A trucking business connected to slain Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar became the target of gunfire late Wednesday night in Surrey, British Columbia, marking a troubling escalation in what appears to be ongoing tensions following Nijjar’s assassination last year.
The incident occurred around 11:30 PM at Guru Nanak Trucking, a company owned by Nijjar’s cousin Ramandeep Singh. According to Surrey Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), multiple shots were fired at the business premises, though fortunately no injuries were reported.
“This appears to be a targeted incident,” stated Corporal James Mason of Surrey RCMP in an official communication with the press. “Our investigators are examining all possible motives, including potential connections to previous incidents involving associates of Mr. Nijjar.”
The shooting comes at a particularly sensitive time in Canada-India relations, which have deteriorated significantly since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau‘s explosive allegations last September linking Indian government agents to Nijjar’s killing. India has consistently denied these claims, calling them “absurd” and “politically motivated.”
Ramandeep Singh, speaking to local media, pointed fingers at the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, claiming they were operating “at the behest of Indian agencies.” These allegations, however, remain unsubstantiated as police continue their investigation.
“We’ve been receiving threats for months,” Singh told reporters. “This attack is clearly meant to intimidate the Sikh community in Canada who support the Khalistan movement.”
The incident adds another layer of complexity to the already strained diplomatic situation between Ottawa and New Delhi. Relations hit a historic low following Nijjar’s killing, with both nations expelling diplomats and India temporarily suspending visa services for Canadian citizens.
Security experts monitoring the situation note this could represent a worrying pattern. “What we’re potentially seeing is the internationalization of conflicts that were previously contained within South Asia,” explains Dr. Helena Moravec, Professor of International Security at the University of Toronto. “Canadian authorities now face the challenge of determining whether this is part of organized crime activity, politically motivated violence, or some intersection of both.”
Surrey, home to one of Canada’s largest Sikh communities, has seen increasing security concerns in recent months. The local RCMP has stepped up patrols around key Sikh institutions, including the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara where Nijjar once served as president before his killing in its parking lot last June.
Canadian officials have remained cautious in their public statements about the shooting, likely aware of the diplomatic sensitivities involved. However, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting all communities from violence during a press conference in Ottawa yesterday.
“Every Canadian deserves to feel safe in their community and workplace,” LeBlanc stated. “We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
As tensions continue to simmer between the two nations, the question remains: can Canada effectively protect individuals and businesses caught in the crosshairs of what appears to be an increasingly internationalized conflict, or will this incident further complicate the already damaged diplomatic relationship with India?
