Killing of B.C. Sikh leader reportedly captured on camera | 24CA News
The closing moments of murdered B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar have been caught on digital camera, based on members of the Surrey gurdwara the place he served as president.
Nijjar was gunned down in his truck exterior the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara on the night of June 18. The killing has grew to become a significant diplomatic flashpoint this month, after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instructed Parliament there have been “credible allegations” of a “potential link” between “agents of the government of India” and the killing.
As first reported by the Washington Post, the capturing was captured on the gurdwara’s safety cameras.
Global News has not seen the video, which the temple shouldn’t be making public, however leaders say it has been turned over to the RCMP and Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
Gurdwara volunteer Gurkeerat Singh instructed Global News he had seen a 90-second clip of the footage.
“This was pre-planned and well orchestrated — there was definitely more than two people involved in this murder,” he stated.
Singh stated the video reveals Nijjar entering into his car and starting to drive, when a white automotive pulls up and begins driving alongside him.
As Nijjar turns in the direction of the gurdwara parking zone’s exit, the white automotive pulls in entrance of him and blocks him off, earlier than two males who have been ready underneath a coated space method, increase firearms and open hearth.
“That car was used as a blocker car to block Mr. Hardeep Singh Nijjar in while the assassins came and shot at him from the driver’s seat. That car made its way out and quickly after that the assassins, they moved out as well,” he stated.
“From watching the video we could tell that this wasn’t something done abruptly, or it wasn’t a random act — that this was well planned, orchestrated.”
Singh estimated the gunmen fired between 40 and 50 pictures.
IHIT has beforehand stated two “heavier-set” males with face coverings have been seen fleeing the scene on foot alongside 122nd Street and thru Cougar Creek Park.
The suspects received right into a silver 2008 Toyota Camry close to 121st Street and 68th Avenue the place a 3rd suspect was “intentionally waiting,” based on IHIT.
Monday’s Post investigation, nevertheless, cited a witness who stated there have been three individuals ready within the getaway car.
That report additionally raised issues from witnesses who claimed it took police between 12 and 20 minutes to reach on scene.
Singh, who was not on website when the capturing occurred, stated he has heard comparable issues from different temple members who have been there on the time.
The Post report additional alleged a jurisdictional dispute between Surrey police and RCMP over who would lead the investigation.
The Surrey Police Service disputed that characterization Tuesday, telling Global News the Surrey RCMP stays the police of jurisdiction within the metropolis, and would routinely have operational management.
IHIT additionally launched a press release Tuesday difficult what it described as “misinformation” within the Post report.
“The first 911 call in relation to this incident was received at 8:27 p.m. and the first officers arrived on scene in under four minutes, with more officers arriving on scene shortly after,” IHIT stated.
“It was suggested that there was a conflict regarding which police agency would ‘head the investigation,’ however as the police of jurisdiction, Surrey RCMP is responsible for all police investigations in Surrey. There is nothing to indicate this investigation was delayed in any way, either in the initial response or in subsequent investigative steps.”
Nijjar’s buddies say he had been nervous about his security within the days earlier than the capturing.
“He came to my home to say a tracker had been found in the wheel well in the same pickup truck that he had been killed in,” Moninder Singh, spokesperson for the B.C. Gurdwaras Council instructed Global News.
Nijjar, 45, got here to Canada in 1997, claiming he had been overwhelmed and tortured by Indian police. His refugee declare was denied the next yr for utilizing a fraudulent passport based on immigration information. He grew to become a Canadian citizen in 2015, based on Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
Nijjar went on to marry a B.C. lady and launch a plumbing business, but in addition developed right into a vocal advocate for the Khalistan motion, in search of a separate Sikh nation.
The Indian authorities claims he was a “mastermind/active member” of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), which the nation has designated as a terrorist group, allegations Nijjar denied.
In the wake of Canadian allegations of Indian authorities in his dying, simmering tensions have emerged between the 2 international locations, together with the expulsion of diplomats by each side.
Nijjar’s supporters have additionally staged demonstrations exterior Indian consulates throughout Canada.
On Tuesday, B.C. Premier David Eby stated Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc had dedicated to bettering info sharing with the province to make sure the protection of residents following the killing.
“It’s not just in the South Asian community, the Indian diaspora, people who live in our province. It’s also people who have roots in Iran, or who have roots in China or Ukraine or Russia who are concerned about speaking out about governments in a way they used to feel safe doing, but following the allegations regarding the murder in Surrey feel significant anxiety about speaking out about issues they have every right to speak about in British Columbia,” Eby stated.
“In my meetings I expressed to him and to the public safety minister the importance of B.C. getting proactive information about concerns, threats from the intelligence community so we can act, so we can put in place provincial responses to address these issues faster.”
Eby’s assertion got here on the identical day that gurdwara councils in B.C. and Ontario referred to as for the fast suspension of all safety and intelligence agreements with India and repeated their requires a public inquiry into Nijjar’s dying.
-With information from Global’s Uday Rana and The Canadian Press
