Several cases are pending against Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in India for various terror activities and his extradition had been sought from Canada many times in the past, top intelligence sources told CNN-News18 on Wednesday.
On June 18, 2023, Nijjar was shot dead in Surrey in what Canadian authorities initially considered a gang-related killing. However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an explosive claim in parliament, accusing the Indian government of orchestrating an “extra-judicial killing” of Nijjar. This accusation, based on intelligence provided by the Five Eyes alliance, has led to diplomatic tensions between India and Canada.
According to the sources, a lookout circular was issued against Nijjar in 2015 and a red-corner notice in 2016.
He began his activities with Babbar Khalsa International and later formed his own organisation, the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).
His main objective was to identify youth born after 1984, radicalise them, and use them for terror activities, the sources said.
More than 10 FIRs are pending against him in Punjab and with the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
In 2014, he allegedly arranged the killing of one Baba Bhaniara. In December 2015, Nijjar reportedly organised an arms training camp in Mission Hills, British Columbia, Canada,
He allegedly trained and sent one Mandeep Singh Dhaliwal to kill Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leaders.
Dhaliwal was given training in the use of AK-47 assault rifles, sniper rifles, and pistols. He was sent to Punjab in January 2016 to carry out targeted killings, but he was arrested in June before he could execute the plan, said the sources.
Dhaliwal, in his testimony, disclosed how Nijjar had given him arms training in Canada.
According to a Punjab police dossier, in 2020, Nijjar, in association with gangster Arshdeep Singh Dalla of Moga (now hiding in Canada), raised a four-member KTF module in Punjab.
In 2021, with the help of Arsh Dalla, he allegedly killed Manohar Lal. In January 2021, they attempted an attack on Hindu priest Pragya Gyan Muni. Later, they tried to kill Shakti Singh, who was accused of sacrilege, the sources said.
Nijjar is accused of sending tiffin bombs with the help of Arsh Dalla for nationwide attacks, which were recovered by various state police forces from time to time.
According to intelligence agencies, he was working closely with Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, one of the main leaders of the Khalistan movement, and providing him with support in carrying out terror activities.
The main cases against him are waging war against the country and reviving terrorism.
Nijjar was declared a terrorist in 2020. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) highlighted Nijjar’s anti-India activities in Canada.
He is suspected of being behind the killing of Sikh leader Ripudaman Singh Malik in Surrey on July 14 this year.
The NIA dossier said that to reach the truth of Ripudaman’s murder, the Canadian police needed to interrogate Nijjar and his associates thoroughly.
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