reports suggest a concerning development within the pro-Khalistan landscape, specifically regarding Hardeep Singh Nijjar and his alleged collaboration with Mandeep Singh, a Canadian resident. These reports indicate their involvement in a concerted effort to revive the Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) organization by injecting substantial funds into its operations.

The resurgence of the BKI, a proscribed terrorist outfit, has raised alarm bells among security agencies and governments alike. Nijjar and Singh's purported attempts to bolster the organization's activities through financial means have added a new layer of complexity to an already sensitive situation. It suggests a concerted effort to reignite the activities of a group notorious for its involvement in violent and extremist activities.

Reviving the BKI would not only pose a serious threat to regional security but also undermine the peace and stability that governments have been working tirelessly to maintain. The injection of significant funds into such an organization could potentially enable them to expand their network, recruit new members, and carry out acts of violence with greater impunity.

The implications of these reports raise concerns about the level of support and resources available to pro-Khalistan elements operating within Canada. It underscores the need for heightened vigilance and cooperative efforts between intelligence agencies to address the potential risks associated with the reinvigoration of a banned terrorist group.

As investigations continue into these alleged activities, it becomes imperative for authorities to closely monitor and disrupt any attempts to finance and resuscitate groups like the BKI. Collaborative international efforts and intelligence sharing will play a crucial role in dismantling these networks and thwarting their dangerous agenda.

The reports regarding Nijjar and Singh's involvement in the revival of the BKI serve as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges posed by extremist ideologies and the importance of sustained efforts to counter them. Governments and security agencies must remain steadfast in their commitment to combating terrorism, upholding the rule of law, and safeguarding the well-being of their citizens.

By addressing the root causes of radicalization, enhancing intelligence capabilities, and coordinating international counter-terrorism efforts, it is possible to curtail the influence of extremist organizations and prevent them from reemerging as significant threats to global peace and security.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar - Kundali

Name: Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Aliases: Nijjar
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: 11-Oct-1977
Place of Birth: Bhar Singh Pura in Jalandhar district, Punjab
Citizenship: Canada
Current Residence: 12551, 89-A AVE, Surrey, BC-1A9, Canada
Organizational Affiliations: Babbar Khalsa International (BKI),Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF)
Current Position: ‘chief’ of KTF
Criminal Record/Court Cases/Charges:

A native of harsinghpur in Jalandhar District, Nijjar is currently based in Surrey, Canada. He reportedly worked as a plumber and according to media reports, he was elected unopposed to head the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara in Surrey, Canada. He has visited Pakistan in 2013-14 to meet with Jagtar Singh Tara of KTF, who was arrested from Thailand in 2015, and Pakistan’s ISI. He also organized a training camp for Khalistani militants in Missigen Hills in British Colombia in December 2015 in which small arms training was imparted. Nijjar is actively involved in training KTF militants and operationalizing them in India.Some reports also indicate that Nijjar along with another Canadian resident, Mandeep Singh was working to revive Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) by injecting funds into the organization.

In 2010, Punjab Police had filed a FIR against Nijjar for his involvement in an explosion near Satya Narayan temple in Patiala. Separately, in 2015 another FIR was filed against him for plotting to kill religious leaders. Later in 2016 another FIR was filed for organizing training camp in Canada in December 2015. A Look out Circular (LOC) and a Red Corner Notice (RCN) were also lodged against him in 2015 and 2016. Although Canadian authorities had briefly detained him in April 2018, he was released without any charges being filed. 

Timeline

09-Jan-2023 | The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) declared Canada-based gangster Arshdeep Singh Gill, alias Arsh Dalla, a designated terrorist after discovering his involvement in crimes such as murder, extortion, targeted killings, and terrorism. According to MHA notification, Gill is associated with the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and is accused of various offences, including targeted killing, extortion for terrorism funding, attempted murder, inciting communal strife, and spreading terror in Punjab. The UMHA in a statement said that Arsh Dalla has been designated as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 due to his involvement in cross-border smuggling of drugs and weapons and association with the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Arshdeep Singh Gill, who is originally from Ludhiana but currently resides in Canada, has been accused in various cases by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), including targeted killing, extortion for terror funding, attempted murder, inciting communal unrest, and inciting fear among the people of Punjab. This marks the fifth individual to be designated as a terrorist in the past week, all of whom are based in countries including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Canada. According to UMHA, Gill is closely connected to Hardeep Singh Nijjar and is involved in running terror modules on behalf of Nijjar. Gill has been involved in crimes such as murder, extortion, and targeted killings, as well as terror financing and the large-scale smuggling of drugs and weapons across borders. As a result, the Central Government has added Gill as a terrorist under section 35 of the UAPA. This will make Gill the 53rd individual to be designated as a terrorist under the Act. 

