Gunshots Fired at Home of Nijjar's Friend in Disturbing Incident in Canada

Gunshots rang out at the residence of a Sikh activist associated with the late Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India with pro-Khalistani leanings. Nijjar was fatally shot outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia last year. The incident occurred just after 1:20 am on Thursday at a South Surrey home near the 2800 block of 154 Street, according to the Surrey Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Fortunately, there were no reported injuries.

The house owner, identified as Simranjeet Singh, a friend of Nijjar, narrowly escaped harm, and the overnight attack nearly claimed the life of Simranjeet's six-year-old child, as per Moninder Singh, a spokesperson for the B.C. Gurdwaras Council.

CBC reported that the gunfire heavily damaged a car, and the house itself had multiple bullet holes. The Surrey RCMP's Major Crime Section is investigating the incident, considering it an isolated event. However, the exact number of shots fired is yet to be confirmed.

Corporal Sarbjit Sangha stated that the investigation is in its early stages, and the motive behind the shooting remains undetermined. Officers have interviewed neighbors and witnesses, and they are reviewing CCTV footage to gather more information.

Community members, as reported by Moninder, speculate that Simranjeet's connection with Nijjar may have contributed to the attack. The shooting occurred shortly after Simranjeet played a role in organizing a pro-Khalistan protest at the Indian consulate in Vancouver on January 26. Moninder revealed that Simranjeet had informed the RCMP about being followed after protests and expressed concerns for his safety. Despite the shooting, Moninder emphasized that Simranjeet remains committed to his activism for a separate Sikh state and will not be deterred by such incidents. The situation is evolving, and further investigations will shed light on the motives and circumstances surrounding the attack.

(With Agency Inputs)