Three arrested over Sikh activist's killing in Canada

Three Indian nationals person been arrested and charged implicit the sidesplitting of a Sikh separatist person successful Canada, which sparked a large diplomatic enactment betwixt the 2 countries.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was changeable dormant past June by masked gunmen successful a engaged car parkland successful a Vancouver suburb.

The diplomatic enactment escalated aft Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India's authorities whitethorn person been involved.

Delhi powerfully denied the allegation.

In announcing the arrests connected Friday, Superintendent Mandeep Mooker said the 3 suspects were Karan Brar, 22, Kamal Preet Singh, 22, and 28-year-old Karan Preet Singh.

He said each 3 had been surviving successful Edmonton, Alberta wherever they were arrested. They person been charged with first-degree murder, tribunal records show.

Police added that investigations were continuing, including into "connections to the authorities of India".

"There are abstracted and chiseled investigations ongoing into these matters. Certainly not constricted to the engagement of the radical arrested today," Assistant Commissioner David Teboul said.

Police said determination whitethorn beryllium others progressive successful the killing, an determination whitethorn beryllium further arrests oregon charges.

Mr Nijjar was a Sikh separatist person who publically campaigned for Khalistan - the instauration of an autarkic Sikh homeland successful the Punjab portion of India.

In the 1970s, Sikhs launched a separatist insurgency successful India which saw thousands killed earlier it was quelled the pursuing decade. Since then, the question has been mostly constricted to countries with ample Sikh populations.

India has successful the past described Mr Nijjar arsenic a violent who led a militant separatist radical - accusations his supporters accidental are unfounded. They accidental helium had received threats successful the past due to the fact that of his activism.

He was changeable dormant astatine the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara successful Surrey, a metropolis astir 30km (18 miles) eastbound of Vancouver connected 18 June past year.

Those adjacent to him person said helium was warned by Canadian quality services earlier his decease that helium was connected a "hit list" and determination had been threats connected his life.

Three months aft helium was killed, Mr Trudeau, lasting successful the House of Commons, said Canada was looking astatine "credible allegations perchance linking" the Indian authorities to the killing.

The allegation had been powerfully denied by Indian officials, who accused Canada of providing structure to "Khalistani terrorists and extremists".

The enactment betwixt the 2 countries led Delhi to inquire Ottawa to trim the fig of envoys it had successful India.

Mr Trudeau has besides faced unit to supply grounds for his allegation of Delhi's involvement.