24-Sep-2022 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA), on September 24, filed a supplementary ‘challan’ in the designated court at Mohali District of Punjab in the case of the targeted killing of a Hindu priest by terrorists in Phillaur Tehsil (revenue unit) in Jalandhar District in January 2021. The NIA has in its charge sheet named one Gagandeep Singh alias Gaggu resident of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, who is a member of banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) led by Canada-based Hardeep Nijjar. Gaggu, on the instructions of Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh, an associate of Nijjar, extended help to other assailants in executing the plan for the targeted killing. Gaggu was the supplier of arms and ammunition to the gang members who were charge-sheeted in July 2022. 

26-Jan-2022 | Khalistani terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on multiple terror charges raised the 80 feet high Khalistan flag towering above Tricolour at the Indian Embassy in Vancouver.

08-Jan-2022 | According to sources, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team will soon leave for Germany to investigate a case against Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) member Jaswinder Singh Multani, who is allegedly planning attacks in Mumbai and other parts of India with the support of operatives from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and his Punjab-based associates. The NIA had last month registered a case under criminal conspiracy charges and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, against Multani and other operatives of the SFJ for “conspiring to carry out terror attacks in India and revive militancy in Punjab”. However, the NIA made it clear that this case has no connection with the blast at Ludhiana’s district and sessions court complex that took place on 23 December 2021. The source said, “Multani is in contact with “ISI operative Jibran as well as a Pakistan-based smuggling network involving history-sheeters Rana Taseem, Imran and others, and is actively pursuing a conspiracy to carry out attacks in Mumbai and other parts of India, with support of his Punjab-based associates”. “Multani’s associates include Jagdish Singh Bhura of the Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), deputy chief of KZF Gurmeet Singh, who is also associated with SFJ, Ranjeet Singh Pakhoke of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Sukhdev Singh Heran and Hardeep Singh Nijjar of Babbar Khalsa International, and KTF members Paramjit Singh Pamma and Ranjeet Singh Neeta,” the source added. However, Multani has denied his involvement in terrorism conspiracies.

07-Jan-2022 | Three accomplices of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) operative Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala, an aide of KTF’s Canada-based chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, were arrested with two hand-grenades and two pistols from Chogawan village in Moga district on January 7. The arrested persons were identified as as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, Varinder Singh alias Vinda and Baljeet Singh. According to police, they had planned to attack a church in Moga to disturb the law-and-order situation. A .9mm pistol, a magazine and six cartridges were recovered from Gurpreet Singh, while a .9mm pistol, two magazines and 12 cartridges were found with Varinder Singh and two hand-grenades were recovered from Baljeet Singh. “During interrogation, they said that they were in regular touch with Arsh Dala, who provided them the grenades to throw at a religious place. He had also given them money for this task,” Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Charanjeet Singh Sohal said.  

01-Jun-2021 | Punjab Police arrested a suspected Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) operative, who they believe was one of the main shooters involved in the murder of a follower of the Dera Sacha Sauda and the attempted murder of a priest, identified as Kamaljeet Sharma along with four .315 bore pistols with 10 live cartridges from near village Nathuwala Jadid in Moga District. Earlier, Police arrested two of his associates Lovepreet Singh and Ram Singh from Moga on May 22. Police claim the trio had been found acting on the directions of KTF’s Canada based chief, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who has been notified as a ‘designated terrorist’ under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) by the central government.  

22-May-2021 | Punjab Police arrested two operatives of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), identified as Lovepreet Singh alias Ravi and Ram Singh alias Sonu from the rear side of Senior Secondary School near railway crossing Mehna in Moga district on May 22. The duo allegedly involved in several heinous crimes in the last one year, including the murder of a sect follower and firing on a priest. They were acting on the directions of KTF’s Canada-based chief, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, whose name incidentally figured in the list of Khalistani operatives that was handed over by Chief Minister (CM) Amarinder Singh to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the latter’s visit to India in 2018. With their arrest, police also foiled a plan to kill another sect follower, who they were targeting to take revenge in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib sacrilege cases. Three 0.32 bore pistols with 38 live cartridges and one 0.315 bore pistol with 10 live cartridges, along with two magazines, were also recovered from the suspects. The DGP Dinkar Gupta disclosed that “Besides, Nijjar, three of their other KTF’s co-conspirators, identified as Arshdip, Ramandip and Charanjit alias Rinku Bihla, are hiding out in Surrey (BC) Canada, while one, Kamaljeet Sharma alias Kamal, is still absconding.” He said while Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh and Ramandeep Singh alias Raman Judge went to Canada legally in 2019 and 2017 respectively, Charanjit Singh alias Rinku Bihla had gone there illegally in around 2013-14. The DGP also said investigations were in progress to unravel further links of the accused and trace other previous crimes in which they might have been involved.

