A close friend of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar has revealed that Nijjar found a tracking device under his car in the weeks leading up to his murder outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in June. Moninder Singh, spokesperson for the Gurdwaras BC Council, stated that Nijjar had discovered the tracking device and had it removed at a mechanic shop. Nijjar was killed in his truck in the gurdwara’s parking lot after an evening prayer on June 18. His death was not unexpected, as he had expressed concerns about his safety to friends and family. Nijjar was an advocate for Khalistan, a Sikh separatist movement seeking an independent homeland separate from India.
Details of security video footage from the gurdwara, not previously disclosed by the police, were shared by Moninder Singh. The footage showed the suspects’ car following Nijjar through the parking lot, cutting him off at the back exit, and forcing him to almost come to a stop before shooters emerged and killed him.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has taken over the case but has not released many details about potential suspects. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently announced credible allegations that the Indian government was involved in Nijjar’s death, a claim denied by India. Federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has also been briefed on the allegations, emphasizing the credibility of the intelligence pointing to foreign government involvement in the murder. The Sikh community has expressed outrage and staged protests against the Indian government in response to Nijjar’s targeted killing.