In Toronto, a vehicle transporting an associate of the late Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a prominent pro-Khalistan figure, was shot at multiple times earlier this month. Satinder Pal Singh Raju, a key organiser of the recent Khalistan Referendum in Calgary, was a passenger in the targeted pick-up truck on a California highway on August 11.
A day prior, the home of a former president of the gurdwara Nijjar led until his death was also fired upon in Surrey, British Columbia. Raju, linked to the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), was described by the group’s general counsel, Gurpatwant Pannun, as a “close associate” of Nijjar and an “active organiser” of the Khalistan Referendum. Pannun stated that Raju “survived a deadly ambush when the truck he was in was sprayed with bullets.”
The California Highway Patrol’s incident report, reviewed by Hindustan Times, noted that “4-5 shots” were fired at the vehicle while it was in Woodland, Yolo County. Pannun alleged that after Nijjar’s death on June 18 last year in Surrey, Raju stayed in the town until October, assisting in organising the referendums held there in 2023 and in Calgary, Alberta, on July 28 this year. He accused the Indian government of targeting Raju and using “transnational repression to violently suppress the global Khalistan Referendum campaign.” Law enforcement has not announced any arrests or attributed a motive for the incident.
🚨 Satinder Pal Singh Raju’s interview on Politics Punjab TV
~ “India’s unabated transnational vi0lence cannot stop the voting process” pic.twitter.com/UOsOpOpHKp
— Ratinder Dhaliwal (@RatinderDhali6) August 21, 2024
On August 10, the residence of Raghbir Nijjar, former president of the Guru Nanak Sikh temple in Surrey, was also fired upon. The Surrey detachment of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reported that the shooting occurred at 3:10 am. They found evidence indicating a shooting and an attempted arson at the scene. The RCMP suggested that the incident may be connected to a series of extortion-related shootings targeting Indo-Canadian businesses and individuals over the past year.
A person familiar with the incident said Raghbir Nijjar, from the same village as Hardeep Nijjar and believed to be related, is attempting to become the gurdwara’s president again. Hardeep Nijjar’s murder strained relations between New Delhi and Ottawa after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned “credible allegations” of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing in the House of Commons three months later. India dismissed these allegations as “absurd” and “motivated.”
Canadian investigators have arrested four Indian nationals this year in connection with the murder, but evidence of an Indian connection has yet to be provided, though the investigation continues.
Other Perspective
- WION News reports that a top aide of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who organized a Khalistan referendum, was attacked in the US, heightening tensions between India and Canada.(read more)
- Geo TV reports that Satinder Pal Singh Raju, a pro-Khalistan activist, survived an assassination attempt in California, with India’s Modi regime blamed for ordering the attack.(read more)
- WIONews reports that a top aide of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the organiser of the Khalistan referendum, was attacked in the US.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to Satinder Pal Singh Raju’s car?
It was fired upon multiple times on a highway in California on August 11.
Who is Satinder Pal Singh Raju?
Raju is an associate of Hardeep Singh Nijjar and an organiser of the Khalistan Referendum.
Was anyone arrested for the attack on Raju’s car?
No arrests have been announced by law enforcement.
What happened at Raghbir Nijjar’s residence?
His residence was fired upon and there was evidence of an attempted arson.
What was the impact of Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder on India-Canada relations?
It led to strained relations after Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s statement of a potential Indian link.