09-Dec-2020 | The National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a chargesheet against 16 foreign-based Khalistanis, who are members of the banned US based secessionist organization - Sikh for Justice (SFJ), before a NIA special court in New Delhi. The chargesheet relates to a case pertaining to an alleged organised conspiracy by the 16 accused to launch a concerted secessionist campaign under the banner of 'Referendum 2020' for the creation of ‘Khalistan’. The charge-sheeted accused are – Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (resident of New York, USA), Avtar Singh Pannun (New York, USA), Gurpreet Singh Baagi (UK) Harpreet Singh alias Rana Singh (New York, USA), Paramjit Singh alias Pamma (UK), Sarabjit Singh Bannur (UK), Amardeep Singh Purewal (California, USA), J S Dhaliwal (Canada), Kulwant Singh Mothada (UK) Dupinderjit Singh (UK), Hardeep Singh Nijjar (Canada), Kulwant Singh alias Kanta (UK), Harjaap Singh alias Japhi Singh (California, USA), Sarabjit Singh aliasSabi Singh (California, USA), Jatinder Singh Grewal, (Canada) and S Himmat Singh (New York, USA). In a statement, the NIA said, “Investigation in the case has revealed that Sikhs for Justice, a secessionist outfit floated in the garb of ‘Human Rights advocacy group’ with its offices in various foreign countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia etc, is a frontal organization of Khalistan terrorist outfits operating from foreign soils including Pakistan. Under this campaign, numerous social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, YouTube Channels and a number of websites have been launched, which are being used to propagate sedition as well as enmity on the grounds of region and religion, to radicalise impressionable youth, to cause disturbance to peace and harmony and to raise funds for terrorist activities.” 

20-Nov-2020 | Two unidentified persons shot dead a prominent dera follower, Manohar Lal, who is a member of 25 members committee of Dera Sacha Sauda and is father of Jatinderbir Singh Jimmy, who is an accused in a sacrilege incident, near the bus stand at Bhagta Bhaika in Bathinda in Bathinda District. Bathinda SSP Bhupinderjit Singh Virk said that police teams have started a probe and are working on all angles, so far, the identity of the accused is not ascertained but hope that soon police would arrest the accused.

01-Jul-2020 | Government of India declared nine individuals, including pro-Khalistani leader and the key member of banned outfit Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun as terrorists under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UAPA]. Pannun, who organized the Khalistan 2020 referendum, has been seen actively running a campaign against India and motivating Sikh youngsters in his home state of Punjab to join militancy. The others who have been designated by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) as individual terrorists under the UAPA include Paramjit Singh (Babbar Khalsa International), Hardeep Singh Nijjar (Khalistan Tiger Force), Gurmit Singh Bagga (Khalistan Zindabad Force), Wadhawa Singh Babbar (Babbar Khalsa International), Lakhbir Singh (International Sikh Youth Federation), Ranjeet Singh (Khalistan Zindabad Force), Paramjit Singh (Khalistan Commando Force), Bhupinder Singh Bhinda (Khalistan Zindabad Force). Following an amendment in the UAPA recently, the UMHA declared a total of 13 persons as individual terrorists till date. In an official statement the U said, “These individuals are involved in various acts of terrorism from across the border and from foreign soil. They have been relentless in their nefarious efforts of destabilising the country, by trying to revive militancy in Punjab through their anti-national activities and through their support to and involvement in the Khalistan Movement.”

31-May-2020 | According to reports, the pro-Khalistan group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and their activities has been earning criticisms across several nations and this is evident from various incidents that are taking place in recent times. The latest is an ugly incident at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Surrey, BC Canada where Hardip Singh Nijjar, President of the gurdwara was involved in a brawl. Sukhi Chahal, CEO and chairman of California-based JDS Unified LLC said that “In a May 28, 2020 tweet, one of my latest questions put to Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, self-styled Legal Adviser of so-called 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ) was to comment on the recent reported fight between Hardeep Nijjar and others at Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Surrey, BC Canada.” He said, “Hardeep Nijjar is learnt to be a ‘proclaimed Offender’ and a wanted criminal in India." “I fail to understand why such criminals are at all allowed to enter other countries and granted asylums as in Nijjar’s case. How do such criminals manage to occupy important positions of Gurdwaras abroad?”, asked Chahal. 

10-Jul-2019 | The Government of India banned the pro-Khalistan radical group, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) for five years and declared it as an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. The US-based secessionist outfit with the primary objective of establishing an independent and sovereign country has its top leadership based in US, UK and Canada, with just 8-10 active members and negligible support base in India. SFJ enjoys strong online presence through social media accounts run in its own name or by its leaders — main promoter Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a New York-based attorney, apart from Hardip Singh Nijjar and Paramjit Singh Pamma who are principal proponents of “Referendum 2020” in Canada and UK respectively. A senior Union Ministry of Home Affairs (UMHA) official said all the major Sikh bodies consulted ahead of the five-year ban had supported the action and that the Centre had largely relied on the “material” sent by Punjab Government to impose the ban.

References:

KhalistanExtremismMonitor.org